For last minute Christmas drink ideas why not think about a rich Malbec or a Port for the festive celebrations?

The popular tradition is to pass the port to the left and Taylor’s Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) is excellent for sharing around the table.

Produced from a single year, and aged for 4-6 years in wood, it's full-bodied, fruity and complex and a perfect match for mature cheeses, dark chocolate and fruity desserts.  

For inspiration, the firm, which is one of the oldest Port houses, worked with seven food and drink experts to suggest port pairings. Celebrity chef James Strawbridge suggesting figs in blankets, while blogger and wine writer Helen McGinn paired hers with Colston Basset stilton.

Food writer Rosie Birkett and influencer Katya Katkova chose baked camembert, wine blogger Georgie Fenn plumped for a classic fruit cake, and Solomon Ian-Sangala  paired his port with a chocolate tart.

However you choose to have it, a glass of the fortified wine will fit nicely with most Christmas fare.
Ham & High: Trivento have a range of Malbecs including the private reserveTrivento have a range of Malbecs including the private reserve (Image: Courtesy of the producer)

 

 Another crowd-pleaser for the Christmas table is a Malbec from Argentinian producer Trivento. Their reserve Malbec is now one of the UK's bestselling wines, offering great quality for a decent price. Awarded 92 points by Tim Atkin and Best Value Red in the latest vintage it has aromas of fig, plum and raspberry with hints of vanilla.

A few pounds extra in price, the well-balanced Private Reserve uses grapes from the high altitudes of Mendoza’s Uco Valley, and has been aged in oak barrels for eight months.
Ham & High: Taylor's Late Bottle Vintage Port can be eaten with chocolate, fruit cake or cheeseTaylor's Late Bottle Vintage Port can be eaten with chocolate, fruit cake or cheese (Image: Courtesy of the Producer)

Taste wise, think of full bodied aromas of blackberries, nutmeg, black pepper and chocolate. It's a wine that pairs perfectly with steak, mushroom and mature cheeses.

Even more special is the Golden Reserve hailing from vineyards over 100 years old in Luyán de Cuyo and aged for 12 months in oak, it earned 96 points at the International Challenge 2022.

Cheers!