Majestic partners with sommelier Romain Bourger for Christmas campaign
From the ideal cooking time for your turkey, to how to set your pudding aflame – Christmas cooks are overwhelmed with advice on how to deliver a first-class festive feast. But the experts at Majestic, the UK’s largest specialist wine retailer, have got you covered, revealing one easy trick you can do to make your Christmas dinner sing – pairing your wine with your plate.
Whether customers are looking for the perfect pairing for their turkey, or a show stopping sparkling wine to toast the King’s speech, Majestic’s ‘Store Sommeliers’ are on hand to help customers find the perfect wines to drink with their family and friends this Christmas.
Armed with detailed knowledge of the retailer’s extensive range, these highly-trained experts will guide customers with their knowledge of everything from production styles and provenance, to tasting techniques and pairing principles.
Majestic has joined forces with multi-award winning sommelier Romain Bourger this Christmas to take this festive wine pairing advice to the next level - whether you know your grapes or you’re a complete beginner.
Romain Bourger, UK Sommelier of the Year 2019 and Majestic Wine partner, says: “I know how much of a difference expert advice can make when it comes to choosing the perfect wine for your meal or occasion.
“We put so much effort into preparing food at Christmas, and with just a little consideration, you can really elevate every meal with a thoughtful pairing that harmonises the palate.
“Majestic’s highly-trained staff can act as your very own ‘store sommeliers’. Their WSET level qualifications and their knowledge of the wide range of wines that Majestic stock means they can help customers discover the story behind every glass.”
Mr Bourger is celebrated for creating incredible wine pairings to complement fine dining. Here he shares his tips on how Majestic customers can pair wine with all their festive gatherings this Christmas.
1.Plan ahead
Whether you are new to pairing, or an experienced hand, it’s important to think ahead to what you will be serving. Dishes like turkey, game or beef would normally call for a red wine, for example. But look beyond the centrepiece and towards your garnishes and the other dishes on your menu.
Cranberry sauce, for example, adds sweetness to a turkey spread but is also quite acidic. So you need something like a Pinot Noir to soften and cut through the sweetness of the dish, or something low in acidity like a Shiraz. If you have a thick gravy, wines with fruity, spicy notes tend to go well. A Grenache based wine should do the trick.
2.Consider your own palate
The main thing to consider is the flavours you love. Do you prefer a fuller body or a lighter profile? Are you more attracted to fruity, floral scents, or earthy, smoky notes? Acidity, sweetness, tannins, texture – there’s a lot to consider and so many wines to try across each of those different questions.
That’s why I recommend trying different wines to help you better assess what you enjoy, which will help you pair it with your favourite foods. Majestic’s expert colleagues host free tastings in their 212 stores everyday, no matter how much or little you spend in store.
3.Remember your guests
The best host is one who offers their guests options, and it’s no different when it comes to wine. Try and provide a range of wines on the table – different colours perhaps, or different flavour profiles – to ensure no taste is left uncatered for.
4.Add a sense of occasion
Pairing wine with food also adds a sense of occasion to the meal. Take this further with other special touches, like decanting your wine or buying a magnum. A decanter will aerate the liquid, releasing its fruity aromas and softening the texture, while a magnum format of your favourite wine feels very festive.
It is also an ideal way to try wine with some age. A magnum ages slower than a standard bottle, which makes it better for aged wines as you are likely to have some different ageing between individual 75cl bottles of the same wine.
When it comes to aerating, there are a variety of fancy decanters available; whilst it looks fancier on the table, the reality is that a nice water jug would do exactly the same job.
5. Ask the experts
Majestic’s colleagues are so knowledgeable about wines, beers, ciders and spirits that they can act as your very own ‘store sommeliers’, helping you pair your ideal tipple with your festive gatherings.
Colleagues also host free wine tastings seven days a week from Majestic’s in-store Tasting Counters, offering customers the opportunity to try a selection of wines before they buy, receive tasting notes and get expert advice.
Their WSET level qualifications and their knowledge of the wide range of wines that Majestic stock means these ‘store sommeliers’ can tell you the story behind every glass.
Try some of these iconic wines on your dinner table this festive season, all available at your local Majestic store, and online at majestic.co.uk.
Bouvet Ladubay 'Saphir' Saumur Brut 2021/22:
To put a bit of bubble into Christmas Day, opt for a fizz. Bouvet Ladubay is a perfect alternative to vintage champagnes, at a much more affordable price. It pairs beautifully with white fish in a buttery sauce due to its tasting notes of peach, citrus fruits, hazelnut and honey undertones.
Gérard Bertrand Orange Gold 2022, France
The Bertrand Orange Gold is produced by vinifying and fermenting white grapes in whole clusters including stalks and skins. This wine holds complex notes of white flowers, candied fruits and white pepper that pairs perfectly with spicy cuisines such as the classic Boxing Day turkey curry.
Springfield Estate Albariño 2022/23, Robertson
The second ever Albarino to be made in South Africa’s Cape, this bottle of Springfield Estate pairs perfectly with white fish and oysters, which compliment its complex and rich flavours of apricot, nectarine and that vital saline minerality.
Alain Jaume 'Grande Garrigue' Organic Vacqueyras
This blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault is rich and velvety, is a strong alternative to the popular wine at Christmas, Châteauneuf-du-Pape. With notes of black fruits, garrigue herbs and pepper, its supple tannins and savoury character make it an excellent match for grilled red meats – especially lamb with fragrant rosemary. It’s also
Bodegas Caro 'Malbec Argentino'
Enjoy a glass of this special bottle of Malbec with notes of black fruits, mocha and vanilla around a roaring fire at Christmas with a delicious roast pork instead of your traditional turkey.
Domini Veneti, Recioto Della Valpolicella 2022/23, Soave DOC
This delicious dessert wine features flavours of rich vanilla and chocolate, with notes of raisin, fig, dried fruit and plum. Perfect when paired with rich and chocolatey desserts like cakes or pastries.