Find your perfect wine pairing this Christmas

’Tis the season to be merry, so make sure your festive frolics get off to a flying start with these top tips

The stockings are up, the halls have been decked, and you’ve got all the trimmings. But, it’s so easy to fall into old habits when it comes to your holiday tipples. Here are Naked Wines’ six quick tricks to shake up your Christmas drinking and keep you festive fresh.

KICK OFF YOUR DAY, THE RIGHT WAY...

While everyone else is sipping a Buck’s Fizz, add some zesty zing to your Christmas smoked salmon breakfast with a grapefruit and rosemary mimosa. Pour half a glass of grapefruit juice into a flute, add 2 tsp of rosemary-infused sugar syrup and fill up with your fizz of choice. Garnish with more rosemary to make it Instagram perfect.

MATCHING FOOD AND WINE IS PRETTY SIMPLE

Food and wine matching is a bit like a marriage – 5% made in heaven, 5% made in hell, and the rest can be made to work. As a general rule, match rich food with big wines and lighter dishes with lighter wines. Pinot noir and a turkey sandwich is a pretty perfect fit to see you through Boxing Day.

PIGNOLETTO IS THE NEW PROSECCO

When every other festive gathering cracks out a bottle of prosecco, jump ahead of the curve and whip out a bottle of pignoletto instead. The David to prosecco’s Goliath, this Italian secret sparkler is softer, fruitier and, even better, a fraction of the price.

BIG DAY DOESN’T HAVE TO MEAN BIG REDS

If you serve a big, robust red before dinner, nobody will taste anything afterwards. So kick start the festivities with a bottle of fizz and follow it up with a crisp, refreshing white like Naked’s Cordero gavi. Then you can move onto the bigger reds with your delicious festive feast.

DOUBLE THE SIZE, DOUBLE THE FUN...

Who doesn’t love making a statement when you’re trying to impress your in-laws? The perfect centrepiece for your festive table is a magnum of wine. These double-sized beauties look great and can set the tone for a truly cracking Christmas. It’s all about socialising around the bottle.

THAT’S THE SPIRIT!

A simple and stylish way to rest the taste buds after rich wine is a G&T. Grab a large glass, fill it with ice and pour in a shot of Naked’s Rambla 41 gin Add some clementine slices, and top up with a good-quality tonic. Don’t forget to leave one out for Santa, too!