Discover the winemaking team's favourite wines for the season, with recommendations from Laura Rhys, Master Sommelier; Mary Bridges, our Head Winemaker, and Alastair Benham, Head of Wine Operations
To share with a fellow wine lover, recommended by Mary Bridges Gusbourne Brut Reserve Late Disgorged 2015
If you're looking for something special to share, Brut Reserve Late Disgorged 2015 is just the bottle. A superb example of how extended time on lees adds depth and complexity while ensuring that energy and drive remain at the heart of this blend. Bright citrus peel on the nose turns into a creamy lemon posset on the palate – delicious.
A wine to enjoy while trimming the tree, recommended by Alastair Benham Gusbourne Chardonnay Guinevere Barrel Selection 2020
Our Guinevere Barrel Selection is really singing right now. What better treat to share with your loved ones as you make the finishing touches to your tree? This iteration of our still Chardonnay is full, generous and ripe. We hand-selected barrels from our 2020 vintage, and the resulting wine is brimming with stone fruits, cream and baking spice.
An aperitif on Christmas Day morning, recommended by Laura Rhys, Master Sommelier Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2018
This is wonderful as an aperitif on Christmas Day morning. That combination of ripe citrus and stone fruits, toasted, nutty notes, a streak of salty minerality and a bright, linear freshness always feels like the perfect way to wake up any taste buds. (Especially, if the little ones have been opening stocking presents since 5am!) It also works brilliantly with smoked salmon blinis, toasted almonds and olives, or homemade cheese straws.
A still white for Boxing Day leftovers recommended by Laura Rhys, Master Sommelier Gusbourne Chardonnay Guinevere 2021
This latest vintage of Guinevere shows lots of beautiful citrus and orchard fruit notes and a really lovely creamy, buttered toast character on the palate, all shot through with a really bright freshness too. I think it’s a perfect wine for Boxing Day, with slices of turkey and sautéed leftover roasties (perhaps my favourite thing about Boxing Day!), or a plate of cheese, ham and chutneys and some homemade piccalilli.
A Boxing Day sparkling recommended by Mary Bridges Blanc de Meuniers Down Field Vineyard 2018
It was very exciting to release our first Blanc de Meuniers earlier this year. The fruit came from our prized Down Field vineyard in West Sussex and this wine really proves why Pinot Meunier is such an important component. Bursting with bright red fruits and a subtle spice, I’ll be enjoying this wine on a lazy Boxing Day, perhaps with a couple of leftover pigs in blankets (if they’ve not all been scoffed the day before!).
A wine for celebrating, recommended by Laura Rhys, Master Sommelier Gusbourne Fifty One Degrees North 2016
If you want to stock up on one real treat this Christmas - a wine that’s perfect for celebrating, for sharing with friends, family and loved ones - then this has to be it. I love the richness and elegance of the 2016 vintage. Alongside the classic orchard, citrus fruit notes, it’s developing a beautiful, nuanced palate with complexity and length, making it a perfect match for richer dishes throughout the festive season. I’ll be savouring a glass or two to ring in the New Year.
Browse our full selection of wines for Christmas here or discover our range of gifts here.
