Whether you’re entertaining, looking for a gift for the host or simply gifting, here are some unique buys for the festive party season…
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz, £64.99
Bin 389 is often referred to as ‘Baby Grange’, because components of the wine are matured in the same barrels that held the previous vintage of Penfolds’ most iconic wine, Penfolds Grange. Penfolds Bin 389 perfectly exemplifies Penfolds renowned ‘house style’ and has become one of the most collected wines in the world, thanks to its extensive ageing potential. Combining the structure of Cabernet Sauvignon with the richness of Shiraz, this wine has a judicious balance of fruit and oak. With the 2022 vintage’s peak drinking window being from 2025 until 2055, Bin 389 is an ever-evolving treasure to add to one’s cellar. This festive season, seek out a vintage to enjoy at home or share a bottle after some Christmas shopping in Regent’s Street at The Colony Grill Room.
Available from www.waitrosecellar.com
Nothing says “It’s Christmas” more than the perfect selection of cheese, and this one from Brindisa does not disappoint. featuring four exquisite Spanish cheeses that showcase the country’s rich cheesemaking tradition and accompanied by luscious quince, this box offers a perfect balance of taste and texture for any cheese lover out there.
Available from www.brindisa.com
The Sommelier’s Selection (Box of 4) by The Olive Oil Guy, £104
The Sommelier’s Selection features six meticulously sourced olive oils from Italy, Spain, Greece, and Lebanon. Each bottle reflects the richness of its origin, from the biodiverse, centuries-old farms where the olives are cultivated. These oils go beyond being ingredients—they embody a journey through the Mediterranean, crafted for refined palates and the most discerning chefs. This curated selection offers an unparalleled tasting experience, revealing the complexity and beauty of each olive oil much like a fine wine. From smooth and delicate to bold and peppery, every bottle tells the story of its land and the generations of craftsmanship behind it. The perfect gift for any true foodie. Available in boxes of 2 (£56), 4 (£104) or 6 (£156).
Available from www.oliveoilguy.com
The Festive FATSO Feast Bundle, £19.50
Tired of gifting boring selection boxes or truffles? fatso’s here this Christmas to bring more chunk, more flavour, more ethics and more chocolate with a trio of its super chunky, personality-packed chocolate bars, all wrapped up in one festive treat box. FATSO are shaking up the world of dark chocolate, with amazing flavour combinations and generous inclusions, all featuring the most delicious, single-origin and ethically sourced dark chocolate from Colombia. Plus, they have a brand new Sweet Tart flavour which is Bakewell Tart inspired, featuring cherries, almonds and buttery shortbread.
Available from www.sofatso.com
Roasting Party Coffee Gift Boxes, from £25
A small, founder-led business, and the best-kept secret of the UK Specialty coffee scene, Roasting Party was started 10 years ago by a couple of friends from Australia, who were looking to bring a love of good coffee and a bit of the tight-knit Aussie coffee community to UK shores. Designed by a Finnish artist, our coffee would look beautiful sitting on the countertop in someone’s house in the new year.
Available from www.roastingparty.co.uk
Dunnet Bay Distillers Holy Grass Vodka, £35
Dunnet Bay Distillers, a craft distillery based in the far north of Scotland, specialise in the most premium, hand-crafted spirits, featuring locally foraged botanicals. If you’re looking for any Christmas-themed drinks, they have a huge range to choose from. We love the Holy Grass Vodka, which is a celebration of local produce and botanicals, the spirit is infused with a carefully crafted vapour of Scottish apple juice, to complement the sweetness of the Holy Grass.
Available from www.dunnetbaydistillers.co.uk
Parson’s Nose Christmas Veal Offerings, from £7.70
The family-run West London butcher, which delivers its ethical and sustainably farmed free-range cuts of meats nationwide, has a range of Dutch Veal available for the Christmas season. The versatility of the meat makes it perfect for stews, roasts or even barbecues.
Today, Parson’s Nose, which was a recent winner of the prestigious Butcher Shop of the year and Online Butcher Shop of the year, can be found in the heart of Fulham, Putney and South Kensington, as well as a bustling online butcher.
With a Christmas range spanning all the traditional birds, an award-winning beef wellington, and both a sensational British beef and wagyu cote de boeuf, Parson’s Nose is our one stop shop for a show-stopping Christmas!
Available from www.parsonsnose.co.uk
I’ll Bake! By Liberty Mendez, £15.12
There are moments in life when only cake will do. Whether you invite your friends around last minute and need a speedy dessert to devour while gossiping about ‘that person’ you shouldn’t be talking to, or you need a snack to keep you going while binge-watching a reality show on a dark evening, or you want to save some money and make an afternoon tea at home for the in-laws – baking is always the answer. Liberty Mendez shows you how to achieve baking success with five simple steps in each recipe. Featuring delicious bakes for feeding flatmates, hosting dinner parties and bringing the cake to your friend’s birthday bash, there are even ideas for times when you want to whip up comfort food in a flash. So, go on, indulge just a little and take pleasure in saying, ‘I’ll bake!’. Each of the 85 recipes are super easy to follow. There’s an at-a-glance guide to which recipes are vegan, dairy and gluten-free, with timesaving tips and easy alternatives so you can swap out ingredients to suit, as well as Liberty’s guide to entertaining with ease and handy hints on baking tin and tray hacks so you can always bake, even with limited kitchen equipment. The chapters are accompanied by a Spotify soundtrack Liberty has compiled to set the mood and bring the joy to baking.
Available from www.amazon.co.uk
Need “Night Tales” Cocktail Blend, from £9
This roasted and crafted cocktail blend is perfect for those indulgent Espresso Martinis and coffee cocktails! Experience the flavour of freshly roasted coffee with every delightful sip. This one is a harmonious blend of stone fruits, zesty lime, vanilla and a hint of chocolate.
Available from www.needdrinks.com
Hedonistas Espadin Mescal, £53.95
Hedonistas de la Fe artisanal Mezcals, are handcrafted premium mezcals with deep, rich and complex flavours. They are created from recipes passed down through four generations of a single family in Matatlan, Oaxaca. These unique mezcals gained critical acclaim when launched in the USA last year and are crafted using a 500-year-old tradition, the entire process from harvest to distillation remains non-mechanized and additive-free. The Espadin is well-balanced with brine, gentle smoke, and honey notes on the nose, and white pepper, grapefruit peel, and tropical fruit on the palate. Perfect for sipping, and cocktail friendly, especially in a Negroni, Margarita, or Paloma.
Available from www.thewhiskyexchange.com
The Honey Project Flavour Bundle, £16.20
This set contains Joyous Ginger – a delightfully runny honey infused with ground ginger giving it a burst of flavour that grows and infuses over time – and Jolly Cinnamon – an uplifting runny honey infused with ground cinnamon giving it a subtle hit of flavour that blossoms over time. Sourced from the luscious fields of Holt Hall Apiary, in Tamworth Staffordshire, each jar tastes wonderfully unique, as it should. For every jar of great British honey you buy, The Honey Project plants 100 wildflowers in the UK.
Available from www.thehoneyproject.co.uk
Launched in 2018, Diablo wines – who have just been announced as the official wine sponsor for The Devil Wears Prada musical – are known for their bold, intriguing flavours and striking packaging. This captivating Malbec showcases a deep purple hue and flavours of blackberry, black cherry, and chocolate. It’s perfect with cheese and charcuterie.
Available from www.groceries.asda.com
Need “Breakfast” House Blend, from £8
The original coffee from Need is the heart and soul of your daily brew. This exceptional blend combines the finest coffee beans to deliver a rich and satisfying flavour profile. With a medium roast that strikes the perfect balance between boldness and smoothness, our Breakfast Blend boasts notes of toasted nuts and hints of chocolate, all in one delightful cup. Intense dark Chocolate, bold Cherry with a nutty Citrus zing, it’s your trusted companion for that perfect cup at home.
Available from www.needdrinks.com
ATAVI, the luxury food brand created in partnership with legendary chef Albert Adria, which launched in the UK last year, have recently launched their new Vortici pasta shape. Sitting alongside their renowned tagliatelle, the Vortici is a new short pasta that has a unique spiral shape and rough texture, designed to hold sauce and provide a full sensory experience. The pasta will come in two flavours, smoked + sourdough, two of ATAVI’s signatures. Give the gift of perfect perfect carbs this Christmas and win the heart of the foodie in your life.
Available from www.atavi.uk
