Weāre at my sisters for Christmas day, Iāve been commissioned with āwine for the mainā. Has to be a magnum (my rules, not anyone elses). Weāre having beef⦠Has to be a magnum of Bordeaux.
The A La Gloire de Mon Grand Pere 2012 is in a great place right now. So great we have got through 3 bottles in the last few months. I always regret buying great wines in less than 12s - this is a perfect example. Absolutely ready (IMO) and while it may evolve I canāt imagine it being ābetterā than it is right now. Unlike the 2010 which is still, for me, needing time.
Good to hear. Especially as I suspect most, if not all, of our guests will be drinking the white Vacqueyras with their turkey while yours truly has the Ch9dP tucked away at the end of the table. (It will of course be available to all, but guests and wines have been carefully selectedš)
The Clos de Cazeaux Vacqueyras Blanc? Itās become a bit of a No Brainer⢠turkey wine at wherever Iāve been having Christmas dinner for the past few years.
I havenāt got the 2012 of this, but see my note on the 2010 in the last weekend drinking thread. Itās getting there. I do have a couple of CNdP 2012 and the St Cosme Gigondas all of which are drinking very well just now.
I have to agree with him, and you, on this one. Always one of the most talkative growers at any TWS walk around heās at too. I can almost envision him flying over to go to non-Rhone ones himself too.
This is the least thought-out Christmas drinking plan compared to previous years⦠not entirely sure why, but my mind seems to be on other things. There is also Channukah to celebrate between the 18th and 26th of December, so still in planning phase over here⦠In any case, the following are probably going to make an appearance at some point:
Can anyone recommend an online supplier of the very finest Gammon? a tidy joint of a few lbs, but definitely something better than your supermarket pink porker? smoked would be a bonus but not essential.
The Lapin Daughters have decided that Christmas dinner shall be Gammon. With roasted veg of all kind - an emphasis on roasted potatoes because allegedly I failed two years ago through ānipping out to the pubā and forgot to put them in the oven. The shame haunts me still.
Gammon is a very fine thing for Christmas, thoroughly wine friendly. And it becomes a sort of ham when cold the next day with pickles and more wine etc.
My mum always used to buy from here, always delicious on boxing day. Iām getting mine this year, as all my meat now, from here. Not tried their gammon yet though, so canāt vouch for it just yetā¦
Leaning towards the Bordeaux due to its age. Any tips advice welcomed.
I think Iām planning Christmas earlier than usual this year. Perhaps itās because the children seem to start their Christmas activities super early. It canāt help but rub off.
Anyone else made any nice plans and whittled down their short lists?
Iām not in charge of the family Christmas this year, but me and my friend do a Christmas tasting menu before the day. This years is looking particularly tasty, perhaps because heās doing most of the cooking this year!
Beef Wellington
Friend is producing a good 2016 Barolo. Itās a mystery, but sure itāll be delicious.
Mac & Cheese - bored of a cheese board, weāre going to try something a little different. https://www.thewinesociety.com/product/weinert-tonel-111-malbec-1994 This was terrific when I had a bottle in the summer. Full of slightly sour/sweet tobacco, integrated tannin, and still plenty of fruit inside that old leather shoe. Delicious.
Really not thought too hard about what Iāll drink Christmas Day ā¦. Itās just me and the 2 kids this year , not forgetting the hound . I have a Beaucastel Cndp blanc which I need to find and thatās definitely a contender and also some Champagne to open presents with ⦠will decide closer to the time ā¦. (Probably Christmas Eve) !
For bubbles in the morning Iāve found bottle NV Bollinger tucked away thatās actually left over from 2021ās Christmas Champagne Savings Case (amazed its survived this long).
For dinner weāre having cold seafood platter to start which Iāll serve with a ChĆ¢teauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, ChĆ¢teau Mont-Redon 2021. Iāve ordered a couple of special reds to serve with Christmas dinner (which is of course classic turkey and ham with all the trimmings). These are a ChĆ¢teauneuf-du-Pape, Clos des Papes 2013 and a Chateau Musar 2009 which Iāve never had before but read it pairs very well with a Christmas dinner.
Finally a Casa Ermelinda Freitas Moscatel de SetĆŗbal to go with the Christmas pud!