With endless varieties, styles, and brands on the market, it’s difficult to know which wine is perfect for your special occasion. That’s why we’ve prepared a guide to help you pick the right wine to bring to your Christmas party, give to your loved ones as gifts, and drink during the New Year. These are some of the best value wines starting from Php 600 that you can get for the holidays.
All of the wines listed below are available at Winery PH, a leading e-commerce wine website that works directly with winemakers and leading importers to curate the largest range of wine in the Philippines, available at the click of a button and delivered to your door.
Red Wines
Country of Origin: Spain
Region: DOCa Rioja
Grape Variety: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano
The holidays aren’t complete without a spiced and slightly sweet Christmas ham, and the Dealto Rioja Crianza makes for an ideal companion. This beautiful, fruit forward blend compliments the rich savouriness of a classic baked ham without overpowering it. It has notes of red berry fruit, a hint of vanilla and mocha, and a youthful acidity tempered with light oak and tannins characteristic of a Crianza. Most of all, we love the price; this must be the lowest-priced certified DOCa Rioja in the Philippines.
Country of Origin: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Grape variety: Malbec
The Malbec is a classic variety widely grown in Argentina’s Mendoza region. This Santuario Malbec lets you experience the power and depth of Argentina’s national wine at an attractive price. This succulent red has flavours of plum, blueberry and blackberry that come together for a harmonious finish. It’s more delicious to drink when paired barbecued or grilled red meats, including the beloved Filipino pork barbecue.
Country of Origin: France
Region: Pays d’Oc
Grape variety: Pinot Noir 90%, Merlot 10%
French wines are known for their world-class quality, and they often have a price tag to match! But the Montsable Pinot Noir, a newly imported wine to the Philippines from one of the lesser known French regions, bucks the trend by offering great value for money. It is sourced from grapes grown in the Languedoc slopes in France. In the mouth, it’s expressive and elegant — red cherry and juicy strawberry flavours, ripe tannins, and a seductively silky finish. Pair with simple grilled meats, stews – think grilled pork, salpicao, or beef bourguignon.
4. Pra Vinera Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Country of Origin: USA
Region: Napa Valley
Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Offering outstanding value, an impressive finish, and a rich, full-body, the Pra Vinera Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon is all you could ask for in a California cab sauv. Made from grapes grown in the USA’s iconic Napa Valley, it opens up to a beautiful bouquet of toasted bread and dark chocolate leading to a concentration of red fruit and plum flavours. It’s best paired with a juicy, thick steak, though its acidity and tannins pairs well also pairs well with fatty grilled pork.
Sparkling Wines
Country of Origin: Australia
Region: Orange
Grape variety: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
The Swift Sparkling Brut Cuvee is hands down the best value sparkling wine we’ve tasted in the Philippines in 2019. Orange in Australia’s New South Wales is quickly growing its reputation because of its fine, cool climate, high-elevation chardonnay that is used in this impressive new world sparkling, which has swept Australian wine awards with a string of Gold medals at state and national shows. It provides an exceptional alternative to expensive French sparkling wines found in stores, that will not fail to impress.
Country of Origin: Australia
Region: King Valley
Grape variety: Prosecco
Whether for special daytime occasions, or out-of-town trips during the holidays, you can’t go wrong with the fresh, breezy Chrismont Prosecco. This light, easy drinking Australian grown sparkling wine is made by 5th-generation Italian migrants in Victoria’s King Valley. A boutique family-made sparkling wine with a reasonable price tag, it lends itself well to joyful celebrations and extended conversations with your loved ones. It’s an ideal drink to watch fireworks too, so any unused bottles from Christmas can be opened on New Years eve. Pair with light creamy cheeses, charcuterie, or anything else eaten for aperitivo.
White Wines
Country of Origin: Australia
Region: Orange
Grape variety: Sauvignon Blanc
This sauvignon blanc from Orange is what we like to call the “swiss army knife” of white wines. You can bring out the Printhie Mountain Range Sauvignon Blanc at any time, for any occasion, paired with any kind of food. It’s easily one of the most versatile options at this price point. It has notes of passionfruit, floral, and citrus with a balanced acidity that provides freshness and length. Enjoy this juicy and zingy wine over the holidays with poultry, meats, and green vegetables.
Country of Origin: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Grape variety: Chenin Blanc
When it comes to pairing wine with Filipino food, Chenin Blanc is one of the best kept secrets in the wine world. Few white wines are as versatile to an array of food items offered up on the typical Filipino christmas table – and this will be a good match to baked seafood, poultry, and even pork dishes. You can’t beat the value for money of this crisp and zesty Aloe Tree Chenin Blanc from Western Cape in South Africa. Its honey, pepper, and quince flavours are best enjoyed chilled as a perfect pairing to your Christmas lunch.
Country of Origin: Australia
Region: Rutherglen
Grape variety: Moscato
The All Saints Moscato makes for a great aperitif in the middle of the afternoon, or as a light dessert wine after the main meal. This sweet, spritzy moscato is wonderful year-round, but it’s especially great for drinking alongside your favorite cream-based holiday desserts such as a Pinoy Fruit Salad or a Maja Blanca or a simple Vanilla panna cotta. If it’s a tradition in your family to put circular fruits on the dinner table for New Year luck, this is a great companion to watermelon, lanzones, and grapes.
Rose Wine
Country of Origin: France
Region: Coteaux Varois en Provence, Provence
Grape variety: Blend
Fresh and zippy, yet textured on the mouthfeel, the Chateau Routas Rose exudes ripe notes of melon, red berries, and stone fruit alongside peppery accents. This gorgeous bottle of refreshing rose from Coteaux Varois en Provence is best drunk if you’re spending the holidays with a special someone. Pair it with a creamy salmon dish for great effect.
Dessert Wines
Country of Origin: Portugal
Region: Douro
Grape variety: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz
There are few things in this world that are better than chocolate, and the Porto Quevedo Ruby Port is a classic red vino that pairs magnificently with chocolate in all of its forms. When paired with a Chocolate Mud Cake, it will give the impression of a Black Forest cake. Produced in Portugal’s iconic Douro Valley, this port has a rich, full body and aroma of cherry, raspberry, and currant. Another popular way to serve Ruby Port is on the rocks with a peel of lemon, whether as an aperitif or digestif.
Country of Origin: Australia
Region: Rutherglen
Grape variety: Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah
If you want a drink that closely resembles a holiday dessert, the All Saints The Keep Tawny Port is best described as a liquid fruitcake. It’s deliciously fruity and nutty with a dry, lingering finish. This dessert wine made with a blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, and Syrah will wonderfully enhance your favorite treats such as Leche Flan or Sans Rival. It can also compliment and introduce new flavors to your fruitcake or Christmas pudding.
Make sure that you pick the right type of wine for the occasion. Bring out the sparkling wine for the new year, pair the dessert wine with your holiday treats, or drink red wine for your big Christmas dinner.
Besides the dozen wines we’ve listed, there is a broad selection of wines on Winery PH and discounts for orders of 6 or 12 bottles. Happy shopping!
To order from Winery.ph, visit https://winery.ph or call (02) 7506-9185. Free shipping in Metro Manila for orders above Php 2,000.
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