’Tis the season to be merry

And the only way to achieve that is with a well-stocked drinks cabinet. Jonathan Ray talks you through the festive season, with a little help from The Field’s Wine Club

THE key to marital bliss in our house is ensuring that Mrs Ray is kept topped up with tea and Sauvignon Blanc. That’s Earl Grey in the morning (two mugs, skimmed milk) and Lapsang Souchong in the afternoon (one mug, semi-skimmed). Come 6pm, it’s well-chilled New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, at which point, who’s counting?

At Christmas, however, it’s imperative that Mrs R’s Winter Fuel Payment includes gin, and lots of it. I get stuck in, too, of course, and our current favourite is the Mirabeau Dry Rosé Gin (£35, Waitrose) from Provence. A gorgeous pale pink, it comes in a scent-like bottle and is a necessity rather than a luxury. For vodka, look no further than the whistleclean, plough to bottle, Colwith Farm Aval Dor Cornish Vodka (£35.99, Virgin Wines).

For when those little festive moments strike, we also keep treats in the fridge, such as cans of the disarmingly refreshing Croft Pink Port & Tonic (£2 per 25cl, Champagne Co) and Banks Brothers 2020 Chardonnay No 3 (£21 per 3x25cl, Banks Brothers) from South Africa.

With our teens and their mates in mind, our beer this Christmas is the full, spicy, toffeed Innis & Gunn Caribbean Rum Cask (£1.90 per 33cl, Waitrose) and our cider, the broad-grin-inducing, 100% pure apple juice Wignac ‘Le Lièvre’ (£36 per 12x33cl, Boozehut).

As for the grown-ups, we’ll need Prosecco, natch, and my current go-to is the new, fresh, lively and inviting 2020 Fiol Prosecco Rosé (£16.21, Tannico).

But sometimes, only champagne will do and – crikey! – I love the Legras & Haas ‘Intuition’ NV (£30.50, see Field offer). I’ve become quite its slave, so citrusy, toasty and, well, tasty it is.

As for whites, the 2021 The Doctor’s Sauvignon Blanc (£8.99, Waitrose) is everything you might expect from a Kiwi Savvy Blanc and yet it’s just 9.5%vol and thus ideal for the youngsters and for pacing oneself. So, too, is the scrumptious 2017 Schloss Lieser Piesporter Goldtrop-fchen Riesling Kabinett (£15.67, Justerini & Brooks). Just 8%vol, it’s dry to off-dry, full of honeyed, baked apple notes and is a truly classy crowd-pleaser.

The crisp, peachy 2020 Tesco Finest Gavi (£8.50, Tesco) is surprisingly toothsome and a great partner to simple starters. For more characterful whites that match smoked salmon and even – shudder – the festive turkey, I’d head for the 2019 Balfour Hush Heath Skye’s Chardonnay (£17.99, Grape Britannia), which proves how fine English still wines have become, and the 2020 Domaine Talmard Mâcon Uchizy (£13.85, see Field offer) from Burgundy, of which I’ve bought dozens in the past, delighting both palate and pocket.

The 2020 Tesco Finest Signargues Côtes-du-rhône Villages (£8, Tesco) is a juicy, spicy, accessible party red, whilst the 2019 Society’s Exhibition Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir (£14.95, Wine Society) is soft, silky and supple enough to drink on its own or with grub.

For roast rib of beef, I’d suggest the 2016 Château Tayet (£14, see Field offer), a ridiculously underrated Bordeaux Supérieur that’s now really hitting its straps. Or push the boat out a touch and grab some 2018 M Chapoutier Crozes-hermitage ‘Les Meysonniers’ (£18, London End Wines), a rich, bold, organic Syrah that’s crammed full of luscious dark fruit.

If price is no object, treat yourself to the 2015 Arzuaga Reserva Especial (£45, Gourmet Hunters), a stunning, oak-aged Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero.

I confess that I loathe mince – or wince – pies and Christmas pudding, but I love the wines that go with them. I’ll be tucking into the 2020 Biddenden Schonburger (£15.90 per 50cl, Biddenden Vineyards), a delicately sweet gem from Kent that matches fine cheeses beautifully, too. And I can never resist the 2017 Elysium Black Muscat (£13.99 per 37.5cl, Majestic) from Andrew Quady in California. Trust me, nothing matches chocolate better.

Finally, for those all-important post-prandials, I’m sticking with Kent and grabbing some absurdly moreish Grants Morella Cherry Brandy Liqueur (£30 per 50cl, Shepherd Neame), made in God’s chosen county since 1774, as well as some remarkable, hot-off-the-press Masthouse Single Malt Whisky (£44.95 per 50cl, Master of Malt) from the Copper Rivet Distillery in Chatham. Who knew English whisky could so blooming drinkable?

I plan to follow the 10th Duke of Northumberland’s lead and mix the two together, half and half, to get a Kentish take on his glorious stirrup cup, the Percy Special. With Christmas in sight, I strongly suggest you join me.

The Field Wine Club Christmas case, containing four bottles each of the three wines mentioned, is £234.50; see page 165.

I must confess that I loathe ‘wince’ pies, but I love the wines that go with them