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Stuff the Turkey

I don’t know about you, but in my experience, you send Christmas invitations to your nearest and dearest – and you get enthusiastic replies interlaced with endless dietary caveats. Aunty Penny, who was raving about her son-in-law’s Thanksgiving spread, suddenly wants nothing to do with turkey. Your best friend has gone from libertarian to pescetarian. And your brother’s new date refuses to eat anything with eyes (do potatoes count?). 
Well, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. Here are my suggestions for lunches that will be loved by both sides of the great turkey divide – and some wine pairings that will not only satisfy their socks off but will keep them from whining too (especially with 10% off any unmixed 6-bottle case.

Simon Staples, Berrys’ Fine Wine Director

Read here for more information on food and wine matching

Beef it up

Not that I’ve got anything against turkey on taste grounds, but the time it takes to cook is irksome – and that pathetic, dwindling carcass loiters too long. On my table this year will be a roast rib of beef. Whether you like yours well done or still mooing, Claret is the perfect partner.

2004 Ch. Moulin-St Georges, Grand Cru Classé, St Emilion
Single Bottle £28.85
6 bottles (10% off) £155.76
Equivalent Bottle Price £25.96

 Juicy, round and voluptuous with the most seductive of noses, this Claret is made by the man that produces the illustrious Ch. Ausone. Do let it breathe for an hour, ideally in a decanter, and, as with all great reds, serve at ‘château temperature’, -20°C.
1996 Ch. Gruaud Larose, 2éme Cru Classé, St Julien
Single Bottle £71.45
6 bottles (10% off) £385.80
Equivalent Bottle Price £64.30		 From a great mature vintage, this oozes complex aromas of leather and cigars. Rich and multi-layered, it displays a kernel of beautifully sweet fruit. A wonderful example of perfect Claret. I’ll be having seconds.

Get Your Goose

Traditionally, my family serves both turkey and goose on Christmas Day, and I always sit at the goose end of the table. For this gamey, rich meat, the perfect accompaniment is Pinot Noir… but whether it’s from Burgundy or New Zealand is dependent upon my wallet!
2006 Ostler Pinot Noir, Waitaki River, Otago, New Zealand
Single Bottle £23.95
6 bottles (10% off) £129.30
Equivalent Bottle Price £21.55		 This New World Pinot has the most gorgeous perfume. Cool and classy with pretty, light red fruit, it has a long and supple finish that lingers in the mouth. Serve this cool to enhance its feminine wiles.
2007 Nuits-St Georges, Clos des Grandes Vignes, 1er Cru, Ch. de Puligny-Montrachet
Single Bottle £45.00
6 bottles (10% off) £204.30
Equivalent Bottle Price £34.05		 The top red from this excellent producer: a young, vibrant, fruit-laden Nuits. It will need an hour to breathe, but sumptuous liquid velvet awaits those with patience.

Go Fish

My step-brother and his family are coming over this year and they’re into their fish in a big way. Not one for half measures, I have decided on serving up the king of fish: Scottish salmon. Whether smoked, poached or roasted, it partners beautifully with Chardonnay
2007 Wild Boy Chardonnay, Au Bon Climat, Santa Barbara County, California
Single Bottle £15.25
6 bottles (10% off) £82.32
Equivalent Bottle Price £13.72		 This is made in a deliberately opulent style. Explosive, exotic and racy, it will go brilliantly with the sweet, flaky salmon – especially if served with a generous dollop of hollandaise.
2006 Clos Blanc de Vougeot, 1er Cru, Domaine de la Vougeraie
Single Bottle £49.95
6 bottles (10% off) £269.70
Equivalent Bottle Price £44.95		 Apricots and peaches dance about the glass like a couple of Samba instructors! It’s creamy and rich, and extremely hedonistic, with a wonderfully long finish.

Make it Funghi

“What about the veggies?” I hear you cry. Mushroom and parmesan risotto is my vegetarian standby, so good it appears on many non-veggie tables too. Made with a hearty helping of rich Madeira and Parmesan, this decadent dish demands red wine.
2005 St Joseph Rouge, Silice, Domaine Coursodon, Rhône
Single Bottle £16.55
6 bottles (10% off) £89.40
Equivalent Bottle Price £14.90		 This is brilliant value, and perfectly mature. Beautifully creamy, with exciting, rich red and black fruits, its underlying notes of sous bois will complement the mushrooms to perfection!
2005 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Ch. la Nerthe, Rhône
Single Bottle £30.55
6 bottles (10% off) £165.00
Equivalent Bottle Price £27.50		 One of my favourite Rhônes, this is plump and seductive with that gorgeous pepper personality characteristic of great Châteauneuf. Embraces full-bodied dishes with Gallic passion. Simply lovely.