Her challenge: to offer a selection of fine bottles at under €30, capable of accompanying both aperitifs and festive dishes, without blowing the budget. In her choices, Dominique Rizzi, president of the Association luxembourgeoise des sommeliers and Luxembourg's best sommelier in 1992, has largely favoured PGIs (Protected Geographical Indications), which she describes as the heirs to the old vins de pays. These wines are excellent in terms of quality, highly aromatic and, above all, offer particularly good value for money.
To get the best out of them, a simple piece of advice often comes up: decant the wines, including the whites. Beyond the aesthetic aspect (a beautiful decanter always makes an impression on guests), oxygenation allows the wine to open up more and express itself fully throughout the meal.
To open the festivities
For this first sweet wine, Dominique Rizzi has chosen an IGP for its excellent value for money. This Côtes de Gascogne is made from the gros manseng grape variety, known for producing wines that are both expressive and well-balanced.
On tasting, there is a lovely sweetness, quickly counterbalanced by a freshness and acidity that are well present. The result is a mellow wine that is delicious but never heavy, and that does not saturate the palate with sugar (an essential point, especially at the start of a meal). In terms of pairing, this is a very versatile bottle: it goes very well with aperitifs, foie gras, sweet and sour dishes or exotic cuisine. It can also accompany fruit desserts, particularly with exotic fruits.
IGP Côtes de Gascogne moelleux 2024 - Le Labyrinthe de Cassaigne (gros manseng). Price: 8.39 euros. Available from La Cave des Sommeliers.
For foie gras (and tarte Tatin)
For the second mellow of the selection, we head for the Loire Valley with this Coteaux de l'Aubance from Domaine de Montgilet, made from 100% chenin blanc grapes. The chenin expresses itself here with notes of candied apple, quince, honey and white flowers, with a well-balanced sweetness. The wine remains suave and elegant, without ever falling into syrupiness, making it easy on the table and enjoyable over time.
As far as pairings go, it's a natural with foie gras, poultry terrines or puff pastry starters. It also works very well with fruit desserts, tarte Tatin, caramel desserts or even white chocolate. For lovers of contrasts, it is also a great match with blue cheeses. A versatile bottle to accompany both the beginning and the end of a meal.
Coteaux de l'Aubance - Domaine de Montgilet (chenin blanc). Price: 17.07 euros. Available from Othon Schmitt.
For refined seafood
First dry white of the selection, this 2023 Riesling from Clos Jangli showcases the expertise of Luxembourg's Moselle region. A recently acquired estate, now converted to organic farming, with a real desire to restore the authenticity of the terroir. Made from the Riesling grape, renowned for its elegance and precision, this wine is dry, straightforward and perfectly controlled. It is fresh on the palate, with good acidity, marked salinity and elegant minerality, with the breed typical of great Rieslings. The wine's purity and the expression of its terroir are further enhanced by its organic viticulture.
As far as food goes, this wine is at home with refined seafood, such as pan-fried scallops or carpaccio, where the contrast between acidity and fatness works perfectly. It also goes well with fish in a light sauce, such as fillet of sea bass with beurre blanc, or delicate Asian starters and fine sushi.
Riesling 2023 - Clos Jangli. Price: 13.44 euros. Available from Othon Schmitt.
For creamy, exotic dishes
Always white, Michel Chapoutier's 2022 Viognier "La Combe Pilate" is a Collines Rhodaniennes PGI, chosen here for its excellent value for money. An expressive wine, faithful to the grape variety, which fully assumes its aromatic profile. Viognier develops aromas of violets, iris and acacia honey, with a round, full texture (a typical signature of the grape variety).
Cooking-wise, this bottle goes particularly well with creamy or slightly spicy starters. It goes very well with risotto (with small spelt, for example), savoury mushroom tarts, fish in a creamy sauce, salmon or scallops. It also works well with fresh or mild goat's cheese, why not topped with a rhubarb chutney, to play up the contrast.
Viognier 2022 - La Combe Pilate (M. Chapoutier). Price: 15.81 euros. Available from Othon Schmitt.
For ceviches and carpaccios
Towards Touraine with this sauvignon from Domaine Michaud, A rounder, fuller expression of the grape variety, different from the very taut profiles found in Sancerre or the Pouilly-Fumé region. The wine is dry, straightforward and linear, with a nose marked by notes of citrus fruit, boxwood and white flowers. On the palate, the freshness is very present, supported by balanced acidity, but also with a fruity fullness that adds suppleness and makes the wine very enjoyable at the table.
As for pairings, this Sauvignon lends itself perfectly to shellfish, carpaccios (particularly langoustine) and ceviches. It works particularly well with exotic fruit dishes such as mango or pomegranate, where the acidity and roundness of the wine strike a fine balance. A simple, effective and very versatile bottle for the festive season.
Sauvignon - Touraine, Domaine Michaud. Price: 8.71 euros. Available from Othon Schmitt.
For marine and exotic flavours
Cap to the west, to Spain with this Albariño 2023 from the Rías Baixas appellation, "Val do Salnés", an area with a maritime climate that produces wines that are both fresh and expressive. The wine offers a fine balance between fresh minerality and fruity roundness, with a pale yellow colour and fruity, floral and slightly saline notes. The palate is supple and full-bodied, yet lively and easy to digest. A very pleasant profile, easy to enjoy as an aperitif.
Pairing-wise, this bottle goes very well with scallops, ideally with orange butter to emphasise the fruity side, but also with fried fish, tapas, or even lightly spiced prawns. It also works well with white fish, fresh salsa-type sauces, and even dishes with exotic, even Indian accents, thanks to its complexity and freshness.
D.O. Rías Baixas "Val do Salnés", albariño 2023 - Viña Cartín. Price: 11.47 euros. Available from La Cave des Sommeliers.
To surprise guests
The last white in the selection, this IGP Trevenezie "Ubi Que", signed Azienda La Magnolia, offers an original blend of ribolla gialla, friulano, malvasia istriana and picolit, local grape varieties that give the wine a real personality. The colour is a deep lemon yellow and the nose is complex and expressive, combining floral notes, yellow-fleshed fruit and peach, with a touch of acacia and finely integrated oak. On the palate, the wine is surprising: despite a sensation of fat, the profile remains dry, with a full, mellow texture, a fruity core and a lively finish.
Pairing-wise, it goes perfectly with snacked scallops, lobster, grilled fish or mature goat's cheeses. A wine with character, a little bit apart, ideal for those looking for a different bottle for the festive season.
IGP Trevenezie 2022, "Ubi Que" - Azienda La Magnolia. Price: 25.33 euros. Available from La Cave des Sommeliers.
Reds easy to drink
First foray into reds with this barbera d'asti "L'Avvocata", by Coppo, an Italian wine with particularly convincing value for money. An affordable bottle, ideal for those looking for a red that's easy to enjoy without sacrificing character. Ruby-red in colour, the nose opens with a lovely aroma of red fruit, notably cherry and blackberry, accompanied by floral notes of violet. On the palate, the whole is buoyed by fine acidity and supple tannins, resulting in a wine that is light, digestible and very enjoyable, even for casual red wine lovers.
Pairing-wise, it easily accompanies roast meats such as pork or leg of lamb, but also tomato-based dishes, Italian charcuterie, rich pastas or even gourmet pizzas. It also works well with mature but not too full-bodied cheeses.
Barbera d'asti, "L'Avvocata" - Coppo. Price: 16.15 euros. Available from Othon Schmitt.
For southern dishes and game
Back to the Languedoc with this Terrasses du Larzac 2021, "Le Juge" from Château Capion, an organic wine that is clearly off the beaten track. Made from a blend typical of the region (Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre), this red has a dark colour with purple highlights and a very Mediterranean expression. The nose reveals notes of spices (pepper, nutmeg), garrigue, liquorice and black fruit. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and well-structured, with silky tannins and juicy fruit that adds balance.
Pairing-wise, it goes perfectly with leg of lamb, grilled red meats or game dishes such as venison or wild boar. Dishes with herbs (thyme, rosemary) are even more reminiscent of the wine's garrigue aromas. It can also be served as a starter with pâtés en croûte. A red with character, accessible and very expressive, ideal for lovers of southern wines.
Terrasses du Larzac 2021, "Le Juge" - Château Capion (organic). Price: 13.90 euros. Available from La Cave des Sommeliers.
To dare bold pairings
A total change of scenery: With this Malbec 2022 "Barrel Fermented" from Familia Schroeder, we're heading for Patagonia, in the south of Argentina. An intense, expressive, yet perfectly controlled red that offers a fine alternative to the European classics. The wine develops deep aromas of blackberry and plum, accompanied by woody, slightly vanilla notes. The barrel ageing is present but very well integrated, without masking the fruit. On the palate, the structure is medium-bodied, the tannins supple and elegant, with a fine complexity that remains accessible.
As for pairings, this bottle lends itself ideally to grilled red meat or meat in sauce, such as fillet of beef or duck breast, an interesting option for the festive season. It also works very well with more daring dishes, such as a bitter chocolate sauce, lightly roasted coffee or balsamic vinegar. It can also accompany roast quail, dishes in sauce, and pressed and mature cheeses. A generous, modern and versatile red, without excess.
Malbec, "Barrel Fermented" 2022 - Familia Schroeder (Patagonia). Price: 18.70 euros. Available from Othon Schmitt.
For a very classic Christmas
For lovers of classic Bordeaux who prefer to stick with solid values, this Lalande-de-Pomerol from Château des Annereaux ticks all the boxes of an accessible and elegant party wine. The blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon produces a wine driven by ripe black and red fruit, with silky tannins and a round, elegant palate, typical of the Pomerol influence. The overall impression is one of balance and finesse, without excessive power.
Pairing-wise, this bottle is perfect with festive dishes: game birds such as pigeon or pheasant, beef in sauce, or even a filet of beef Rossini with foie gras. It also goes very well with mushroom or truffle dishes, roast lamb, or even risotto for a refined vegetarian option. At the end of the meal, it works well with mature cheeses such as Comté vieux or Tomme. A fine Bordeaux, elegant and accessible.
Lalande-de-Pomerol - Château des Annereaux. Price: 26.49 euros. Available from Othon Schmitt.
To end on a high note
For the last red in the selection, we head for the southern Rhône Valley with this Gigondas 2022 "Les Olympes", by Myriam Nicolas. This is an appellation with character, renowned for its long-keeping wines, and here offered in a particularly accomplished version. A blend of grenache noir, mourvèdre and syrah, this Gigondas has a deep colour and a typically southern expression. The nose opens with notes of thyme and garrigue, with a full, flavoursome palate carried by well-coated tannins.
Pairing-wise, this bottle calls for powerful red meats, simmered or grilled game, and more broadly rich, generous dishes. An intense, racy red, ideal for ending a festive meal on an assertive note, without going overboard.
Gigondas Rouge 2022, "Les Olympes" - Myriam Nicolas. Price: 26.20 euros. Available from La Cave des Sommeliers.
