Christmas is getting closer and so, us here at Irish Drink Shop have decided to put together a list of all the essentials you will need for the big day (and possibly the day after!) From sweet sherries to delicious liqueurs we’ve got you covered. Whether it’s a small family get-together or you’re celebrating solo, you deserve a great drink to bring out the best flavours. Not sure where to start? Below is a selection of some of our favourites, which are ideal for cooking festive treats or drinking by the fire!

Need to brush up on your fortified wine knowledge?  Then be sure to check out our basic guide to fortified wine. 


La Guita Manzanilla 


€16.00

One of Spain's most popular manzanillas. Fresh and medium-bodied with intense tangy roundness on the palate and a slight hint of lightly roasted almonds. A light, flavourful, and aromatic treat.

Food pairing: The freshness and tangy roundness work great for pairing with seafood or as an aperitif with nuts and cheese.  For the more adventurous, we’ve found this wine works a delight when used for braising a beef short rib.


Bernard Loiseau/Gabriel Boudier Apricot Liqueur


€25.99

A great tasting apricot liqueur which has been made by infusing fruit with brandy and adding a little sweetness. The liqueur is made by taking fully ripe apricots, macerating them in brandy, filtering it, and then adding some sugar. The end result is a lightly syrupy texture with apricot, buttery, and lots of marzipan flavours.

Food pairing: Although predominantly used in cocktails, this drink can be paired with your favourite dessert to really bring out the flavours. 


Cognac Park Pineau Des Charentes


€22.99

Made using Montils, Colombard, and Ugni Blanc grapes, this classicly styled Pineau des Charentes is aged for many years in oak barrels and comes from a blend of fresh-unfermented grape juice and fine Cognacs. A fresh, fruit-forward flavour, that while can be enjoyed on its own or can also work great in cocktails.

Food pairing: Makes for a wonderful aperitif to really tickle the appetite! We recommend using Pinot de Charentes Cognac to make a wonderful sauce for Steak Diane.


Dolin Chambery Dry Vermouth


€22.99

Made from Ugni-Blanc wine that has been flavoured with 17 different herbs and spices. This is a dry vermouth from the last independent producer in Chambéry and the only region in France to have received an appellation d'origine contrôlée for its vermouths.

This light-styled vermouth is made with natural ingredients (locally grown plants are macerated and only real sugar is used) as well as a large percentage of high-quality wine. This vermouth is slightly sweet, with generous almond and stone fragrances to soften the slightly bitter citrus base.

Food pairing: Famous for being immortalised by James Bond and his Dry Martini, but this vermouth has many other uses! Works exceptionally well to create a Vermouth sauce perfect with lobster or tough white fish like halibut.


Noval Black Port


€24.00

Noval Black is a new way to drink port! The pure black cherry colour hints at the juiciness this one holds. Plump with rich tannins and a whisper of chocolate from the oak. This new-age port is a true delight with chocolate, chilled, or used as a cocktail ingredient. A solid fruity port, with modest intensity and a relatively soft structure.

Food pairing: Perfect for serving with cheese or chocolate. Or if you’re feeling creative, why not use in a port jelly!


Taylors Single Harvest Port 1970

 

€250

An amazing, limited edition port from the famous house of Taylors. The 1970 vintage was a classic and is considered to be one of the best of the last century. A rich wine that is still going strong 50 longs years later.

On the palate, the wine has a smooth, velvety texture. Rich, dense, and sumptuous. It coats the tongue with its opulent mellow flavour. Hints of toffee, butterscotch, walnut, and candied orange peel develop as the taste unfolds. A beautifully matured port delivering a surge of rich flavour with every sip.

Food pairing: Combines well with flavours of figs, almonds, and caramel. An excellent complement for a crème brûlée or a plate of wild strawberries.


Quinta do Noval Vintage 18


€69

The name Quinta do Noval is synonymous with the world of fine port and this vintage is a great example of what the name has to offer. The 2018 vintage port from Quinta do Noval has received critical acclaim the world over, with Robert Parke calling it "the best of the 2018's" giving it 95+ points. 

The wine is wonderfully ripe, full and exuberant, spicy on the nose, with very fine long tannins. A classic Noval exuding purity and elegance. A stunning vintage that should continue to age and develop for many years to come. We also offer fantastic vintages from other years, so be sure to check out our full range of Quinta do Noval.

Food pairing: A great port to complement aged blue cheese and salty hard cheese.


Quinta do Noval 20 Year Old Tawny


€86

Quinta do Noval 20 Year Old Tawny is a blend of old Ports from different vintages that have matured all their life in oak casks, with an average age of 20 years. Harmonious and balanced, fine, elegant and long, with all the aromatic complexity typical of Noval Tawny Ports. 
A little toasted in flavour with hints of fruit, honey, and caramel. An elegant smoothness which gives way to a beautifully long finish.

Food pairing: A match made in heaven with beef and hard cheeses.

Alves de Sousa 2017 Vintage


€52

An impressive 2017 Vintage Port from Alves de Souza which has lots of character, balance, and ageing potential. Only grapes from two of the best vines in the family are chosen, combining the concentration of Quinta da Oliveirinha in Cima Corgo and the elegance of Quinta da Gaivosa in Baixo Corgo. Rich notes of dark chocolate, black plums, and blackberries entice the taste buds with each sip. Spicy and complex. A real delight to serve at any Christmas table.

Food pairing: As with our other vintage ports in this list, think cheese (cream cheese, blue cheese, and cured cheese). It can also be enjoyed alongside many desserts, or simply on its own.


Emilio Hidalgo Fino


€16

A very fine dry sherry from Emilio Hidalgo, which has been matured in oak casks. The wine rests below a film of naturally formed yeast called 'flor', which imparts it wonderful taste. Hints of bread and caramel in the flavour and a slight sharpness acquired during its development. A full-flavoured, tangy, and deep wine with a satisfying aftertaste.

Food pairing: A Spanish sherry needs good Spanish food to pair with! Think cured meat, mature and hard cheeses, or match it with a sweet dessert at the end of a meal to really please your guests.

Bodegas Tradicion PX


€95

When we think of a fresh, fruity, old yet sweet PX—this is the one that comes to mind! Made using the same ageing methods as those of solera wines and by means of oxidative ageing. 
Soothing aromas of honey, candied fruit, figs entice the nose from the moment you open the bottle. A wonderfully sweet, velvety liquid with extraordinarily intense and rich aromas. It is no mystery how this sherry has grown so popular around the world!

Food pairing: The perfect partner for those sweet dark chocolate desserts or ice-cream.  

Cattier Brut Icone  


€44

A delightful champagne made from twenty different crus and primarily with Pinot grapes. 

Full, fresh flavours of grapefruit, lemon, and ginger dominate the palate, paving the way for more delicate notes of cherry, pear, Mirabelle, and apricot.  The fresh tartness continues all the way through to a long, strong finish. A complex and vibrant champagne bursting with flavour. Truly delightful!

Food pairing: A magnificent champagne to serve as an aperitif, alongside gougères, and all sorts of savoury hors d’oeuvres. Also a fitting accompaniment to dishes such as capon in a cream sauce.


Armand de Brignac Gold 


€325

An ultra-prestigious Champagne from the Cattier Family which was voted the ‘Best Champagne in the World’ by Champagne Magazine! It made from a trio of vintages from some of the most lauded terroirs in the Champagne region, resulting in a prestige cuvée that expresses vibrant fresh fruit character, and layers of complexity.

Deliciously creamy with great depth and impact with a long and silky finish. A superb example of a prestige Champagne. 

Food pairing: Ideal as an aperitif or pairs perfectly with seared scallops, roasted quail, and freshwater fish. Bound to impress the guests at the Christmas table or a perfect way to ring in the New Year! 




We hope our Christmas Drinks to Stock Up On Guide will help you with planning your Christmas meals (or to match with your already prepared meal). If you still can’t find the perfect wine, be sure to browse our incredible range of fortified wine, champagne, and dessert wine on Irish Drinks Shop for more offers and incredible deals!


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If you have any further questions, feel free to give us a call at +353 1912 3253 or contact us on Facebook, Twitter, or email at info@irishdrinkshop.


Recommended last dates for shipping before Christmas (our courier services have advised the below dates for the best chance of delivery in time for Christmas, however, we will continue to dispatch parcels until December 23rd. UPS deliveries in Ireland should take 1-2 days but there may be delays this time of year.)


Ireland - December 18th

UK - December 16th

Europe - December 13th

United States - December 7th

Rest of the World - December 13th


Nollaig Shona Duit & Slainte!

Irish Drink Shop Team