Sommelier and shop manager of Bottles Wine Bar & Merchants, Giovanni Tolone, has shared his top wine recommendations to enjoy over the festive period.
Mr Tolone is a highly experienced sommelier, with 20 years’ experience in the industry, which has seen him travel all over the world perfecting his expertise.
He said: "We have a fantastic array of options here at Bottles Wine Bar & Merchants and have been very busy in the build up to Christmas.
"I love my job, I am very proud to work in this industry."
Choice 1: Stilio Primitivo Di Manduria, Mottura – Puglia, Italy - Vintage Red: 2018 – £19.99
“From the traditional winery Mottura, in Puglia Italy, Primitivo Di Mandurria is the name of the grape where the wine comes from.
“Powerful tones with a lot of blackcurrant tones, followed by cherries and plums.
“You also get vanilla, chocolate and toasted flavourings from being inside the barrel.
“The smoothness of this wine counteracts the acidity of the fruit, its full bodied and powerful.
“For just £19.99, it is a lovely option for the festive period.”
Choice 2: Marrone Barolo – Piemonte, Italy -Vintage blend: 2016 - £34.99
“When we talk about Barolo we talk about the north of Italy, in Piemonte, where this elegant wine is made with the finest Barolo grapes.
“This kind of wine can be stored for 20 years inside a bottle.
“It has beautiful tannin, strong and full bodied, with the acidity and the creating a unique flavouring.
“Vanilla toasted and chocolate notes will also accompany this wine, a superb choice in my opinion.”
Choice 3: Champagne Delavenne Père & Fils – Bouzy, France - £39.99
“This champagne is 100% Grand Cru, 60% Pinot Noir Grape, 40% Chardonnay.
“It is a lovely, bubbly champagne, powerful strawberries, mixed berries and apple will greet you when you taste it.
“This winery is a multi-award-winning and is heavily favoured by many wine critics.
“I love it, it is a very elegant champagne that will be the perfect dinner accompaniment.”
Choice 4: Chateau Cantemerle – Médoc, France -Vintage blend: 2009 - £59.99
“First released in 1997, this wine has become very popular over the years.
“Chateau Cantemerle is one of the best wineries in Bordeaux.
“This wine has ‘Grand Cru’ classification and 2009 was a beautiful vintage from the Bordeaux winery.
“The weather and climate are fantastic, and the blend includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.
“A superb choice priced at £59.99.”
Choice 5: Chateau d’Yquem – Bordeaux, France - Vintage white: 2018 – £429.99
"This is one of the most famous wines in the world and most sort after.
"It’s from the southern part of Bordeaux, which I feel is the greatest area bar none for producing natural sweet tasting wines.
"Nothing is added during the process, the richness is the result of the intensity concentrated from over-ripened grapes.
"The sugar becomes syrup as the result of a fungus called 'noble rot', which sucks the water out of the grapes making a syrup.
"The wine is full of a honey flavoured sweetness, even if you are not normally a fan of sweet wines, you will be blown away by this one
" It is certianly a high priced option, but the blend of honey and orange peel is excellent.
"It’s very well balanced and pairs great with a high-end dish like foie gras."
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