Having only completed her first wine course in 2018, Maria Boumpa was named the IWSC’s UK Sommelier of the Year 2025. She’s also the wine director at two-Michelin-starred Da Terra, one of East London’s best restaurants. It’s impressive stuff. You could say her career is ageing like a fine wine.
And that’s why, in the lead up to Christmas, there’s no one we’d rather spill her sommelier secrets on what we should be sipping, swilling, and swigging this season. Here’s what Maria has to say about how to pair Champagnes with Christmas dinner, the must-have wine gadgets for festive hosting, and more…
You’re curating the ultimate Christmas Day table. Which wines or Champagnes are you pouring, and what are you pairing them with?
Christmas Day is about generosity of flavour, texture, and emotion. I like to build the day as a journey, with each wine capturing the spirit of celebration. So, to begin with, Champagne Rare Millésime 2013: luminous, precise, beautifully layered and developed. I love it with canapés built around British seafood: hand-dived scallops or a delicate crab tartlet.
Then, at the table, a structured white Burgundy such as the Hubert Lamy Saint-Aubin 1er Cru, adds tension and finesse alongside roast turkey or a buttery monkfish dish. For richness and comfort with the main course, a mature Barolo like Aldo Conterno Granbussia or Roagna Barbaresco Pajé, for porcini, truffle, or slow-cooked meats. To finish, Graham’s 2001 Colheita Tawny Port from their Ambassador Collection with Christmas pudding, roasted nuts, or a salted caramel tart.
What’s the most surprising bottle you think deserves a spot at a festive feast – something our readers might not expect but would love?
A refined aged rosé Champagne, such as Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Élisabeth Salmon 2008 or Champagne Rare Millésime Rosé 2008. Many people think rosé should be drunk young, but actually extended ageing gives it gravity: dried rose petals, black tea, and delicate spice. It’s stunning with game birds, duck, or even Boxing Day leftovers. Unexpected, sophisticated, and endlessly charming.
In the lead-up to Christmas, London feels especially magical. Can you share your insider spot for a seasonal tipple?
Claridge’s Hotel feels especially magical in December: refined, discreet, offering festive warmth. Another favourite would be the Bar at the Beaumont Hotel, a well-hidden gem in Mayfair. The cocktail bar strikes the perfect balance between festive glamour and genuine hospitality. It’s where I like to unwind with a Champagne cocktail or a beautifully made martini during the busiest season.
Christmas Day calls for a few trusty tools. Which wine gadget should every host have at home to ensure the day (and drinks) flow smoothly?
A Coravin, without hesitation, any day of the year. It lets you create a personalised flight of wines throughout the day without committing to full bottles. It’s ideal for groups with mixed preferences.
If Quintessentially were to plan your perfect Christmas Day, how would it unfold?
The day would start relaxed with soft music, a few close friends or family, and a glass of vintage Champagne by the tree. Lunch would be easy and unhurried, a beautifully set table, and a few thoughtful pairings. In the afternoon, a walk outside maybe. To finish, dessert and a final glass of something aged (an old madeira or a tawny port) to close the day calmly and happily.
