What to drink this Christmas
Champagne As chosen by Esme Johnston, director of www.fromvineyardsdirect.com
Perrier Jouet
Belle Epoque
Cream and honey, brioche and lingering nutmeg notes make this special edition bubbly a delightful classic that’s wonderful with food or on its own. £86.95 at www.thedrinkshop.com
Serge Mathieu
Superb grower’s champagne, it’s nutty and golden with creamy richness and a light, punchy mousse. Great value and perfect for any Christmas occasion. £21.65, www.
fromvineyards.direct.com
Laurent Perrier
Ultra Brut
This zero sugar dosage Brut is bone dry with elegant aromas of honeysuckle, citrus and white fruits. It’s the ultimate cleanser for tired palates – and hangovers. £41 at John Lewis
Salon
The connoisseurs ultimate Champagne, those who want to really impress party guests had better get on the waiting list at the UK purveyor, Corney and Barrow, sharpish. £175 at Corney and Barrow
White Wines As chosen by Ruth Turbull, expert at Westbury wine consultancy
Leasingham Bin 7 Riesling 2008
Bursting with citrus and lime aromas, with steely acidity and refreshing on the palate, pair this Aussie Riesling with prawn cocktail and canapes before dinner. £9.99 at Ocado
Meursault 2007 Jean Bourguignon
This deliciously complex, hazelnutty wine is perfect with white meat and fish. It has a plump, full-bodied mouth with remarkable persistency and quince aromas. £17.99 from Majestic
Anakena ONA 2008
Combines the mineral notes of Riesling with the apricot and floral notes of Viognier, and the tropical aromas of Chardonnay. Will work well throughout your Christmas meal. £7.99 at Oddbins
Robert Mondavi Fume Blanc 2006
Sumptuous texture, youthful vitality and aromas of rich butter and citrus flavours make famous wine perfect for turkey, gammon or salmon. £19.99 at Wimbledon Wine Cellars
Sherry As chosen by Jason Bedford, owner of The Mercer restaurant
Oloroso Abocado Alameda
An Oloroso such as this is dry but has an oily quality which works wonderfully with oily fish such as smoked salmon and mackerel. £12.09 from Bibendum
Harvey’s Bristol Cream
Served chilled with vanilla ice cream (or most Christmassy type puddings), this is amazing and if you hide the bottle, your guests will never guess what they are having. £7.91 at Tesco
Pedro Ximenez Bodegas Hidalgo
Viejo Triana
Like drinking liquid dates soaked in black treacle – this sherry is just amazing and is absolutely perfect for Christmas puddings. £16.76 at Binendum
Lustau East India Cream Sherry
Widely available and superb, this warming blend of Palomino Fino and Pedro Ximenez goes wonderfully with blue cheese. £8.54 at Waitrose
Fortified Wines As chosen by Matthew Jukes, buyer at Quintessentially Wines
Dows Vintage Port
An incredible wine from an incredible vintage, this port is ideal for after dinner or as an accompaniment to your Christmas pudding – a real treat for you and your loved ones. £95 at www.snooth.com
Taylor’s Quinta de Terra Feita 1999
Vintage, single Quinta Port is a bit of a lottery, but this elderly wine is a winner, with spice, leather, orange peel and a hint of chocolate that’s asking for a night by the fire. £29.99 at Oddbins
Taylor’s 20-year Old Tawny Port
Ultra-fashionable as a chilled aperitif, or with coffee after dinner. Buy a case because it is rare and people always want more. £354 per case, www. quintessentiallywine.com
NV Skillogalee Liqueur Muscat
A monstrously enjoyable fortified wine, with nutty, raisin and apricot flavours and a richness that makes it right for even the sweetest puddings. £21.75, www. quintessentiallywine.com
2002 Taylors LBV
Late-bottling makes a concentrated drink that is a cheaper and more accessible way of enjoying the best of a vintage and is great for cracking open all year round. £12.99 at Majestic
Red Wines As chosen by Neleen Strauss, co-owner and sommelier at High Timber restaurant
Corton-Bressandes Burgundy 2005
Pinot Noir as it is meant to be. Usual aromatic seduction: cedary spice, tobacco. The taste stays with you for ages. Made for lamb. £640 per case, www.millesima.co.uk
Jordan Cobbler’s Hill 2003
This reminds me of home (South Africa) round this time of year – sunshine, blue skies, and barbeques. Fantastic with beef and lamb. £17.98 from www. whitebridgewines.co.uk
The Foundry
Syrah 2005
An elegant Rhone style, with blackberry, fig fruit and granite undertones. Great with hard cheddar, venison, biltong, dried meats. A real winter wine. £19 at
www.winearray.co.uk
Vega Sicilia Unico Reserva NV
Spanish Tempranillo/ Cabernet blend, this is just fantastic with lamb and worth it for Christmas just to have a bit of heaven in your mouth. £171.25 at Berry Bros & Rudd
Barolo 2004
Attilo Ghisolfi
Liquorice, mint and black cherry flavours make this warming wine lovely with game/venison and pheasant, wild boar and truffle truffle. £16 at www.
marcfinewines.com