Mistletoe & Wine

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Sean Millar of Pruno Wines shares his top tips on how to choose the perfect wine for a Christmas gift.

 

 

A GREAT BOTTLE OF WINE makes a wonderful gift but finding the right one to impress a discerning friend, colleague or family member can sometimes be a challenge. As a local independent wine merchant, I am often asked which wines make the best gifts.

I would always recommend choosing wines that are unlikely to be found on the supermarket shelves. Introducing a friend or relative to an interesting new wine is likely to create a much better impression than opting for a big name that is produced in high volumes.

I would advise looking for a unique wine from a boutique vineyard, although if you would prefer to opt for a household name, such as a Valpoliccella or Primitivo, I would always choose one from an independent winemaker who has their own story to tell.

Opting for a wine with character is also a smart move. 3.10 Cellar Sitra Blanco and 3.10 Cellar Ruc Tinto, which are skillfully made using organic grapes and a traditional method that has been around for centuries, are both excellent choices.

Awards are also a pretty reliable sign of quality and you’re unlikely to go far wrong by choosing a wine that has picked up a prestigious industry award. Many of the boutique wineries I work with have been recognised for the calibre of their wines.

Viyuela Aniversario, which is produced at a small family run vineyard in the Ribera del Duero, was awarded an impressive 93 points from the highly regarded wine critic, Tim Atkin, and would make a perfect Christmas gift.

Finally, if you’re really stuck for a wine to choose for someone special this Christmas, why not take inspiration from their favourite holiday destination or a place that means something to them to make it a more personal gift. If in doubt, speak to a local independent wine merchant for advice.

Here are my top recommendations, which any discerning wine lover would appreciate finding under the tree this Christmas:

3.10 CELLER RUC TINTO

 

Red wine devotees will enjoy the toasted intense aroma and hints of wild berries in this elegant wine. Aged in oak for 10 months, it is named after a mythical Mallorcan animal, the Ruc.

This organic wine is a safe bet for anyone who likes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah as it is made from a blend of all three grape varieties.

3.10 CELLER SITRA BLANCO

 

An excellent gift for fans of Chardonnay, Viognier and Prensal Blanc – this wine is produced using all three grapes and blended with a tiny bit of sweet Giro.

Taking its name from the Mallorcan word for ‘bicycle’, this beautiful pale straw coloured wine has just the right amount of citrus and a powerful burst of fruit.

VIYUELA ANIVERSARIO, RIBERA DEL DUERO

 

 

A spectacular wine with a powerful aromatic intensity, hints of candied fruit and toasty aromas.

Aged for a minimum of two years in oak barrels, Viyuela Aniversario would make a wonderful gift for any wine aficionado with its beautifully balanced flavours of spicy, savoury and sweet.

VALBUSENDA VIVO, TORO

A perfect gift for those who enjoy a lovely, big and mature red. The Toro winery is renowned for the intensity and full flavour of its wines and Valbusenda Vivo is no exception.

This is an intensely powerful wine with dense prune and red berry fruit.

VILLATTA VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO SUPERIORE

 

A wonderful gift to please Valpolicella devotees. Made using the unique ‘Ripasso’ technique, where the wine is passed over the semi-dried grape skins used to make Amarone, still warm and rich in sugar.

Ripe and concentrated, smooth and elegant, with aromas of dark chocolate and roasted nuts.

VIRTUOSO PRIMITIVO PUGLIA IGP

 

An excellent choice for anyone who appreciates a good wine with its lovely combination of berry fruits and spice, which bursts out of the glass. The palate is rich and succulent with an attractive concentration of lush morello cherries, balanced by smooth well-rounded tannins.

 

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