So, who’s dreaming of a white (wine) Christmas this year, then?

As I write this week’s column the country is being lashed by Storm Arwen and much of the nation finds itself under a blanket of snow. So maybe the idea of a white Christmas is not so far-fetched this year, but either way there is no doubt that a glass or two of good white wine goes a long way to helping the celebrations along.

This week sees my

Christmas white wine recommendations from easy-drinking to pushing the boat out a little.

I seem to find myself spending quite a lot of time in the kitchen over Christmas and while I am cooking, a glass of crisp dry quaffable white wine is very much part of the enjoyment, and Tesco Finest Saint Mont 2019 (Tesco £6.50) would certainly fit the bill. It’s from southwest France and produced from an unusual blend of local grapes including gros manseng and petit courbu.

There is lots to keep you interested here and it is great value for money.

It’s perfect as an aperitif or a slightly unusual crowd-pleasing white to keep in the fridge over the holidays.

Chenin blanc makes a regular appearance at our Christmas table, it is a particularly versatile food-friendly grape and can stand up to many of the Christmas flavours really well. The Society’s Exhibition Chenin

Blanc 2020, Western

Cape (The Wine Society £13.50) is produced by Chris Alheit, one of the producers who put modern South African chenin blanc on the map. This offers lovely fresh notes, citrus and pear with honey in the background.

This is such good value at this price and would work with fish or white meats and could happily accompany the turkey.

Supermarket sancerre can often be a disappointment but Sancerre ‘Les Cotes’ 2020, Domaine Roblin (Co-op £15) is classically styled and well worth seeking out. There are aromas of gooseberry, apple and citrus, before a palate that has some ripe citrus fruits, an appealing mineral edge and a zesty, mouth-watering finish. Try this with shellfish, salmon or soft cheeses.

Chablis 2019, Domaine d’Elise (£16.95 Hermitage Cellars)

is from a pocketsized single vineyard estate just outside the town of Chablis. It’s unoaked and has layers of apple, peach, minerals and floral notes on the nose, followed by a textured palate with gently acidity and a very long, harmonious finish. This is everything you want a classic Chablis to be, and in our house Christmas isn’t Christmas without Chablis and oysters. ■ Alistair Gibson is proprietor of Hermitage Cellars. Call 07712 669973 or e-mail alistair@hermitagecellars.co.uk