XMAS EVE WHITES

2015 Co-op Truly Irresistible Fiano, Campania, Italy

£6.99, Co-op

FOR an unassuming label, there is an awful lot going on in this wine. The nose is mildly peachy and the palate full and juicy with a pert, tidy finish. Lovely and involving, this is a fascinating wine at a favourable price.

2015 Pouilly-Fumé, Les Champalouettes, Loire, France

£12, Sainsbury’s

THIS is one of the definitive styles of sauvignon blanc and Les Champalouettes is scintillating. Calm, refined, sophisticated and ravishing, this is not a wine in a hurry. It laps over your taste buds enthralling your senses with citrus and green herb notes that trigger your brain to reach for canapés — I go for smoked salmon blinis!

2016 Jim Barry, The Lodge Hill, Dry Riesling, Clare Valley, South Australia

£9.99, Co-op

WITHOUT doubt, this is Australia’s finest value bone-dry riesling on sale in Britain and it comes from my winery of the year. I adore this wine (as you can see on matthewjukes.com). The 2016 vintage is vital, piercing, lime juice-zapped and thrilling. You will not believe the skill on display in this £10 bottle.

2015 Fête du Gris, Sauvignon Gris, Languedoc, France

£9, M&S

MADE from the rare sauvignon gris grape, this is a lovely, quirky white with a lemongrass tang and raspy finish. Give sauvignon blanc the day off and have a go at gris – it is extra zesty and works well with spicy dishes. I am sure you will love this oddball wine.

2016 Taste The Difference Coolwater Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand

£8, reduced to £7.25 until Dec 13, Sainsbury’s

MADE by the talented Tamra Kelly-Washington at Yealands, this is the best value Kiwi sauvignon of the season. Bright, aromatic, crisp and with white-knuckle acidity on its tail, this is an exceptionally well-made wine and one that should save you some cash, too.