Win a case of Libertine sparkling wine plus the essential guide to all your Christmas wine pairing

Your December update from matchingfoodandwine.com

Here’s your monthly update about what’s been going on on my website matchingfoodandwine.com which, for those of you who are unfamiliar with it, tells you everything you need to know about pairing food with wine and other drinks. (Well hopefully most of them anyway!)

It’s free for everyone to use so if you find the information useful it would be great if you’d take out a paid subscription which will help meet its running costs - and get you some extra tips and advice into the bargain!

Win a case of Libertine - England’s sexiest sparkling wine!

December’s prize (above) is very much a personal pick - a champagne-style sparkling wine that not only looks different but tastes different too and I absolutely love it. 

It’s a really fruity sparkling rosé made from grapes grown in Essex of all places, though Essex is apparently where it’s at for English grape growing being generally warmer and drier than the rest of the country. (They make some impressive chardonnay and pinot noir too.)

But actually it’s not so much how it’s made or even how it tastes but how it makes you feel, encapsulated by the name and label. 

As Liam and John, the two Masters of Wine behind the project say “There’s a moment of joy that accompanies opening a bottle of fine sparkling wine. Great still wines are solemnly appraised, but sparkling wines demand the company of friends, partners, and lovers. Libertine is a celebration of these bonds of pleasure.

What I particularly like is that our winner will get take possession of the prize in January which is when you most need cheering up. And will have the perfect wine to hand for Valentine’s Day. 

To find out more about the prize and how to enter the competition click here. The closing date for entries is 11.59pm GMT on Monday January 2nd 2023 and you must live in the UK and be over 18 to enter. 

8 great bottles to give for Christmas

Stuck for a present idea or need to take a bottle to family or friends you’re staying with over the holiday? Here’s my personal pick of what’s out there including a vodka liqueur that tastes of Christmas pudding, a really gorgeous whisky and the coolest packaging I’ve ever seen for a bottle of champagne!

 Recently in the Guardian I tackled the subject of 

Party wines (It’s not just about prosecco!)

The best bottles to use for mulled wine

The best own label wine bargains

And why we should take Beaujolais more seriously …

Your essential Christmas wine pairings

Over the years I think I’ve managed to cover all the bases but here are the posts I suspect you’ll find most useful

For an overall round-up covering all the possibilities check out the best wines to pair with your Christmas dinner

Or for a quick last minute run-through - 20 christmas wine pairings to learn by heart

Top wines to drink with turkey - also how to cook turkey without having a breakdown!

What wine to pair with goose 

Photo © Brent Hofacker - Fotolia.com

Six of the best wine pairings for Christmas ham

The best wine pairings with beef Wellington

10 top wine matches for a vegetarian - or vegan - Christmas

and, not entirely seriously - 8 great wine matches for sprouts

© evgenyb - Fotolia.com

The best wine to serve with Christmas pudding

8 great drinks to match with mince pies

and the best wine and liqueur pairings for trifle

Photo © Tatyana Berkovich at shutterstock.com

You might also find these posts on How to create a great Christmas cheeseboard and wine and cheese matching for beginners helpful. That last one is one of my most popular posts!)

If you’re a paying subscriber you’ll get more tips this coming Friday and next in my Friday 5 plus a round-up of the best fizz bargains so do consider upgrading your subscription or giving one as a gift!