KEY POINTS:
After a careful analysis of types and tastes, Jo Burzynska reveals who will be drinking what at this year's round of Christmas parties and gives some pointers on what else they might enjoy.
The Traditionalist
This older gent is always to be found with a glass of something from one of the well-established wine regions or long-standing labels. None of these new fangled screwcapped sauvignons for him, he's happiest when popping the cork on a good claret. Reluctant to share aged wines from his cellar with the pinot gris-guzzling philistines he's encountering nowadays, and unable to afford the prices of today's top crus, he'll be bringing a more modest bottle to the table this year.
Party pick: Chateau Lugagnac Bordeaux Superieur, France 2005 $30
A modestly priced bordeaux this may be, but it is one that over-delivers with the bold and spicy blackcurrant fruit of its juicy, rich and chewy palate. The Traditionalist might take issue, but this is made in a more modern style with fruit to the fore. Great with spring lamb. From Glengarry.
The Socialite
The Socialite has to be seen at the most select of seasonal soirees, sipping something sparkling, from a top label of course. Ever at the forefront of fashion, she knows she'll need to exercise some moderation if she's to fit into that little Marc Jacobs number she's set her heart on for seeing in the New Year.
Party Pick: Chandon ZD Vintage Brut 2002 $39.50
Chandon ZD has the right pedigree - it's part of the Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessey luxury empire that's also home to Marc Jacobs. And it's at the cutting edge of closures in having a crown cap rather than a champagne cork. The ZD stands for Zero Dosage, indicating that no sugar has been added - as with most sparkling wines - which should help keep the kilos at bay. But you don't need to be a dieting A-Lister to enjoy this fresh and elegant sparkler, with its light touch of almond and brioche. From Liquor King, Millar and Co and fine wine stores.
The Entertainers
With a social life centred on their deck and dining table, the Entertainers make their home the hub for friends and family over the festive season.
They're looking for a good versatile wine they can offer visitors with pride, but without their generous hospitality rendering them bankrupt in the New Year.
Party pick: Sacred Hill Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2005 $17-$20
Sacred Hill makes some seriously good chardonnays, and this rich and creamy barrel-fermented reserve, with juicy citrus, stone fruit and toasty notes, makes an impressive but affordable house wine for the festive season. And for special guests, you can bring out a bottle of Sacred Hill's impressive flagship Riflemans chardonnay. From grocery outlets and fine wine retail stores.
Sauvignon Girl
She's always out on the town, and every day's a party for this high-spirited sauvignon-loving young lady. She's usually not too fussy about where her favourite tipple comes from - she's the same with some other things after a few glasses too many - but for special occasions she wants something with a bit more class.
Party pick: Whitehaven Greg Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007 $22.95
This zingy and intense example has class aplenty, with its vibrant aromas and flavours of blackcurrant leaf, melon and oregano. From Caros, Don Johnsons, First Glass, Gladstone Wines, Kumeu Cellars, Millar & Co, Nelson & Simich, Fine Wine Delivery Company, Primo Vino Hamilton.
The Adventurer
This one is forever chasing new sensations, and rarely drinks the same thing twice. Circumnavigating the globe through glasses of obscure Italian grape varieties to the lesser known appellations of Argentina, the Adventurer is up for trying anything, the weirder and more wonderful the better.
Party Pick: Montes Limited Selection Cabernet Carmenere Apalta Vineyard, Chile 2006 $22.90
Chile produces some exciting and incredibly well-priced wines, like this blockbuster from leading producer Montes. Ripe and rich, this fruit-driven beast with its smooth mocha-laced blackberry and blackcurrant fruit, is a blend of cabernet sauvignon and carmenere - a merlot-like variety presumed extinct in its homeland of Bordeaux but which resurfaced in Chile, where it has been embraced as the flagship grape. From Glengarry and specialist wine stores nationwide.
Mr & Mrs Same-Old, Same-Old
This couple will be splashing out at Christmas on what they always get, except a bit more of it. Too timid to tango into uncharted territory, they'll be treading the tried and tested path towards that polar fleece of wines, a chardonnay from the well priced brand they've been buying for years. They won't be reading this article, but if you're partying with them, be a good Christmas fairy and try coaxing them out of their comfort zone into something a little more exciting like this ...
Party pick: Taylors Eighty Acres Clare Valley Chardonnay Viognier $19.95
A touch of the exotic is added to the ubiquitous chardonnay through its combination with the aromatic grape variety viognier. In this full, fruity easy drinking blend, the fresh citrus notes of the chardonnay act as a foil to viognier's fleshy apricot and spice. From First Glass, Wine Direct, La Vino, Fine Wine Delivery Company and some Liquorland stores.
The Enthusiast
These ones certainly know their stuff, and have been mulling since January 1 over what bottles to crack open at Christmas time. Burgundy is the Enthusiasts' Shangri-la, and the source of many of their seasonal selections, which they'll ensure come from some of the region's best names.
Party Pick: Nicolas Potel Cuvee Gerard Potel Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2005 $36
Negociant Nicolas Potel is one of Burgundy's rising stars, obtaining wines from some of the most exciting vineyards in the region. His Cuvee Gerard Potel many be a standard Bourgogne Rouge, but a vin ordinaire it ain't, with its pure juicy raspberry fruit, ethereal florals and earthy dimension of forest floor and savoury spice. Pinot noir is a great all-rounder, able to match foods from salmon to meatier fare. From Glengarry.
Penny Pincher
Penny does enjoy a good drop of wine, but loves a smart deal even better and is always on the lookout for the ultimate bargain. She doesn't like to pay too much for her plonk, even at Christmas, but doesn't want to be embarrassed again as she was when the guests surreptitiously decanted the duff stuff she bought last year into the shrubbery.
Party pick: Manara Rock Barossa Shiraz 2005 $13.49
No duff bottles here. Those in search of exceptional value need look no further than this fruity and mouth-filling Barossa Shiraz from Villa Maria. With its generous dollops of juicy dark spicy fruit and licorice, it's a steal, and a great wine for the season's barbecues. From liquor stores including Liquor King and Liquorland, selected New World branches.
The Eco Worrier
Environmentally sensitive, the first thing this new breed of wine drinker does on picking up a bottle is scan its back label for an indication of the wine's sustainable or organic status. But the Eco Worriers are not hippies or prepared to settle for the vinous equivalent of roughly hewn hemp jewellery, and know that organic produce can taste far better than its chemically treated counterparts.
Party pick: Seresin Memento Marlborough Riesling 2007 $27.50
As well as being a new wine for Seresin, the Memento riesling was one of the first two fully certified organic wines to come out of Marlborough - the other was Seresin's 2006 Marama. Made in a sweeter Germanic style with balancing lemony acidity, it's a fresh fusion of blossom and ginger that makes a great aperitif or match with sweeter spicy sauces. From La Barrique, Fine Wine Delivery Company.
The Upwardly Mobile
Only the best is good enough for this over-achieving alpha-male or female. Always on the lookout for the next big thing, they're particularly attracted to cult wines and have the super-sized sums often required to secure the tiny volumes in this elite level of wine.
Party Pick: Bilancia La Collina Syrah Hawkes Bay 2005 $90
One of New Zealand's best syrahs and upwardly mobile in itself - its grapes are grown on the vertiginously steep slopes of the La Collina vineyard in Hawkes Bay from which it takes its name. An intensely aromatic wine, it is a potpourri of black pepper, cinnamon, star anise and rose petals, with a seductive velvety berry fruit and silky ripe tannins. A classic wine to savour on the most special of occasions. From Fine Wine Delivery Company, Caro's, La Vino, Point Wines.
