The best Christmas your tummy can buy

Oh dear, we’re into December already and that means Christmas is just a few very short weeks away, followed not long after by 2026.

As happens every year that means we have two events to celebrate, and every celebration needs tasty food and refreshing drinks so below are some local, and not-so-local products I think should find their way into your shopping basket.

The obvious place to start, for me anyway, is with drinks. After all any good party needs drinks, both alcoholic and alcohol-free. We are blessed to have some outstanding alcohol-free drink producers in the Nelson Tasman region. Producers like Pete’s Natural Sodas that you will always find in our fridge to keep the non-alcohol drinkers happy. The Pete’s range of sodas are lower in sugar, use unrefined sugars and 100% natural New Zealand flavour ingredients.

When it comes to juices, rather than sodas, we turn to Chia Sisters and Tasman Bay Juices. On hot summer days there’s nothing better for the little ones than enjoying a frozen juicie that’s made from natural fruit juice.

Of course, if you’re like me, Champagne and sparkling wines will also feature large at any celebration. They may not be absolutely local but No.1 Family Estate from Marlborough make some of this country’s finest sparking wines under the experienced hands of Daniel Le Brun. The No.1 Marlborough Methode Traditionelle Cuvèe ($40) is made from chardonnay grapes and is packed with lively apple and stone fruit flavours wrapped around seductive brioche notes.

If your budget stretches a little more then their Reserve Marlborough Methode Traditionelle ($110) delivers complex yet refined flavours and characters. From a very fine mousse to a fresh, long finish, this delivers on every level.

Of course if French Champagne is your thing then thanks for a surplus of production in Champagne there are many great buys to be had in almost every liquor outlet.

If you’re heading outdoors for your Christmas lunch then check out some of the cans of wine that are available. I know cans can be a polarizing wine vessel, but when it comes to carrying wine safely outdoors, they are very hard to beat. Villa Maria has just launched a range of wines-in-a-can that include some of their premium wines.

Christmas and New Year are about more than just drinks, food is always a highlight and this is a time of year we tend to spend a little more on beautiful produce. Be it a succulent ham from Heck’s or Pestell’s or maybe fresh strawberries from one of the local growers served with Appleby Farms A2 French vanilla ice cream this region has something for everyone.

Buying a ham is expensive, but when you consider how many people you can feed from one ham it is actually a reasonably cost-effective protein. In Heck’s case he bones out every ham so there’s no waste and it will keep longer without risking it going off around the bone. Because he makes these at the last minute you may be too late to order one for this Christmas but he also has a range of cured and fresh meats so check out his shop in Whakatu Estate.

Food safety is everything so make sure you cook your various meats properly and store them safely at the right temperature. No one needs a trip to A&E with food poisoning this summer.

When it comes to beautiful vegetables to serve with your Christmas lunch or New Year party there are so many outstanding things grown in this region we are absolutely spoiled for choice. At this time of the year every market is bursting with fresh, seasonal salad leaves, vegetables like baby carrots, new seasons potatoes and wonderful summer fruits like cherries, early peaches and stone fruits and berry fruits. It’s time to fill our boots with these incredible summer treats while they are fresh and plentiful.

185 in Hope must be one of the cheapest places in the region to buy farm-fresh vegetables, including their famous strawberries, tomatoes and magnificent basil plants. Basil, fresh tomatoes and fresh soft mozzarella from Via Vio make the perfect summer salad.

Other local cheeses are a must for your nibbles platter, especially those from Thorvald (sheep cheese) Little River (A2 cows’ milk). These guys make a huge range of cheeses, from soft, creamy brie to hard blue cheeses that are packed with flavour.

Check out Cook’s Corner in Bridge St and The Junction at Old Factory Corner in Appleby for all types of cheese as well as everything else you will need to keep your friends and family happy.

Christmas simply wouldn’t be Christmas without chocolate appearing somewhere. Chocolate has become a real treat as prices have been driven upwards because of a shortage of cacao beans so if you are going to add chocolate to your treat list make that an indulgent experience and buy smaller amounts of beautifully hand-crafted chocolate from Aroha (award winning filled chocolates) and Hogarth’s who make a wonderful range of chocolate bars, including a range of Christmas themed treats.

Christmas and New Year can be very difficult times for families, so this year please remember to be kind to each other, enjoy the company of family and friends but, most importantly, stay safe and never drink and drive.

From Karen and I to you and your families, we wish you a wonderful Christmas full of laughter, love, delicious food, wines, beers and juices made by talented people from our wonderful region.

Published in the Nelson Mail 06-12-2025