Whether you’re planning ahead for Christmas or prepping for an upcoming dinner party, one thing you don’t want to leave until the last minute is the wine you’ll be serving. That’s why we’ve enlisted Dark Horse Wine to help add an extra layer of elegance to your next get-together. 

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A premium wine without the premium price tag, Dark Horse Wine is pushing boundaries, combining traditional winemaking techniques with cutting-edge technology. The Dark Horse team has the first pick of grapes from 400 growers across California, with every vintage tasted over 100 times before winemakers Beth Liston and Haley Nelson-Meade give the go-ahead. The result exceeds expectations, with the celebrated Californian brand boasting four popular styles. 

If you’re on the hunt for a great value wine that’s sure to impress your friends and family, or just something delicious to enjoy on a weeknight, look no further than Dark Horse Wine. 

Dark Horse Wine: The Whites

Dark Horse Chardonnay 

Rich, mellow and dry, the Dark Horse Chardonnay is aged in a French oak with light lees to help bring out the aromatic complexity and structure of the vintage. It’s medium-bodied, with subtle hints of peach, baked apple and pear with a rich honey blend. 

Expect a refreshing balance of fresh acidity and warm toasted oak, making it perfect both on the cooler winter evenings and balmier summer nights. 

This elegant wine can be paired with lighter lunches like smashed avocado with halloumi or will even complement any Christmas centrepiece you’ll be serving up over the festive season. 

Tasting Notes: Fruity notes of apple and ripe stone fruit
Serve With: A creamy curry; smashed avocado and halloumi; chicken and bacon burgers; or will complement your Christmas centrepiece, whether it’s turkey, ham or nut roast
Order your bottle 

Dark Horse Sauvignon Blanc

For those looking for the finest wine to serve at their upcoming drinks reception, look to Dark Horse Wine’s Sauvignon Blanc. 

It’s refreshingly crisp with citrus aromas – think grapefruit, lime and gooseberry with subtle hints of green apple and white peach. 

It pairs beautifully with lighter dishes, from elegant crab canapés and salmon numbers to vegetable risotto, a great option for vegetarians at dinner parties. 

Tasting Notes: Layers of citrus and melon flavours
Serve With: An elegant crab canapé or light vegetable risotto
Order your bottle

Dark Horse Wine: The Reds

Dark Horse Cabernet Sauvignon

For a strong red, Dark Horse Cabernet Sauvignon is bold, complex and smooth. It’s made using extended maceration helping to draw more complexity from the grape skins. The result? Rich notes of blackberry, dark chocolate and a subtle hint of toasted oak. 

Both the 2021 vintages of Dark Horse Cabernet Sauvignon and Dark Horse Merlot won Gold Medals at this year’s Mundus Vini Awards, so you know these are bottles you can trust. 

Serve up a glass of this alongside a prime cut of steak or even pair with a creamy cheeseboard.

Tasting Notes: Complete notes of blackberry, dark chocolate and hint of toasted oak
Serve With: Pair with a prime cut of steak or an indulgent Christmas Day cheeseboard
Order your bottle

Dark Horse Merlot

Nodding to a traditional Californian merlot, this medium-bodied blend is aged for up to 12 months helping to draw out the flavour and vibrance of the grapes. The result leaves you with lingering notes, from dark cherries and plums to toasted oak. 

You can pair a bottle of this alongside both modest and gourmet dishes, from a warming vegetable lasagne to slow-roasted beef brisket or spicy noodles. 

Tasting Notes: Notes of dark cherries, plums and toasted oak
Serve With: Complements everything from a warming vegetable lasagne to spicy noodles made with Christmas leftovers
Order your bottle

Dark Horse Wine is available from all major retailers nationwide, RRP £9  
Follow Dark Horse on Instagram @darkhorsewineuk
Created in partnership with Dark Horse Wine

Food & Drink

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