WHAT TO DRINK AT CHRISTMAS 2016

Let's get started with a view to enjoying our luxury food and wine at austerity prices. December 2016 has provided some excellent wines from £4.00 up and you'll find some of the best below. My motto is don't be embarrassed by the Beamers, Jags and gynormous four by fours in the car park, just push your trolley into Asda, Aldi and Lidl stores before Hogmanay.

CANAPES & BUBBLY

Whether you enjoy canapés or some of those tasty prawns in popcorn, duck samosas or pakora and a spicy dip you can’t let Christmas day go past without a glass or two of fizz. Some nibbles and a glass or two of Champagne or Prosecco is the perfect way to give everyone a lift, whet the appetite and get the festive food orgy underway.

This year sees the usual discounting of champagnes (mainly own brands) but don't let that discourage you. Asda are selling Pierre Darcy’s for only a tenner and it's a double silver medal winner which comes highly recommended.

Great news is that quality Prosecco is plentiful at under a tenner and you can still buy some excellent bottles at Aldi, Lidl, Morrisons, Tesco and the Coop. Still one of my favourites is the double silver medal winner from Aldi at only £6.99, Valdobbiadene Prosecco Spumante DOCG (it’s the one with the silver label and not to be confused with the orange label selling at a fiver). If you want to get one over on your wine drinking friends The Crémant de Jura at Aldi has won more medals than Chris Hoy. Not only is it in a beautifully shaped bottle (it will definitely impress) but it has been highly recommended by Olly Smith who says ' it’s astonishing and this lemony fizz has finesse and the delicate texture of thousands of tiny bubbles.

Good Prosecco is not just as dry as champagne as it has a hint of fruitiness. Go Italian with a Bellini made from Prosecco and peach juice or make a Kir Royale by adding a little splash of Crème de Cassis liqueur. Crème de Cassis is readily available from supermarkets where a 50cl bottle will give dozens of pink drinks. The best is Tesco Finest Crème De Cassis 50cl at £9.00 or the award winning version at Aldi for £7.99. You can even add this to gin.

If you want to push the boat out, then go traditional and serve champagne well chilled. Most supermarkets have their own brands from around £10 to £20 per bottle. You could jump up to a Grand Marque such as Veuve Clicquot, Pol Roger or Taittinger which are excellent champagnes around £40 with Lanson Black Label, Piper Heidseick and Pommery in the £25 to £30 price range.

STARTERS

My rule for starters is always to serve white wines which are dry and light. A good Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, a Verdejo from Spain or a Viognier from Chile or Australia are good new world choices. Sauvignon Blanc with its’ dry minerally flavour and a touch of citrus, is ideal with smoked salmon, prawns or cured meats. Closer to home try a steely Sancerre from the Loire or choose an Italian option by going straight for a Gavi di Gavi and avoid an inconsistent pinot grigio.

To serve something really special on Christmas day, you can dig a bit deeper into your pocket and go for a clean and light chardonnay from Burgundy such as Rully, Mercurey or Montagny. Personally I prefer a softer style and Macon-Lugny is a favourite which also benefits from a slightly lower price. Majestic is a great store for good value Burgundies. Another good choice is a steely Sancerre from the Loire.

MAINS

Main courses at Christmas usually fall into two categories of roast turkey and the rest. Looking at wine options to go with roast turkey, chipolatas, pigs in blankets, rich gravy, sprouts, roast potatoes, cranberry sauce and sundry accoutrements raises quite a challenge. Normally you would associate white wines or light red wines such as pinot noir with white meats but with all those strong tastes going on at once you need something with a fuller body. Why not go for something special from the Rhone Valley such as Chateau Neuf Du Pape or Gigondas for around £15 to £20 per bottle.

As in the past 2 years, my recommendation if you like something a bit lighter, is a Spanish Rioja, especially a Reserva or a Gran Reserva which are smooth, rich and complex. There are several fantastic Rioja Reservas listed below. If you have a penchant for Italy a Chianti Classico could fit the bill or a pinot noir from France, Chile or New Zealand.

If you have opted out of roast turkey and will enjoy a juicy steak or a nice rich steak pie. good French claret or New World reds will provide that mouth filling rich fruity flavours with touches of oak and tannin which compliment red meats. Why not seek out a cabernet sauvignon from Chile or Australia, a Malbec from Argentina, a Pinotage from South Africa or a weightier Shiraz from the Barossa Valley, Australia. You could also try a big wine from the Rhone - Vaqueyras, Crozes Hermitage, Gigondas or the heavy weight St Joseph. Carmenère from Chile and Argentina is the new up and coming grape with lots of flavour and round soft tannins. Returning to Europe a hearty Barolo, Amarone or Primitivo from Italy can provide a softer full bodied alternative

PUDDINGS

There is nothing better to go with puddings than a sweet white wine. Top of the tree and quite pricey comes Baume de Venise or Sauternes from France or an Ice-wine from Austria or Canada which are best served well chilled. The ripe, unctuous sweet flavours offer a complex compliment to most desserts. Alternatives from Oz are available and I recommend the Brown Brothers Orange Muscat & Flora and Aldi's gold medal winning Berton Vineyards Botrytis Semillon. If you are looking for something different go no further than a well chilled bottle of Asti Spumanti which will bring another sparkle to the festivities and washes down a pavlova perfectly.

CHEESE & AFTERS

When the digestive system starts to cope with the previous 4 courses there is always room for a nibble from the cheese board with a bunch of ripe red grapes. Wines to follow are really a personal choice depending on the cheeses available. A glass or two of a full bodied red wine or rich tawny port can finish the meal perfectly. There are a number of very good Port houses which offer a range of tawny, LBV or vintage ports which will do the job. You really can’t go wrong with Croft, Noval, Fonseca, Taylor’s or Cockburn’s ports which are widely available.

TO FINISH

If you have not succumbed to that warm, cosy after meal siesta then there’s always time for another port or a warm, smooth and mouth filling malt whisky. If like me you prefer smooth, round whiskies with a sweeter aspect opt for a dram from Scotland’s most northerly distillery in Orkney, where a 12 year old Highland Park will top off a magnificent day. A sweet Glenmorangie 10 years old, a hearty Glenfarclas 15 year old from Speyside, a smooth lightly peated 12 year old Bunnahabhain from Islay or an even lighter 12 year old Aberfeldy from the Highlands are superb alternatives. If you want to push the boat out and have deep pockets there is a wide selection of great malts which have matured well into their teens and early twenties. Three that top my list without being overly expensive are 18 years olds from Smith’s Glenlivet, Highland Park or Glenfarclas.

NEW TRIED & TESTED RECOMMENDATIONS

BUBBLY

Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG - Aldi
Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene is the DOCG title given to the finest prosecco wines made in the Veneto wine region of north-eastern Italy. This a fine example of Prosecco which won a host of silver medals at the Wine & Spirit International challenge. Aldi £6.99 (with the silver label)

Jacob's Creek Chardonnay Pinot Noir Brut Cuvée, Australia – NV - Asda & Tesco

Made with bottle fermentation, this bubbly is almost as good as champagne.  Normally sold at £10.00 at Sainsbury's, but is available at £7.50 from Tesco and only £7.00 from Asda

Crémant du Jura, France - 2013 - Aldi

A multi medal winning sparkling chardonnay from the Jura region of France. This is a proper wine which comes in Krug-like bottle. Recommended by The Independent newspaper, Olly Smith and Susy Atkins. Very stylish and will impress for only £7.29.

Pierre Darcy’s Champagne, France - NV - Asda

A double silver medal winner which comes highly recommended and reduced to £10. It has fine bubbles, a pale gold colour and fresh, delicate aromas of lemon, apple and peach. The perfect choice for celebrations, with canapes and light starters. £10

Veuve Monsigny Champagne, France NV - Aldi

According to Which Magazine this excellent wine from Aldi is the best own brand champagne of 2016. It has plenty of bubbles and it boasts of aromas of warm brioche and a beautiful long finish. Not bad for £9.99

Lanson Black Label Champagne, France - NV - Tesco

If there is one Non Vintage Brut Champagne that is universally appreciated, it is surely Lanson Black Label, a great classic with a fresh and elegant style, which is on offer from Tesco at £20.00

WHITES

Concha Y Toro Marques de Casa Chardonnay, Limara Valley, Chile - 2013 - Tesco

This gold medal winner was declared the best chardonnay in the world (under £15) in 2013. This is a beautiful big round and fruity chardonnay, with a touch of oak and a very long finish. Available from Tesco at £10.00

Zilzie Viognier, Australia -2015 - Asda

Something different from Australia which is ripe and round with a mix of pineapple and ripe peach and pears cut with citrus. Viogner originated in the Rhone valley and is a smashing grape which produces beautiful wines with a balance between fruit and citrus. Only £4.98 at Asda

Mâcon-Villages Blanc 'Les Pierres Blanches' 2015 Cave de Lugny

One of the top ten whites from Majestic this chardonnay is a good Burgundy where apple and citrus predominate on the palate along with a hint of pear, finishing on a lovely mineral streak. Great with seafood, whole salmon or chicken. Available at Majestic for £8.99 as part of a mixed case

Oyster Bay, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand 2016 - Waitrose

This beautiful Sauvignon Blanc has been at the top of the wine charts for years. I just re-acquainted myself with this old favourite and the new 2016 release is a stunner. It has a beautiful balance between citrus fruit and acidity. The background flavour of grapefruit is definitely back and Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc just keeps getting better. On offer in most supermarkets for around £7.50 and only £7.29 at Waitrose and £7.50 at Asda

Hardy's Nottage Hill Chardonnay, Australia - 2016 - Asda

An old fashioned Aussie Chard which is full bodied, dry with loads of rich tropical fruit and melon flavours. A lovely big chardonnay which will age well over 2 or 3 years. Available from Asda at only £4.00.

REDS

Aldi Exquisite Collection Argentinian Malbec, Uco Valley, Argentina – 2016

I recommended this wine for the first time last year and it has gone from strength to strength over 2016. It is an award winning wine by Which, Decanter and the International wine awards. It is exceptional for the money with plenty of sweet black fruit and a nice finish. Definitely benefits from decanting and opening for a couple of hours to break the natural Malbec tannins. A fantastic bargain at £5.99.

Glorioso Rioja Reserva, Spain - 2012 - Tesco Online

This Rioja is jaw-droppingly good and was awarded an IWC 2016 Silver Medal. It is made by Bodegas Palacio from Tempranillo grapes grown on some of the oldest vines in the vineyard. Aged for a year in oak barrels, then a further two years in the bottle, resulting in mellow black fruit flavours and a velvet-like texture. A really wonderful wine. Tesco online £7.00 per bottle and in some Tesco stores

Faustino I Gran Reserva Rioja, Spain – 2004 - Asda

This impressive Rioja came first in Decanters Top 50 reds a couple of years ago. It is consistently good and I have recommended the 2004 this year. It is sophisticated wine, pale Victoria plum in colour with a mahogany rim and complex aromas of plums and raspberries combined with hints of cedar, vanilla and spice. This wine is smooth and velvety on the palate with a hint of vanilla on the finish. Available at Asda for £13 and up to £20 elsewhere

Aldi Exquisite Collection Pinot Noir 2015, Wairarapa, New Zealand - Aldi

If you are looking for a much lighter style of red wine then give this medal winning Pinot Noir from Aldi a try. According to Susy Atkins of The Telegraph and Saturday Morning Kitchen fame this Pinot Noir is smooth and plumped up with ripe redcurrants and strawberries, with a come-hither, violetty scent. Brilliant value for a pinot from one of NZ’s top regions. Available from Aldi at £6.99

Reserva Ancestral Old Vine Cinsault País Carignan, Miguel Torres, Chile – 2014 M&S

This blend of red French grape varieties is made from ungrafted, 80 year old bush vines. It has a fresh aromatic nose with intense red cherry fruit. The juicy structure is balanced and elegant with a touch of complexity. Fruit and spice gives way to a long, intense finish. Available from Marks & Spencer for £12.00.

William Hardy Shiraz, Langhorne Creek, Australia - 2014/15 – Asda & Tesco

As a rule, I very rarely recommend Hardy's red wines but this Shiraz is an exception. It is full bodied, rounded with intense fruit flavours of fresh blackberry & mulberry accompanied by rich black pepper & vanilla spice. Available at Asda for £6.00 and Tesco for £6.50.

Trivento Reserve Malbec, Argentina – 2014 – Tesco & Asda

Trivento is now the number one wine producer from Argentina. The Reserve Malbec is a wonderful big red with lots of jammy fruit. It has vanilla notes and a velvety finish. An excellent medal winning wine to serve on its own, or match with steak or rich pasta bakes. Reduced at Asda, Tesco, Morrisons and Ocado to £6.00

DESSERT & PORT

Brown Brothers Orange Muscat & Flora 2013 Australia

Great sticky to go with dessert. Priced around £6.69 for a half bottle at Waitrose & £7.99 at Majestic as part of a mixed case.

Berton Vineyards Botrytis Semillon 2015, Australia - Aldi

Yet another Aldi gold medal winner which tastes of ripe exotic fruits and honey. Serve from the freezer and enjoy with any dessert. Well balance which will keep for 5 years if unopened. Aldi. £5.99 for a half bottle.

Asti Martini Spumanti, Italy – NV - Tesco & Asda

An excellent medium sweet bubbly to go with Pavlova, trifle and ice cream. Widely available. Tesco and Asda £6.00 and £6.50 elsewhere

Graham’s Late Bottled Vintage Portugal - 2011

This gorgeous port has a lovely velvety texture, and deep fruitiness but also a fresh berry taste. On special at Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco for £9.

Taylor's 10 Year Old Tawny Port, Portugal – NV

A rich, mellow old tawny port with an intense complex nose from years of ageing in oak casks. Available from Tesco at £16.

Fonseca Bin 27 Reserve NV Port, Portugal - Majestic & Oddbins

Bin 27 is a reserve Port, made with extended wood ageing making the wine ready to drink upon its release. This full bodied wine is blended from several vintages to achieve a consistent house style. It has a deep and youthful ruby colour, with an intense, fruity nose crammed with blackberry, cassis, cherry and plum aroma and a luscious, velvety texture. £10.99 as part of a mixed case from Majestic or £10.99 from Oddbins.

Cheers & Enjoy but drink sensibly.