The Spectator Mixed Case

SOLD OUT

Simon Hoggart has chosen his favourites from our list for a Christmas offer to the readers of the Spectator. Here are the wines he chose, in his own words:

“For our last offer before Christmas I’ve chosen four time-honoured French classics. Often the famous names mean you’re paying through the nose. Not here—thanks to FVD they are all terrific bargains, and the mixed case would see you happily through all the main Christmas meals. Champagne as an aperitif, the Saint Véran with the smoked salmon, then one red with the turkey, and the other with the Boxing Day cold meats? Just a thought, but a very appealing one…This is not a cheap selection, but it is a bargain.”

Recommend this case to a friend

3 bottles Ruffin et Fils Cuvée de Reserve, Champagne NV
The French rarely drink generic Champagne, even the best, preferring to select from one of the scores of small, independent houses. David and Esme are rightly proud of this Ruffin & Fils NV which costs only £16.65 (have you seen the euro’s price against the pound lately?) sold by the six-pack and yet makes it into the Hachette Wine guide, the holy writ of the French wine industry. It would also keep; almost all champagnes, even non-vintage, improve with age.

3 bottles Saint-Véran “Merloix”, White Burgundy 2007
The Saint Véran Merloix 2007 is a gorgeous, lively, silky Burgundy at a very nice price. You’ll get that lovely, elegant savour of fruit plus vanilla and nuts. I always nag that you should not drink good white wine too cold, and let it breathe as long as you would a fine red. As it warms up, the aromas escape beguilingly into the glass. Just £8.95 a bottle.

3 bottles Saint-Julien, Saint-Julien, Bordeaux 2000
Now to an astounding bargain. The growers and FVD can’t say, but I can: this Saint-Julien 2000 is a fabulous claret at a ridiculous price. It is made from grapes grown at the exceedingly famous Ch. Ducru-Beaucaillou and is, essentially, their overproduction. There’s a limited amount that can be legally sold under the chateau’s name, and this is the rest. If it said Ducru-Beaucaillou on the label, you could easily pay £130-plus per bottle for the 2000. This— wait for it, roll of drum—is £14.95. It will sell very fast.

3 bottles Domaine de Saint Paul, Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2005
The Châteauneuf-du-Pape is another great treat. It’s a 2005 from the excellent Domaine de St Paul, and has all the earthy robustness of a fine Rhône with that lovely, heady perfume that comes with a first-rate C-du-P. Again, wonderful value at £15.95.

Prices are all-inclusive for deliveries to UK mainland and Northern Ireland. For details, please read our Terms & Conditions. We use recycled boxes for our mixed cases to help protect the environment.