Raise your glasses!

Stock the fridge and sideboard and get ready for the arrival of your guests. You’ll soon have everyone smiling with one of these wonderful tipples…

What we’ll be drinking this year, from sparkling wine to Scotch

BEST SPARKLERS

Prosecco Irresistible Special Cuvée Brut, Italy, 11%, Co-op, £7.49 Creamy Prosecco bubbles with the bright taste of ripe pears and apricots.

Taste the Difference Crémant de Loire Brut, France, 12.5%, Sainsbury’s, £11

A light, lemon and honeysuckle fizz. Perfect with canapés.

Crémant de Bourgogne Brut, La Cave des Hautes Côtes, France, 12%, Marks & Spencer, £12 Stylish sparkling wine. Enjoy as an aperitif.

Ca’di Pietra Prosecco Extra Dry, Italy, 11%, Aldi, £12.99 for a magnum Two bottles’ worth of fruity fizz in one big bottle. A good party proposition.

Nicolas Courtin Champagne Brut NV, France, 12%, Majestic £19.99 (£14.99 on multibuy) When only Champagne will do. Crisp, rounded, toasty.

BEST WHITES

Vermentino di Sardegna 2016, Sardinia, Italy, 12.5%, Lidl, £4.69 The white flower scent and the taste of apples makes this a good one to go with salads.

Extra Special Sauvignon Blanc 2016, New Zealand, 13%, Asda, £6.98 Crisp, with juicy citrus and gooseberry flavours. An essential aperitif.

Irresistible Gavi 2016, Piedmont, Italy, 13.5%, Co-op, £7.99 Soft, peachy notes and a hint of almonds make this a sure-fire match for roast chicken.

Taste the Difference Albariño 2016, Rías Baixas, Spain, 13.5%, Sainsbury’s, £8.50 Deliciously drinkable, with apricot and lemongrass aromas.

Waitrose White Burgundy 2016, France, 13%, Waitrose, £8.99 Elegance in a glass with notes of peach and citrus. Excellent dinner-party drinking.

BEST REDS

Côtes du Rhône 2015, France, 13%, Lidl, £3.99 Juicy and full of chunky red berry fruit. Perfect for simple suppers – and astonishing flavour for the money.

Wm Morrison Montepulciano d’abruzzo

2015, Italy, 13%, Morrisons, £6 Full of cherry fruit with chocolate and herbal notes in the mix. Team with pasta.

Exquisite Collection Pinot Noir 2016, Wairarapa, New Zealand, 13%, Aldi, £6.99

Raspberry and cherry fruit. Match with sausages or chicken.

Petit Perdigal 2016, France, 14.5%, Majestic,

£7.99 Contains all the warm red fruits, spices and herbs to cope with the flavours of Christmas.

Bordeaux Merlot 2016, France, 13%, Marks & Spencer, £9

A seriously good wine that will pair perfectly with roast lamb or turkey with all the trimmings.

SOMETHING SPECIAL

Berton Vineyard Botrytis Semillon 2016, Australia, 11.5%, Aldi,

£5.99 for 37.5cl A delicious wine tasting of oranges, apricots and honey.

Pair with a fruit dessert.

Domaine Pouderoux Maury Grande Réserve, France, 15.5%, Waitrose, £11.49 for 50cl Best enjoyed slightly chilled alongside a rich chocolate pudding.

Henriques & Henriques Full Rich Madeira, 19%, Majestic, £11.99 for 50cl Nutty, caramel notes with coffee and spice. Ideal with mince pies.

Spiced Clementine Whisky Sour, 20%, Marks & Spencer, £12 A Chistmassy cocktail mix. Pour over ice with a twist of orange peel.

Ben Bracken Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 40%, Lidl, £17.49 Smooth flavours of crème brûlée, honey and spice. Terrific whisky at a great price.