Something special for Christmas (Picture: Shutterstock/Ografica)
If one more person asks me if I’ve done my Christmas shopping, I might actually do it, just so I can say, ‘Yes, have you?’
They’re right though, there’s no lockdown to blame it on, we’ve had Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which seem to go on forever, so I’m out of excuses. Gift-giving is tricky at the best of times though, and I’m a giver.
Then there’s tipsy gifting, which is on another level, and by that I don’t mean having a few glasses and double-clicking onto Amazon, I’m of course referring to boozy gifts.
If you don’t know the person well, you’re not going to be familiar with their taste in tipples; are they into whisky, champagne, fine reds, Babycham?
On a side note, if they’re fans of the last one, it may be time to question that friendship. Though at least if it’s a secret Santa, you can remain anonymous.
Your nearest and dearest can be an even tougher crowd, with a level of expectation you don’t get from those lesser known to us. There’s the added pressure of knowing exactly what they like, what they wouldn’t be seen dead drinking and what your gift says about them.
Get it wrong and you’ll have the awkward unwrapping moment to cringe through, and no one wants that. Talk about ‘booze gifting anxiety’, which isn’t a recognised syndrome but should be.
The likes of champagne, red wine and premium spirits are always winners, so be the gift that keeps on giving this year with these three more spendy crackers:
Adnams First Rate Triple Malt Dry Gin, England
Yes, you can sip this neat (Picture: Adnams)
This is catnip to a gin-enthusiast. Produced by iconic East Anglian brewer, Adnams, thank Southwold’s beach huts they didn’t ‘stay in their lane’.
Made from their award-winning triple-grain vodka, Longshore, which is redistilled and infused with a medley of 13 botanicals.
The citrus peel cardamon, fennel and thyme make an appearance on the palate. Yes, you can sip this neat.
Champagne Jacquart Mosaique Brut, France
A good champagne is a safe bet for gifting (Picture: ASDA)
I’m all about pouring high-end cava, Crémant, English sparkling and other world fizz for everyday drinking. A good champagne is a safe bet for gifting especially if it’s a well-respected producer like this one.
Allegedly, this is the most popular champagne brand served in restaurants in the Champagne region.
It’s chardonnay-dominated, which means yellow plum and fresh pear flavours over shortbread base notes.
Cedro do Noval, Portugal
Seeing red (Picture: Selfridges)
Firstly, this is a red wine produced by one of the finest port houses in Portugal, secondly, you can say you bought it from Selfridges.
This is basically port, without the fortification from brandy, using many of the same grapes and led by the perfumed, bergamot flavoured Touriga Nacional. If the recipient is a fan of cabernet-based Bordeaux, this one has black fruit and light sandalwood similarities from 18 months wood ageing.
Welcome to the Metro Wine Club
Metro’s Wine Club, in association with Virgin Wines, is a brilliant way to save money on your Christmas tipples. Join now and you’ll get 12 bottles usually worth £171.88 for £65.88 (a 60 per cent saving), with free delivery. That’s just £5.49 a bottle.
Available as a mixed, all-red or all-white selection, the case is the perfect introduction to Virgin Wines’ WineBank service – including benefits such as £1 extra for every £5 saved, free express delivery and total flexibility – no contract or membership fees, you’re in charge!
Join the Metro Wine Club and get 12 bottles of world-class wine for just £65.88 – that’s £100 off!
To order, visit Virgin Wines or call 0343 224 1001 and quote the code VF2247
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