Which bottle to serve as a Christmas appetizer?

Among all the Christmas meal ideas, many include a refined appetizer. Foie gras is one of the classic staples. Whether cooked or semi-cooked, it forms a superb pairing with the Clos de Beauvenir 2023 from Château La Nerthe. This blend of Roussanne and Grenache Blanc from the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation is distinguished by its exceptional, infinitely elegant and deep personality. Its freshness and nectarine-like sweetness create a wonderfully balanced contrast with the richness and creaminess of foie gras. For a pan-fried version, opt for a fruity and supple red wine, such as the Le Perréon 2022 from Château de Corcelles.
Another festive classic is scallops, for example, enhanced by a topinambour cream with hazelnuts. To accompany this with style while surprising your guests, turn to a wine from Beaujolais, such as the Chardonnay 2023 from Château de Corcelles. Behind its pale golden hue, this white wine blends the minerality of its grape variety with the delicately wooded influence of barrel aging—perfect to complement the scallops.

What food and wine pairing to favor for the main course of a Christmas meal?

Christmas main courses, often generous and flavorful, call for wines that will magnify their intensity. For bold meats in sauce, such as game, the Cuvée des Cadettes 2020 from Château La Nerthe is the ideal companion. This Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine, dominated by Grenache Noir and complemented by Syrah and Mourvèdre, is both powerful, complex, and refined.
The Les Tours 2022 from Château des Tours, in the Brouilly appellation, also ensures a remarkable pairing. This 100% Gamay from Beaujolais is made from old vines perched on an amphitheater around the estate, releasing all their richness and concentration. With aromas of cassis and cherry, accented by subtle spicy notes, it combines complexity, balance, and indulgence.
However, if you prefer to serve a white meat to your guests, such as a roasted turkey with a butternut-hazelnut-parmesan crumble, let yourself be seduced by the Brouilly Les Roches 2021 from Château de Corcelles. This 100% Gamay boasts smooth tannins, nourished by a refined and persistent style. The Les Clavelles 2021 from Château La Nerthe, from an extraordinary plot of pure Grenache, is also a delightfully harmonious choice with its elegant density and the purity of its fruit.

Which wine to choose for Christmas at the cheese course ?

The cheese platter remains one of the most anticipated parts of the festive meal. Choosing the right wine for this key moment deserves special attention.

For white wine, opt for the Les Cassagnes de La Nerthe 2023, a Côtes-du-Rhône Blanc blending Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, and Marsanne. This wine, reflecting its vineyard between Mediterranean forests and garrigue, is seduced by aromas of apricot, fresh pear, and white peach. Its citrusy mouth offers the ideal liveliness for enjoying fresh goat cheese. It also pairs beautifully with a young comté, whose firm texture and delicate aromas complement the wine’s freshness.
For a red wine and cheese pairing, head to Beaujolais with the Fleurie Poncié 2022 from Château de Corcelles, which invites you to a moment suspended between strength and finesse. Its mineral and undergrowth notes, along with dark fruit, elegantly unfold throughout a powerful yet refined mouthfeel. This wine pairs perfectly with a creamy brie, whose smooth texture and softness complement the richness of the Fleurie. You could also opt for a mild blue cheese like blue de Gex, whose creamy texture and slightly tangy flavor pair wonderfully with the fruity and mineral notes of the Fleurie.

Finally, which wine with a festive dessert?

The grand finale of the meal, dessert, adds a touch of indulgence to the Christmas dinner or Christmas Day lunch. And the chocolate Yule log often seems like an obvious choice. In this instance, the Château La Nerthe 2021 cuvée makes a lasting impression. This blend of Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Cinsault perfectly embodies the terroir of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Its notes of ripe cherries and strawberries, enhanced by spicy touches, pair well with the richness of the chocolate, while its freshness and the subtlety of its tannins add a pleasant lightness.
In AOP Brouilly, the Combiaty 2020 from Château des Tours is also an excellent choice with its enticing concentration, expressive fruit, and the typical minerality of its appellation. For spirits enthusiasts, the Fine du Château La Nerthe (only available at the estate’s cellar) is a vintage eau-de-vie perfect for a chocolate Yule log, with its ample mouthfeel, dried fruit aromas, and a long, balanced finish.

From appetizers to desserts, you now know which wine to choose for Christmas. And if, after finalizing your menu, you still need to complete your gift list, our gift ideas for wine lovers are here to inspire you. Merry Christmas to you!

1. A selection of exceptional wines to place under your Christmas tree

Giving wine is a must for those who love oenology. But which wines should you choose for Christmas to make a difference?
The freshness and refinement of our Château La Nerthe’s organic-certified vintages stand out. These beautiful Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines, available in both red and white, can be ordered with just a few clicks from our online shop. Among them, some particularly prestigious bottles will delight even the most discerning wine lovers: our moving Cuvée des Cadettes, our iconic Clos de Beauvenir, and our rarest cuvée, Les Clavelles.

To round out your wine gift set, consider adding AOP Côtes-du-Rhône Villages and Côtes-du-Rhône wines, like Les Cassagnes de La Nerthe. The Beaujolais wines from our Château de Corcelles and Château des Tours offer more accessible options, with beautifully crafted expressions. These wines reveal different facets of the Beaujolais region, whether in Brouilly, Fleurie, Morgon, Beaujolais-Villages, or Beaujolais AOC. Their beautiful vineyard-specific selections invite you to travel through the great Beaujolais estates.

Finally, why not complete your Christmas wine selection with Bordeaux, Bordeaux Supérieur, Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois, or Côtes de Bourg AOC? Our Château Gantonnet, Château Victoria, Château Escalette, and Château de Barbe bottles are ideal choices.

2. A gift voucher for an unforgettable cellar tour to delight your loved ones

Among the most memorable Christmas gifts for wine lovers, a cellar tour ranks high. More than just a tasting, it’s a true immersion into a wine estate.
At Château La Nerthe, nestled in the heart of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards, our team offers three exceptional experiences: three suspended ways to taste five centuries of elegance, no matter the season, even in winter…
Each of these tours, which can be purchased as a gift voucher for Christmas, includes a discovery of the historical cellars of our château. You’ll just need to decide whether to complement this journey with a guided tasting of 5 or 7 wines, or even 8 exceptional cuvées from different vintages, in the candlelit ambiance of our secret cellar…

3. A historical wine tourism experience: a unique Christmas gift

If your loved ones plan to visit Beaujolais soon, this original gift idea will enchant them: a timeless experience at the impressive Château de Corcelles, with its distinctive 15th-century towers and expansive park.
There, they can enjoy an audio-guided tour of part of the château. You can also add to this discovery a guided tasting of 4 cuvées from our estate, with or without a delicious traditional mâchon, featuring cured meats and cheeses.
Additionally, an exclusive visit to the first floor of this historic monument, followed by a tasting of 5 wines, can be booked for those wanting to learn more about our château. The more adventurous guests can also explore our vineyards on a Segway before a well-deserved tasting…

4. A stay at the heart of the vineyard: a wine gift idea to share

For unforgettable memories with family or friends, nothing beats an oenology weekend or a prolonged wine-filled stay in a charming gîte in Beaujolais…
Our Château des Tours, located less than 50 km from Lyon and 40 km from Mâcon, is the perfect setting for such a getaway. In the Brouilly AOC, our estate offers two comfortable and elegant gîtes: our Gîte du Vigneron (open year-round) and our Gîte La Sarrasine (open from March to December). Both enjoy an idyllic location within a 12th-century architectural complex, surrounded by a sea of Beaujolais vineyards… This guarantees an extraordinary base for enjoying the wide range of oenological and cultural activities in the region!

We hope this selection of wine gift ideas will help you find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. For more inspiration, feel free to follow Château La Nerthe, Château de Corcelles, and Château des Tours on Instagram. Happy holidays!

In the Rhône Valley, a Harvest Rich in Challenges and Promises

At Château La Nerthe, in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côtes-du-Rhône appellations, our harvests involved several weeks of meticulous work. This year, more than ever, tested our teams in the vineyards as unpredictable, rainy weather demanded constant attention, especially given our commitment to organic viticulture since 1998.
Despite these challenging conditions, the 2024 vintage already stands out for its potential, both for our Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côtes-du-Rhône wines. Thanks to the efforts of our teams and a more favorable September, we anticipate a fine reward in the bottle, which we eagerly await following the fermentation and aging of our wines.
At the Prieuré de Montézargues in the Tavel appellation, the observation is similar: although the yield was modest, the quality of the grapes was exceptional, promising excellent prospects for our Tavel rosé, an elegant, gastronomic wine…

In the Beaujolais Region, Grapes Promise a Quality 2024 Vintage

In the heart of Beaujolais, our Château des Tours and Château de Corcelles also saw a limited harvest volume. Nevertheless, we were delighted to see outstanding quality: the berries were healthy, ripe, and balanced, marking this vintage.
Both châteaux benefited from a superb August, which saved our grapes as the sunshine allowed each grape variety to reach ideal ripeness. Furthermore, our harvest teams enjoyed ideal working conditions, free from rain and extreme heat.
This emotional viticultural journey should yield refined and delicious wines for both the Brouilly wines of Château des Tours and the Fleurie, Morgon, Brouilly, and Beaujolais-Villages wines of Château de Corcelles.

For Our Bordeaux Châteaux, a Harvest Hinting at Freshness

In our Bordeaux vineyards, including Château Gantonnet, Château Victoria, Château Escalette, and Château de Barbe, we also contended with a changing, unpredictable climate. Resilience was the watchword for our teams throughout the 2024 campaign.
We did our utmost to avoid harvesting in the rain to preserve grape quality and prevent water in our vats. To our surprise, yields were positive: despite a challenging year with disease pressure, especially in spring, the grapes remained healthy.
This vintage promises freshness, lovely fruit notes, and pleasing digestibility for the AOC Bordeaux and AOC Bordeaux Supérieur wines of Château Gantonnet, the AOC Haut-Médoc and Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois wines of Château Victoria, the AOC Côtes de Bourg cuvée from Château l’Escalette, and various Bordeaux appellations from Château de Barbe.

Once again, we extend our deepest thanks to all our harvest teams, who tirelessly accomplished remarkable work despite the whims of this vintage. Whether in the Rhône, Beaujolais, or Bordeaux, their precise and attentive efforts have been crucial in ensuring the best possible quality for this 2024 harvest. Join us in a few months or years to taste these wines from our estates and châteaux…

Haut-Médoc AOC is a Bordeaux appellation, highly regarded for its aging potential.

On the left bank of the Gironde, south of Médoc, the Haut-Médoc AOC has exceptional gravel soils, enhanced by clay-limestone soils. There, the neighboring ocean and estuary naturally regulate temperature variations, shaping a hospitable microclimate: with its rays the sun fully envelops elegant merlot (majority grape variety) and structured cabernet Sauvignon, as well as petit verdot and cabernet franc (to a lesser extent).

The exceptional land of this region gives rise to wines that are only enhanced by extensive aging. As these wines mature in the cellar, their once-firm structure and tannins soften, resulting in a delightful smoothness draped with complex and rich aromas.

In Vertheuil, the bottles of Château Victoria perfectly exemplify this red Bordeaux appellation. On just under 150 acres, its HVE 3 vineyard draws its character from fine gravel soils and limestone subsoil. Its merlot and cabernet sauvignon from mature vines showcase an impressive depth of flavor, just like in the Château Victoria cuvée. A wine for aging, this Haut-Médoc is also distinguished as a Bourgeois Cru, a classification created in 1932 and revised in 2020, bringing together red wines from the Médoc region that combine quality and affordability.

Côtes de Bourg AOC: emphasizing fruitiness and roundness above all else

Crossing the Gironde river, another fantastic appellation reveals itself: that of the Côtes de Bourg, whose vineyard is one of the oldest in Bordeaux.  Weather conditions here are milder than the rest of the right bank, thanks to the estuary’s influence.  Furthermore, the vines are nestled on hillsides and benefit from limestone and sandy-clay soils, both draining and capable of maintaining water on the surface.

Red wines are also highly esteemed in this region: crafted from a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and even Malbec, they boast a delightful fruity bouquet, and their palate is warm, powerful, and round. With its 23 acres of organically farmed vineyard, Château Escalette gives pride of place to the purity of the fruit. The wine also bears the imprint of the estate, carved around merlot, cabernet sauvignon, and malbec vines. Nearby Château de Barbe offers a different but equally captivating version of the Côtes de Bourg appellation. As in its assemblages, Merlot dominates the 153-acre vineyard.  Its suppleness, attributed to late clayey soils, can be savored notably through the estate’s eponymous cuvée.

Bordeaux AOC: an appellation full of surprising nuances

Unlike the two previous appellations, Bordeaux AOC wines can be made in vineyards across the region. When you combine such diverse terroirs and characteristics, you get new and exciting aromas at each tasting.

Bordeaux red wines are often supple, pleasantly fruity, and lightly structured.  The grape varieties used are primarily Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, but also Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Carmenère. Château de Barbe dedicates 32 acres of its vineyard to producing Bordeaux AOC wines. Chapelle de Brivazac cuvée honors grapes grown on clay-sandy soils, bordering the Gironde River.  The assemblage exhibits a light and well-balanced structure, tinged with notes of cherry, thyme, and undergrowth.

In addition to the red wines, other areas, such as Château Gantonnet, create Bordeaux AOC whites, and rosés. On the Sainte-Radegonde hillside, the sandy-clay and limestone soils of its HVE3-certified vineyard are sprinkled with fine alluvium. These soils ensure effective drainage, maintain freshness, and nourish beautiful red and white grape varieties, reflecting the tradition of blending in Bordeaux.

Bordeaux Supérieur AOC: complex and assertive wines

Just like the wines of the Bordeaux appellation, those of the Bordeaux Supérieur AOC can come from any plot in the Bordeaux vineyard. However, its specifications impose more constraints on winegrowers, and only red and white wines are allowed in this appellation.

Red wine is still the most common.  The grape varieties allowed are identical to that of the Bordeaux appellation. However, the resulting wines are typically more robust and complex. Château Guillot, Bordeaux Supérieur Red Château Gantonnet, wonderfully illustrates this type of profile. The wine’s well-structured character, and woody accents, come from the Merlots and Cabernets cultivated on a heavy clay plateau with a limestone subsoil.

Each of these 4 Bordeaux appellations – Côtes de Bourg, Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, and Bordeaux Supérieur – naturally abounds with many other facets that are sure to surprise you… Among them, the vintage remains a key factor. Now you can dive into the 2022 harvest at our Bordeaux Châteaux!

Here are our notes from the 2022 harvest in our Bordeaux vineyards: Château Gantonnet, Château Victoria, Château Escalette, and Château de Barbe.

Overall, annual weather conditions produced a very healthy crop. Winter rain built up the soil’s water supply, allowing the vines to cope well with water stress during the summer drought. The Château Escalette organically farmed vineyard seems to have tolerated the intense heat better, contributing to the vintage’s rapid growth starting at flowering. The harvest began two weeks early in good weather and lasted about a month for all the properties.

At Château Victoria, with such a warm year, it was quite intense to time the harvest for optimal ripeness and strike the right balance between sugar, acidity, and quality of tannins. Following the usual pattern, the merlot grapes were picked first, followed by the petit verdot and the cabernet. At Château de Barbe, the merlot grapes were harvested first, particularly the plot “in front of the wood,” located on the slopes. The malbec and the cabernet vines followed.

Of course, at Château Gantonnet, the white grape varieties opened this harvest season, followed by the merlot and the malbec vines. The juices of the whites and rosés are fruity and tart, and the reds’ tannins are already silky.

This year looks a bit like 2018 and suggests the wines will be concentrated, fruity, and stunningly decadent.

Record heat and an early harvest for a very promising 2022 vintage!