The wines to match

1 Smith & Sheth, Cru Heretaunga Chardonnay, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand 2018 95

£22-£28 NZ House of Wine, Waitrose Cellar, WoodWinters

New Zealand may be better known for Sauvignon Blanc, but it produces some absolutely cracking Chardonnays, too, including this one – from the less fashionable North Island. From 20-year-old Clone 15 and 95 vines, for the geeks among you, and aged in new and aged French barriques, this is fabulously opulent and creamy; powerful enough to stand up to the bird. Could easily be taken for a Meursault. Drink 2021-2023 Alcohol 13%

2 Domaine Saint Gayan, L’Oratory, Sablet Côtes du Rhône Villages, Rhône, France 2020 92

£14.50 Yapp Bros

If you have a white Châteauneuf-du-Pape palate but not a Châteauneuf budget, this luxuriantly creamy, peachy Côtes du Rhône from Sablet should tick all the right boxes. With turkey, the classic white blend of mostly Viognier and Clairette with Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne is, I think, better than perfumed Viognier alone, having more structure. Delicious now, but worth tucking away a couple of bottles for next Christmas, too.

Drink 2021-2025 Alc 14%

3 Bouchard Aîné & Fils, Grand Conseiller Chardonnay, Vin de France 2020 91

£9 Tesco

Fruit has been sourced from the south of France and some from Burgundy for this handsomely packaged Chardonnay, which could easily pass for a white Burgundy. Aged for six months, mainly in stainless steel, it’s surprisingly rich, and has an attractive creaminess that carries a bit more weight than a Chablis at a similar price point – were such a thing to exist. Drink 2021-2022 Alc 12.5%

4 Schloss Schönborn, Alte Reben Pinot Noir, Rheingau, Germany 2018 94

£15.95 Corney & Barrow, Hic

How good are German Pinots these days!

And what incredible value, with a weight, structure and elegance you simply wouldn’t find from Burgundy – or even the New World – at this price. (Tease your family by serving it blind: unless they’re MWs they won’t guess ▶

where it comes from.) The old vines undoubtedly contribute to the deep mulberry fruit with a lovely touch of plum and pomegranate molasses. Almost made for turkey. Drink 2021-2023 Alc 14.5%

5 Château Mont-Redon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France 2015 93

£11.50/37.5cl The Wine Society

People don’t tend to think about those who are having Christmas on their own or who are the only drinker – or red wine drinker – in the family. This deliciously mellow Châteauneuf-du-Pape from the excellent 2015 vintage would be the perfect treat for one such as this. You could even slip it into a stocking, though a whole case (at a very reasonable £138 for 12) would be even better. Drink 2021-2028 Alc 14.5%

6 Domaine de Verquière, Plan de Dieu Côtes du Rhône Villages, Rhône, France 2019 93

£14.30 Haynes Hanson & Clark

There may be bigger names in the Rhône, but less prestigious appellations such as Plan de Dieu offer incredible value. A really delicious, bright, juicy red brimming with vibrant plum and cherry fruit but with acidity to cut through the richness of the Christmas feast – and many other meals, too. A great all-rounder – joyously, exuberantly festive. Drink 2021-2024 Alc 14%

7 Dune, Pyla, McLaren Vale, South Australia 2020 93

£14.95 The Wine Society

This exotic cocktail of grapes including

‘If you can’t drink your favourite wines at Christmas then when can you?’

Nero d’Avola, Carignan, Negroamaro, Montepulciano, Grenache and Mourvèdre makes for a gorgeously vibrant red with all the power and character of the Mediterranean varieties and the fresh acidity of the Italian ones. A good wine to have as an option for younger members of the party alongside a more classic bottle from your own cellar – maybe even an older Shiraz. Drink 2021-2024 Alc 14%

8 Lapostolle, Reserve Merlot, Apalta, Colchagua Valley, Chile 2019 92

£12 Tesco

Smooth, ripe and velvety, this impeccable Chilean red has the unmistakable polished stamp of consultant Michel Rolland. 45% of the wine is aged in French oak for five months, the remaining 55% in stainless steel, adding a balance of freshness to the lush sweetness of the fruit. Quintessentially Chilean, it should have no problem with a turkey dinner. Good with beef Wellington, too. Drink 2021-2023 Alc 13.5%

9 Morrisons, The Best Toscana, Tuscany, Italy 2019 90

£10 Morrisons

Pour this Tuscan red for your guests, then ask them to guess how much it cost. My hunch is they’ll pitch it around £20. It’s rich, ripe, supple and full-bodied in spite of the relatively low levels of alcohol and, although it spent 16 months in French oak and Slavonian oak casks, the wood is beautifully integrated. It will really cut through the richness of your Christmas meal. Drink 2021-2023 Alc 13%

10 Sainsbury’s, Taste the Difference Château de Pierreux, Brouilly Beaujolais, France 2020 90

£11 Sainsbury’s

While you might, like me, be a fan of Beaujolais being poured with the Boxing Day leftovers, you might regard it as a little too light for the main event – but not this bottle, which comes in at a hearty 14.5% and has been aged in oak vats for six months. This is a muscular style with a really good hit of ripe cherry fruit that could easily take the cranberry sauce and all the other trimmings in its stride. Great value, too. Drink 2021-2023 Alc 14.5% D