We taste-tested six stellar wines in our Warehouse Wines Christmas case - three whites and three reds, with not a dud among them. They kindly sent them over so we could see what their quality is all about, so you know exactly what you’re getting before you order.
The short version: this is a case built for hosting at Christmas. You have fresh, crowd-pleasing whites for the drinks reception, a food-friendly Pinot or Merlot for the turkey, and two characterful reds for the cheeseboard and the Boxing Day leftovers. Here’s the wine-o’s breakdown:
Every bottle opened and tasted.
The crowd-pleaser. At a ridiculous £4.99 and just 11.5% ABV, this is the bottle to open when the guests arrive. It was in fact my favourite of the whole case.
Nose: At first it comes across as a softer style of Vermentino. Rather than leading with citrus zing, it opens on orchard fruit and apple skin as the dominant aromas, with an underlying citrus core sitting underneath.
Palate: That citrus steps forward nicely on the palate, and the lively Vermentino character really shines. Sprightly, zippy, fresh and zingy are the words that come to mind. The orchard fruit is still there as juicy ripe apple, but lemon and lime bring a vibrant citrus edge that really enlivens your palate. A super-bright, refreshing finish with pretty good length sealed the deal for me.
Why it works at Christmas: It's an easy hit with a crowd, and light enough not to weigh anyone down through an evening of hosting. It’ll also go extremely well with your seafood starter on the big day if you’re so inclined. It makes you wonder why you'd pay over £10 for Vermentinos that taste much the same. Quality and value, bundled up perfectly.
The old faithful. I tasted last year's vintage too, and looking back at my notes, I think this one is better.
Nose: Super-fresh lemon and extremely juicy lime somehow impart on this Sauvignon a surprisingly soft feel. Guava and passionfruit follow in the background, with a nice herbaceous hint too.
Palate: This is where it really comes alive. The citrus turns more vibrant, but centre stage belongs to the tropical fruit. Passionfruit dominates, kept in check by a strong floral elderflower note that adds lovely, gentle complexity. Yellow peach adds ripeness and turns the juice dial up another notch.
Why it works at Christmas: It's vibrant and fresh, with a surprising level of complexity to impress your toughest in-laws. Pour it with canapés, seafood starters or anything with a herby, zesty dressing.
The Pinot Grigio that proves it isn’t a boring grape. The last Puntino Warehouse Wines sent me, the Pignoletto, was delicious, so I had high hopes. They were certainly met.
Nose: Ripe peach and apricot jump out straight away, suggesting a slightly warmer corner of Italy than the usual bland Pinot Grigios on the market. Citrus weaves through and lifts the bouquet nicely, with a touch of orange zest too.
Palate: I was pleasantly surprised by the texture. A slightly oily character gives it real weight. The citrus pushes through the stone fruit even more than on the nose, culminating in a fresh, floral, flavourful wine with pear drop, peach and orange notes. Very good indeed.
Why it works at Christmas: That extra texture lets it stand up to food. Try it with smoked salmon, a creamy pasta or the Christmas Eve fish.
The Turkey red. Same Apus range, same region, same climate as the Sauvignon, showing off two of the world's best grapes.
Nose: The first thing that struck me was an earthy quality that marks this out as a wine for the table. Cranberry, boysenberry and strawberry linger in the background and give a fruity lift, but overall, the earthiness leans it more towards a fine Burgundy than anything else. Nice.
Palate: Silky smooth, with a velvety mouthfeel that sits very nicely. The earthiness carries through as dark chocolate and a slightly toasty note.
Why it works at Christmas: Pinot is the classic red for turkey, but this one has the weight for heartier winter dishes too: think roast duck or mushroom Wellington.
The classic French. Since visiting Bordeaux in May, I feel more of an affinity with these reds than ever, and it's always a pleasure to try one.
Nose: You'd identify it from miles off. It screams Bordeaux: ripe red fruit mixed with the character of an old, dusty oak barrel, spice, and darker notes of chocolate, tobacco and charred wood.
Palate: It doesn't disappoint. The fresh red fruit character does a nice job of overriding the duskier notes from the nose, keeping it youthful and approachable. An undercurrent of mocha runs throughout, and is held well in balance by those lively red fruits. The tannins are fine and restrained, but definitely there. The finish is very long, and when a wine is this good, you want to taste it for as long as possible.
Why it works at Christmas: It bridges the gap for lovers of both muscly and petite expressions, owing to the blend of lively fruits and Bordeauxy undertones, so it suits a mixed table. Pair it with roast beef, lamb or a hard-cheese board.
The Spanish Inquisition. Much like the comedy skit, it’s gentle at first sip, then gets unexpected.
Nose: A lovely oaky vanilla meets raspberry and a light hint of strawberry. Then you realise you’re being hit with sour cherry straight out of a Tangfastics bag.
Palate: Again, it’s deceptively gentle to begin with on first sip, before a real burst of energy hits the underside of your tongue with punchy red fruit. Most notable to me were strawberry, a touch of vanilla and soft liquorice, finishing with a little herbaceous crunch. The mouthfeel is soft and silky, but the flavour is intense.
Why it works at Christmas: It's a natural for the Boxing Day leftovers, with grilled veg, cold cuts or a sausage-and-chorizo spread.
The verdict
Warehouse Wines have clearly chosen well for the festive season, with wines for every occasion and every dish you could possibly think of eating. Not to mention, the other two wines you’ll get in your case are a juicy Aussie merlot and fragrant South African Chenin, both of which come highly rated.
When you consider it’s only £4.99 a bottle, prices which I didn’t think could still exist in this economy, this is truly a brilliant way to prep for Christmas.