What’s going to be in your glass?

When choosing wines for Christmas Day my view is not to labour too long about this and just enjoy the experience of buying wine.

I do think sparkling wine is a winner to kick start proceedings. There is a wide range of choice here from Cava, Prosecco up to top end Champagne. My preference is for Champagne and I will be popping the cork off one of my favourites; Louis Roederer Brut NV. From the maker of Cristal this is a really classy Champagne with a rich complexity that you rarely find in other non vintage Champagnes. Although it is more expensive than most others I think you get a bigger bang for your bucks!

To follow I have chosen a Macon Fuisse from Domaine Cordier. They makes top class wines (I think I have tried most of them!) and they are a great introduction to the charm of white Burgundy and much kinder on the wallet compared to the more illustrious names in the region. This wine has good depth and body (which it needs to have after the fizz) and I think would go well with turkey for those who prefer white over red.

For me, it is definitely red with turkey. This is one of the few times of the year when I drink claret because I like to go for something with a bit of bottle age, which can be harder to find from other regions. I have chosen Chateau Moulin a Vent (not to be confused with the village cru in Beaujolais). I have yet to try this wine but have been informed it is drinking really well and is from the much acclaimed 2010 vintage.

What is to follow is yet to be decided – so an excuse to pay a visit to the wine shop again! With Christmas pudding I think late harvest Pinot Gris works really well if your preference is for something with a sweet, intense style. This is the same grape as the ubiquitous Pinot Grigio but worlds apart in style and quality. There are some really good examples from Austria and Germany which can be found in specialist wine shops.

A quirky lighter alternative is Moscato d’Asti. This is a sparkling wine made from the muscat grape. Off dry in style, it is light and frothing and very moreish.

If there is any room for cheese Port is always hard to resist or you could just continue with the dessert wine. I find the Late Bottle Vintage Ports offer good value for money and if you prefer a lighter style with more bottle age then a 10 or 20 year old aged Tawny would fit the bill. If you feel in the mood for treating yourself then a Hungarian Tokaji would be a great choice – liquid gold in a glass!

Whichever wines you decide to drink – enjoy!