{"product_id":"michaels-festive-picks-2026","title":"Michael's Festive Picks 2026","description":"\u003cp\u003eMy 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!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEnjoy and a very Happy Christmas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLopez de Haro Blanco Reserva\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eRioja, Spain\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n75cl Bottle\u003cbr\u003e\nCombines \u003cstrong\u003efreshness with serious age and complexity\u003c\/strong\u003e: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLieubeau Confluent Muscadet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eLoire Valley, France\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n75cl Bottle\u003cbr\u003e\ncombines \u003cstrong\u003ezesty citrus and green-apple freshness with a creamy texture and striking saline minerality\u003c\/strong\u003e: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLu Castelline Pecorino\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAbruzzo, Italy\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n75cl Bottle\u003cbr\u003e\nRipe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBedoba Saperavi\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eKakheti, Georgia\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n75cl Bottle\u003cbr\u003e\nBedoba Saperavi has taken off in Ireland because it hits a \u003cstrong\u003every accessible sweet spot\u003c\/strong\u003e: 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 \u003cstrong\u003enovelty and story of Georgia\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTerres Fideles l'Ombra de Queribus\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eRoussillon, France\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n75cl Bottle\u003cbr\u003e\nDelivers \u003cstrong\u003ebig, juicy Grenache fruit without becoming heavy\u003c\/strong\u003e: the 60% Grenache brings rich blackberry, blackcurrant and cherry flavours, while Carignan adds \u003cstrong\u003efresh acidity, peppery spice and structure\u003c\/strong\u003e, creating that brilliant sweet spot between richness and freshness. It's organic, textured, fragrant and only 14% ABV, and the 2023 vintage was awarded \u003cstrong\u003e91 points and \"By the Glass\" champion\u003c\/strong\u003e at the 2026 Sommelier Edit Awards\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFelino Cabernet Sauvignon\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eMendoza, Argentina\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n75cl Bottle\u003cbr\u003e\nRich 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e*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.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Michael's Festive Picks","offers":[{"title":"6 Bottle Case","offer_id":58587671888203,"sku":"WOLMI13506S","price":138.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0213\/9218\/files\/Michaels_Festive_Picks_2026_Glasses.jpg?v=1790860719","url":"https:\/\/wineonline.ie\/products\/michaels-festive-picks-2026","provider":"WineOnline","version":"1.0","type":"link"}