Simon Hoggart

Christmas Mixed Case

This is our positively final offer of the year, and the famed old St James merchants, Berry Bros. & Rudd, have come up with a stunning mixed case which would see you through a deliciously bibulous Christmas. Together we have selected five table wines (there are two bottles each in the case) plus single bottles of a fine, fizzing champagne and an excellent port.

The good news is that this brilliant dozen has been reduced to under £200, a saving on list prices of £66, give or take a few pence. But the less exhilarating news is that to snap up this bargain you need to act fast. BBR cannot deliver in time for Christmas in the UK any orders received after this Wednesday, 18 December. So get on the phone or go online, lickety split, and you’ll be fine.

Wines are not available separately by the case, though of course there is nothing to stop you buying further supplies later at list price if you are taken by a particular bottle.

Our champagne is a non-vintage from Gardet, their brut reserve. This is roughly one-third Pinot Meunier, one-third Pinot Noir and one-third Chardonnay, with a fair splash of older oak-aged wine, which gives it extra biscuity depth. This is drinking well now, but will also improve over the next few years, if you can keep your twitching hands away from the cork. There’s £6.50 off the list price.

The everyday drinking white is an Albarino, one of the great grapes of Spain. Bone dry, yet slightly scented — pineapple and spices — it has subtlety and finesse, remarkable for wine that is being sold under under £9, or £3 off the list price. A lovely aperitif or with a seafood starter.

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