Our Fine Wine team have put their heads together to create the ultimate wine guide to help you ring in the New Year in true style.
Whether you’re planning to pop Champagne as the clock strikes midnight, sip something crisp and refreshing as the evening unfolds, or find the perfect bottle to complement a show-stopping meal, we’ve curated selections for every kind of celebration.
From timeless classics to exciting new discoveries, these wines are sure to make your final toast of 2025 truly unforgettable.
Classic Champagne to Toast the Occasion
Of course, New Year’s Eve calls for something special, and what better place to start than with a glass of Champagne. From the big names, to small growers, we have a perfect glass of fizz for everyone.
For those looking for an elevated evening of luxury and elegance – look no further than Dom Pérignon. Their signature shield label and rich, complex palate make for a glass like no other. The 2012 is an exceptional vintage, with notes of toasted nuts, pear, stone fruit and a lovely freshness, this is the perfect Champagne to toast in style.
Louis Roederer Collection offers a great alternative for those looking for a slightly more cost-friendly alternative. At under £50.00 per bottle, it offers such great value for what is a really powerful, intriguing Champagne. Its smooth, yet complex palate and abundance of orchard fruit makes it an ideal aperitif.
One of my personal favourites is from a small-grower producer who we have been working directly with for many years – the Lilbert Blanc de Blancs NV. This is such a vibrant Champagne, with plenty of citrus fruits, florals like blossom and jasmine, and an airy, light mid-palate. I would certainly suggest a glass of this outstanding fizz to ring in the New Year!
Crisp Whites That Keep the Party Flowing
If you’re looking for an easy-drinking white to see you through a night of celebrations, we’ve got you covered. Our range of crisp, refreshing whites are made for occasions like New Year’s Eve – bright enough to start the evening, balanced enough to enjoy all night long. These are the wines that work just as well with canapés as they do on their own, keeping things light, lively, and effortlessly enjoyable.
My personal drink of choice this New Year’s Eve will be the Aligoté from Domaine Gaelle et Jerome Meunier. This is a wine I often refer to as Chardonnay’s ‘cool sister’, as it is a Burgundian grape which is becoming more and more popular. Its crisp style, refreshing minerality and subtle floral quality make it the perfect bottle to share amongst friends as you gather to celebrate the year.
Another great option is the Chin Chin Vinho Verde – an effortlessly, trendy wine from Portugal. It is dry, fresh and fruit-forward, with just a touch of effervescence on the finish. This is such an approachable wine with a bold, fun label, making it the perfect bottle to deliver to the hosts of your party.
Crowd-Pleasing Sparkling Wines
For those looking outside the box, for a sparkling wine alternative to Champagne – we have a wide selection of English Sparkling, Cremants, as well as some gems from regions like South Africa and Tasmania. This refreshing, exciting sparklers will certainly impress your guests and keep you celebrating all night long.
My first suggestion is the Jansz Premium Cuvee from Tasmania. It is made in the same style as Champagne, but from this intriguing cool-climate region just south of mainland Australia. You can expect notes of honeysuckle, lemon zest, red berries and toasted nuts. It is balanced, with a creamy texture and zippy acidity – making for a perfect bottle to pop as guests arrive.
A wine which is similar in style, but from all the way over in South Africa, is the Klein Constantia Blanc de Blancs 2020. Now this is extraordinary value for a vintage wine, made in the same manner as Champagne – it is just so complex and powerful, packed full of toasted brioche, stone fruits, citrus zest and subtle spice. For those seeking a premium wine at an approachable price, this is where to look.
Lastly, I can’t fail to mention one of my favourites: the Arthur Metz Cremant. It is bright and lively, with fine bubbles and aromas of citrus, apple and pear. It makes an effortlessly elegant choice to pop as the celebrations commence.
Rich Reds to Pair with Your Party Spread
If a refined meal is more you type of event, rather than a lively party, we have also pulled together a selection of food-friendly red wines to transform your dinner into a luxury experience to remember.
My first suggestion is the Vacqueyras from Domaine Saint Laurent. This is a classic Rhone Valley blend of Grenache and Syrah – and it really packs a punch. The rich, dark fruit flavours are so powerful and work well with hearty meals like beef wellington or a winter stew. Serving this fantastic wine alongside your meal transforms your dinner into a celebration of flavour.
Another fantastic, food-friendly wine is the Piedra Negra Malbec from Argentina. Now there is now better pairing than Malbec and steak, so for those seeking a luxurious evening of a steak dinner and a bottle of premium red, look no further.
As the year draws to a close, it’s less about what’s in your glass and more about who you share it with – though a beautiful bottle certainly helps. Whatever your plans for the evening, may your celebrations be filled with good company, memorable moments, and wines worthy of a New Year’s toast.
From all of us, we wish you a joyful, fulfilling, and wine-filled New Year.