Mathias Thorstein Breinholt

Now we are approaching the cold months and, not least, Christmas, and to me that means it’s time for a little more richness and power in the glass. Here you get a lovely Valpolicella with plenty of juicy cherries, red berries, and a delightful freshness that makes it incredibly easy to drink. A wine that is perfect for the cozy dinners of the season, and which I like to serve lightly chilled.

If you really want to treat yourself on St. Martin's Eve, Beaucastel 2009 is a fantastic choice. With age, the wine has developed a complexity of dried herbs, leather, and ripe dark berries. The rounded tannins and spicy depth pair incredibly well with the richness of the duck, the intense sauce, and the sweet side dishes. A wine that can truly elevate the entire dinner.

For me, Pinot Noir and duck are one of the truly classic pairings. Here you get an elegant Burgundy with juicy red berries, fine tannins, and a lovely freshness. The wine’s acidity cuts beautifully through the richness of the duck, while the delicate fruit complements both the red cabbage and the caramelized potatoes. An obvious choice if you want finesse rather than power.

In my opinion, Barbera is a somewhat overlooked grape when we talk about wine for St. Martin's Eve. Here you get plenty of juicy cherries, a lovely freshness, and great depth. The naturally high acidity cuts perfectly through the richness of the duck, while the ripe fruit pairs really well with both red cabbage and caramelized potatoes. A truly great match for the classic St. Martin's Eve dinner.

I love aged Burgundy when it gets the chance to show what time can do to Pinot Noir. Chicotot 1996 has nearly 30 years behind it, and this is not about fresh fruit, but about forest floor, dried herbs, leather, and complexity. Nuits-Saint-Georges with history in the glass—this is a bottle I would open slowly and share with good friends.

Chavost is Champagne for the more curious side, and that is exactly my kind of thing. Eureka is lively, juicy, and full of energy with ripe fruit, citrus, and a slightly wild expression. Brut Nature, so nothing is hidden behind dosage, just pure, direct, and enormously drinkable Champagne. Not necessarily classic, but really fun to drink!

I love Blanc de Blancs from Avize, and Valentin Leflaive hits exactly the style I’m looking for. Pure Chardonnay with chalk, citrus, green apples, and a really beautiful, taut acidity. Extra Brut gives a dry and precise expression, but there is still plenty of depth. Champagne with both energy and seriousness — that’s the kind of thing I can drink a lot of!

Koji Nakada makes Burgundy with a story all his own, and I have always been fascinated by his wines. Here you get Meursault with both richness and finesse – ripe citrus, nuts, butter, and beautiful minerality. Classic in expression, but with plenty of personality. A wine I would gladly give plenty of time in the glass, and even more time in the cellar.

Benjamin Leroux is, for me, one of the producers who truly delivers in Burgundy. His Auxey-Duresses Blanc has both energy, precision, and just the right amount of oak. Fresh citrus, stone fruit, and a salty, mineral finish. Serious white Burgundy without becoming heavy, and exactly the style I myself love to drink.

Petit-Roy is a producer I really think is worth keeping an eye on. Mainbey 2023 has that combination of juicy fruit, freshness, and lightness that makes Burgundy enormously charming. No heavy-handed gestures – just lively, elegant, and incredibly easy to drink. A bottle I would happily put on the table and let disappear far too quickly.

I really have a soft spot for Fanny Sabre's wines. Her Bourgogne Blanc is Chardonnay without unnecessary makeup, juicy, vibrant, and with just the right blend of fresh citrus, ripe fruit, and subtle oak. Burgundy that you simply feel like drinking, without having to think too much about it. Chill it, open it, and enjoy!

I have a huge soft spot for Dönnhoff. It is Riesling that always reminds me how fantastic Nahe can be. Höllenpfad im Mühlenberg is serious GG: precise, mineral, and full of energy, yet at the same time with ripe fruit and a sense of calm. 2022 is already really delicious, but I’d love to cellar a couple of bottles and see where it ends up.

I love Moritz and his wines. I have had the pleasure of being in his company several times, including trips through the vineyards in his BMW, which have only made the fascination grow. His Weissburgunder has the same energy as the man himself: lively, precise, and full of personality. A producer I personally will be following for many years.

Some of the best value for money you can find in Danish wine right now. KAOS 2023 from Bognæs Vingaard has body, ripe fruit, and complexity, yet still the freshness I look for in Danish wine. A wine with plenty of personality, showing just how much quality you can actually get for the money here at home.

Danish wine is something I follow with great curiosity, and Mynster from Ørnberg truly shows why. The sweetness is beautifully balanced by a fresh acidity, which gives the wine energy and makes it incredibly elegant. To me, it is a wine with both personality and a strong story about what Danish wine can be.