Festive Table Ideas: Red, White & Bubbly
It's now December, Christmas is on our doorstep and planning for Christmas
lunch and dinner, is well underway. Planning the food may not be so difficult,
what with sticking to Tradition and all, but selecting the wine may be a bit
more of a challenge to ensure what we drink well complements what we eat.
So, to help with that task we have put together a few ideas to plan the day
from Christmas morning brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and supper. Prices
indicated are a guide only.
BRUNCH: A popular Christmas Day idea is creamy scrambled free range
eggs (for a rich colour) and smoked salmon. It is a special day and to start it
right consider a spritzy Campbell's Rutherglen Moscato 2012 (with only 7%
alcohol) at $18, or a mid ranged priced Australian Domaine Chandon 2008 Z*D
Victorian Blanc de Blancs 2008 at $39.95 or splash out with a French Champagne
Taittinger Brut Millesime 2004 at a interesting $150. Finally, if you wish to
kick the day of off with a real bang and to challenge the budget, why not a Dom
Perignon Vintage Rosé at a mere $630.
CANAPÉS PRE-LUNCH: Try the wonderful and bubbly Logan Vintage
'M' Cuvee 2000 from the Orange region of NSW at $35, a Swan Valley White
Classic (formerly known as White Burgundy) from the renowned Houghton's in West
Australia at just $11, or a Lindauer Special Reserve Brut Cuvee NV at $20, this
New Zealand wine is a non-vintage.
COLD SEAFOOD: Because of our often very hot Christmases, and the extra
heat generated in the kitchen, cold seafood is surging in popularity. If this is
on your Christmas menu then consider a Good Catholic Girl's Teresa Riesling from
the Clare Valley at $25 (but get in early and supplies are limited), a Banjo's
Run Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from the NSW Southern Highlands at $28 or a Spanish
Vionta Albariño from Spain's Atlantic Coast at $25.
TURKEY: Your traditional roast turkey can be shared with a McGuigan
Wines' Bin 7000 Hunter Valley Chardonnay Blend priced at just $12.99, a Tim
Adams Clare Valley Mr Mick Tempranillo 2009 at $15 or a Blue Pyrenees Western
Victoria NV (non-vintage) Sparkling Shiraz at $24.
ROAST PORK: For something different but still highly enjoyable to have
with the traditional pork fare is a Margan Hunter Valley Rosé Shiraz
Saignee 2012 at $17, or a Tim Adams Clare Valley Pinot Gris 2012 at $22 or a
Ninth Island Pinot Noir from Tasmania at $15.85.
BAKED HAM: Here we have some very good value wines to savour with your ham
and roast vegetables; a McGuigan Black Label Traminer Riesling from South
Australia at just $9.99, a Matua Valley Pinot Noir from New Zealand, at only $10.85
and a Rymill Coonawarra Sauvignon Blanc 2012 at $15.95.
FOR THE BARBECUE: As you turn the chops and sausages or whatever
fare you're cooking enjoy a Boundary Row GSM 2008 from the Kurtz Family Vineyard
in the Barossa at $18, a Giesen Merlot at $18.99 from New Zealand or a Tintara
McLaren Vale Shiraz 2009 at $24.99.
CHRISTMAS PUDDING: If you still have room for the Christmas pud then
eat it slowly as you enjoy a Lillypilly Estate's Noble Blend 2008 from the
Riverina, NSW, at $22.50, and, also from the Riverina, a Cookoothama Botrytis
Semillon 2008 from Nugan Estate or a Douro Valley Symington Cockburn Fine Tawny
Port from Portugal at $19.99.
CHEESE PLATTER: And when you get around to this course late in the day
you might just be able to end it with a BlackJack Block 6 Shiraz 2010
sourced from Bendigo, Victoria at $35, a 5 Years Old Malmsley Port from Blandy's
in Portugal at $29.99 or an Exemplar McLaren Vale Shiraz at $65.
A WORD OF ADVICE: Don't be afraid to let the reds chill in the fridge
for about an hour before serving because the phrase room temperature
originated in Europe where the temperature of a room would be around 11°C
to 14°C not the 30°C to 40°C that would normally be experienced
when celebrating an Australian Christmas. And, of course, the opposite applies
to Whites, don't overchill as it tends to diminish their flavour.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!
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