It’s three weeks until Christmas, just in case you haven’t noticed. All the lights on the streets, Christmas markets, the smell of mulled wine mixed with wet asphalt, that’s the holly jolly season in the city. But there’s one thing that really matters, and that’s wine. The right wine for your personal Christmas feast makes the difference. And it doesn’t even have to be just for one day, Christmas is a season and it started already.

At Drinks&Co, we have prepared a delicious selection of white, red and sparkling wines for under £12 for you that set the perfect framework from now until the big family dinner.

White Wines for under £12

Villa Sparina Gavi Di Gavi 2016

Villa Sparina Gavi Di Gavi 2016 stands out as the historic identity of Villa Sparina. The Italian winemaker creates a true classic from Piedmont with the autochthone Cortese grapes showing a vivid expression and a unique freshness. A gem on every Christmas menu.

El Grifo Malvasia Seco Coleccion 2017

El Grifo Malvasia Seco Coleccion 2017: a white wine from the region of Lanzarote based on Malvasía of 2017. According to Uvinum users, this white deserves an evaluation of 4 of 5 points. Perfect to warm up from the cold outside.

Red Wines for under £12

Marqués de Cáceres Crianza 2012

From the fertile lands of La Rioja comes this Marqués de Cáceres Allevamento, a special red that combines tradition and innovation.
Elaborated by Marques de Cáceres, a winery that has been producing quality wines for more than four decades. It was founded in 1970 by Enrique Forner and was a pioneer in the renewal of Rioja wines. Currently, the fifth generation of the family is in charge of the winery. 

Pruno 2015

The most wanted red wine at Uvinum also come at the market’s best price. It’s one of the most appreciated and praised wines on the Spanish market: Pruno 2015. It has been qualified as one of the world’s best wines for its price-value-ratio in several vintages, spoiling our palate with its juicy aromas and fruity, smooth and enjoyable character once again.

Discover a wine, at under £10, that also conquered the heart of Robert Parker. Moreover, this vintage comes in a lot fewer bottles: Don’t miss out on yours!

E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône 2013

The E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône year after year remains faithful to its quality. A great classic, a know-how and an incomparable quality-price ratio. The E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône 2013 is an indispensable wine in its cellar which vintage after vintage is Nº1 of sales at Uvinum and many other wine merchants.

El Molar 2016

With El Molar 2016, Propiedad Vitícola Casa Castillo proves its high expertise once more. This Garnacha from Jumilla emphasises the appellation’s singularity. In a region with a hot and dry climate, where the brand’s winemakers mainly cultivate Monastrell grapes, El Molar 2016 stands out like a shiny diamond for its fruity touch. The previous vintage of 2015 already received high evaluations from nationally renowned wine guides and this vintage targets anew, excellent and well-earned critics. Don’t wait any longer and try a glass of this Jumilla gem.

Sparkling Wines for under £12

Parxet Brut

Parxet elaborates this Parxet Brut (£8.30), a sparkling wine from Cava vinified from Viura, Parellada, Pansa Blanca and Macabeo and has an alcohol content of 11.50%. The Parxet Brut finds an ideal companion in food like white meat and roast. The Uvinum community values the Parxet Brut with 3,7 of 5 points and also has the following ratings: peñín: 90. 

Col Vetoraz Prosecco Extra Dry

Col Vetoraz Prosecco Extra Dry is made with the Charmat method. This Prosecco Extra Dry wine has a persistent perlage. It’s a fruity sparkling, easy to drink, enjoyable. To be sipped with friends as an aperitif.

Castillo Perelada Brut Reserva

Over the decades, the Castillo Perelada Brut Reserva created its own identity thanks to the use of native grapes and the cultivation area’s mild climatic conditions. The Xarel.lo adds the sparkling’s distinctive character, flavour, and structure, the Macabeo cares for appreciated freshness and the Parrelada provides delicacy and elegance. Castillo Perelada Brut Reserva is a true masterpiece!

Aviva Gold

Just like the rose could be defined by the element of fire, this Aviva Gold might be perfectly equalled to liquid gold. Glowing, bright, magical, this sparkling wine is a pleasure for the sight as well as the palate. It is ideal to accompany desserts, sweets, chocolates, in a way which will delight the most glutton and will give your party the unique fun and bright touch that this sparkling wine can give. 

Cordon Negro Brut Magnum

Cordon Negro Brut is Freixenet’s most popular cava and is often referred to as the “Black Bottle Bubbly.”
Wine Spectator – “This shows more finesse than many of its peers, displaying a subtle juiciness, joined by aromatic apricot, quince, mandarin orange and almond notes. Finely meshed, with a lightly spiced finish.”

It might seem like a simple task for some people, but it is not always easy to know which wine to order in a restaurant. The choice should depend on the type of company that you are in and the type of wine that you want. We offer you some tips below to make it easier to choose the right wine.

Ask for Advice from the Sommelier

The first and easiest rule is to heed the advice from the sommelier if the restaurant has one. The sommelier is the one who understands the wines and has the perfect knowledge of what will pair well depending on the occasion, the dish and our tastes. So, there is no need to worry; if you are in doubt, ask the sommelier who will guide you well in making your choice.

It Depends on the Food

We will usually base our choice of wine depending on the dish. As a basic guideline white wines go well with rice and fish and red wines are great with meat. But it is not always that simple. You should also consider the type of meat and whether the wine is young or not. One of the important basic rules of pairing is that it is best to serve the lighter wines before the more full-bodied wines. The world of pairing is very extensive and there are flavours that pair better with a white wine while others will pair fantastically well with a rosé.

By Order

You can also choose the wines for your long lunch or dinner according to the order. The basic norm is to first have the sparkling wines which usually pair well with the appetisers. The whites will go well with lighter first courses. The rosés, the young red wines and fuller red wines pair well with meat, game or something heartier.

Depending on the Company or Occasion

It is safe to choose a well-known wine, such as Rioja or Toro, if you are having a business lunch and want to treat your guests. These wines pose little to no risk of anyone not liking it. But if you are on a date you can experiment a bit more and take your partners tastes into consideration as well.

Porta 6 2017

Porta 6 2017 is the product of the fertile vineyards from Alenquero and Cadaval, in the mountains in the North of Lisbon.

Buy Porta 6 2017

Terras de Alleu 2016

Terras de Alleu 2016 is an uncomplicated wine from Douro. Easy to drink and enjoy.

Buy Terras de Alleu 2016

You shouldn’t miss these food and wine museums if you are going travelling or are planning an exciting wine route. Take note and write them down on your bucket list. And remember to enjoy the wine!

Vivanco Museum of Wine Culture, Spain

One of the most interesting and oldest wine museums in the world is the Vivanco Museum of Wine Culture in Spain. The museum is catalogued as the best wine museum in the world by the World Tourism Organisation-UN. The place allows you to travel through no less than 8,000 years of history with 20,000 works of art. You will find authentic archaeological pieces with hundreds of years of history. But you will also be able to enjoy more modern works by creators such as Picasso, Sorolla, Juan Gris, Chillida, Barceló, Genovés, or Warhol. The museum also allows you to enter the winery, do tastings and attend conferences and workshops. Here you will see 220 varieties of wine from around the world.

Pleven Wine Museum, Bulgaria

The museum is located inside a cave in the park of Kaylaka in Bulgaria. It contains many objects related to the viticultural tradition of the city. The park also boasts beautiful flora and vegetation. As in many other museums of this type, of course, you will also find the opportunity to taste their wines.

The Living Museum of Gingerbread, Poland

This museum does not focus on wine, but it contains many curiosities. The Living Museum of Gingerbread in Poland (Muzeum Piernika) offers visitors a glimpse of the rituals and traditions involved in the making of gingerbread. The place features activities, temporary exhibitions, interactive exhibitions, and you will also be able to make your own gingerbread.

Frietmuseum in Bruges, Belgium

You may not know that french fries originated in Belgium. In Bruges, you can find a museum that is divided into three parts dedicated to the good old chip. The history of the chip is exhibited along 400 antique objects on display. The visit also includes an opportunity at the end to taste the chips

Deutsches Currywurst Museum, Berlin

This museum could not be located anywhere else seeing that the currywurst was invented in Berlin. Fine slices of currywurst with curry ketchup. The museum showcases how this sausage became so popular, thanks to interactive exhibits and much more. Don’t forget to taste the sausages at the various street stands in the city.

We have already stated several times what the benefits of red wine are. In addition to containing polyphenols from the grape, which are antioxidants, being good for memory and offering us doses of well-being, now it is also an ally against prostate cancer.

This is confirmed by a study in which urologists have shown that red wine can reduce the risk of prostate cancer. However, white wine can increase the risk of suffering from it.

So their research found that the moderate consumption of wine by the men who underwent the study did not increase the risk of prostate cancer. But it is important to note that the results varied significantly according to the colour of the wine.

White wine drinkers faced a slight increase in the risk of prostate cancer. And the men who drank red wine, always in a moderate way, had a significant 12% decrease in the risk of suffering from this type of cancer.

It is not the first time that wine is related to the improvement of various types of cancers and hence doctors would like to go deeper into this topic, since there were contradictory global studies.

When differentiating between types of alcoholic beverages and types of consumption, specifically red wine, in moderate or very low consumption, it turned out that it can significantly reduce the risk of suffering some cancers.

In addition, another study published in the journal Cancer Science showed that resveratrol, a chemical found in red wine but not in white wine, can increase the effectiveness of radiation to destroy prostate cancer cells.

What is clear is that one of the major conclusions is that the level of prevention and reduction of this disease depends on the type of beverage consumed. Not all alcoholic beverages produce the same result then, as the researchers saw.

Domaine de Pellehaut Harmonie de Gascogne 2017

Domaine de Pellehaut Harmonie de Gascogne 2017

E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône 2015

E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône 2015

Every so often new studies documenting the health benefits from drinking wine are published, and almost just as often other studies showing links between diseases and frequent wine consumption appear.

Some of the benefits of enjoying a daily glass of wine include the reduction of cholesterol, stress and diabetes; on the other hand, you also risk the possibility of developing cancer and liver problems. With all this conflicting information it is ok to ask: Can you lead a healthy life when drinking wine? The answer is yes. In the wine itself certain elements are present that are known to be beneficial to health, and so it is advisable to drink a glass of wine a day.

4 tips for a healthy life drinking wine

Moderate consumption of wine does not have to be harmful to your health, indeed, it can even be beneficial if it is included as part of a lifestyle with healthy habits.

1. Eat a healthy and balanced diet. The most important habit to maintain a healthy lifestyle is to consume a balanced diet with fruits and vegetables being the main food group and make sure your diet also contains sufficient fibre. There are numerous wines that are perfect for pairing with salads and stews. Meat and fish are also important parts of your diet but make sure to choose lean pieces and reduce the intake of animal fats.
2. Lead an active life. Exercising on a regular basis also contributes to your overall health. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a strenuous sport, the most important thing for improving your health is to exercise regularly.
3. Reduce stress in your life. Feeling relaxed and avoiding stress is just as important as eating well and exercising. A nice way to try to control the stress is to enjoy good times with friends from time to time, perhaps accompanied with a good bottle of wine.
4. Drink wine responsibly. Wine can be part of a healthy lifestyle and can even be the perfect excuse to meet friends or to enjoy a meal in pleasant company. Just keep in mind to be aware of how much you drink – the recommendation is a daily glass of wine of 125 ml – and do not drink on an empty stomach.

So, yes, it is possible to lead a healthy life when drinking wine. And, by the way, although it is usually red wine that is mentioned when talking about the benefits of wine, it is worth mentioning that white wine possesses exactly the same positive health effects as red wine.

Peñascal Rosado

Peñascal Rosado

Porta 6 2016

Porta 6 2016

Traditionally the world of wine has been a world dominated by men. However, slowly (too slowly) women are getting their names recognised in the world of wine. To put a spotlight on the great work done by women in the industry today we are sharing 5 wines made by women. We hope you like them! 

Pazo Señorans 2016

This balanced and elegant Albariño white wine from Rías Baixas is a safe buy, and behind the wine, we find the winemaker Ana Quintela, who has been with Pazo de Señorans since 1990, and the owner of the winery, Marisol Bueno, a revolutionary of Galician white wines.

Buy Pazo Señorans 2016

Cune Reserva 2011

María Larrea is the winemaker and technical director of CVNE, one of the most important and largest wineries in Spain. There she produces must-taste wines from Rioja like this Cune Reserva 2011, produced mainly from Tempranillo and it is both soft, pleasant and easy to drink.

Nita 2015

Nita is the result of the sound suggestion by Meritxell Pallejà, who is responsible for wine, to establish a personal biodynamic wine project. This is a wine with a pronounced fruitiness that reminds us of the minerals of the lands of Priorat. It is also a great RCP wine.

Viña Tondonia Reserva 2004

Viña Tondonia is one of the most prestigious wineries in Rioja. Here we find María José López de Heredia, great-granddaughter of the founder and one of the most important women on the wine-making scene in Europe. She follows the family tradition with wines such as this great Viña Tondonia Reserva.

Camí Pesseroles 2011

When Sara Pérez was born it was written in the stars that she would grow up to make great wines, and this has been demonstrated through Mas Martinet. In this Priorat winery, Sara utilises the experience passed on from her father and spoils us with great wines such as Camí Pesseroles.

Buy Camí Pesseroles 2011

Where is it written that eating pizza or hot dogs cannot be combined with a good wine? Wine does not always have to be accompanied by fancy cuisine as it can successfully be paired with an infinite variety of dishes.

Limitations are not our philosophy. Even the experts say it, like Nicolás Boise, chief sommelier of Mugaritz restaurant, who was quoted in the Spanish Newspaper El País recommending that junk food and wine can be a perfect combination.

But what wines pair well with fast food? It depends on the ingredients in each dish. If you are eating a sausage the choice of wine will depend on the type of sausage, the sauces and the other ingredients in that particular dish.

The basic hot dog (with mustard and ketchup and nothing else) goes well with white wines of the Gewürtzraminer type. If the hot dog also has crispy onions both rosés and sparkling wines will pair very well.

Nowadays it’s pizza and wine! Beer is not the only drink that goes well with pizza; if you prefer having a glass of wine instead we recommend rosé as the best option. Young red wines are also a good pairing. If the pizza has anchovies (something that is currently scarce), it is better to choose a white wine to counteract the flavour, and if you opt for a barbeque pizza you might find that going for a consistent and full-bodied red wine, like a Merlot, is an excellent choice.

Chocolate desserts marry perfectly with many kinds of wines. We already feel quite uncomfortable about the milkshakes found in many fast food establishments, and if we had wine with our dinner we would also like to finish with wine. In fact, you will find that there are some wine and chocolate combinations that maximise the flavours. For these types of desserts, we recommend red wines.

For certain spicy dishes, like kebab, the best combination is made with an intense and stronger wine. And red wines are also preferred when pairing with hamburgers. For some quick tapas, the white and sparkling wines are excellent choices, while taking into account the type of tapas and whether the dish has meat or fish.

Miraval Rosé 2017

Miraval Rosé 2017

By Ott Rosé 2016

By Ott Rosé 2016

There are already several proven studies that show that red wine is good for the heart. And now more evidence of its benefits has been discovered. The study comes from the Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences of LSU in the United States, where they have developed a new stent that releases red wine antioxidants slowly over time, promoting healing and preventing blood clotting and inflammation.

The people responsible for this development explain that by delivering red wine antioxidants during conventional angioplasty, it may be possible to prevent the build-up of excess tissue and the blood vessel from narrowing again as it heals.

In addition to the stent, they are also in the process of developing a balloon coated with the same compounds to treat blood flow blockages throughout the body called peripheral artery disease. Drug-coated balloons are a relatively new product and are being developed to help interventional cardiologists treat arteries that are difficult to treat with traditional angioplasty and stent treatments.

As mentioned there are more studies that highlight the benefits that red wine possesses to protect the heart. A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that resveratrol was unrelated to rates of heart disease, cancer and death. It was also shown in controlled studies that people who drink moderate amounts of alcohol, regardless of the type of drink, tend to have better blood records.

As for a recent study published by the National Institute of Wine Research in Australia, it was shown that drinking wine in moderation reduces the risk of heart disease. People who regularly drink a small amount of red wine, especially if accompanied with food, have a 30% lower risk of heart disease.

Varvaglione Papale Linea Oro Primitivo Di Manduria 2014

Varvaglione Papale Linea Oro Primitivo Di Manduria 2014

Castello di Ama Chianti Classico Ama 2014

Castello di Ama Chianti Classico Ama 2014

“We started making ECO wines from the beginning (1991)…; for us, it is more a matter of philosophy than of being commercial.”

When it comes to sustainable viticulture and organic production in the DO Priorat, the Clos Galena winery has positioned itself as a pioneer since its inception. What started as a matter of philosophy for the team behind the Catalan brand has now evolved into a clear trend. And in 2017 one of its wines was represented at the Nobel Prize gala. Here at Uvinum, we got the opportunity to sit down for an interview with Toni Coca, the winemaker at Clos Galena, to learn more about the winery and its successes.

In the past few years there has been a growing trend when it comes to eco-friendly or organic wines. What, according to your opinion, is the reason for this development?

Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of health issues, meaning, we are giving more and more attention to what we eat and drink and the ECO-certified products have greater guarantees.

What is the role of Clos Galena in the organic wine movement in Priorat?

We started making ECO wines from the beginning (1991) in Domini de la Cartoixa; for us, it is more a matter of philosophy than of being commercial. Today there are many producers in Priorat who are making ECO wines, it is a clear trend. We were only a few in the beginning but every year we are growing in numbers.

This year the star of our winery is without a doubt the Formiga de Vellut 2014, the wine that was chosen to be served at the Nobel Prize gala in Stockholm.

How does the Formiga wine connect with this event with regards to the values and ethics represented by the Nobel Prizes?

The Formiga de Vellut wine was chosen for this event through blind tasting, which means that those who have tasted it were looking for an honest wine with multiple nuances, freshness and above all a wine with a Mediterranean character.

What impact have you noticed after being represented at the Nobel Prize dinner?

On the media level, it has had a lot of impact; it has given a lot of visibility to both the wine and the winery.

The director of Clos Galena, Merche Dalmau, has already expressed his pride, saying that “it is a great honor that the Formigas del Vellut 2014 wine was served to harmonize the Nobel dinner”. Being the winemaker and creator, what are your thoughts on the fact that Formigas was invited to the “most intellectual table in the world”?

Without a doubt the importance is remarkable. Primarily because it was chosen and because of this the most cultured minds of today have now tasted it. For me, it is very gratifying to have played my part in this project and to recognise the remarkable work done by many skilled people also working on this project.

Of all the wines of Clos Galena, which one is your favourite?

Actually, although it sounds a little cliché, all the wines we make have their own personality, which connects with your preferences in different ways depending on the moment, but if I have to choose one I would choose the Clos Galena for its complexity, character, and kindness.

Do you have any special recommendations for others to enjoy a wine that you are passionate about?

It is time, especially to connect with wine, to reach a little further than the obvious, emotion and seduction. I think it often depends more on oneself than on the wine.

Formiga de Vellut 2015

Formiga de Vellut 2015

Clos Galena 2013

Clos Galena 2013

Organic wines can be found in many types of establishments. When talking about organic wines we could mention many different denominations, although in this case, we are referring to a type of crop where the sulfur addition limits are lower and the use of chemical synthesis products are kept as low as possible.

There is an increasing demand from customers for these wines and today many restaurants have added them to their menus. Have a look at our selection of Barcelona restaurants that offer organic wines in case you will be passing through the city or are going there for a holiday.

El Petit Celler

El Petit Celler is more than just a restaurant. It is a sensory experience where you can taste a variety of wines. Recently they have opened Tribut which is a space within El Petit Celler itself where you can taste more than 250 kinds of the best wines by the glass. The place also has a Vermutería where you can taste a large selection of vermouths accompanied by the best preserves. It was originally opened as a store, so it has endless shelves with a great selection of bottles that you can buy and bring home. The organic wines are well represented.

La Dentellière

Located in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona this restaurant stands out for the quality of its products. With a central location, it offers eggs from Calaf, rice from Delta del Ebre, and of course, a good list of wines of Catalan and Spanish origin, among which you can find the organic Mureda and DO Castilla La Mancha, both red and white wine types.

Vistro49 Wine Bar and Cocktail Bar at Hotel Ohla Barcelona

Hotel Ohla Barcelona offers several gastronomic areas. Florian David from France has been Caelis’ sommelier for more than two years and he is responsible for Vistro49. The extensive menu includes organic wines and little-known wineries that produce precious wines. They also have a wide representation of well-known wines and cavas.

La llavor dels orígens

The name refers to two restaurants in Barcelona which are located in two alternative and trendy neighbourhoods: Grácia and El Born. Both restaurants have dishes with products from Kilometre 0. Their wine lists have some organic wines such as the Bouquet d’Alella, DO Alella, which is produced using the grape pansa blanca which is native to Alella.

Hécula 2014

Hécula 2014

Castaño Monastrell Ecológico 2016

Castaño Monastrell Ecológico 2016