Looking to be inspired? Our Autumnal Pairing Guide is here, perfect for a rainy weekend.
Autumn means harvest at Balfour. And whilst our team works incredibly hard to bring in this year’s crop, our minds also (inevitably) turn to the wonderful selection of seasonal produce also available at this time of year – and the wines we pair them with.
One of the great joys of the festive season is all the snacks and nibbles we get to consume. But whether you are hosting a party or about to put on a classic Christmas movie with some of your favourite yuletide treats, Balfour is here with some perfect food and wine pairings to elevate your Christmas to the tastiest of levels.
Here are five of our favourite Christmas food and wine pairings:
Balfour Brut Rosé 2018 – Is there a more classic canapé than Salmon blinis? This decadent party snack calls for an elegant drink with acidity to cut through the oily fish, and you get all the finesse needed in our Balfour Brut Rosé. With delicate crunchy raspberry fruit notes and a little herbal twist, this will further enhance your canapé if topped with some caviar and dill.
Leslie’s Reserve Red NV – Would this be a Christmas food and wine pairing if we didn’t bring up the Mince pies? Typically mulled wine, sweeter Madeira, and port-like wines go very well with this fruity and spicey sweet treat. Well, we are about to bring you something just as good, and entirely unique; a sparkling red wine, made from Pinot Noir. This has the lightness and brightness of Pinot, a soft sweetness and then dried cranberry-redcurrant notes with a slightly herbal, black pepper edge. It pairs perfectly with the sweetness of dried fruits and sweet baking spices.
Leslie’s Reserve Gold NV – Sometimes we just need snacks, and sometimes those snacks need to be popcorn. This is where our Leslie’s Reserve Gold comes into play. Named ‘Gold’ as it is an off-dry style, with its lemon sherbet and honey notes, this is great to pair with a delicious bag of caramel-flavored popcorn.
Springfield Chardonnay 2018 – Is it really Christmas if you don’t have cheese? A semi-soft aged cheese like Comté with its slight nuttiness will go beautifully with the modest creaminess and almond flake notes of this wine. The Chardonnay also has beautiful English green apple acidity making it a perfect partner with proteins. The fact that it’s quite light and refreshing in style means you can also add onto your platter some soft cheeses such as brie. Equally, it will handle the addition of some dried fruits, grapes and those nutty options like walnuts and pecans.
Nannette’s Rose 2021 – Rosé wine and sunshine may go hand in hand, but don’t be dismissing your pink wines too quickly this winter. Rosé has the ability to pair with so many dishes, it is surprisingly gastronomic. Our Nannette’s Rose is fruity, floral and aromatic with a lovely texture and refreshing acidity. This makes it ideal with a tray of Indian-inspired party snacks. Our full-flavoured pink, pairs amazingly with the aromatic spices of a Samosa with the acidity cleansing your palate between bites.
Whatever your selection this year, may your holidays be filled with happiness, cheer and wonderful tastings.
If you’re looking for a gift for a wine lover, then this is the list for you! These five gifts are must-haves for the festive season.
1. Bottle of Sparkling Balfour Brut Rosé 2018 in a beautifully branded gift box
Balfour Brut Rosé is our flagship wine, and for six years the only wine made by Balfour. It is a single-vineyard wine from our Oast House Meadow vineyard, planted 20 years ago. Present one, two or three bottles in these beautiful gift boxes. Alternatively, you can purchase our Balfour Brut Rosé as a Magnum, gift boxed as an extra special gift.
Tasting note: more cranberry than strawberry, this is classic Balfour; dry, precise and powerful. A complex wine that is more than just primary fruit, there are notes of burnt orange combined with a wonderful herbaceous note on the finish.
£50, shop Balfour Brut Rosé here.
2. A case of 6 bottles of Leslie’s Reserve Sparkling Red NV
Named after Co-founder, Leslie Balfour-Lynn, this traditional method sparkling red is a real treat for the more adventurous wine lover.
Tasting note: The flavour profile is built around crisp cranberry core. Plum notes combine with a herby menthol finish to create a truly unique wine.
£270, shop Leslie’s Reserve Sparkling Red NV here.
3. The Christmas Celebration Hamper
This is the ultimate taste of Balfour. This hamper includes a £130 winery experience voucher, our three Vintage Collection wines, Pink Fizz (rosé wine in a can!), Jake’s IPA and Lager, cheese, charcuterie, chutney and so much more. All your christmas celebration needs in one purchase!
At £345 this comes in a Balfour Branded box. See the full list of items here.
4. Winery Experience gift voucher
Let the recipient define their Balfour experience, from the Winter Wine Experience, Balfour Wine Tasting Masterclass, Wine and Dine Experience or any of our events throughout 2023.
Choose the value, buy it here.
5. Tickets to An Evening of Jazz with Joe Stilgoe at Balfour Winery
After the success of our Evening of Jazz with Liane Carroll and Ian Shaw, we are hosting another! Joe Stilgoe is an internationally acclaimed singer, pianist and song writer. He has created a fresh sound for jazz, and topped the UK Jazz Chart on multiple occasions.
Enjoy a glass of sparkling Balfour Wine followed by a three-course set meal whilst you tap your feet to the beat in this unmissable event.
Phone us on 01622832794 to enquire.
