Christmas Cheese and Wine
We’ve delighted at the response to our cheese and wine recommendations for Christmas and New Year.
We still (5pm on Saturday 21st) have decent stocks of cheese, but they’re not spread evenly. For instance, we have plenty of hard cheese, a reasonable amount of blue including Stilton but very little soft cheese like Brie.
Because of that, we’re no longer able to offer the cheese boxes we launched a month ago. However, if you want us to make up a varied selection for you, we’d be very happy to do so. See below for some of the cheeses we currently have in stock, from which we’d make up your selection.
All you have to do is fill in the firm below, or email or phone with how much you want to spend, and when you want to collect it. Unless you specify likes or dislikes, we will use our best judgement. And we will give you approx. 200g of five cheeses, unless you request less or more.
We have a huge number of orders going out on Monday 23rd, and can’t accept any more for that day, unless absolutely essential. To make up for this, we have extended our last collection time to 2pm on Tuesday December 24th. For New Year, you can collect up to 2pm on Tuesday 31st. All of this is depending on stocks lasting - the sooner you order the more likely you are to get what you want!
Cheese availability
SEMI-HARD
Gjetost (caramel cheese!), Green Thunder, White Stilton with Mango and Ginger, and various other flavoured cheddars, e.g with mustard, brandy, whisky!
HARD
St Andrews Cheddar, Wookey Hole Cheddar, Knockanore (smoked), Jarlsberg, Gruyère, Emmental, Prima Donna, Godminster, with and without truffles.
BLUE
Colston Basset Stilton, Papillon Roquefort, Cambozola, Bleu de Causses, Shropshire Blue
SOFT
Brie with Truffles, Baron Bigod, oops, that’s it for now
SHEEP’S
Pecorino Truffle, Pecorino Rosso, Pecorino Nero, Ossau Iraty, Brebirousse
GOAT’S
Rachel, Murcia al Vino, Aged Goat Gouda, Buchette aux Truffes, Buchette with Cranberries, Picandou
ORKNEY
Grimbister, Orkney Extra Mature Cheddar, Burnside, Burnside Smoked, Island Smokery Dark Smoked Cheddar, Orkney Smoked Cheddar with Whisky
FOR COOKING/GARNISH
Parmigiano, Pecorino Romano, Feta, Halloumi, Havarti
***All cheeses listed are subject to availability. Substitutions – of a similar style, and equal or greater value – may be necessary. The earlier you order the more likely we can get it in time!***
To order CHEESE, phone us on 01856 888792 or email kirknessandgorie@breckan.scot. We will take payment and agree a date for collection.
Wine boxes
Wine is easier! At the time of writing (5pm on Saturday 21st) we can still fulfill all our festive boxes as detailed below. We also have good stocks of Port, fizz, sweet wine, and every kind of bottle to make your celebrations go with a swing.
If you don’t like the look of one or other of these bottles in our boxes, let us know and we can substitute something else. (Or indeed make up any case to suit your taste, with a little time.) And of course you are always welcome to come into the shop and choose for yourself…or with our help.
Box 1: Christmas Party Pack
£60.00 for six bottles
This selection offers popular, easy-drinking wines at great prices. Something for everyone.
Luce D’Oro, Ribolla Gialla Spumante, Italy, NV. Prosecco’s next-door neighbour.
Zagare, Vermentino, Sicily, 2023. Light and lemony, great with fish.
False Bay, ‘Slow’ Chenin Blanc, South Africa, 2023. Fuller bodied, flavours of green apples.
Ancora, Pinot Grigio Rosato, Italy, 2023. Pretty in pink…
Adobe Reserva, Organic Merlot, Chile, 2022. A great all-round red: full of plummy fruit.
Le Perdrix Solitaire, Malbec, France, 2023. Ideal with beef, lamb or pork.
Box 2: Old World Icons
£80.00 for six bottles
High quality wines from some of the best-known areas of Europe. Crack open a classic!
A.J. Adam, Riesling, Germany, 2021. Benchmark Riesling from the Mosel Valley: aromatic, dry, and richly fruity. Perfect with partan, other seafood, and creamy curries.
Domaine du Maubet, Côtes de Gascogne Blanc, France, 2023. Zingy, aromatic, refreshing blend from southwest France.
Borsao, Seleccion Blanco, Spain, 2023. Another blend, another style: rich, silky-smooth, full-bodied white from northern Spain.
Domaine Mas Barrau, Cabernet Franc, France, 2023. A luscious red packed with blackcurrant flavours. Great with lamb or any full-flavoured dish.
Casa Ferreirinha, ‘Papa Figos’ Douro Tinto, Portugal, 2022. From the land of Port…a complex red that would be a good turkey match, but is very drinkable with just about anything.
Vallone, ‘Versante’ Primitivo, Italy, 2023. A classic south Italian: ripe fruit flavours with a Balsamic-like tang. Great with pasta in tomato-based sauce, or pizza.
Box 3: Bright Wines for Dark Nights
£85.00 for six bottles
A collection of New World wines to brighten any dark evening. Bold, fruity, and full of character, these wines will complement almost everything on your Christmas table.
Dandelion Vineyards, ‘Enchanted Garden of the Eden Valley’ Riesling, Australia, 2022. Their Shiraz is a shop favourite, but their Riesling is equally brilliant! Dry and limey – try with any seafood.
Gravel & Loam, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand, 2023. Everyone loves NZ Sauv Blanc, including us – here’s why!
Rising River, Chenin Blanc, South Africa, 2023. A full-bodied white that would be good with white meat (including turkey) as well as fish.
Pizzorno, ‘M’ Marselan, Uruguay, 2020. A rare and fascinating wine from an unusual wine country! Rich and smooth, with an acidic edge that makes it ideal with fatty meats like roast pork or goose.
Burlesque, Old Vine Zinfandel, USA, 2020. Another super-smoothie, this has sweet fruit typical of California, and interesting spice-box notes.
Mad Bird, Malbec Ancellotta, Argentina, 2022. Malbec gives us dark colour and intense berry flavours. Ancellotta brings beautiful aromatics. (Great label too…) Feed the bird some steak!
Box 4: Flying high
£120.00 for six bottles
Special bottles for an indulgent time of year. Some of our most delicious, characterful wines: easy to enjoy but also rewarding. This selection will provide a top-notch experience from a glass of fizz at the start of the celebrations to your last tipple with a nibble of Stilton.
Domaine Désiré Petit, Crémant du Jura, NV. From the mountains on France’s eastern border…a uniquely flavoursome fizz. Floral aromas and a creamy texture. Superb.
Château de la Gardine, Côtes du Rhône Blanc, France, 2022. Packed with fresh fruit flavours: peaches, apricots, pears. Despite that, it’s light and fresh – a wonderful balancing act.
Greywacke, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand, 2023. A favourite for many years, this is always a stunner: as aromatic as any NZ Sauv Blanc, with unmatched depth of flavour.
Dandelion Vineyards, ‘Lionheart of the Barossa’ Shiraz, Australia, 2021. Hurray! One of our best-loved red wines! Full and powerful, but with layers of flavour and texture.
Ca N’Estruc, Idoia Negre, Spain, 2018. A rare and delicious Garnacha from just north of Barcelona. It’s elegant but with great length and power. Good with just about anything meaty, or roasted vegetables.
Sandeman, Late Bottled Vintage Porto, Portugal, 2016. Christmas time is Port time, and this is our best seller every festive season.
Unmixed Cases of 6: sixpacks of pleasure!
Pick up an unmixed case or two at very special prices to keep the drinks flowing at your festive parties:
WHITE
Cuvée Jean-Paul, Côtes de Gascogne Sec, 2023. £57.00
Rising River, Chardonnay, South Africa, 2023. £63.00
RED
Ancora, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Italy, 2023. £57.00
Burlesque, Old Vine Zinfandel, USA, 2020. £75.00
TO ORDER WINE, PHONE US ON 01856 888792 OR EMAIL KIRKNESSANDGORIE@BRECKAN.SCOT. WE WILL TAKE PAYMENT AND AGREE A DATE FOR COLLECTION.
CUSTOM HAMPERS
We will also be very happy to make up custom foodie hampers for you. There are too many possibilities to list, as we have a whole shop to choose from!
What generally works best is if you say something like, ‘A bottle of Port, a bit of cheese, and some crackers,’ or, ‘A selection of goodies for someone with a sweet tooth,’ or, ‘£25 (or £50, or any value) of unusual deli goods for a real foodie.’ General guidance like that - and a rough budget - will lead us to a well-balanced selection for you.
We can either supply your selection in a plain bag, or we can present it in a festive red hamper with green stuffing, for a small extra charge. Remember to tell us if you want a gift tag attached.
WHAT ABOUT DELIVERIES?
This year, because we are busier than ever, we are asking you to collect your orders if at all possible. We WILL deliver within Kirkwall (including the isles depot at Hatston) right up to the 23rd, but further afield we had two delivery days, and those are now past.