An expert’s guide to the best booze to buy this festive season

Whether you’re after beer, wine or spirits, our alcohol experts reveal the best drops to drink or gift this holiday season.

So you’ve left your bottle shop run to the last minute this year and aren’t sure what to buy.

Whether it’s to serve at Christmas lunch, pop on Boxing Day or impress at New Years, we’ve asked the experts: Brisbane wine guru and author of The Champagne Guide Tyson Stelzer and Dan Murphy’s Managing Director Agi Pfeiffer-Smith for their top picks for beer, wine and spirits guaranteed to get you in the festive mood.

BEER

The beer category continues to grow, says Pfeiffer-Smith, with staples like XXXX and Great Northern leading the charge, but if you’re after something different, try Largo Beer.

Aussie indie band Lime Cordiale and their new range of carbon-neutral beer, Largo.

“The beer developed with Aussie rockers Lime Cordiale has been hitting all the right notes with a fresh taste that is completely carbon neutral,” she says.

While for those counting their macros this time of year, she says Better Beer is a popular choice.

“[It] is a lower carb beer ideal for those who are watching the waistline without compromising on taste,” Pfeiffer-Smith says.

CHAMPAGNE

If Champagne is on the agenda, Stelzer says we can expect to pay more for it this year, with all the entry non-vintage cuvées of the top houses now $100 or more.

“The reason is that Champagne has embraced sustainable viticulture, which has increased the cost of growing by 25 per cent at the same time as dropping yields by 25 per cent,” he says.

“As always, the festive season is the best time to buy, as the discounts are always the most competitive of the year; and be sure to buy six bottles at a time to get the best price.”

With that in mind, Stelzer’s top pick of the houses is the Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve NV.

“This was one of the very first houses to spark my champagne obsession 25 years ago, and it remains one of just five houses deserving of my top ranking of 10/10 in The Champagne Guide,” he says.

Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve is one of the best bubbles

If the $95 price tag of this one is a little outside of this year’s budget, however, Stelzer recommends the Seppelt Salinger Vintage Cuvee 2018 selling for about $30.

“Seppelt has been making great fizz since the 1890s and it remains one of the best value in the world,” he says.

“It’s astonishing just what’s been achieved here for under $30: cool climate fruit sourcing, individual fermentation of each component, full traditional method and five years of maturation.”

WHITE WINE

Forget savvy B or even a chardy this season, Stelzer says it’s all about the riesling.

“Riesling is the best value white wine again this year and the trio of cool vintages of 2021, 2022 and 2023 are the finest in living memory,” he says.

Riesling is perfect to serve with seafood and a treat at a barbecue, with the vino guru’s hot pick for under $20 – the Leo Buring Eden Valley Riesling 2022 at just $16 at First Choice; while for those with more to splurge, he recommends the Henschke Julius Eden Valley Riesling 2023, which is still very reasonable at about $50.

Henschke Julius Riesling is a top pick for the festive season.

“2021, 2022 and 2023 are a magical trilogy of vintages for [Henschke] Julius like I have never seen in my lifetime and never expect to see again,” he said.

ROSÉ

It wouldn’t be a Queensland summer without free-flowing rosé, and while there are plenty to choose from on the market, Stelzer says the budget conscious can’t go wrong with the Turkey Flat Vineyards Rosé 2022 selling for between $20-$30.

“There’s a gorgeous elegance, wonderfully fragrant lift and cool season spring in its step to this benchmark Barossa rosé,” he says.

“Built around grenache (just over 50 per cent), the balance is made up by impeccably handled mataro – you’d never guess it from the refined mouth feel. All the pink grapefruit, red berries and rose petals that we adore in this beautiful bottle.”

Turkey Flat Rosé

And if you’re after something different on the rosé front, he recommends sparkling option Bellebonne Bis Rosé NV for between $38-$45 a bottle.

“Baby Bellebonne has never been on finer form, embracing the mood of Piper’s River pinot noir with fragrance and supple texture,” he says.

“The inimitable touch of Natalie Fryar builds wonderfully soft texture for intricately handled barrel fermentation. The result is a gorgeous rosé of class and sophistication.”

RED WINE

Queenslanders love nothing more than a shiraz and if you’re planning on a steak or two over the festive season, Stelzer’s vote goes to Jimmy’s Block Adelaide Hills Single Vineyard Shiraz 2021 from Mike Press Wines at about $18.

“This family vineyard high in the Adelaide Hills produces the best value wines in the country. Jimmy’s Block is a premium selection and it still swings in under $20!” he says.

If you’ve got a bit of money burning a hole in your pocket, however, try the Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2022 for $120.

“There is at once a distinguished calm on display here that sings to the anthem of an effortless, extended, cool ripening season, and at the same time a rising crescendo of flamboyant spice, white pepper, pot pourri and florals,” he says.

“A towering monument to shiraz viognier – a benchmark – a revelation.”

But if pinot noir is your absolute go-to, you’ll want a bottle of the Lowestoft La Maison Pinot Noir 2022, which Stelzer declares “the most sublime Australian pinot noir I have ever tasted”.

“Deep, black fruit complexity, lifted violet and rose petal perfume, evocative exotic spice, velvet-fine tannins and brilliant natural acidity define a sensational finish and declare quintessential pinot noir of the highest order,” he says.

SPIRITS

With temperatures soaring outside and everyone in the party mood, Pfeiffer-Smith says it is undeniably the season for gin and tequila.

“The spirits category is poised to experience a significant uptick in sales, particularly during

the transition through the summer months,” she says. “We see products such as gin and tequila front and centre for this growth.”

On the gin front, you’ll want to try Aussie actor Margot Robbie’s new version, Papa Salt.

“[It] has been particularly successful with its botanical flavours that lean into citrus and hibiscus,” Pfeiffer-Smith says.

Margot Robbie's Papa Salt gin

Another one to add to your cart is the Seven Seasons Green Ant Gin developed by the Motlop family of the Larrakia people in the Northern Territory.

“Green Ants are revered in Indigenous society for their medicinal benefits. The flavours in this are exceptional with hints of Kaffir lime leaf flavours, as well as citrus and pepper berry,” says the Dan Murphy’s expert.

While for a local hero, she recommends Noosa Gin that’s made in small batches.

“You’ll notice subtle sugar cane flavours that lean into orange and balanced spice,” she says.

With margaritas on the menu for many, tequila sales are booming this summer.

“Solento is a great pick that is sustainably grown and sourced from organic agave,” Pfeiffer-Smith says. “The glass is also recycled and the flavours are delicious with citrus and hints of vanilla.”

For those still lamenting the loss of Patron XO, the Cazabel Tequila Coffee Liqueur is a fantastic substitute, she says.

“The arabica coffee flavours are delicious and it can be enjoyed over ice or with cocktails.”

And, if you’ve never made the jump to tequila’s cousin mezcal but always wanted to, the Burrito Fiestero Cenizo Mezcal is a great stepping stone into the world of smoky flavours.

“This vegan option is very subtle in its delivery and it complements it with a fruity finish,” Pfeiffer-Smith says.