Wine Our wine expert picks the most versatile bottles for the holiday season

VERSATILE WINES FOR CHRISTMAS O’s wine expert has the festive period covered

Keep Christmas wine-buying stress to a minimum by thinking ahead and getting in bottles that will multitask, whether for an impromptu glass with neighbours who drop by for a drink, or for the main feasting event itself.

Fizz is essential at some stage, of course. If it has to be champagne, try Tesco Finest Cru – a snip at £19 – or look for crémants (made in the same way as champagne but commanding gentler prices), such as M&S’s La Cave des Hautes Côtes Crémant de Bourgogne NV (£12).

Crisp white wines fit the bill for light and fishy dishes but can be washed out by stronger flavours. Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Dry Furmint (£10), a grape from Hungary, is lip-smackingly fresh but has enough muscle to carry weightier food. Whites with a little background sweetness work well with richer things, especially if they contain North African or Asian spices, so are good if you’re making a curry from leftovers, or calling out for a takeaway when you just can’t face any more cooking. Try Majestic’s peachy Parcel Series Riesling (£10.99 or £8.99 in a Mixed 6 deal).

When it comes to red, keep something light to hand as well as more traditional, full-bodied, wintery reds. Pinot noir is a classically good match with turkey and sits happily alongside many other things too – it’s great for a Boxing Day cold cuts buffet, or when you’re catering for picky eaters with different tastes. The Wine Society’s Ostoros 2016 Pinot Noir from Hungary is astonishing value at £6.75 or, for something with a little more weight but equal versatility, try the BIB Company’s Straka Blaufränkisch, an Austrian grape variety that has a charming fragrant lift and comes in a box, so lasts up to a month after opening

– very handy for the party season (£33.50 for 2.5 litres). Both would be good served slightly chilled to freshen jaded palates.

One-stop shopping makes sense when stocking up on wine. Online can be risky unless you know just what you want, so I recommend drawing up a list and seeking advice from a shop. Staff at dependable chains such as Oddbins and Majestic are generally good, or support your local independent wine shops, who tend to offer the best advice of all. Happy Christmas drinking!

@KateHawkings