I recently conducted a poll asking persons if they knew when the 12 days Christmas are. It turns out that none of the persons that I asked had an idea. Some just thought it was a song, and did not realise that 12 days actually existed.

Liturgical year

Similar to the history of the ownership of most of the vineyards in Europe, the Church has an important role in defining this 12-day cycle. Known as Christmastide (or the Christmas season), the 12 days are a part of liturgical seasons in Christian churches, which determine when feast days, including celebrations of saints, are to be observed. The 12 days begin on Christmas Day (or, depending on the branch of Christianity, begins on Boxing Day) and ends on January 5th or the Twelfth Night, which is formally the last day of the festive season. Shakespeare created a play of the same name for entertainment on that same night. Some countries hold the belief that it is unlucky to leave Christmas decorations hanging after Twelfth Night. So now that you know, which wines shall you have during these 12 days?

Christmas Day

Tomorrow is Christmas Day, and I am sure that you have your share of places that you are invited to lunch or dine at. The food choices presented to us on the table are usually wide and varied in tastes, so I am recommending wines that are food-friendly. For your red wine, do try the 2006 Nobilo Icon Marlborough Pinot Noir from New Zealand. The Icon Marlborough Pinot Noir is warm, rich and mouth-filling, with excellent palate weight. Flavours of ripe blackberries, cherries and plums overlay a firm tannin structure, with earthy, cigar box characters providing complex secondary flavours. Showing good length, the wine lingers with a spicy finish. For your white wine, try the 2008 Dr L Riesling, which is 62 on the current Wine Spectator Top 100, Rated 90 points & “Best Value”. This wine is sleek and tangy, showing apricot, lime and mango flavours matched to a lively structure. There’s nice harmony and persistence through the finish. I usually like to welcome guests with a glass of bubbly. Do try the Champagne Drappier non-vintage “Carte Blanche” Brut. This wine is clear light gold, with a persistent stream of pinpoint bubbles. This fine Champagne presents an inviting aroma of milk chocolate and fresh apples. Mouth-filling and creamy, it offers fresh apple-jelly and toast flavours with crisp, pleasantly cleansing acidity.

Boxing Day

Have lunch with a fresh new 2008 Barnard Griffin Fumé Blanc (another name for Sauvignon Blanc). This wine is a classic Sauvignon Blanc nose of citrus and grapefruit with light herbal notes. Generous lime and tangerine flavours nicely accented by a touch of cream. Dry, crisp, cleansing and refreshing. For your red wine, do consider the 2006 La Celia Reserva Malbec. This Malbec is the result of the perfect combination of fruit and spices, enhanced by the noble virtues of oak. Its tannins contribute to its remarkable structure. It has an intense and elegant finish.

New Year’s Eve

It’s been a tough year, with doom and gloom stories that it might get worse. Let’s start the new year off with a bang – you must have some CHAMPAGNE! Enough said. If your budget does not allow Champagne, Korbel Sparkling Wine from California is a great alternative.

New Year’s Day

New Year brings new challenges. Let’s start off with a few new wines to the market. Do try a 2007 Velt 1 Grüner Veltliner. This wine is 100 per cent Gruner Veltliner from Schloss Haltburn Koenigsegg Burgenland, Austria. Brilliant green-yellow. Green apple and floral elements on the nose. Gooseberry in the mouth, citric, juicy, bracing acidity, elegant and enticing, mineral nuances. Grüner Veltliner is a variety of white wine grape grown primarily in Austria. It has a reputation of being a particularly food-friendly wine.

The Twelfth Night

As you sit with family and a few friends helping to pack away the Christmas decorations, have a glass of Pasquier Desvignes Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Châteauneuf-du-Pape roughly translates to “The Pope’s new castle” and, indeed, the history of this appellation is firmly entwined with papal history. This wine shows a plum, cherry, lavender nose with just a hint of earth. A great tasting wine. A great alternative is the Hardys Oomoo Grenache-Shiraz-Mourvedre. This wine is made with 47 per cent Grenache, 46 per cent Shiraz and 7 per cent Mourvedre (some of the same varietals used to make Châteauneuf-du-Pape) sourced from the McLaren Vale. A beautiful, perfumed GSM, with fresh fruit, pepper and soft spices blending in abundance.

Cheers! Now go enjoy the 12 days, and drink responsibly.

Chris Reckord is an independent wine consultant who operates DeVine Wine Services with his wife Kerri-Anne. Chris & Kerri are also part-owners of Jamaica’s first and only wine-only bar – Bin 26 Wine Bar. Please send your questions and comments to creckord@gmail.com . Follow us on twitter.com/DeVineWines