These six delicious wines will complete your Christmas wine rack

With Christmas coming quickly around the corner, it’s easy to get lost in shopping for presents. But what about food and wine? O’Briens off-licence has exclusive offerings of both red and white wines, all of which are available at affordable prices.

Whether you want a crisp white or aromatic red, the family-owned business has everything you need to complete your Christmas wine rack. Here are six of our favourites:

Bougrier Sauvignon Blanc

Was €15.45, now €9.95 from O’Briens

This intensely aromatic wine is suitable for vegetarians. With herb and gooseberry notes; as well as a crisp, lemon zest finish, it’s perfect to enjoy over the Christmas break with friends.

Lynne Coyle, master of wine and wine director for O’Briens Wine, says, “We love this Sauvignon Blanc from the family-owned Bougrier estate. Not only does it represent incredible value for money, it is also a great example of Loire Sauvignon Blanc with its grassy aromatic nose followed by a crisp, dry refreshing palate.”

Bellow’s Rock Shiraz

Was €15.45, now €9.95 from O’Briens

From the coastal region of South Africa, this wine is bursting with black-berried fruit and is particularly delicious with steak and curries.

Its warming touch of peppery spice has earned it quite a fan base, with Lynne Coyle saying, “Our first order for this wine was so big that I got nervous before it landed in Dublin, but I need not have worried as the quality-for-value ratio is unrivalled and it has legions of fans – thank you.”

Il Forte Gavi D.O.C.G.

Was €15.45, now €11.95 from O’Briens

If you’re a fan of crisp, cool wine with tastes of apple and pear fruit, this wine from Piedmont, Italy is a must-have. What’s more, it’s suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

“Just new to our range this year, we were delighted to find this stylish Gavi on one of our wine buying forays,” Lynne tells us, adding, “it’s deliciously refreshing, but with a ripe peachy mid-palate, it’s a versatile and affordable white to have in the fridge over the festive season.”

Volpetto Chianti Riserva

Was €19.95, now €11.95 from O’Briens

Hailing from Tuscany, this is modern Chianti at its best. Packed with juicy, ripe, red-berried fruit (not to mention its cherry and black tea finish), this wine will appeal to everyone, not just fans of Italian reds.

It pairs particularly well with duck, roasted Mediterranean vegetables, and slow cooked lamb.

Contrapunto Albariño

Was €18.45, now €12.95 from O’Briens

This aromatic, fruity wine is a firm customer-favourite. Produced in the Salnes Valley in Galicia, Spain, it has a vibrant, zingy acidity which lengthens its persistence.

Wine director Lynne says the region, “specialises in the growing of Albariño wines. Growing only the Albariño grape, their vineyards are strongly influenced by the powerful Atlantic: fresh acidity and a delicious saline character are the hallmarks.”

St Hallett Gamekeeper’s SGT

Was €19.95, now €14.95 from O’Briens

This Australian wine is made from a blend of grapes and is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. The merging of these Syrah, Grenache Touriga Nacional grape varieties gives ripe bramble fruit with subtle spice, as well as hints of wild herbs.

“We were delighted to introduce the SGT to our range this year,” Lynne says, “as it not only offers great value, but the addition of the Portuguese Touriga Nacional grape variety gives an appealing savoury and spice character, and a fragrant nose.”

O’Briens wine is available to order online, with free delivery for orders over €60; alternatively, click here to find your nearest store.

Over 18s only. Always drink responsibly. 

Top photo credit: Pexels.com