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Raise a Glass: What We’re Drinking This Festive Season

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Let’s not be coy! The festive season usually goes hand in hand with a dash of indulgence. But rather than stumbling around in the dark, we’d always prefer to take a hint from someone who knows. Luckily, we’ve got a direct line to some of the finest palates in the city and they were more than happy to share their top tips for festive tipples with yours truly!

What you’ll love

Start with bubbles, from magnums to local English sparkling
Make-ahead Etch-Nog for festive hosting
Artelium Estate’s Makers Rosé and Blanc de Blancs, plus a classic cocktail serve
A proper after-dinner Armagnac for the post-feast glow
Curio’s Marsala and white Rioja picks for mains, cheese and pudding
Fourth & Church’s standout sherry to drink in or take home

Hannah Simpson-Banks at Artelium Wine Estate

Makers Rosé 2019

Makers Rosé is what we’re usually popping the cork on as guests arrive, coats shrugged off, laughter in the hallway, that lovely buzz of a winter gathering beginning. In the glass, it’s all bright, crunchy cranberry and redcurrant, with an opulent mousse and a gentle savoury lift that makes it perfect for December dishes. It sings alongside the richer flavours of the season: honey-glazed ham, nut roast, or to elevate the Boxing Day bubble & squeak.

Try or Buy at: Artelium Wine Estate or shop online

Blanc de Blancs 2018

This is the wine we reach for when it’s time to toast! Alongside the Christmas morning smoked salmon, or to ring in the New Year with friends and family. Our Blanc de Blancs 2018 is bright, elegant and festive with crisp green-apple and citrus freshness dancing over a fine mousse, with subtle pastry and biscuit undertones from its extended lees ageing. It feels just right for the season’s celebrations: refined and celebratory. And for when we’re feeling extra indulgent, we turn it into a classic cocktail… a festive ritual that never fails to delight.

Classic Champagne (English Sparkling Wine) Cocktail

1 sugar cube
A few dashes of Angostura bitters
A splash of Artelium Collaborators, Brandy
Top with chilled Artelium Blanc de Blancs 2018
Finish with a twist of orange

Try or Buy at: Artelium Wine Estate or shop online the make it at home

Sam Weatherill at etch.

Nyetimber Classic Cuvee 2010 – Magnum

Nyetimber has been our house pour at etch. for a number of years now, and their Classic Cuvee 2010 is an absolute bargain in the range. The additional bottle age on the 2010 has added an extra layer and depth of toasty richness, which, alongside their classic, elegant chardonnay-driven citrus zing, is the perfect way to start off the big day. Nothing says let’s get Christmas started like a magnum.

Try at: etch. by Steven Edwards or www.henningswine.co.uk

Etch-Nog!

I have a real soft spot for the creamy, sweet spice of eggnog. I make a big batch of it every year, often giving bottles to friends, and taking it along to any festive dinner parties. It’s the kind of drink you can use almost any spirit in, and it’s a great way of getting rid of any rogue odd bits and bobs in the drinks cabinet. For my take on the drink, I like to use a combination of spiced rum and oloroso sherry, which gives the drink a festive base of sweet spice, dried fruit and nuts. Eggnog can be made weeks, even months in advance, as the alcohol content will sterilise the cream, milk and eggs.

Try at: etch. by Steven Edwards

Make it at Home

12 Large Eggs
400g Demerara sugar
2 teaspoons grated nutmeg
2 teaspoons mixed spice
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
400ml Goldstone Spiced Rum
400ml Oloroso Sherry (Dry)
40ml Branca Menta
1000ml Whole Milk
700ml Double Cream

Whisk or blend the eggs until smooth before adding the sugar and spices. Add in the alcohol and mix well before slowly pouring in the milk and cream. Pour into sterilised bottles and keep for up to three months.

James Thomson at Wild Flor

Chateau de Lacquy 7yr Armagnac

Call me old-fashioned, but I think it’s important that at this time of year, you’re never too far away from a bottle of Armagnac. The season of luxurious excess lends itself to the land of digestifs, that list of sippable ‘brown drinks’ on the menu that are often overlooked. Armagnac is my go-to, but aged rum, cognac, calvados, whiskey or deliciously old school ‘la vieille prune’, are all equally well received by my digestive system. Ours are from Harris Vintners, a small family-run company that started in Brighton many years ago and services some of the finest restaurants in the land. Otherwise, I might have said sherry, but I believe sherry is for life, not just for Christmas.

Try at: Wild Flor or contact Harris Vintners

Paul Gibson at Curio

MARSALA VIGNA MICCIA ORO
Marco di Bartoli – Sicily, Italy

This semi-dry Marsala is, in my opinion, the perfect Christmas treat. Crafted without oxidative ageing, it’s golden, not too sweet, and bursting with festive flavours. Think fig, date, cinnamon, and warming spice. It’s ideal with panettone, blue cheese, or pretty much any dessert. Nothing better than sipping this infant of the fire. Serve slightly chilled

COSTUMBRES RIOJA BLANCO
Vinos en Voz Baja – Rioja Oriental, Spain

Next up is one of my favourite discoveries of the last few months, an elegant white Rioja. I think this is a wonderful Christmas choice for lovers of oaked Chardonnay. I think this punches way above its price offering lively citrus and white-fruit notes with chamomile, anise and rosemary. Its balanced rich and silky texture makes it perfect for holiday feasting. Delicious with roast turkey or chicken mains, or fishy starters and it also shines solo. Chill it for an hour.

Try or Buy at: Curio Cafe Bar

Anna Reilly – Fourth & Church

Eggnog (a ‘nog’ to Jerez)

Our eggnog gets the full Fourth & Church festive glow-up: a spirited splash of Brandy de Jerez, a silky hit of Amontillado, a cheeky touch of Bourbon, and a snowy drift of nutmeg on top. It’s cosy, creamy, a little mischievous, and absolutely designed for December decadence. We chose it because it’s pure holiday joy in a glass…and it becomes downright irresistible when paired with our in-house whisky truffles.

Try at: Fourth & Church, Brighton.

Bodegas Poniente, Alberto Orte, Fino El Aljibe, Saca 1/23

Paul Morgan, co-owner of Fourth & Church, discovered this gem on his recent, truly inspiring trip to Jerez, where Alberto Orte’s dedication to reviving historic clones and ancient soleras completely captivated him. He chose it for its incredible tension and elegance: salty brightness, blanched almonds and grassy notes, citrus lift, and deep old-bodega complexity. It’s a sherry with real backstory and soul: precise, characterful, and unforgettable. A world class wine perfect to lead into your world class festive day.

Try or Buy at: Fourth & Church, available by the glass and to take home.

Maddy Riches at Dilsk

Highweald Brut Reserve

Surely there’s only one proper way to kick off Christmas, and that’s with bubbles. In our house, it’s canapés and fizz at the ready while presents are being unwrapped and the chaos begins. This year we’ll be drinking Highweald Brut Reserve. Located just outside Haywards Heath, this local sparkling wine offers the perfect balance of crisp acidity, pear, and subtle stone fruits, with just the right amount of toasty richness. It’s an ideal all-rounder to complement the range of flavours and textures in festive canapés.

Gassac’s Carignan, Génésis

When it comes to turkey, it’s always a toss-up. A Pouilly-Fuissé is often my go-to, but this year we’ve chosen a light red. Gassac’s carbonic Carignan Génésis, is bursting with red fruits yet light enough to pair beautifully with a traditional turkey dinner. Save a glass for the cheese at the end, too. I usually serve it lightly chilled, and the funky label makes a great addition to the Christmas table.

Try at: Dilsk in Brighton.

Robin Cullen at BeerBelly

When creating our festive beer list, we chose local breweries to showcase, including Lost Pier and Only With Love. Lost Pier have had such fun with names: “Fizzie Navidad” Bucks Fizz Sour and “Not very Eco of You Santa” Porter. These can be found in only some select craft beer bars or at their breweries, and of course BeerBelly over the festive season. But when it’s gone it’s gone!

We also have some local cider with festive flavours, like Seacider Mince Pie and Ascension Spiced Cinnamon Leaf. Spirits haven’t been overlooked either and local distilleries Dedbest and Custom Spirit Company have provided us with festive flavours like Gingerbread and Christmas Pudding Rum to help us create our festive shots and cocktails.

Try or Buy at: BeerBelly (Hove’s newest microbrewery and bottleshop)

And what’s more…