December is usually loud. Tastings pile up, events overlap, bottles are opened quickly and often without enough time to really listen to them. This year was no exception. The last month of the year was busy, full of very different wines, styles, regions and moods. Sparkling wines, comforting reds, fresh whites, familiar bottles and a few surprises I didn’t expect at all.
Instead of chasing trends or “best of” lists, these favourite wines of December come from a much simpler place: wines that made me stop, slow down, and pay attention.
By December, I’ve already tasted a lot. In 2025, around 1,100 wines passed through my glass. That changes how you drink at the end of the year. I’m no longer looking for something impressive on paper. I want wines that feel right in the moment. Wines that work with food, with people, with tired evenings and honest conversations.
Some bottles stood out because they were easy and open. Others because they showed character without shouting. A few mattered simply because they were opened at the right time, with the right people, after a long day. Wine doesn’t get enough credit for this: context matters.
What these wines had in common
Even though the styles were very different, the wines I kept thinking about shared a few simple things.
They were clear. You didn’t need technical knowledge to understand them.
They were balanced. Nothing too heavy, too sweet, too alcoholic or too sharp.
They were drinkable. Wines you actually want a second glass of.
And they had a sense of place. You could feel where they came from, even if you didn’t know the region well.
They weren’t perfect wines. They were convincing wines.
Below are the Wines of December that best reflect how this intense, reflective end of year actually tasted for me.
Favourite Wines of December
Domaine Kox – Auxerrois Charta Luxembourg 2020
Where it comes from, in simple terms
Luxembourg is small, quiet, and often overlooked in wine. The Moselle here is cooler and more restrained than many better-known regions. Auxerrois is one of its traditional grapes — related to Pinot Blanc — usually known for soft, gentle wines rather than power.
The Charta Luxembourg label matters. It’s a strict quality category: lower yields, riper grapes, longer ageing. This is not everyday wine.
What it tastes like
The colour is medium gold, already hinting at some development. On the nose, it opens slowly: white blossom, dried chamomile, honey, and a subtle peppery note. As it warms up, you get ripe apple, yellow pear, honeysuckle and a touch of baking spice. On the palate is more structured than expected. There’s freshness, but also weight. The small amount of residual sugar (around 6 g/l) doesn’t read as sweet — it reads as roundness. Flavours move from ripe orchard fruit into honey, soft citrus peel and a slightly marmalade-like finish. The texture is smooth, almost creamy, but never heavy.
Why it stayed with me
This wine shows how serious Auxerrois can be when yields are controlled and vineyard selection matters. It’s calm, confident and layered — a white wine you want to drink slowly.
Kvaszinger Pincészet – Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos 2021
Where it comes from, in simple terms
Tokaj is one of the world’s great sweet-wine regions. Aszú wines are made from grapes affected by noble rot, which concentrates sugar and flavour. 6 puttonyos is the richest traditional style — but richness doesn’t automatically mean heaviness.
This particular wine was made in a very small quantity and tied to a personal story: the birth year of the winemaker’s son. Also, 2021 is will be one of the best vintages of the last 20 years so better be looking forward to its release!
What it tastes like
Bright golden colour. The nose is elegant rather than loud: acacia blossom, dried apricot, peach marmalade, light honey and a hint of citrus zest. No heaviness, no syrupy feel. Yes, it’s sweet on the palate — around 200 g/l sugar — but the acidity (around 10 g/l) completely changes the experience. It feels precise and fresh. Flavours of white peach, apricot, honeycomb and a delicate floral note carry through the palate.The finish is long, clean and mouth-watering, leaving you ready for another sip.
Why it stayed with me
This is why Tokaji Aszú belongs among the world’s great sweet wines. It’s not about sugar, it’s about balance and ageing potential. This wine feels young, focused and built for a long life.
Winzerfamilie Schup – Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Cru Ried Eichkogel Monopol 2016
Where it comes from, in simple terms
Cabernet Sauvignon needs warmth, but also cooling nights. Eichkogel, in the Thermenregion, offers exactly that. This is a single vineyard owned entirely by the winery — meaning full control over how the grapes are grown and harvested.
The wine spent three years in small oak barrels, then several more years resting in bottle.
What it tastes like
Ruby with garnet edges, clearly showing maturity. The nose is layered and inviting: blackcurrant, cassis jam, dark cherries, Christmas spices, dried rose petals and dark chocolate. The palate is still very lively. The tannins are present but polished, giving structure without drying the mouth. Dark forest fruits lead, followed by spice, cocoa and a slightly smoky note from long oak ageing. The alcohol is noticeable but integrated. The finish is long, warm and savoury.
Why it stayed with me
This wine proves that Austrian Cabernet Sauvignon can age beautifully when the site is right. It’s serious, calm and complete — the kind of red that rewards slow drinking and attention.
Silvia Heinrich – Angel 2023
Where it comes from, in simple terms
Angel is a seasonal wine, released around Christmas. It’s a blend (mainly Blaufränkisch and Merlot, with a touch of Syrah) designed to be generous and approachable rather than intellectual.
What it tastes like
Medium ruby with a soft purple rim. The nose is immediately comforting: dark cherries, plums, mulled wine spices, cinnamon, cloves and a hint of chocolate. The palate is juicy and generous. Soft tannins, ripe fruit and gentle spice dominate. There’s no sharp edge, no need to analyse. It flows easily and finishes with lingering cherry and plum notes.
Why it stayed with me
Because not every good wine needs to challenge you. Angel is about ease and mood. It’s a winter wine in the best sense — open, generous and made for sharing.
Michaela Riedmüller – Salt’n’Pepper Grüner Veltliner 2022
Where it comes from, in simple terms
Carnuntum is known for structured wines with character. This Grüner Veltliner comes from a single site, harvested by hand and fermented naturally, then aged on its lees to build texture.
What it tastes like
Bright straw colour. The nose is exactly as promised: salty minerality and white pepper first, then citrus, yellow apple, peach and a hint of tropical fruit. There’s freshness, but also depth. On the palate, it’s lively and structured. The acidity is bright, the texture slightly creamy, and the flavours precise. Citrus zest, ripe stone fruit and a salty edge carry through to a long, mouth-watering finish.
Why it stayed with me
This is Grüner Veltliner with personality. Precise, food-friendly and very honest. The kind of wine where you suddenly realise the bottle is already half empty.
Weingut Lisa Pfneisl – Shiraz Maria’s Vineyard 2022
Where it comes from, in simple terms
Shiraz is rare in this part of Austria. These vines grow on historic hills around Deutschkreutz, Burgenland, and the wine spends time in barrique to soften and shape it.
What it tastes like
Deep ruby with slow, heavy tears. The nose is intense and expressive: black cherries, blackberry, plum pie, black pepper, roasted coffee, dark chocolate and a touch of earthy smoke. The palate is rich and smooth, but not overwhelming. The alcohol (14.5%) is noticeable, yet balanced by freshness. Tannins are fully integrated, giving the wine a plush texture. The finish is long, spicy and juicy, with dark fruit lingering.
Why it stayed with me
This is a confident wine made by someone who knows exactly what they’re doing. It doesn’t try to imitate anyone else — it stands on its own.
Conclusion
Looking back, the Wines of December captured exactly what this quieter, more focused year became. It wasn’t a loud year. There was no Italy. Some long-term collaborations ended, and that was hard. There’s no romantic way to phrase that. But it created space.
That space went into writing more honestly, tasting more thoughtfully and truly starting to understand Austrian wines instead of just passing through regions.
These December wines reflect that shift. Less noise. More intention.
Why these favourites matter
This isn’t about telling you what to buy or what to like. It’s about showing that good wine doesn’t need to feel intimidating or performative. If you love wine but don’t speak professional jargon, that’s more than okay. You don’t need scores, trends or prestige bottles to drink well. You need wines that make sense to you.
These December favourites reminded me why I taste, write and share wine in the first place: not to impress, but to connect.
And that feels like a very good place to end the year and start fresh and focused the new year.
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