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Bravo Bevvies to BYO: Top drops to take to the party or to lunch this Chrissy and New Year’s

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Cream rounds up a few drinks to taste-test before we all break for Christmas and New Year’s so as you can have some quality whites and reds to consider bringing along to the party. Thumbs up for all eight selections below, and for a more comprehensive review on each, read on.

Compiled by Antonino Tati & Lisa Andrews

 

↑ WHAT: Le Black Création 258 Brut, 750ml, ABV 12.5%. DESCRIPTION: This is one of the last of the bottles of liquor that we sampled in reviewing for this here gift guide and that is because we knew it would be good, but wanted it to be great chilled nicely. Indeed, it was the perfect bottle of bubbles to open at the end of a hard working day and to celebrate a job well done. Le Black Création 258 is a proper Champagne brut blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier – aged for four years on lees – yeast cells left in after the second fermentation – leaving it with fine bubbles, and a vibrant taste. It’s made by Maison Lanson, a historic house that has been making Champagnes since 1760. Now you cannot go wrong with champers from a house that has been making the good drop for that long. We sensed notes of citrus, apple and even stone fruit, rounded out nicely with an almondy/brioch-y after-taste. A very nice blend, actually. RRP: $68. AVAILABLE FROM: Quality liquor outlets including BWS and Dan Murphy’s.

 

↑ WHAT: Santa Margherita Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore, 750ml, ABV 11%. DESCRIPTION: This is an expressive sparkling made of fruit harvested in the province of Treviso in Venice. A great Italian drop that is fresh on the palate, opening with a crisp, clean attack and with fine, long-lasting bubbles (the call that a ‘persistent mousse’!) The taste is delicately dry with a little acidity, with notes of green apple, ripe pear, and white peach. Perfect to go with a seafood platter at Christmas lunch. If you’re wanting to bring a bottle of something sophisticated but unpretentious, this is an ideal choice. RRP: $32. AVAILABLE FROM: Quality liquor outlets including Dan Murphy’s.

 

↑ WHAT: Little Giant Barossa Shiraz 2022, 750ml, ABV 14.5%. DESCRIPTION: Little Giant Wine is predominantly crafted from premium fruit grown in vineyards across the Barossa and Eden Valleys, McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills. Which is a lot of good land to get the best grape pickings! The wines are hand-crafted and made with minimal additions and preservatives so as to retain the authentic, bright, character-filled flavours of the grapes – all picked early in the morning so as to retain freshness.

We put this bottle of Barossa Shiraz to the test and found it to be more uplifting than your average black grape and, yes, most definitely, blissfully, continually drinkable. Perfect for ongoing bevvies and banter at Christmas lunch.

We especially love the hints of plum, red licorice, and chocolate and mocha characters. To make things feel even better, it’s good to know that the good folk that create this good drop – South Australian winemaking group, Fourth Wave Wine – work with wildlife rescue organisation, WIRES. Part proceeds from sales of Little Giant wines will go towards helping WIRES who then help thousands of wombats that have suffered from bushfires, skin infections, vehicle collisions and other causes of injury. RRP: $19.99. AVAILABLE FROM: Major liquor retailers nationally including Dan Murphy’s. 

 

 

↑ WHAT: Marnong Estate Blanc de Blancs 2022, 750ml, ABV 12.5%. DESCRIPTION: If you want to posh things up a bit on the BYO drinks front, or wish to impress with your good taste, bring a bottle of Marnong Estate Blanc de Blancs to the party. This fine wine gives hints of ripe citrus, apple, toasty brioche – perfect to go with Christmas savouries and sweets. Crafted to showcase true cool-climate finesse, this pour is just as impressive at a long lunch as it is presented as a thoughtful, premium gift. RRP: $80. AVAILABLE FROM: Major liquor retailers nationally from independent retailers, the Marnong Estate Cellar Door, and online.

 

↑ WHAT: Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio 2024, 750ml, ABV 12.5%. DESCRIPTION: Have you noticed everyone is suddenly booking holidays to Italy? Delve deeper and you’ll note folks are heading to quainter towns and villages (known as paesi) and not the typical hotspots like Florence or Rome. This might have something to do with these regional areas offering a more genuine experience of Italian life than the big cities do. If you can’t make it north, drop into your local bottlo’ and pick up a bottle of their Pinot Grigio.

It’s the benchmark by which all other ‘dry-style’ Pinot Grigio’s are measured. Seriously.

The fruit is harvested in early September (Italian autumn) and as the crates arrive into the winery, the team separates the skins from the must to prevent any hint of colour. The must is then fermented for two weeks at a relatively warm 18°C then stored in steel tanks, leaving a delicate white wine with a shimmering hue that boasts summer aromas of crisp green apple and pear, citrus zest and a hint of peach. All that’s left to say, really, is salute! RRP: $22, 750ml bottle. AVAILABLE FROM: Quality liquor outlets including Dan Murphy’s.

 

↑ WHAT: Brown Brothers Orange Prosecco Spritz and Yuzu Lemon Prosecco Spritz, 750ml, ABV 8.5%. DESCRIPTION: Two great sparklings that are bright, effervescent twists on the classic Prosecco – and tailor-made for the Australian summer.

The orange varietal blends lively bubbles with juicy orange and a touch of aromatic bitters, giving it a kind of aperitivo vibe – tangy and subtly bitter.

But it’s the Yuzu Lemon Prosecco Spritz that really has our tastebuds tingling – a delicious drink that is bursting with citrus character. Aromatic yuzu brings an exotic touch and helps bring out other notes of mandarin, grapefruit and lemon, all the while seeing this Prosecco maintaining its lively bubbles. At around 8.5% ABV each, these are lower in alcohol than many wines, which adds to their easy-drinking appeal. RRP: $20 a bottle. AVAILABLE FROM: Quality liquor outlets. For more information visit brownfamilywines.com.au.

 

And for the morning after the night before…

Now, after consuming a little of this and a little of that, even the quality abovementioned bevvies, you might be in for a bit of a hangover the morning after the night before. Whether you’ve tied one on with a close friend, or hit the tiles and disco-ed till dawn, there’s no reason to regret your festivities so… do the next best thing and enjoy a Virgin Bloody Mary.

This non-alcoholic Bloody Mary actually hits and will get you feeling alive again. It’s spicy, savoury and full of tomato flavour, with the added excellent ingredients of electrolytes. Heck, it’s not just for the silly season – it’s not just for after big parties. Crack one before swimming or Pilates. Drink it straight, over ice, or okay then, be naughty and add a nip of vodka or tequila. Tastes great with a plateful of Westmont Fried Pickles (which’ll also help soak up last night’s alcohol). Or just stick to tradition and throw in a bit of pickle and an olive. Delish and reinvigorating. RRP: Virgin Bloody Mary Mix, $8 per 330ml can. AVAILABLE FROM: westmontpickles.com.

 

What are Australia’s top 5 dishes to enjoy at Christmas Lunch?

THE CREAM CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2025

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December 12, 2025, 4:00 pm 0 boosts 0 favorites

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