The European Union (EU) has unveiled its latest campaign, ‘More Than Only Food & Drink,’ aimed at inspiring retailers and wholesalers as they plan their festive offerings this year.
UK supermarkets are once again turning to European influences to shape their Christmas food and drink ranges, offering creative twists on traditional products. Seasonal offerings include EU-sourced ingredients such as those found in Seafood and Chorizo Shells, Sweet Spiced Gammon with Citrus Glaze, and Golden Limoncello Stollen Bites.
The EU offers a rich variety of flavours, from meats and cheeses to wines and sweet treats. Products with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status guarantee quality and authenticity.
Raise a Glass with European Spirits
Celebratory toasts are a key part of any festive occasion, and the EU offers a wide array of choices. From Spanish Cava PDO to French Cognac PDO and Irish Whiskey PGI, EU spirits are made exclusively from natural ingredients, ensuring quality.
European liqueurs are also appearing in Christmas desserts this year, including Jewelled Cointreau & Cranberry Christmas Pudding and Limoncello Fizz Panettone, made by a family bakery in Piedmont.
In 2022, the UK imported 0.7 billion litres of wine from the EU, making it the top destination for European wines outside of the Member States.
Neil McAndrew, an advisor to the EU’s ‘More Than Only Food & Drink’ campaign and a wine industry expert with over 30 years of experience, predicts strong sales of French, Italian, and Spanish wines this Christmas. He also notes the rise in popularity of natural wines, with Petillant Naturel, a naturally sparkling wine made using ancient techniques, set to perform well this season.
McAndrew recommends that retailers stock wines in the £15-£20 price range and offer consumers information about the origin, grape variety, and food pairings. Wines from regions such as Bordeaux, Rioja, and Burgundy remain popular gift options due to their high quality.
EU wines come with full traceability, ensuring high standards of production and authenticity. Many vineyards also produce wines under the PDO and PGI schemes, guaranteeing their geographical origin.
Festive Sharing Platter Essentials
The EU produces 14.5 million tonnes of cured meats each year, offering plenty of options for festive sharing platters. Popular choices like Spanish Ibérico Dehesa de Extremadura PDO and Italian Prosciutto di Parma PDO are widely available, but retailers can also explore lesser-known options such as Bulgarian Gornooryahovski sudzhuk PGI and Finnish Aito saunapalvikinkku PGI.
The EU’s dairy sector is another festive highlight, producing thousands of varieties of cheese, from soft and hard to blue cheeses made from cow, sheep, goat, and buffalo milk.
For a more adventurous cheese board, Greek Kalathaki Limnou PDO and Croatia’s Paški sir PDO are excellent choices, while Danish Danablu PGI and Swedish Sörmlands Ädel PGI offer rich, tangy flavours that are perfect for festive cheese lovers.
Beyond Traditional Festive Desserts
Retailers are moving away from traditional Christmas puddings, with Italy’s Panettone becoming a popular alternative. Germany’s Dresdner Christstollen PGI, perfected over centuries, is also a festive favourite.
Other European treats include Vánoční Cukroví, iced shortbread biscuits from Czechia, and Hungary’s Beigli, sweet rolls filled with walnuts and poppy seeds.
Chocolate is another festive must-have, with millions of tonnes produced across the EU. Italy’s Cioccolato di Modica PGI, French pralines, and the Bûche de Noël are among the favourites.
For retailers looking to offer the best in festive food and drink, the EU remains a rich source of culinary inspiration.