Scrumptious Starter Wines

I really enjoy a starter as part of the Christmas day feast, often followed by a longer pause before the main meal itself. Shellfish is a firm favourite in our house; an elaborate prawn cocktail or crab mayonnaise flavoured with dill, capers and a dash of cayenne pepper. As such, these wines are a great partner to fish but would also provide a fresh and lively pairing to other dishes too.

Mica Iria Otero Godello, Valdeorras, Galicia, Spain

Godello is a great partner to food, as are all wines that come from Galicia in northwest Spain. Plenty of apple, pear and citrus notes make this wine zesty and fresh whilst background flavours of fennel, pepper and woody herbs give depth and complexity. Other Godello wines are available but this one, which has sat on the lees for 4 months, can be enjoyed in Nómade, a delightful wine bar in Santiago de Compostela.

Martin Codax Lís Albariño

Albariño is becoming more and more popular in the UK and we now see a good selection of different wines on our supermarket shelves. However, look out for those wines that have sat on the lees for longer. The Martin Codax Lías Albariño is juicy and rich and the lees-ageing gives a creamy brioche note. The perfect partner to fish, it would also pair well with partly-cured cheeses. £19.95 at The Great Wine Co.

Sturmwolken Riesling, Pfalz, Germany

This off-dry Riesling is great value and there is usually a bottle or two sitting in my fridge! Pfalz is one of Germany’s warmer wine regions, the Haardt Mountains providing shelter from the extremes of wind and rain. The wine is rich and zesty with crisp citrus and honeyed notes. £8 at Sainbury’s.

Quinta de Ermizio ‘Chin Chin’ Vinho Verde, Portugal

I love any Vinho Verde but the Chin Chin wine, created in collaboration with Noble Rot, is a real winner. It’s light and ever so zesty, with a delightfully pale colour and trademark slight spritz. There is plenty of refreshing acidity citrus zest and green apple flavours giving a wonderful tanginess. £12.75 at The Good Wine Shop.

Les Marennes Sancerre

The fact this wine has won Decanter Bronze award is no surprise; it’s delicious! The 2019 vintage is the best choice as the 2020 has a slight sweetness to it. The wine is very well-rounded and has a lovely minerality and texture. The perefct seafood accompaniment! £20 at Waitrose.

What will you be drinking with your Christmas day starter? Let me know your top suggestions!