Celebrate Christmas with Sense of Taste
I don’t know about you, but every year I find it harder to know what to buy the adults in my life for Christmas.
If we want something, most of us generally go and buy it for ourselves during the year. Even at Christmas, I know a lot of people (ok, mainly my female friends) who will buy their own gift, wrap it and put it under the tree. Saves disappointment, they say.
Another way to spare disappointment could be to invest in a special bottle of wine, bubbles or spirit. You never know your luck, they may even share it with you over Christmas lunch or dinner – and that is how the best memories are made.
We’ve done some research here at Sense of Taste and come up with some gift-giving ideas we’re pretty certain won’t end up gathering dust at the back of a cupboard.
Happy shopping!
UNDER $50
Arras Brut Elite is an award-winning, multi-vintage blend from Tasmania’s House of Arras. Blended from the classic sparkling grape varieties, handpicked and whole bunch pressed to ensure the brightness of character and structural elegance. Made by Ed Carr, arguably the best sparkling winemaker in Australia. Added bonus is it comes in a gift box. On special now for $45.99 a bottle, or $40.99 in a six-bottle buy.
Sons of Eden Marschall Barossa Valley Shiraz 2021 is dense garnet in colour, with an alluring mix of red licorice, spiced plum and white chocolate aromas. The palate is rich, rounded and intensely flavoured, finishing with robust vitality. Scored 95 points in the 2023 Halliday Wine Companion. Pick up at Sense of Taste for $21.99.
Ballistic Beer’s Neighbourhood Mandarin IPA is brand new at Sense of Taste, and a perfect pressie idea for the craft beer drinker in your life. Paired with some classic citrus forward hop varieties from the US and Australia, this IPA pours with an orange hue and is bursting with notes of juicy mandarin, orange and pine. The bright citrus profile is complemented by assertive bitterness and a clean, dry finish. A four-pack of the Revel Sunset Haze is another attractive option. This Hazy IPA is bursting with citrus and tropical juice flavours and that classic haze. Another beer to enjoy on a hot Christmas day is Green Beacon Brewing’s Cosmic XPA, which is exclusive to Sense of Taste.
$50-$100
In a colourful gift box, the Pommery Brut Royal from Champagne is sure to win hearts this Christmas. An elegant and lively dry champagne, on the nose it is fresh with citrus and white fruit notes. On the palate it is fine and round, delicate, with notes of red fruits. A smooth and lingering finish. Buy now for $59.99 or $57.99 a bottle in a four-bottle buy.
The Heidsieck Monopole Blue Top, from one of the most respected wine houses in Champagne, also comes in a striking gift box but it’s what inside that really counts.
The bouquet is powerful and generous, almost woody and spicy, characterised by intense aromatic richness, with toasted, buttery and wine-rich aromas. Ideal as an aperitif or served with seafood. Great value for champagne. Buy for $51.99 a bottle, or $49.99 each in a four-bottle buy.
Starward’s Two-Fold Australian Whisky took the top honour at this year’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Smooth, tropical and lightly spiced, it’s matured in lightly charred or steamed barrels. Sourced from Australian wineries that make great shiraz, cabernets and pinot noirs. Often filled fresh when the barrel is still wet with wine. These give the spirit tasty fruit, caramel and spice notes. On special at Sense of Taste now for $61.99.
The traditionalist in the family will love the Penfolds Barossa Valley Explorer pack. The pack celebrates the best of this famed wine region with two different expressions. Bin 150 is a stylish and modern shiraz from the soils of Marananga, while the Bin 138 is a plush and approachable blend of shiraz, grenache and mataro. $99 and packed in a cute red case.
The Sense of Taste Six have been very popular since their launch, six red wines hand selected by our SoT managers. This month enjoy a Torbreck Woodcutter’s Shiraz, Little Yering Pinot Noir, Elefante Tempranillo, Reschke Bull Trader Cabernet Sauvignon, Serafino GSM and Pepperjack Shiraz. At $99, a saving of $53, and a nice Christmas treat under the tree for a special someone.
$100 AND OVER
December wouldn’t feel as festive without Victorian distillery Four Pillars releasing its annual Australian Christmas Gin.
Aged in 100-year-old muscat barrels, the gin has aromatics of classic juniper and a hint of cinnamon, backed up with a rich palate and a hint of sweetness from the muscat.
Four Pillars suggest sipping it neat, mix it with ginger ale or beer or combine in a cocktail.
The artwork on the seventh Christmas Gin label – an abstract Christmas tree scene - was created by talented Australian painter Jane Reynolds. Available now for $109, or buy three for $98.10 a bottle.
Johnnie Walker’s Blue Label Cities of the Future limited-edition collection features the cities London, Hainan, Taipei, Mexico City, Seoul, Sydney, Bangkok, Berlin, Singapore and Mars. A collaboration with digital artist Luke Halls finds Johnnie Walker looking to the future for a utopian vision of world cities 200 years from now.
The Sydney bottle features a unique cityscape design that captures the iconic landmarks of the Sydney skyline with New Year’s Eve fireworks exploding above it. A real collector’s item with a price tag of around $300.
Step it up a notch further with The Macallan Estate Single Malt Scotch Whisky. A rich and complex whisky, The Macallan Estate delivers a subtle hint of citrus which balances the traditional sherried richness. The rare spirit is distilled from the estate’s home-grown barley, selected for its unique character. $449.
Lark is another Australian distillery renowned for its Christmas releases, and this year is no exception. Each year Lark’s head distiller carefully selects Tasmanian red wine casks filled with the jus used by local artisan patisserie Jean Pascal for making their renowned fruit mince pies. These festive casks are then emptied and transported to Lark Distilling where they are filled with their own seasonal spirit.
The result is Christmas in a glass – nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla custard on the nose give way to gingerbread, citrus peel and liquid plum pudding with lashings of yuletide cheer. This is Christmas Cask No.4 for the award-winning distillery. $249.99.
We also have a range of hampers and gift packs available, at various price points. Hamper options include white wine, sparkling, gin, prosecco, whisky, rosé and more – something for everyone to enjoy.
Order yours online now.