Nothing beats unwrapping something delicious on Christmas Day and with so many utterly delectable treats on offer this festive season, we've picked our fine favourites that anyone would love to sink their teeth into.
Shepherds Purse is an artisan cheesmaker based in Yorkshire that's been producing award-winning cheeses for nearly 40 years. Starting with making cheeses from sheep milk, now their range includes cow's milk and even water buffalo milk cheeses. Best known for their blue cheeses Yorkshire Blue and Harrogate Blue and this Christmas there's a host of hampers fit for any cheese lover. We love their A Bit of Blue Hamper (£22), a trio of world-class award-winning blues - Yorkshire Blue, Harrogate Blue and Northern Blue - a truckle of their creamy Bluemin White, and a beautiful fig & honey chutney from Shaws of Huddersfield. Perfect for a Christmas Day cheeseboard. www.shepherdspurse.co.uk
The smoothest festive tipple we've tried, Nelson's Gold is a delicate blend of vodka and handmade caramel, made by the Wild Knight Distillery. It's the perfect serve for a warming festive cocktail - have a look at the website for some brilliant recipes. We love the Christmassy hot toddy, with warmed apple juice, cinnamon and cloves. Like a crème brûlée in a glass, it's not too sickly sweet to be enjoyable and is equally delicious over ice... or ice cream. £37.50 from www.wildknightdistillery.co.uk
Nestled under the National Portrait Gallery lies Larry’s Bar, an award-winning underground speakeasy. From the regal gin cocktail ‘The Cecil Beaton’ to the experimental, colourful ‘CMYK Fizz’ inspired by Yevonde, and the award-winning dirty martini McBean cocktail, it evokes a bygone era with live jazz and stellar serves. Recreate them at home this Chrismas with their very own book, showcasing each of Larry’s bespoke cocktails, telling the stories behind their inspiration, ingredients and design, illustrated with images of the drinks and portraits of iconic figures ranging from Audrey Hepburn to Francis Bacon from the National Portrait Gallery’s Collection. £14.95 at www.npgshop.org.uk
Love Cocoa is a chocolate brand with a difference. Founded by a certain James Cadbury (yes, that Cadbury...the great great great grandson in fact) the certified B-Corp brand uses only the finest quality cacao that’s ethically sourced from growers who farm fairly and pay their workers properly. Love Cocoa partners with Eden Reforestation Projects via 1% for the Planet, with the aim of planting over 200,000 trees each and every year and to date, the brand has planted over 1.6 million trees across North and East Africa in a bid to combat deforestation and climate change. As well as being truly tasty and good for the planet, the packaging is beyond lovely, artfully designed in elegant packaging. Win win. We'd particularly love to unwrap the Festive Chocolate Truffle Selection Box (£24.95). www.lovecoca.com
We're pretty big fans of Islington seafood spot Prawn on the Lawn and this year their Christmas gift hampers are nailing it. The DELUXE hamper (£125) includes their super cute POTL x JAM Pink Scallop Limited Edition Linen Unisex shirt, a bottle of the limited edition Prawn on the Lawn x Quinta da Boa Esperança Rosé, their signature beers, YOU OK HUN? and YEAH, YOU? - made with Padstow Brewing Company - along with Prawn on the Lawn's 'Fish and Seafood to Share' cookbook, potato salt and tea towel. We might in fact buy one for ourselves while we're at it. www.prawnonthelawn.com
Christmas calls for a glass or two of something fizzy, and they don't get much better than Piper-Heidsieck Brut NV Champagne. Crafting top class wines since 1785 and the favourite of Marilyn Monroe, Piper-Heidsieck knows a thing or two; this rich and fruity brut with notes of pear and nuts is the perfect accompaniment to Christmas dinner. This £28.99 from Waitrose.
For those keen to elevate their education in a subject far more fun than any you'd find at school, the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) is the world leader in such qualifications. Designed for those beginning careers in the wine and spirits industry, as well as established professionals and simply enthusiasts who have a passion for wines, spirits sake and beer, WSET was established in 1969 for the UK wine trade and has since grown to become the global industry leader. At their headquarters on Bermondsey Street, the WSET school offers the full suite of WSET qualifications alongside tasting sessions, career talks and bespoke programmes. As well as four levels of study in wine - starting with Level 1 from £210 - as well as three in sake and spirits and the brand new Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications in beer. As well as direct bookings, you can also find gift vouchers on the website www.wsetglobal.com.
On the subject of wine, South African estate Babylonstoren has launched a rather nifty wine subscription service. For £100 per quarter, members will receive six wines curated by their winemakers, along with a complimentary one year membership to The Newt in Somerset. One of the oldest Cape Dutch farms, set at the foot of Simonsberg in the Franschhoek wine valley outside of Cape Tow, it has a fruit and vegetable garden of beauty and diversity, unique accommodation, fine food and wine. www.babylonstoren.com
