Will's Festive Picks 2026

A case I most enjoy curating each year is the Festive Picks, This year I've chosen individual stunners that offer quality and value, but real treats nonetheless. I've even included white port for white port and tonics. Made just like a gin and tonic, with port instead of gin, it is wonderfully refreshing anytime of the year.

I'm really excited about this case of Festive picks this year, because they are ever so slightly unusual and intriguing, but these are wines that should have really broad appeal as well. I hope you agree!

Chateau de Breze, Saumur Chenin Blanc
Loire Valley, France
75cl Bottle
Château de Brézé Saumur Blanc is so good because it combines Chenin Blanc’s natural freshness and texture with the chalky limestone soils of Brézé. Expect bright citrus and orchard-fruit flavours, lively acidity, a subtle salty/mineral character and a long, clean finish. It has enough richness to feel satisfying, but enough freshness to stay interesting.

Domaine de La Motte 1er Cru Beauroy
Chablis, France
75cl Bottle
Exceptional because it combines a prime left-bank limestone terroir with skilful, balanced winemaking that adds rich texture while keeping Chablis' signature crispness. About 35% of the wine is fermented in small oak barrels, adding subtle richness, toastiness, and notes of grilled almond or vanilla without masking the fruit.

Heaphy Estate Pinot Noir
Nelson, New Zealand
75cl Bottle
Exceptional red wine due to its vibrant fruit profile, sustainable heritage, and the unique breezy, warm terroir of Nelson, New Zealand. Sourced from vines across Tasman, Upper Moutere, and Ruby Bay, the grapes undergo gentle open-fermenter extraction and careful barrel aging to deliver delicate aromas of red cherry, raspberry, and spice paired with silky tannins and a refreshing, juicy finish.

Domaine Alary, La Gerbaude
Cotes du Rhone, France
75cl Bottle
Domaine Alary has serious pedigree. The Alary family has been making wine in Cairanne for ten generations, and the estate has been moving toward organic/biodynamic viticulture. Seductive Southern Rhône combination of juicy Grenache fruit, peppery Syrah and savoury Mediterranean character, but the wine still has enough acidity and tannin to make you want another mouthful.

Vaquos Reserva
Ribera del Duero, Spain
75cl Bottle
Vineyards located in Pesquera del Duero, right in the centre of the D.O. Ribera del Duero’s Golden Triangle, meticulously tended and planted with vines of the best Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) of over 30 years of age, guarantee the winery is making the best quality wines possible from a limited production of grapes, strictly controlled and rigorously sorted. This is powerful, structured and complex.

Taylor's Fine White Port
Douro, Portugal
75cl Bottle
This is a perfect Port to make the refreshing and elegant White Port and Tonic cocktail. Just add tonic water to Taylor's Fine White Port to create the perfect serve: a refined, balanced and refreshing cocktail with flavours of mint and lemon. Enjoy over ice with a citrus slice and sprig of mint. It might even become your favourite drink like it has mine in 2026. Yum!

*From time to time vintages/wines may become unavailable, it is rare but in this instance we will replace the wine with a similar wine of equal or greater value.