Description
We’ve teamed up with Helen McGinn, TV wine expert (BBC1’s Saturday Kitchen, ITV’s This Morning) and author of the Knackered Mother’s Wine Club book and blog, to offer this exclusive mixed case.
From party starters to perfect last minute presents, hidden gems to great value crowd-pleasers, this case is stuffed with bottles to see you through the festive period.
Each case comes with a set of tasting notes for the wine.
Helen’s tasting notes for the wines below –
KMWC x The Solent Cellar Essential Christmas Case
Jeio Prosecco Valdobbiadene
Super fresh and fully of personality with pristine aromas of golden apple, citrus, and spring blossom. The palate has pleasing notes of pear and apple blossom with persistent yet delicate bubbles.
Helen says: Bubbles at Christmas are indeed essential and if you’re having to provide them for a crowd, Prosecco is a very sensible way to do it. This one’s smarter-than-your-average.
Mas Olivier Faugeres Blanc, France
This wine has expressive notes of ripe melon, orange blossom and lively citrus. Harmonious, balanced and finishing with an appealing splash of acidity.
Helen says: Faugeres is famous for its brilliant reds but this under-the-radar bright, ripe white wine is quite the star. Perfect drinks party or pre-prandial white.
Famille Gueguen Cotes Salines Bourgogne, Burgundy
The Gueguen Cotes Salines cuvée is made from fruit from a vineyard near the village of Prehy, based on Kimméridgian limestone soil dating from the Late Jurassic. Though just outside of Chablis classified vineyards, the soil here gives the wine produced from these vineyards a pro seam of minerality and pure fruit. Simple beautiful precise wine.
Helen says: From one of my favourite producers in the region, this gorgeous white burgundy is absolutely made to go with turkey and all the trimmings!
Iris Malbec Mendoza
There’s lots of fruit here, with ripe plum and damson in abundance. It has a lovely balance and texture too. This wine has been widely praised by critics and represents one of the best value Argentinian reds on the market.
Helen says: Love this wine, such good value! Another great drinks party candidate, especially with the screwcap.
Camino Real Crianza Rioja
The Palacio del Camino Real Crianza is an upfront, fruity Rioja that has bold red and black fruit aromas. It’s really generous on flavour with fruit compote, vanilla and spice.
Helen says: A thoroughly modern take on Rioja with all the mellow fruits you expect but also a juiciness that makes pouring another glass a bit too easy…
Montresor ‘Urban Park’ Appassimento, Italy
Authentic Veronese Appassimento produced from Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella grapes harvested from hillside vineyards north of Verona, dried for 30 days and aged 6 months in oak. Bright berry and black cherry aromas, and a touch of spice. The palate has all of Valpolicella’s appealing fresh cherry and ripe bramble fruit, with the weight and complexity typical of Appassimento wines.
Helen says: Made from partially dried grapes (much like the much more expensive Amarone wine), this has incredible concentration with a real cherry-fruit pop to it.