SPARKLING

2016 Taste the Difference Prosecco Conegliano, Treviso, Italy

(£10, at £7.50 from December 13 until January 1; magnum, £19, at £15.50 from December 13 until January 1, Sainsbury’s) I AM only interested in posh prosecco this year as a poor harvest means most cheaper bottles don’t pass muster. This beauty, made from 85 per cent glera with some pinot blanc and chardonnay for extra class and detail, is superb. Grab it at the deal price and watch out for the flashy magnums, too.

2016 Lambrusco, Emilia Romagna, Italy

(£9, Marks & Spencer) I OFTEN throw a sparkling shiraz from Australia into the mix at Christmas because fizzy red goes so well with turkey and all of the accompaniments. This year I have found this stellar lambrusco. Grippy, dry and stuffed with damson and black cherry fruit, this is a surprising, shocking and unexpected wine that will amaze you with its skills.

NV Berry Bros. & Rudd Champagne by Mailly, Grand Cru, France

(£28.50, Berry Bros. & Rudd, 0800 280 2440, bbr.com) GROWN in Mailly, in the heart of the Montagne de Reims, and made from 75 per cent pinot noir and 35 per cent chardonnay, all of which is Grand Cru (that is, from the best vineyards), this is my pick of the own-label champagnes this year. It is nothing short of sensational. Avoid being ripped off by famous names — buy this instead.

NV Laurent-Perrier, La Cuvée Brut, Champagne, France

(Magnum, £82.99, reduced to £59.99 until December 31, Waitrose) LP HAS impressed me with its quality of late and the main wine responsible for this is La Cuvée. Made from 55 per cent chardonnay, 35 per cent pinot noir and 10 per cent pinot meunier, and sourced from over 100 crus, or vineyards, this is very grand. It is aged for four years before release, too.

2007 Bollinger, La Grande Année Vintage, Champagne

(£80, Sainsbury’s; £82, Berry Bros. & Rudd, 0800 280 2440, bbr.com; £89.99, at £79.99 each on a Mix Six deal, Majestic) THE captain of the fizz stakes this year is Bolly, with its magnificent 2007 vintage. This is made from 72 per cent pinot noir and 28 per cent chardonnay. It also uses 91 per cent Grand Cru vineyards, with the tell-tale oak barrel bringing lustiness and intensity.