Best Christmas food and drink 2021: The Tried & Tasted award winners

Our expert panel rated these the very best Christmas food and drink products on offer this year

A logo for the Tried & Tasted best Christmas food and drink Awards 2021 winners
(Image credit: Future)

Welcome to woman&home's Tried & Tasted Christmas Awards. Our expert food team have blind-tasted an array of products submitted by both independent producers and supermarkets to help ensure you buy the very best Christmas food and drink this year. 

The Tried & Tasted Christmas Awards were judged by the expert members of the Future food team: Food Editor Samuel Goldsmith, Deputy Food Editor Rose Fooks, Senior Food Writer Jessica Ransom, Food Writer Keiron George and Freelance Food Writer Rosie Bensberg.

The team taste thousands of food and drink products throughout the year and are well practised in spotting the very best products in a variety of categories. For the wine tasting, the team were joined by wine experts Alex Layton and Shivani Tomar from Decanter who have over a decade’s experience in the wine industry.

Organising the taste tests is a huge logistical operation. The samples are delivered to the test kitchen where they are prepared and blind-tasted by the panel who make a unanimous decision of the winners in each category. They take into account the taste, look and feel of each product. This year for the first time sustainability was an additional category of which the judges chose one very special winner. 

This roundup of the best Christmas food and drink includes the runners up in each category too that also received high scores. We’re so happy to share our best festive food suggestions with you, and hope they make your Christmas extra special.

Best Christmas cake

No.1 Rich Fruit Cake Waitrose in a boxTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Waitrose & Partners)

No.1 Rich Fruit Cake

The very best Christmas Cake 2021

Specifications

Stocklist: Waitrose & Partners
Weight: 1.3kg
Price: £16

This cake is a stand out winner that tastes just as great as it looks. Cut through the icing and marzipan to reveal a nut and fruit-filled cake with a fantastic texture that is moist and rich and holds together well. We also enjoyed the rich marzipan which has a lovely almond flavour. 

Morrisons The Best Iced Christmas Cake on a gold plate with blue ribbon

(Image credit: Morrisons)

The Best Iced Christmas Cake

The best value Christmas cake

Specifications

Stocklist: Morrisons
Weight: 900g
Price: £9

Morrisons’ festive bakes never fail to impress, and this delicious cake was no exception. By the time you enjoy this cake, it will have been maturing for a minimum three months, allowing the flavours to intensify. The flavour is very boozy, which we love, with a subtle hint of nutmeg and spice. It looks less impressive than some of the other entries, but the design is simple and classy. Exceptional quality for a supermarket cake and at under £10 it's a real bargain.

Biscuiteers Christmas Greenery Christmas Cake

(Image credit: Biscuiteers)

Biscuiteers Christmas Greenery Christmas Cake

Best decorated Christmas cake

Specifications

Stocklist: Biscuiteers
Weight: 1.5kg
Price: £58.00

This cake won us over with the charming hand-iced design. It tasted homemade with every slice packed with ginger, figs and chunky pieces of cherry. It’s quite heavily spiced giving it an extra festive feel.

Best Mince Pies

6 Biscuiteers mince pies next to their boxTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Biscuiteers)

Biscuiteers Handmade Mince Pies

Best overall mince pies

Specifications

Stocklist: Biscuiteers
Weight: 600g
Price: £15

This exceptional pie has a real artisanal feel and the textures and flavours are very well balanced. The pastry is buttery and flaky and the mincemeat filling is rich without being overly sweet. Each pie has a frangipane top that adds a crisp nuttiness to round them off. The judges agreed that these luxury pies have the Christmas wow factor.

Pack of two Waitrose Gluten free Mince PiesTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Waitrose & Partners)

Waitrose Gluten-Free Mince Pies

Best gluten-free mince pies

Specifications

Stocklist: Waitrose & Partners
Weight: 160g
Price: £2.50
Pack size: 2

These mince pies stood out because they were larger than the other entries which could make them perfect for sharing - although we'd understand if you'd prefer not to! Topped with a crisp and delicious pastry with an elegant design, these pies are filled with a mincemeat bursting with flavour thanks to the chunky, coarse fruits.

Mince pies on a boardTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Riverford)

Riverford Organic Vegan Mince Pies

Best vegan mince pies

Specifications

Stocklist: Riverford
Pack size: 6 pack
Price: £5.25

These were the best vegan mince pies that we tried, they're from Riverford, so you know they are going to contain the best quality organic ingredients. Despite containing no dairy they still have a rich decadent flavour. When tasting we did find the pastry a little crumbly, but the perfectly spiced filling more than compensated.

Best Party Food

Canapes on a blue boardTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Waitrose & Partners)

Mini New Yorker Style Pastrami Toasties

Best overall party food

Specifications

Stocklist: Waitrose & Partners
Pack size: Pack of 9
Price: £5

Miniature sarnies filled with oozy cheese, pastrami, mustard and pickles. It doesn't get much better than that. With a great balance of flavours, these are guaranteed to be a real crowd-pleaser. Our judges commended the mustard and enjoyed that they were something a little different from the norm. They are a little on the greasy side, which we kind of love about them. But if you don’t want your guests to get greasy fingers why not pierce them with a cocktail stick and perhaps add a cornichon for good measure.

Brownies and a handTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Clementina Cakes)

Clementina Cakes Great British Brownies

Best sweet party food

Specifications

Stocklist: Clementina Cakes
Pack size: 12 pack
Price: £19.99

Pure chocolate indulgence, the brownies were a hit with our judges who couldn’t stop sneaking bites of these beauties. The brownies have blue cornflowers petals scattered on top, so would look pretty at a buffet, or if you’re hosting a canapé party you could cut each brownie into four pieces to make a delicious bite-sized nibble.

Packet of chicken bites

(Image credit: Booths)

Booths Salt and Pepper Chicken

The best chicken canapé

Specifications

Stocklist: E H Booth & CO Ltd
Pack size: 8 bites in the pack
Price: £7.50 each or 3 for 2

Chunky chicken pieces encased in a crunchy peppery crumb, with a spicy dip—our judges were impressed with the punchy flavour. These tasty bites are sure to be a hit at a party and would complement a glass of white wine or light beer.

Irresistible Sea Salt & Chardonnay Fish Rosti Stackers

(Image credit: Co-op)

Irresistible Sea Salt & Chardonnay Fish Rosti Stackers

Best fish party food

Specifications

Stocklist: Co-op
Weight: 308g (pack of 9)
Price: £5

These Fish Rosti Stackers are sure to be a hit at parties this festive season. They have the flavour of the seaside in every bite and will add a nostalgic charm to your soiree. The judges adored the addition of mushy peas for a little fun, and the zingy salt and vinegar powder.

party food

(Image credit: M&S)

M&S Beef Burger Spring Rolls

Best party food with a twist

Specifications

Stocklist: M&S
Weight: 240g (pack of 10)
Price: £5

Beef burger spring rolls? Yes, you heard us right. The judges were big fans of this unorthodox combination and if you’re a fast food fan you will likely love these. Bite through the crispy crunchy exterior and these unassuming rolls have all the components of a burger—the addition of pickles was an inspired move! 

Best Advent Calendar

Hotel Chocolat The Grand Advent CalendarTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Hotel Chocolat)

Hotel Chocolat The Grand Advent Calendar

The best chocolate advent calendar

Specifications

Stocklist: Hotel Chocolat
Price: £68

This supersized calendar contains an amazing array of gifts to enjoy in the lead-up to the big day. From chocolates to lip balm to gin, this calendar has a real variety of treats to give each day an extra special surprise. 

Lakrids By Bãœlow Christmas CalendarTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: xx)

Lakrids By Bülow Christmas Calendar

Best alternative advent calendar

Specifications

Stocklist: Lakrids By Bülow
Price: £45

Have you discovered Lakrids By Bülow yet? They are a Danish liquorice brand that specialises in making remarkably delicious chocolate coated liquorice balls—and they come in an enchanting array of flavours from mango to salted caramel. In this calendar each door hides a packet of two with an extra special treat for the 24th.

Best panettone

Morrisons The Best Panettone on a terracotta plate with a pink glass and blue background like a partyTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Morrisons)

Morrisons The Best Panettone

The best Christmas panettone

Specifications

Stocklist: Morrisons
Weight: 750g
Price: £7

A great tasting classic with a well-balanced flavour and springy texture, this panettone is bursting with juicy candied peel and raisins and has a lovely golden colour. Morrisons has become our go-to destination for great quality Christmas panettone.

Crosta & Mollica Panettone wrapped in orange paper

(Image credit: Crosta & Mollica)

Crosta & Mollica Hand-wrapped Apricot Panettone

The best panettone to give as a gift

Specifications

Stocklist: Ocado
Weight: 500g
Price: £11

This apricot panettone was a joy to eat. The judges praised the vanilla buttery flavour and sturdy texture. It was less fruit-heavy than some others in this category so would be a good option for breakfast. In Italy, the home of the panettone, it’s customary to take a panettone to people you visit around Christmas and this one comes wrapped up in pretty orange paper, so would make a lovely gift.

Best Turkey

Parsons Nose turkeyTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Parsons Nose)

Parson's Nose turkey

Best turkey

Specifications

Stocklist: Parson's Nose
Price: from £90 for a 4-5kg bird.

A stand out winner. This bird really impressed the judges with its exceptional flavour and magnificent looks. The skin was deliciously crispy and the meat incredibly succulent. The cooking time was a little inaccurate, but it helpfully comes with a popper to signal when it’s ready to come out.

Co-op Irresistible Organic Pembrokeshire TurkeyTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Co-op)

Co-op Irresistible Organic Pembrokeshire Turkey

Best supermarket turkey

Specifications

Stocklist: Co-op
Weight: 4-5.5kg
Price: £45

This turkey has a lovely crispy golden skin while the meat inside stays perfectly moist—and the jus would make for a spectacular gravy. 

Aldi Specially Selected Ultimate Turkey Stuffed Crown and Bacon Wrapped ThighTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Aldi)

Aldi Specially Selected Ultimate Turkey Stuffed Crown and Bacon Wrapped Thigh

Best turkey crown

Specifications

Stocklist: Aldi
Weight: 3.124Kg

This stuffed crown and bacon-wrapped thighs are easy to cook as they come in a tray ready to pop straight into the oven. Tucked inside the crown is a tasty fruity stuffing that keeps the meat incredibly succulent and moist.

Best Christmas Main

Co-op Irresistible Beef Picanha Joint with Porcini Butter in packTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Co-op)

Co-op Irresistible Beef Picanha Joint with Porcini Butter

Best alternative Christmas main

Specifications

Stocklist: Co-op
Weight: 965g
Price: £17.50

If you prefer beef for Christmas then this is the one for you. All the judges were enamoured with this flavourful and succulent joint from Co-op and the porcini butter is a lovely addition that really enhances the flavour. Any leftovers would be lovely served as part of a cold spread on Boxing Day.

St. George's Wiltshire Ham Dukeshill Ham

(Image credit: Dukeshill)

Dukeshill St. George's Wiltshire Ham

Best Christmas ham

Specifications

Stocklist: Dukeshill
Weight: 4.5kg
Price: £106

A lovely spiced orange glaze adds a subtle sweetness to this remarkable ham which has a mild flavour and is lovely and tender. It would be a great centrepiece at the buffet or if you’re planning a Christmas dinner with lots of guests you could serve alongside a turkey.

Whole pie with a slice cut out on a white plate

(Image credit: M&S)

M&S Frozen Collection British Beef Bourguinon & Daupinoise Pie

Best Christmas pie

Specifications

Stocklist: M&S
Weight: 1kg
Price: £10

Depending on your preference this might not quite be the centrepiece for Christmas day, but don’t miss the opportunity to taste this insanely good pie. It is super easy to pop in the oven and would be great around the holiday season. The rich flavour combination makes a real hearty treat with a somewhat luxurious feel. Extra points for a sensationally buttery pastry.

Best Vegetarian & Vegan Christmas Main

Waitrose Mushroom, Cavolo Nero & Mascarpone ParcelsTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Waitrose & Partners)

Waitrose Mushroom, Cavolo Nero & Mascarpone Parcels

Best vegetarian Christmas main

Specifications

Stocklist: Waitrose & Partners
Weight: 300g
Price: £6.99

These perfect parcels from Waitrose were a stand out winner. Inside they have a creamy mascarpone filling and nice chunky pieces of mushroom and cavolo nero. They have a well balanced delicate flavour that received high praise from the judges, although they suggested adding a pinch extra of salt. 

M&S Plant Kitchen Vegan beef WellingtonTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: M&S)

M&S Plant Kitchen Vegan beef Wellington

Best vegan Christmas main

Specifications

Stocklist: M&S
Weight: 620g
Price: £8

This vegan Wellington would be a stunning centrepiece at Christmas dinner, or equally lovely served around the festivities. Easy to prepare, it came out of the oven cooked to perfection with a golden pastry and well-cooked filling. Nestled inside the perfect crisp vegan puff pastry is a succulent meat alternative made from wheat and peas that looks appetising with a pleasant firm texture. Topped with a rich mushroom duxelle it's rich tasty and delicious.

Best Pigs in Blankets

Pigs in blanketsTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Farmison & Co)

Farmison & Co Traditional Pigs In Blankets

The best pigs in blankets

Specifications

Stocklist: Farmison & Co
Weight: 10 x 30g (serves 4)
Price: £7.95

Our winning pigs in blankets have an exceptional flavour and great texture. The sausage has added herbs and is enrobed in thick and delicious bacon. Once cooked they have an appetising colour and kept their shape well.

Best Smoked Salmon

Salmon canapesTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Native Hebridean)

Native Hebridean Smoked Scottish Salmon

Best overall smoked salmon

Specifications

Stocklist: scottishsalmon.com
Weight: 900g
Price: £35

This impressive smoked salmon has a pleasant oaky, smoky flavour and is perfectly seasoned. The chunky pieces are versatile to serve as you like—either incorporate it into meals or starters or serve as part of a buffet spread. 

Smoked salmonTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Morrisons)

Morrisons The Best Smoked Salmon

Best supermarket smoked salmon

Specifications

Stocklist: Morrisons
Weight: 300g
Price: £6.00

The thin slices give a melt in the mouth texture to this subtly smoked salmon. It has a fantastic texture and a delicate smoked flavour, which benefits from a generous squeeze of lemon.

Smoked salmon

(Image credit: Waitrose & Partners)

Waitrose Pastrami smoked salmon

Best alternative smoked salmon

Specifications

Stocklist: Waitrose & Partners
Weight: 100g
Price: £5.50

For something a little different, this pastrami smoked salmon is a delicious alternative that will appeal to meat lovers with its peppery crust. 

Best Showstopping Dessert

Irresistible Bells & BaublesTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Co-op)

Co-op Irresistible Bells & Baubles

Best Christmas dessert

Specifications

Stocklist: Co-op
Weight: 600g
Price: £8

Fun and festive, this showstopping dessert from Co-op was the best of a great bunch. The judges appreciated the contemporary look—it’s something a little different while remaining fun and festive. The chocolate orange mousse on the outside conceals an oozy chocolate centre—light and airy while tasting delightfully rich.

Taste the Difference Salted Caramel & Chocolate Star Sainsbury's

(Image credit: xx)

Taste the Difference Salted Caramel & Chocolate Star

Best Christmas dessert runner up

Specifications

Stocklist: Sainsbury's
Weight: 625g (serves 8)
Price: £12

This good looking salted caramel and chocolate star has a great flavour and would be a gorgeous centrepiece to end a Christmas meal. 

Waitrose Layered Winter Pudding

(Image credit: Waitrose & Partners)

Waitrose Layered Winter Pudding

Best vegan dessert

Specifications

Stocklist: Waitrose & Partners
Weight: 405g (serves 4)
Price: £5

This pudding is delicious whether you’re vegan or not and it's a light, fresh way to end a hefty meal. It’s not the best looking but is a lovely vibrant colour, perhaps you could add a sparkler for a little festive flair. It’s similar to a summer pudding, with lots of fruit and soaked sponge, but also has a subtle spice which is a nice festive touch.

Best Christmas Pudding

ALDI Champagne puddingTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Aldi)

Aldi Champagne pudding

Best Christmas pudding

Specifications

Stocklist: Aldi
Weight: 400g
Price: £4.49

For a showstopping Christmas pud the judges were blown away with ALDI’s champagne Christmas pudding. The inside is soaked with champagne and the outside has a festive silver shimmer. Although this pudding is sweeter than some of the other winners, it’s a good balance of flavour and lovely and nutty. 

Christmas puddingTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Lewis and Cooper)

Lewis & Cooper Traditional Plum Pudding

Best traditional Christmas pudding

Specifications

Stocklist: Lewis & Cooper
Weight: 900g
Price: £13.99

This pudding stood out for its luxurious plump fruit. It’s not overly sweet, and the combination of rich fruit and booze made it taste particularly festive. It’s deliciously moist and quite a looker too, so was awarded high scores all round.

Co-op Irresistible Richly Fruited Christmas PuddingTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Co-op)

Co-op Irresistible Richly Fruited Christmas Pudding

Best individual Christmas pudding

Specifications

Stocklist: Co-op
Weight: 100g
Price: £1.75

This little cutie serves one so would be ideal if not everyone around the table is a fan of Christmas pudding or you’re planning a paired down celebration this year. The miniature size also means that it looks adorable on a plate—dress it up with a dollop of cream and a sprig of holly for a classy look. The judges commended the great boozy flavour and texture of this pudding and enjoyed the well-balanced flavour. It doesn’t contain nuts and the fruit is good quality.

Best Ready-made Starter

Bloody Margaret Prawn CocktailsTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Waitrose & Partners)

Bloody Margaret Prawn Cocktails

Best Christmas starter

Specifications

Stocklist: Waitrose & Partners
Pack size: 2 pack
Price: £6

Who doesn’t love the return of a vintage favourite at Christmas? If you like to kick off the meal with a prawn cocktail then you will love this twist on a classic.  The base is a Bloody Margaret jelly (a Bloody Margaret is a gin version of a Bloody Mary) with prawns in a creamy sauce. The starter comes ready to serve, elegantly presented in a verrine.

Potted Shrimps on toast

(Image credit: Dukeshill)

Dukeshill Potted Shrimps

Best luxury starter

Specifications

Stocklist: Dukeshill
Pack size: 6 pack
Price: £28

These potted shrimps taste utterly divine, the ultimate rich and indulgent beginning to a festive feast. The shrimp is moist and flavourful and the judges praised the perfect seasoning. It will however require a small effort to make it look presentable, we suggest serving on a warm crisp brown toast with perhaps a few leaves for a pretty garnish.

Best Christmas Hamper

Christmas hamperTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Dukeshill)

It's a Wonderful Life Hamper

The best Christmas hamper

Specifications

Stocklist: Dukeshill
Price: £150

All the products are sensational in this very generously packed hamper. Dukeshill offer a range of Christmas hampers, with prices starting from £60 and going all the way up to £795 for a real blow out! Each one contains a famously delicious Dukeshill ham. 

Best Sustainable Christmas Product

Chocolate Orangutan sat on a boxTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Chococo)

Chococo Tuan the Orangutan to support SOS

Best sustainable product

Specifications

Stocklist: Chococo
Weight: 100g
Price: £8.50

This year we added a new category to celebrate the most sustainable product from the Tried & Tasted awards. We couldn’t resist this charming chocolate Orangutan from Dorset-based chocolate maker Chococo. This tasty chocolate cutie would make a lovely stocking filler for children and adults alike and £3.50 of each sale goes to the charity SOS to buy cocoa tree seedlings in Sumatra - so far 4,100 trees have been pledged. Plus the packaging is completely compostable. 

Best Cranberry Sauce

Jar of cranberry sauceTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Asda)

ASDA Extra Special Cranberry Sauce with Ruby Port

The best cranberry sauce

Specifications

Stocklist: ASDA
Weight: 230g
Price: £1.50

The perfect accompaniment to Christmas dinner. This cranberry sauce feels special and traditional as it contains whole cranberries and has a gorgeously glossy consistency. Where other contenders were often sweet and jammy, this one had a pleasant flavour with a good sweet, sour balance. Don’t forget to save some for the turkey sandwiches!

Best Stollen

Waitrose stollen pack shotTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Waitrose)

Waitrose No.1 Cherry & Amaretto Stollen

Best stollen

Specifications

Stocklist: Waitrose & Partners
Weight: 585g
Price: £9

Cherries are the big trend for stollen this year. This was the best of the cherries and the judges favourite overall stollen. The booziness of the Amaretto helps to balance the sweetness of the marzipan, while the sour cherries add a touch of tartness. Plus it really looks the part and would be a welcome addition to the breakfast table on Christmas day.

Tesco stollen pack

(Image credit: Tesco)

Tesco Finest Cherry & Almond Stollen

Best stollen runner-up

Specifications

Stocklist: Tesco
Weight: 1kg
Price: £7

This was just pipped to the post by the Waitrose entry, but was an extremely strong contender. It has a lovely nutty flavour and is subtly spiced and the marzipan was a good texture. Although typically served at breakfast we think this would also be lovely with an afternoon cup of tea.

Best Festive drink

Bottle and glass of Tesco Tesco Finest Lebkuchen Flavoured Irish Cream LiqueurTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Tesco)

Tesco Finest Lebkuchen Flavoured Irish Cream Liqueur

The best festive drink

Specifications

Stocklist: Tesco
Bottle size: 70cl
Price: £12

With a well-balanced flavour and a good amount of sweetness, this could be the perfect addition to your festive hot chocolate.

Bottle of Aldi Chocolate Clementine Cream Liqueur

(Image credit: Aldi)

Aldi Chocolate Clementine Cream Liqueur

The best Christmas cream liqueur

Specifications

Stocklist: Aldi
Bottle size: 70cl
Price: £9.99

Well balanced and not too sweet, this would make a lovely gift for the chocolate orange lover in your life. Serve neat over ice or treat yourself and add this to a winter warming hot chocolate.

Bottle of Black Cow Christmas Spirit

(Image credit: Black Cow)

Black Cow Christmas Spirit

The best festive-flavoured spirit

Specifications

Stocklist: Black Cow
Bottle Size: 50cl
Price: £25

Smooth and creamy vodka with a subtly spiced festive flavour, this spirit is delicious neat with ice but would also be exquisite mixed into a Christmas cocktail. If you do fancy it then get this one quick, it's likely to sell out quickly. 

Best Christmas Fizz

Bottle of Bon Courage Wine Estate Jacques Bruére Cap Classique Blanc de Blancs 2011Tried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Hometipple)

Bon Courage Wine Estate Jacques Bruére Cap Classique Blanc de Blancs 2011

Best overall

Specifications

Stocklist: hometipple
Price: £17.67

Wow! It's not often you get to try a New World sparkling wine with such an amazing amount of bottle age. This is simply oozing complexity and class with aromas of honeycomb, dried fruit and spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon. Packed to the rafters with flavours too - apple danish, stewed peaches, honey roasted nuts and hints of nougat. This is truly one to savour slowly.

Bottle of Hattingley Valley Blanc de BlancsTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Hattingley Valley)

Hattingley Valley Blanc de Blancs 2014

Best English sparkling

Specifications

Stocklist: Hattingley Valley
Price: £39.50

Absolute knock out nose of freshly baked pastries, bread dough and lemon meringue. Beautifully elegant and poised with ripe apricot and apple flavours alongside vibrant acidity and a great finish. Stunning.

Bottle of Frerejean Frères Blanc de Blancs NV Premier CruTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Frerejean)

Frerejean Frères Blanc de Blancs NV Premier Cru

Best Christmas Champagne

Specifications

Stocklist: Frerejean Frères
Price: £65

Really intriguing and complex aromas of ripe golden delicious apples and pears, roasted almonds and pecans with hints of honey. Slightly smoky flavours over grapefruit, almonds and hints of nougat. Stylish bottle and a great way to kick off the festivities. 

Bottle of Taste the Difference Blanc de Noirs ChampagneTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Sainsbury's)

Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Blanc de Noirs Champagne

Best Supermarket bubbles

Specifications

Stocklist: Sainsbury's
Price: £21

Lovely nose of nectarines with hints of fennel. Creamy palate with biscuity flavours, vibrant acidity and good flavour concentration. Fruity, berry flavours on the finish. Great value for money.

Bottle of Booths Rose ProseccoTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Booths)

Booths Rosé Prosecco

Best Prosecco

Specifications

Stocklist: E H Booth & CO Ltd
Price: £10.00

Delicious fresh and fruity - ripe strawberries, raspberries. Lovely intensity of flavour and freshness

Bottle of Asda Extra Special Low alcohol sparkling SauvignonTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Asda)

Asda Extra Special Low alcohol sparkling Sauvignon

Best low alcohol fizz

Specifications

Stocklist: Asda
Price: £3.50
Alcohol content: 5%

Vibrant and zesty, this sparkling de-alcoholised Sauvignon Blanc wine is a great alternative to Champagne. It has a rich toasty flavour that is well balanced with a zesty freshness and the presence of sweet pear with hints of gooseberries.

Best Christmas Wines

Bottle of Waitrose No.1 Chianti Classico Riserva PicciniTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Waitrose & Partners)

Waitrose No.1 Chianti Classico Riserva Piccini

Best red to pair with ham

Specifications

Stocklist: Waitrose & Partners
Price: £15.99

Scorched earth, red cherries and plums, strawberries, ripe and bright acidity.

Bottle of xxxTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: hometipple)

Poggio del Moro Ivole Toscana Bianco

Best white to pair with ham

Specifications

Stocklist: Hometipple
Price: £16.91

Textured and complex - full of lemon rind and dried herbs.

Bottle of Chateau Moulinet 2016 from AldiTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Aldi)

Château Moulinet Pomerol 2016

Best red to pair with beef

Specifications

Stocklist: aldi.co.uk
Price: £24.99

Regal and glossy red wine with big spicy oak hints alongside the deep dark fruit flavours. Not one for turkey (too much tannin and dryness) but perfect with forerib of beef.

Bottle of Quinta da Pedra Alta Reserva BrancoTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: hometipple)

Quinta da Pedra Alta Reserva Branco

Best white to pair with beef

Specifications

Stocklist: hometipple
Price: £25.01

Beautifully complex aromas of pineapple, peaches and nectarines, lychee - super aromatic! Rich and robust on the palate with everything integrated perfectly. A real Christmas stunner.

Bottle of Domaine Pillot VolnayTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: hometipple)

Domaine Pillot Volnay

Best red to pair with turkey

Specifications

Stocklist: hometipple
Price: £47.35

Supremely elegant - gorgeous ripe red and black fruits, hints of smoked meat, leather, tobacco leaf...wow. Powerful yet graceful on the palate with ripe but powerful tannins and a long, long finish. A serious treat for the big day.

Bottle of Septembre ChardonnayTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Edouard Delaunay)

Edouard Delaunay Septembre Chardonnay

Best white to pair with turkey

Specifications

Stocklist: Majestic
Price: £14.99

Stone fruit filled aromas with nutty hints. Rich and textured palate of green apples, pears and dried herbs - lovely freshness.

Bottle of Calvet Reserve Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Bordeaux 2019Tried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Calvet)

Calvet Reserve Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Bordeaux 2019

Best value red under £10

Specifications

Stocklist: Waitrose Cellar
Price: £9.39

Dense black and red fruit flavours, smoky hints, great backbone of tannins. Very young and needs decanting before drinking.

Bottle of Cramele RecasTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Cramele Recas)

Cramele Recas Curious Parallel Fetesca Regala

Best value white under £10

Specifications

Stocklist: Virgin Wines
Price: £9.99

Super bright and aromatic - zesty lemon, lime, gooseberry and tropical fruit flavours all wrapped up in a rose blossom perfume. A real crow pleaser and something to get the party started!

Best food gifts

Tracklements Festive Four Gift PackTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Tracklements)

Tracklements Festive Four Gift Pack

Best stocking filler

Specifications

Stocklist: Tracklements
Price: £12.95
Contains: Cranberry, Port & Orange Sauce (110g), Sticky Fig Relish (90g), Christmas Spice Chutney (90g) andSpiced Plum Chutney (90g)

The ideal stocking filler for the condiment queen or king. The Tracklements Festive Four Gift Pack contains all you need for Christmas Day to compliment a cheeseboard and to be enjoyed with the turkey: sticky fig relish, Christmas spice chutney, cranberry port & orange sauce and spiced plum chutney. Tracklements meticulous craft all their sauces from the highest quality, natural ingredients. And it really shows. The judges thought these wonderful sauces tasted just like homemade.

Honey Tradition Luxury chocolate barsTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Honey Tradition)

Honey Tradition Luxury chocolate bars

Best foodie gift under £10

Specifications

Stocklist: Honey Tradition
Weight: 55g
Price: £4.90

These beautifully packaged chocolate bars from Honey Tradition would make a lovely gift. The judges were particularly taken with the spiced 65% dark chocolate bar and its flavours similar to lebkuchen with rich spices and honey sweetness.

Hotel Chocolat Rather Large CrackerTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Hotel Chocolat)

Hotel Chocolat Rather Large Cracker

Best foodie gift under £40

Specifications

Stocklist: Hotel Chocolat
Price: £36

This humongous cracker would make for an enchanting gift for the whole family. It’s packed full of 40 delicious Hotel Chocolat truffles and chocolates as well as 12 jokes and paper hats. We were amazed because, just like a regular-sized one, this ‘rather large’ cracker really bangs! We would happily swap a box of crackers for this biggie.

Slate Deluxe East Anglian cheese selectionTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Slate)

Slate Deluxe East Anglian cheese selection

Best foodie gift under £50

Specifications

Price: £47.50
Contains: 6 cheeses (weighing approximately 1100g in total) 1 packet of Peter's Yard Original Sourdough Crispbread (200g)

This was an overall winner for judge and woman home Senior Food Writer Jessica Ransom who said “The ideal gift for the cheese lover in your life. This gift set comes with tasting notes that your loved one can read through if they like to geek-out. This is an excellent showcase of some truly delicious British cheeses and will no doubt be very gratefully received."

Special Recognition Awards

Image

Best Christmas Retailer

Waitrose won so many categories that it was impossible for the judges not to award them Best Christmas Retailer. Judges were excited about their Christmas offering and felt that consumers would love what they were offering.

Image

Best sustainable Christmas supermarket

The judges were impressed with co-op's commitment to sustainability and their excellent all round ethos when it comes to caring for the quality and source of their ingredients and products.

Image

Best value retailer

Aldi have long been known for their good value products and this Christmas it's no different. The judges were impressed with the quality of product especially when considering price.

Best Christmas drinks retailer

Great value and great tasting was the judges view on Aldi's Christmas drinks range. Whether that's wine, fizz or spirits. They were impressed with the range and also how much effort had gone into sourcing the drinks.

Image

Best vegan/vegetarian offering

The judges were big fans of M&S's vegetarian and vegan ranges and felt that they deserved their spot on the Christmas table, whether alongside or instead of the turkey!

Best New Brand or Product

Co-op Christmas dessert on a pile of baublesTried & Tasted Christmas 2021 Award white and gold badge

(Image credit: Co-op)

Co-op IRRESISTIBLE BELLS & BAUBLES

Best new product

Specifications

Stocklist: Co-op
Weight: 600g
Price: £8

Our panel of judges were really wowed by this dessert. It looks unique and fun and tastes great too—it would be the perfect finale to a festive feast.

The dessert is compiled of rich Belgian milk, dark and white blood orange chocolate mousse that has been formed into a bauble shape. Inside is a hidden chocolate orange ganache sauce centre. And the whole thing is decorated with hand crafted chocolate bells.

See all the winners of the Tried & Tasted Christmas awards here.

Rose Fooks

Rose Fooks is the Deputy Food Editor at woman&home. Rose completed a degree in Art at Goldsmiths University before beginning her career in the restaurant industry as a commis chef at The Delaunay in 2015. She then worked at Zedel and went on to become part of the team that opened Islington’s popular Bellanger restaurant. 


To hone her patissier skills, Rose joined the Diplome de Patisserie and Culinary Management course at Le Cordon Bleu. She ran a food market in Islington and cooked for a catering company that used only surplus food to supply events, before finding her way into publishing and food styling.