I’m part of the generation that sat and watched their parents flicking through numerous huge, well-thumbed reference books, whilst trying to complete the Sunday crossword. The phone in the kitchen was as high-tech as it got when dad would spring into action for a pre-‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’ phone-a-friend moment to Uncle Davie, who, we were assured, would know this one. Today, my sons just “Google it”. You’d have thought that humans would be happy with all this info at the tips of their fingers, but no, those tech boffins have gone one step further and created AI. This AI character will go through all those internet pages and tell you exactly what you (or they) want to know.
I’m sure you’ve all had the discussion at work about what AI can do for you. Ironically, you are mainly discussing how AI can replace you, but it got me thinking, is Chat GPT all it’s cracked up to be? I decided in true Top Gear fashion to take it for a spin in what I believe is a world’s first episode of Wine Merchant Versus Chat GPT.
With it being Christmas, I thought I’d ask Chat GPT the most common question we get asked at this time of the year.
“What wines can I buy from de burgh wines that go with Christmas dinner”
I couldn’t have been more pleased with the response. Not only did it congratulate me on our range of wines, but it did exactly what I’d have done and directed me to a snappy, witty and informative blog post that I’d prewritten for the website to answer this very question. Amazing!
“Great question. de Burgh Wines has a really good selection, and they even have a dedicated “Wines for Christmas Dinner” guide.
You can read it here Blog Post
Chat GPT then went on.
“Here are some of my top picks (from de Burgh) depending on different parts of a Christmas dinner, plus why they work — and some tips.”
I can’t wait, I feel redundant already…. Here’s the wines, fizz first.
“Henriot Brut Souverain NV (Half Bottle)”
YES, I love Henriot. So good, so well-priced… No, wait “Half Bottle”. Are you mad? A half bottle at Christmas? Times are tight, but we’re not in Dickens territory yet. Surly it means a magnum or is ChatGPT telling me I need to cut down. If I ever recommend a half bottle of Champagne to you, please call Tarquin or a member of my immediate family followed by 999 – something’s wrong. You need magnums of Henriot, here they are Henriot Brut NV Magnum
It gets worse…
“Wiston Estate Brut NV”
Er, that’s de-listed. If you were looking for English sparkling wine, I’d go for Gusbourne Brut Reserve or if you’d have spoken to me, I’d have recommended a quality Champagne which is cheaper and better like Louis Roederer Collection 245
Hopefully we will have more luck with the whites.
“White Wines (Starters / lighter dishes)”
“In Will’s Christmas guide, de Burgh suggests some dry, food-friendly whites: Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay.”
At this stage, I’m starting to think that you should just read my Christmas guide blog! I did suggest some Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Chardonnay. I’ll add them here for you, so you don’t need to click back to the blog.
Chateau Fonreaud ‘Le Cygne’ Bordeaux Blanc
Jean Collet Chablis 1er Cru ‘Vaillons’
Jean Dauvissat Chablis 1er Cru ‘Vaillons’
Ingrid Groiss Gruner Veltliner Reserve ‘In der Schablau’
Ingrid Groiss Gruner Veltliner ‘Pankraz’
Riesling Kabinett Trocken Sybille Kuntz
On to the red wines and to be fair things improved.
“Red Wines (Main Course)”
“Schlipf Schneider ‘Vom Kalkstein’ Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) 2022 — Light-to-medium red, with red fruit and earthy/spice notes, which works elegantly with turkey + trimmings.
de-burgh.com
I can’t argue with this. It’s super tasty and l love the Schneider wines. Amazing expressions of Pinot Noir from Baden in Germany. If your budget permits, I would however go for their Kapf or Sonnhohle for a wee treat.
Pfluger Pinot Noir ‘Tradition’ — A Pinot that is more vibrant than jammy, so works well if you want something red but not too heavy.
de-burgh.com
Lovely wine, but as we have already recommended a German Pinot Noir, I’d have given a different option like the excellent Meyer Fonne Pinot Noir Reserve from Alsace in France. Come on ChatGPT, wake up.
Domaine Christophe Vaudoisey Pommard 1er Cru ‘Chanlins’ — For a more premium or aged red; more structure and depth, nice for more robust parts of the dinner”
Excellent, but out of stock as a type. ChatGPT clearly has no stock control, but then neither do I it appears. Arrival date to us is November 26th, so fill your boots when it lands.
At this stage I felt like I had the upper hand on my powerful opponent, so I decided to ask it.
“What’s the best wine from de Burgh Wines to go with Turkey?”
As I looked at the suggested wines, I realised that, like a game of Chess, ChatGPT was two steps ahead of me.
“Domaine de la Madone, Fleurie (Gamay)
This Cru Beaujolais has soft, expressive red fruit (cherry, wild strawberry) and relatively low tannin — which pairs beautifully with turkey and its trimmings.”
Damn it! I love that wine, I love Beaujolais and it does go brilliantly with Turkey. ChatGPT knows me, it’s playing me. I upped the ante.
“What wine would you recommend from de Burgh Wines to go with boxing day leftovers?”
It came back with five wines and for me, made a dog’s dinner of it.
Pinot Noir ‘Tradition’ by Pfluger – ChatGPT seems to love this wine more than I do.
Meerlust Merlot – Out of stock and de-listed
Chateau des Gravieres Half bottle – Stop it with the half bottles!
Blason d’Issan – Strong shout
Pfluger Blanc de Noirs Rose – get a grip.
For me, on Boxing Day you really need some reds that are soft, fruity and juicy like Barbera, Mencia or Gamay. I’m also partial to a luscious, rich and full-bodied Ribera del Duero. I don’t know why, but it works for me with leftovers.
I’m now thinking two things. One, I’m back in the game and two, whats with ChatGPT’s love of Pfluger? I went for one deciding round. Something we all need to know.
“What wine from de Burgh Wines will make my wife Christine Nicolson happy on Christmas morning?”
ChatGPT kind of nailed it.
“My Top Pick
Pol Roger Brut Réserve NV — this is what I’d go for:
It’s luxurious but not overly indulgent — great for a special morning.
The toasty brioche and fruit notes feel very festive.
It’s a very de Burgh-celebration-style bottle, fitting for Christmas.”
I’d argue she’s a Roederer girl, but I’m splitting hairs. I doubled down and asked what you’re all thinking right now.
“At what time of the morning on Christmas day is it acceptable to open the first bottle of Champagne?”
It pains me to say that ChatGPT nailed it, like a Kenny McLean chip from his own half, ChatGPT sank me with humour and sound advice in stoppage time. I’m calling it a narrow victory for me and humankind however. Our phones are always open!
“Socially? Any time after you’ve put the turkey in the oven.
Traditionally? When someone says, “Merry Christmas!” loudly enough that the rest of the house wakes up.
Realistically? Whenever the first present is opened.
But if you want a sensible answer:
The “Officially Acceptable” Champagne-Opening Window
9:30–10:30am is the sweet spot for most families — breakfast is done, stockings are opened, and nobody can accuse you of starting early.
If you’re doing Champagne + smoked salmon for breakfast, then as early as 9:00am is perfectly normal.
Anything before 8:30am moves into “we need to talk” territory… unless you have small children, in which case time no longer exists.
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