Christmas Wine Preparation

If you’re starting to put together a to-do list in the run up to Christmas then make sure you include your wine plans too!  The more advance planning and purchasing you can achieve now the more you will save in the final days & weeks before Dec 25th. 

First off, decide what you are buying wine for.  Do you need to purcase for any or all of the following events:

• Pre-Christmas entertaining -
  • people calling around, supers and parties? 
  • How about Christmas Day itself? 
  • Wine/Christmas gifts? 
  • New Years Eve? etc etc

If so then make a list, including any other events/occasions.  Decide what is your budget for all of these purchases?  Whitin this budget how much do you plan to spend on your Christmas day wines?  For most people this will see the highest average spend per bottle.  And why not!  If you’re going to go all out and prepare one of the tastiest and most anticipated meals of the year then surely you deserve to treat yourself with the wine you choose to accompany it?  Adding up all the occasions and events you may need to purchase for might result in a frightening total, but remember that some of those who call round to an event or to visit may also bring wine as a gift too.  Now that you have a list prepared - stick to it!!

Sourcing your wine in advance and buying it in bulk (multiples of 12 bottles) will entitle you to greater offersand discounts at your local wine retailer.  Most will offer 12 bottles + 1 free of charge or 10% discount on these bulk buys.  Don’t let this oportunity pass you by.  Many shops will have complimentary wine tasting events underway for Christmas or maybe a few bottles oopen at the weekends to let you try before you buy.  Similarly online retailers have special packages prepared for any events that may arise during Christmas.  Many ‘branded’ wines will be available on special offer pre-Christmas. With the year that’s in it we are most likely to see some of the best offers in a long time!  Before the usual Christmas week traffic chaos arrives, plan in advance and get out there to pick up your bottles or have them delivered from the internet - many will offer free delivery.  If you can do it now it might even free up your December budget for other seasonal purchases?  Remember these wines are for Christmas - resist the temptation to dip in too early! 

Now that you have the wines home/delivered put them aside and sort them according to their occasion.  Other items worth doing a quick check on include wine glasses - do you have enough?  Keep an eye out in supermarkets for special offer eight and twelve packs - ideal for parties and large groups, especially when there might be breakages.  If you want to get the most from your wine it is worthinvesting in some good glasses.  These glasses will be lighter and have a better balance and feel than the more inexpensive options at the supermarkets.  Avoid ‘designer’ glasses withetchings, frosting, gold trims etc - these look attractive on the shelf but can often be clumsy, while distorting the appearance and flavour of the wine.  Simple glass/crystal with a narrow rim are best.  The narrow rim makes the glass feel far more comfortable as it touches your lips for a sip.  These glasses can be a treat or special Christmas present to yourself?  Look out for Riedel & Speigelau among other brands,  expect to pay about €20 per stem. 

Final checklist should include a good quality wine-opener.  Try to avoid the cheaper ones in supermarkets, these have a nasty habit of splitting and breaking up corks in the neck of the bottle. 

 Instead opt for openers with a wide bore.  These are known as ‘waiters-friends’ and are a simple yet very effective way to open even the most stubborn of corks.  On average these will cost about €12 and will be available from a local wine shop.

Check back soon for the next Christmas update, including wines for Christmas and a review of some good seasonal bargains!

Tags: bottle opener, Christmas, gift, riedel, shopping checklist, speigelau, waiters friend