Michael's Festive Picks 2026
My Festive case this year is made up of my absolute favourites and are wines that I will have in my own house over the Christmas. They offer wonderful quality, value and above all are all perfect for the Christmas dinner table. Even Santa trusts my judgement and buys a case of Michaels Festive picks every year!
Enjoy and a very Happy Christmas.
Lopez de Haro Blanco Reserva
Rioja, Spain
75cl Bottle
Combines freshness with serious age and complexity: mainly Viura, it spends 18 months in oak and several more years in bottle, developing creamy, honeyed, vanilla, floral and nutty flavours while retaining the bright acidity that keeps it lively rather than heavy. The result is an unusually layered, savoury and elegant white Rioja that offers a lot of character for its price.
Lieubeau Confluent Muscadet
Loire Valley, France
75cl Bottle
combines zesty citrus and green-apple freshness with a creamy texture and striking saline minerality: the Melon de Bourgogne grapes grow on gneiss in the heart of Muscadet, while 6–9 months of lees ageing with regular stirring adds depth and roundness without sacrificing its crispness.
Lu Castelline Pecorino
Abruzzo, Italy
75cl Bottle
Ripe green-apple, lemon and tropical-fruit flavours alongside fresh acidity, gentle herbal notes and a distinctly mineral finish. Made from Pecorino in Abruzzo, its aromatic fruit and lively structure make it feel both generous and refreshing, while its clean, elegant profile makes it especially good with fish, seafood, salads and lighter dishes.
Bedoba Saperavi
Kakheti, Georgia
75cl Bottle
Bedoba Saperavi has taken off in Ireland because it hits a very accessible sweet spot: it's a rich, full-bodied red packed with dark berries, chocolate, mocha, herbs and spice, but Saperavi's natural acidity and relatively soft tannins keep it surprisingly fresh and drinkable. Add the novelty and story of Georgia, traditional qvevri winemaking, 30–35-year-old vines and a price around €23–24, and you get a wine that feels distinctive without being challenging—particularly with BBQ, steak and hearty Irish food. Its popularity isn't just anecdotal either.
Terres Fideles l'Ombra de Queribus
Roussillon, France
75cl Bottle
Delivers big, juicy Grenache fruit without becoming heavy: the 60% Grenache brings rich blackberry, blackcurrant and cherry flavours, while Carignan adds fresh acidity, peppery spice and structure, creating that brilliant sweet spot between richness and freshness. It's organic, textured, fragrant and only 14% ABV, and the 2023 vintage was awarded 91 points and "By the Glass" champion at the 2026 Sommelier Edit Awards
Felino Cabernet Sauvignon
Mendoza, Argentina
75cl Bottle
Rich Mendoza Cabernet fruit with surprising freshness and polish: ripe cherry and red fruit, roasted pepper and black pepper are balanced by juicy acidity, smooth tannins and a long finish. It comes from high-altitude vineyards in Luján de Cuyo and Valle de Uco, with only a small portion seeing new French oak, so the wine stays fruity, vibrant and elegant rather than overly oaky.
*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.
