RAISE A GLASS

WE’RE heading into Christmas party season and I bet many of you will be enjoying a gathering of friends and family.

This can be an expensive time (understatement!) and so here are some party wines which a) tick the boxes of being walletfriendly and b) are tasty to boot.

I’ll begin with a delicious wine from Asda, The Wine Atlas Feteasca Regala 2017 (£5.25) which won a gold medal at this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards. This wine from Romania is proud yet subtle with ripe tropical fruits (the aromas reminded me of a tin of fruit salad). You can pour at a party, or indeed any time at Christmas, and not get bored of it.

I’ll stay with Asda for a fleeting moment. The Orange Natural Wine (£6) is from the same Romanian wine producers, Cramele Recas. I’m intrigued by this wine which has aromas of cidery-apples. It’s rounded and has a bite of spice. Oh, and it’s vegan-friendly.

I’ve enjoyed Planalto White Reserva 2018 (£6.99 from Majestic in a buy six deal) with chilli-flecked prawn pasta. But it is equally pourable and conversation-friendly on its own in a glass. I really love its creaminess and aromatic nose of

flowers, citrus and melon.

Elsewhere, I’d be very happy to chat in a kitchen, wearing reindeer antlers, enjoying the subtle tropical and stone fruit flavours of Aldi Exquisite Collection Padthaway Chardonnay (£5.79) from South

Australia.

I’ve been concentrating on whites, but I’m not biased so let’s move over to party reds.

If your party is starting with a warm glass of mulled wine then take note that Co-op Mulled Wine is now available at two bottles for £6 to January 2.

Lidl – as always – has some reds which deliver smiles both for taste and price. Barbera d’Asti 2017 (£4.99) has a crunch of cherries and red fruits. If you have a delivery of pizzas arriving

for your friends then this Italian red would be very happy.

I’ll stay with Italy and Tesco Chianti (£5.25) which won this year’s International Wine Challenge trophy for Great Value Red under £8. That’s as good a reason as any to seek out, pour, and enjoy a catch-up with pals.

Don’t forget… drivers need a Christmas party treat too, even if they can’t drink any alcohol. Pour them a bubble or two to keep them happy.

Fizzero Rosé (£3.75, Marks & Spencer) is a smashing sip of bubbles for the price. The bottle looks the part, as does the luscious pink drink. It’s a combination of sparkling grape juice and a premium tea infusion.

You might need a drop of ice (I did!) in a glass of MARTINI 0.0% Dolce (RRP £6, Ocado). This zero alcohol Italian sparkling drink is a golden colour and the fizz is giddy. It has flavours of citrus and pears and the ice toned down the sweetness.

Finally, Leitz Eins Zwei Zero Alcohol-Free Riesling is on offer at Waitrose until December 3 (£7.99, from £9.99). It’s a German wine with notes of the riesling grape – lime and citrus – but with no alcohol. What’s not to love?

■ Next time: White wine ideas for your Christmas starters.

■ Jane is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Find her on social media and online as One Foot in the Grapes.