The countdown is on. Whilst we are starting to think about the gifts we need, this is also the time to level up your entertaining game with some great products which we have tried and tested and are going to be given a work out over the Christmas season.
Cobram Estate: The Gift That Keeps On Giving
I’m standing in my kitchen, holding a bottle of Hojiblanca EVOO and feeling ridiculously fancy. The Ultra Premium Collection Gift Pack ($75) is what happens when you press within hours of harvest and actually care about the details. These olives are harvested in peak condition and are first cold pressed within 4-6 hours. Three large bottle varieties sit before me: Hojiblanca, Picual and Coratina, each with its own personality and flavour profile from mild, medium to bold. Coratina is my preference for its fragrant but bold palate. Cobram Estate has tucked in exclusive, limited-edition recipe cards from Neil Perry. Marinated king prawns with tarator is one of my favourites and there is even an Italian coleslaw using Picual oil rather than a heavy mayo.
If you want flavour and variety, the Infusion Collection Gift Pack ($39.95) is my new obsession. Four infused EVOOs (Chilli, Lemon, Garlic, and Garlic & Rosemary) are fantastic. There are lots of cheap flavoured oils on the market but these all have a deep fruitness and all i really need is great sourdough to dip into puddles of . I’m particularly addicted to the Garlic & Rosemary on roasted potatoes. It’s the kind of kitchen staple that looks impressive on the counter and actually gets used, not shoved to the back of the pantry. Both are available at cobramestate.com.au.
Humpty Doo Barramundi: The Sustainably Farmed Fish That’s Changing Summer Entertaining
Barra can be divisve, some don’t like it’s muddy flavour, but my experience is that this fish can be delicate and light if you get your sourcing right. Humpty Doo is one of my favourites, it is a premium saltwater barramundi sustainably grown on a 100% Australian family-owned farm, halfway between Darwin and Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory. The Richards family has been pioneering sustainable fish farming since 1993. Their award-winning saltwater wetland system uses natural grasses to clean and recirculate water, creating near-zero discharge into natural ecosystems. It’s the kind of farming that makes you feel good about what you’re eating. They have teamed up with chef Jason Roberts Who shared one of his delectable barramundi recipes that’s perfect for the festive season. Humpty Doo Barramundi ceviche with leche de tigre. I tried it at home with four of my girlfriends over for dinner and its delicious. It’s a recipe really gives some ‘wow’ factor. Jump onto their website for the deets! Available at major retailers including Woolworths, or visit humptydoobarramundi.com.au for more information and recipes.
Gippsland Dairy Yogurts
Move over boring Christmas breakfast because Gippsland Dairy’s yogurts are here to shake up your entertaining game. I’m completely obsessed with their Apple & Custard flavour (it tastes like apple pie but you can justify it as breakfast), and their limited edition flavours such as Beechworth Honey which is worth hunting down. But here’s the real insider tip: pop them in the freezer and you’ve got an instant frozen yogurt treat that’s perfect for unexpected guests or when the Christmas Day heat hits. Made in Victoria’s gorgeous Gippsland region, these yogurts are thick, creamy, and packed with genuine flavour. No artificial nonsense here. The Mix-Ins range (around $3.50 to $4.41 for 140g tubs) includes flavours like Blueberry Crumble, Cookies & Cream, and Strawberry Waffle, while the larger 700g Twist yogurts are about $8.29. Find them at Woolworths, Coles, and independent supermarkets, or check out the full range here.
What your drink cabinet needs…
Queens of Prohibition: The Prosecco launch which Channels 1920s Rebellion
A Prosecco designed to be drunk with ice? Mmmm…I am a wine purist. It doesn’t seem right, but in the ‘spirit’ of things I pop an ice cube into a glass of newly launched Queens of Prohibition Prosecco ICE. It’s crisp, with apples and citrus. I still prefer my wine neat! Queens of Prohibition, a bold and glamorous wine range (Prosecco and Sauvignon Blanc) that reimagines the roaring 1920s through the lens of the fearless women who defied convention and defined an era. This Calabria Family Wine is channeling the fearless women who ran bootlegging operations during Prohibition, on their own terms, with style and serious grit. Following the success of their award-winning Kings of Prohibition collection (launched in 2018 and now one of the top ten brands for conversion and loyalty according to IWSR Brand Health 2025), Calabria has introduced the Queens. And honestly? It’s about time the women got their moment. Queens of Prohibition Prosecco ICE Is fun. It’s crisp, refreshing. Inspired by Maggie Bailey, the “Queen of the Mountain Bootleggers,” who was known for her entrepreneurial flair and absolute refusal to play by the rules. Available now at kingsofprohibition.com
Glengoyne 12 Year Old: The Highland Single Malt That Takes Its Time
I’m pouring myself a dram of Glengoyne 12 Year Old and immediately understanding why they claim to be “unhurried since 1833”. Glengoyne distills more slowly than any other distillery in Scotland. The distillery sits directly on the Highlands Line, so while it’s distilled in the Highlands, it matures in the Lowlands, despite the stillhouse and maturation warehouses being across the street from each other. It’s the only whisky that can claim this unique geographical quirk. The 12 Year Old is aged in a mix of first-fill sherry, refill sherry, and ex-bourbon barrels, creating that distinctive sherried Highland style without any peat. It’s completely unpeated, which means what the Golden Promise barley (the same variety used by The Macallan) shines through. On the nose it’s getting green apples, honey and caramel. The palate delivers toffee apples, cinnamon and a fizzy feeling almost like lemon sherbet. This is the kind of bottle that looks impressive on your Christmas table but won’t intimidate whisky newcomers. It’s approachable, flavourful and at around $65-75, it’s exceptional value for a 12 year old single malt. Available at glengoyne.com and fine bottle shops.
Kings of Prohibition Wines
There’s something wonderfully rebellious about pouring a glass of Kings of Prohibition wine at your Christmas table. The branding is so unique with black bottles (and a white for the Chardy). This boutique Australian label takes its name from the era when good booze was hard to come by, but their philosophy is anything but scarce. Think bold flavours, honest winemaking, and bottles that spark conversation. Whether I’m reaching for their silky Shiraz or crisp Chardonnay, these are wines that don’t take themselves too seriously but deliver serious quality. Chardonnay was my favourite alongside a juicy ‘Red Blend’ At just $20 a bottle (or $120 for a pack of six), they’re perfect for those long summer lunches that stretch into the evening, or when you want to impress without the pretension. The range includes everything from Malbec and Tempranillo to Red Blend and even Old Muscat. Pop a bottle (or three) and let the good times roll. You can shop the full range at here with free delivery to your door, or find them at Calabria Family Wines stockists around Australia.
