Explorers Festive Special

Welcome to this month's Novel Wines Explorer's Club, the UK's most exciting wine subscription for the curious drinker. Each month, we will introduce you to a new wine region as part of our promise to deliver no two wines the same for a whole year. Not a member yet? Subscribe here.

Looking for an older guide? See all the Explorer's Club guides here.

What's in this month's Explorer's Club?

This month, we’re embracing the magic of the holiday season with a festive Explorer case inspired by the warmth and cheer of Christmas. As you would expect from a festive offering there are lots of bubbles, warming reds and something sweet to keep everyone happy!

Explore wines with flavours that evoke cozy fireside evenings, festive gatherings, and the comforting aromas of the season. Whether you’re hosting a Christmas feast, giving the gift of wine, or simply indulging in a moment of holiday bliss, this month’s case has been handpicked to make every occasion merry and bright.

So, pour a glass, gather your loved ones, and let this special collection transport you to the heart of holiday traditions around the world. As always, we’re here to answer your questions and wish you the happiest of holidays!

You can’t start a Christmas party without some bubbles! Istenic harvest their fruit from the Bizeljsko-Sremic region, made up of a narrow strip of land along the northern bank of the Sava River, protected by the mountains from the harsh north winds and therefore making for some of the best wine growing conditions in the region. 

This Extra Dry rosé sparkling wine is made from free-run Pinot Noir, made only in the best years. Crafted in the traditional method, this pink fizz has a fine and racy mousse, hints of redcurrants and a gorgeous creamy finish

Perfect for festive toasts, parties, or accompanying light bites like smoked salmon or creamy cheeses, this wine embodies the spirit of celebration!

Similar in style to wines from neighbouring Maconnais, this wonderfully expressive Chardonnay from Jerome Lacondemine is a really unusual find as white wine production make up a mere 2% of the overall Beaujolais output!

With a deep lemon hue, the wine is rounded with rich, creamy textures but it retains a brisk citrus backbone which assures a fresh and long finish. 
The wine is made form 100% Chardonnay, has seen no malolactic fermentation and has undergone a very light oaking in new barrels which gives a soft hint of vanilla.

The rounded structure and crisp acidity make it a delightful companion to roasted poultry, or a festive platter of charcuterie and cheeses, perfectly capturing the charm and complexity of this versatile varietal.

This is the perfect time of year to appreciate something truly special, and with our next wine we have just the thing! 

The Amfora Malvazija is a special style of white wine know as Orange wine, this is where the grapes are fermented with there skin (known as maceration) which give this style of wine is deep, orange colour. What makes the wine special is it's produced in a ancient, traditional and completely organic way, using natural yeasts and left to ferment in amphora vessels which are buried and left for 7 months and then aged in oak barrels for several years before bottling.

The wine is almost golden in colour, full-bodied with a mesmerising bouquet of quince, star anise and herbs with a warm and soft flavour which keeps a nice level of crisp freshness with excellent minerality and mild tannins. The palate is balanced with notes of butter, ripe peach and almond with a long finish.

Chateau Ksara is Lebanon's largest and oldest commercial winery. The 'Le Prieure' bottling is Mediterranean twist on a very French blend, mixing grapes you would traditionally find in blends from the South of France. Instead, in the warm Beqaa Valley, Le Prieure is brightly coloured and leads with intensely juicy red fruit aromas. It's soft and supple to drink with a mix of plums, berries, warming spice and liquorice. Each variety is fermented separately and matured for 14-18 months before being blended together for the final wine.

Wiese & Krohn was founded in 1865 by two Norwegians - Theodor Wiese and Dankert Krohn - shipping initially to Scandinavia and Germany. In the century and a half since its foundation, Krohn has built up an outstanding reputation. Long renowned for the quality of their sublime Colheitas (single vintage tawnies), they produce a remarkably complete range for a small house, and each wine excels in its category. 

Much of the secret lies in the high quality of their vineyards - the magical combination of terroir, locality, aspect, incline and low-yielding vines. Their Quinta do Retiro Novo estate in Sarzedinho, in the Rio Torto valley (where vinification takes place), is all A grade vineyard. Indeed Krohn only work with grapes from A-graded vineyards across all of their ports, and their top wines are still trodden by foot.

Vivid tawny-red colour. Nose of ripe mellow fruit with aromas of figs and prunes set off by an attractive woody and spicy character. Smooth and round on the palate, full of rich jammy flavours. Krohn Tawny makes a delicious dessert wine and combines particularly well with flavours of almonds, berry fruit or dark chocolate. It can also be enjoyed as an accompaniment for rich, blue veined cheeses. It is excellent at the end of the meal, as a crowning moment of an enjoyable evening, served on its own or with a plate of walnuts or roasted almonds.

Tucked away at the foot of mountains in southwestern Bulgaria, near the serene banks of the Struma, Aya enjoys the perfect location for viticulture. Nestled in a valley steeped in history and myth, the rugged landscape creates a dramatic amphitheatre of rolling terrain and crisp alpine air. 

A unique late harvest dessert wine. A light amber coloured wine with an alluring aroma of apricot confit and roasted corn. Medium body but with a light, airy taste of delicate bitterness and popcorn in the finish. A funky, very interesting and refreshing sweet wine.

A real pleasure that speaks for itself, serve it very lightly chilled and pair with a variety of light desserts or drink simply by itself - enjoy!