Christmas without a broken piggy bank

'It's the most expensive time of the year r♪♫'

We've reached the end of the year again, and with Christmas just around the corner, we all know what that means: unwrapping. And of course, we're not just talking about all the presents, but also about the food and wine marathon.

For days, we've all been imagining ourselves in a delightful gastronomic nativity scene. Guillardeau oysters, blinis with salmon and caviar, hand-dived scallops, or a magnificent piece of venison loin. Hearing these, we naturally immediately dream of the finest pairing wines: Puligny-Montrachet, Côte-Rôtie, Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé. But hey, who isn't?

In 2024, expensive groceries are still the talk of the town. So how do you ensure you get through the holidays financially sound and still enjoy yourself to the fullest? When it comes to wine, we can help. So, we've compiled a list of wines that will steal the Christmas show without breaking the bank.

Tips from Zappa Spruit

Zappa Spruit is a sommelier at Bistrot du Bac in Rotterdam

L'Aigle à Deux Têtes – Crémant du Jura

Champagne is the king of sparkling wines par excellence, yet there are sparkling wines outside that region that are surprising. This time, in the obscure Jura, Burgundy's small neighbor. Known for its great Vin Jaune, the region's oxidative masterpiece. Yet, more and more contemporary wines are being made, including this 100% Chardonnay. Toasted hazelnut, preserved lemon, and a deep earthiness. True Jura swings with the precision and depth of a classic sparkling wine.

👉 available at Smaragd Wijnen – 17 euros

Wagner Stempel – Riesling trocken 2023

Wagner Stempel is the "silent star" in the increasingly trendy Rheinhessen region. The Rieslings from this beautiful estate always exceed expectations, as the latest release of the base wine clearly demonstrates. The wine is exotically seductive, smoky, yet minerally charged. A delicious synergy of fruit and savory. We'll definitely be having the Alsace Grand Cru again next year. Disclaimer: the bottle might be gone before the appetizer...

👉 available through Rieslinghuis – €14.50

Maison Ambroise – Bourgogne Aligoté 2022

Are you going to recommend something from Burgundy now? Absolutely. Because we're looking for the best deals, and this is one not to be missed. Drinking Burgundy means spending a fortune, but with this delicious aligoté, we really feel like we're getting a front-row seat for next to nothing. Rich citrus, a slightly creamy texture, and precisely measured oak. A chic wine for a cheap price. Get those scallops on the grill.

👉 available at Vinoblesse – €16.95

Guímaro – 'Camiño Real' Mencía & co

We travel on to the beautiful Ribeira Sacra in Galicia, a region comparable to Spain's Moselle. The valley is breathtaking, with high altitudes and steep slopes. Here, everything revolves around craftsmanship, or Heroic Viticulture. Mencía is Spain's rising star, poised for greatness. Imagine throwing Pinot Noir and Syrah into a blender with a pinch of Cabernet Franc—and voilà, mencía! The Camino Real from the Guímaro estate is a perfect example. Rich in fruit, fleshy, yet floral. A mini Côte-Rôtie for the people.

👉 available at Smaragd Wijnen – €17.50

Tips from Nadien de Visser

Nadien de Visser is the founder of Le Club des Vins.

Rafael Palacios – Louro 2023

Rafael Palacios, the youngest member of the renowned Palacios winemaking family, has forged his own path in the lesser-known Valdeorras region of northern Spain. While his brother Álvaro made a name for himself in Priorat, Rioja, and Bierzo, Rafael shows what Godello has to offer. His Louro comes from 25- to 30-year-old vines grown on sandy granite soils at an altitude of 600 meters in the municipality of O Bolo. The cool climate and poor soil ensure slow ripening and concentrated grapes. After fermentation in large French oak barrels, the wine is aged on the lees for four months. The result? A wine reminiscent of Burgundy in terms of finesse and structure, but without the need to sell an organ. I recommend everyone try this.

👉 available via 8wines – €16.50 (may vary per day on this website)

Bodegas Barón – Manzanilla Micaela

Of course, a sherry has to be on this list. And since no one drinks it, the prices are quite reasonable. My head is racing, because I could also recommend El Muelle, Luis Perez's vino de pasto, but no, it's manzanilla. You want this with a platter of oysters. After all, you're saving on the wine, so bring on the guillardeaus. It's a match made in heaven.

👉 available through Karakter / Wijnkoperij Europa – 13 euros

Antonio Madeira – Field blend 2023

Calling all restaurants in the Netherlands: put this on your menu. These are the kind of wines—both white and red—that everyone enjoys (okay, we'll leave the oak-aged Chardonnay or braised Primitivo drinkers out of the equation for now). This is pure, juicy, and above all, very drinkable. The red version is made largely from baga, alfrocheiro, and jaen (mencía), and the white from siria, bical, encruzado, cerceal, and arinto. They use grapes you might never have heard of, but Antonio Madeira knows how to use them. A breath of fresh air on a wine list; now all they need is a restaurant that listens.

👉 available at Smaragd Wijnen – €19.50

Bodegas Ponce – La Casilla Bobal 2022

Until recently, I associated bobal with beech trees, but since tasting wines from Bodegas Mustiguillo (Utiel Requena) and Bodegas Ponce (Manchuela), I know it can be different. What you need are old vines, altitude, and, of course, winemaking expertise. Ponce learned his craft from Telmo Rodriguez, no small feat, and after a few years returned to his native region: Manchuela. He makes a bobal that has nothing to do with those beech trees. This is elegant and exciting, with refined tannins and ample freshness.

👉 available from Wijnkoperij Platenburg and Vindict , among others – €16.60

Happy Holidays

With these tips, you'll get through Christmas without breaking the bank. From Jura bubbles to an elegant Manchuela bobal – there's something for everyone. Make it a beautiful one.

Cheers to fine wines, delicious meals, and happy holidays!