Christmas is the one time of the year we can spoil ourselves without feeling too guilty.
This goes for your choice of wines too.
Tucked away in your wine cupboard you probably have a bottle or two of special wine you’ve been keeping for “a suitable occasion.”
So what could be more suitable than a Christmas dinner?
I’ve been waiting for a chance to share a bottle of the 2004 Fleur du Cap Laszlo red blend with friends. I think it will be a perfect companion to the roast leg of Karoo lamb I plan to serve on Christmas Eve. It’s a big. bold and complex wine that cries out to be sipped and savoured and discussed.
It goes without saying that we’ll be opening a bottle or two of Methode Cap Classique bubbly. A glass of Philip Jonker’s Entheos Brut should be perfect to get guests into the festive mood at the start of the evening. Philip Jonker describes it as having “the energy of spontaneous laughter. Freedom”.
I’m looking forward to opening a bottle of La Motte Methode Cap Classique 2007 too. I’ve been saving it for just such an occasion and most of my guests enjoy a good bubbly.
I’ve always liked good sweet wines, but somehow there never seems to be an appropriate occasion to share them.
I think this Christmas might be the time to open my precious bottle of Groot Constantia’s 2008 Grand Constance. It’s a honey-sweet natural sweet wine made from Muscat de Frontignan (muscadel to most of us) but has an alcohol content of 13,5%, instead of the 17% or so usually found in fortified sweet wines. This very special wine comes in a little 350ml bottle, so there should be just enough for a sip for each guest to enjoy with the dessert.
I enjoy a small glass of good port with coffee after a big meal, and I’m planning to open a bottle of Axe Hill 2006 Cape Vintage Port on Christmas Eve.
As I sip it I shall raise my glass to the memory of the man who started Axe Hill winery in Calitzdorp, the late Tony Mossop, a man of so many interesting facets.
I believe Tony was a great influence in raising the standard of all South African port.
Some time during the festivities I hope to enjoy a slice or two of delicious smoked turkey, and I think something pink would go well with this – either a crisp pink bubbly, like Villiera’s Brut Rosé, or a dry rosé, like Grangehurst’s spectacular Cape Rosé Blend, unusually made with a splash of Chenin Blanc to lighten the red wines in the recipe.
Having listed all these vinous delights I should add that I do not plan to drive anywhere afterwards, and my guests will be more than welcome to stay over at my house until they’re in a suitable condition to drive home safely.
Failing that, I’ll call a taxi. Friends are far too valuable to lose on the roads.

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