As a child, I said emphatically, ‘I will never drink alcohol’. At the time I had a sweet tooth bigger than anything you could imagine. I hated anything remotely ‘bitter’ and alcohol fit into that category. So I was pretty sure I knew what I was saying. Fast forward to age 15, and I’m stealing wine from my parent’s fridge.
Most times I go out drinking, I order a glass of wine and laugh as my partner eyes me. Quite quickly that one glass turns to three and we start wondering why we didn’t just get the bottle. Eventually, we dubbed me a Wine Whore and I wear my crown with the utmost pride.
So, allow this proud Wine Whore to lure you into a journey filled with alcohol, tips on how to safely drink, and a short list of affordable wines you can get in almost any supermarket in Nigeria.
All the wines in this list cost 10,000 Naira or less, so they’re perfect for almost any budget!
Safe Drinking Tips
- If you’re not looking to get shitfaced drunk, DO NOT mix your alcohol. If you’re drinking wine, stick to wine. If it’s beer, stick to beer. If it’s vodka, you better keep drinking that!
- Know your limits. Know when to stop. If you don’t, best believe the regret will be spectacular come morning.
- Do not leave your drink open or unattended to at house parties, clubs and the like. Do not leave it with someone you just met and if there are a lot of men super close to you while you have a cup in your hand, watch that cup like a hawk.
- DO NOT drink on an empty stomach.
- DO NOT drink and drive.
- Brandy in risotto goes really well.
- Rich reds go well with pasta.
- So do whites depending on the sauce.
- Always try to have a designated drinking buddy with you.
- Make sure you ALWAYS know what you’re drinking.
- Get help immediately, the instant you feel something is slightly off.
- Drinking is supposed to be fun! Holiday drinking even more so. So lean into it, indulge a little but be cautious and stay safe XX.
Affordable Brands You Should Try this Holiday Season
Indulge in the spirit of the season with these brands, personally curated and recommended based on my delightful experiences. Having savoured each sip, I assure you a memorable holiday filled with the rich flavours and festive cheer these exceptional wines bring to the table. Here’s to a spectacular holiday season filled with joy and great wine!
4th Street( 2,400- 3,900)
I can’t necessarily remember when I first had 4th Street but I remember that I had the red first. I needed an alternative to Four Cousins because at the time, I couldn’t afford it and there Fourth Street was! When I got home, I opened it up and took a sip. I’d like to clarify that I’m a white girly. I will pick white wine over red any day but I couldn’t help the slight moan that slipped out of my mouth. It was heavenly.
It soon became the wine I would come home with almost every time I left the house. It was affordable and tasted this good? What more could I want? Then I had the white and there was no turning back.
I usually let this cool in the fridge with purple grapes soaking in it. What I have in the end is sweeter white wine and wine-filled grapes! Yum!
Four Cousins(2,740-5,500)
Four Cousins is the perfect substitute for 4th Street(don’t come for me). I can admit that it’s a pretty good wine if you like your wine a little fruitier. It’s more common than Fourth Street and is many people’s go-to for affordable and sweet wines. It’s not my favourite but I can admit that once you take a sip, the smooth and easy-drinking appeal makes it hard to resist, turning every pour into a delightful experience that inevitably leads to an empty bottle.
If you like sweet reds, this is a wine you should try. Best served with ice and enjoyed with friends that are close to your heart!
Carlo Rossi(2,100-7,000)
Remember the story about stealing wine at 15? This was the wine! I loved it so much, that I would mouth off to my cousin that I knew all about the wine. I was so sure it was the Rosé ‘older women’ would talk about on TV that I made everyone in my household(including my aunt and grandma) start calling it Rosé! lol.
Anyways, this is just simply a perfect blend of grapes in every version. They have sweet white, dry white, sweet red, and many more. Whatever palate you have, I bet Carlo Rossi can satisfy it! It’s also amazing to cook with! I have made amazing risotto and pasta with this wine!
Carlo Rossi will always be a classic choice for those who appreciate the artistry of winemaking. Renowned for its consistent quality and rich, full-bodied flavours, Carlo Rossi transforms any holiday gathering into a pleasant affair, leaving a lasting impression on both the palate and the memory.
La Paz Merlot(4500- 7000)
Funny story, I first tried this wine this year when I went to a man’s house. He said he got wine for me and I was so excited! I opened his fridge only to see red wine. So, I reluctantly opened the bottle and took a deep chug! I felt my eyes widen and my lips split into a smile. It wasn’t necessarily sweet but the aftertaste was so good, it made me keep drinking because that’s all I wanted to taste. This wine is a perfect middle ground for red wine lovers- dry or sweet.
Cielo(3950-7500)
Elevate your holiday experience with Cielo, a wine that lives up to its name by offering a taste of the heavens. For whites, this is very light. It’s incredibly refreshing. Sweet but not overtly, it has a tang but you can’t necessarily call it sour. That aftertaste keeps you coming back for more and more. This is perfect to drink before a meal, or with soups and white meat like chicken; making her the perfect companion for festive toasts and light-hearted celebrations!
If you’d like to get the very best out of this wine, don’t keep it in storage too long! Not every wine tastes better with age.
Martini Rose(6000-12000)
I tried Martini for the first time in 2023. Just last month actually! 21 Magazine was invited to a media parley for the 160th anniversary of Martini. I had the Rose first. Right after whites are rose wines for me. They’re sweet but not too sweet while simultaneously not being sour. They’re the perfect middle between reds and whites.
I took my first sip and smiled. It oddly tasted of flowers, raspberry or strawberry. It was very smooth. I was soon had glass after glass. It’s perfect for a Christmas party of any kind.
Martini Asti(5600-10000)
I tried Asti next. I overheard a man loudly saying when you take a girl home and you want to impress her, this is the wine. I rolled my eyes but I was curious so I asked for a glass. It was so good I wanted a whole bottle. The Rose suddenly didn’t matter, it couldn’t compare.
It didn’t matter that Asti is a sparkling (not my go-to)wine, it felt/tasted perfect. Asti is said to capture the essence of the Italian countryside. With how light and almost joyous or playful it feels, Martini Asti is the ideal companion for joyful occasions like Christmas or New Year gatherings. Let its sweet and fruity notes transport you to a world of celebration, making it the perfect choice for toasting the holiday season!
Declan(4,000-7,900)
Fun fact: As I write this, I’m sipping on this wine(the white ofc). That first sip fills your mouth with a ton of flavours. Some sweet, some almost sour. After the first taste settles, what’s left is a tad sour/bitter but it doesn’t linger. I don’t think this is for everyone. If you have a sweeter palate, you might prefer the red but I think I really like it!
So grab a *cold* bottle, some friends and have the time of your life!
