What wines will you serve over Christmas?

What wines will you serve over Christmas? One of the most stressful things about the lead up to Christmas, and Christmas itself, is what food and drink to serve to good friends and family. Fear not as help is on hand!

Your Christmas shopping is sorted; the tree is looking splendid in its sparkling, gold finery, the lights are twinkling, but how much thought has been given to the all important question of wine pairing this season? Fear not, as help is on hand to guide you through this particular Christmas quandary.

The Christmas parties

It’s always good to say farewell to your work colleagues before the Christmas holidays over a glass or two of wine. Perhaps hand out a few glasses of fun and fruity Rioja rosé such as Campo Viejo rosé to surprise work mates. One thing’s for sure, you’ll be very popular in the New Year. (I am not, it has to be said, a fan of rosé wines. However, after tasting Capo Viejo rosé, I find myself mildly surprised -and somewhat please!- to be a convert. Well, at least to Campo Viejo rosé!)

The night before Christmas

Christmas Eve is always a good opportunity to indulge in pre-Christmas treats, perhaps serve some hot and tasty pigs-in-blankets and sit down in front of the fire with a softly spicy Rioja Gran Familia Tinto for a rest before the big day.

Christmas Day

While you’re wrestling with a turkey in the kitchen, try serving the perfect aperitif - Tio Pepe Fino with olives and Serrano ham wrapped breadsticks to keep everyone happy. This is guaranteed to whet the appetites of one and all. (We also found, quite be accident, that Tio Pepe is an absolutely excellent accompaniment to traditional Vietnamese food, so should you be eschewing the traditional turkey and roasters for Vietnamese food this Christmas, please remember where you got the recommendation to enjoy Tio Pepe with it!)

Whether you’re serving a traditional Christmas dinner or opting for something a little different, there is a wine to suit each dish. Try a seafood starter of avocado and prawns and pair with the off-dry, melon-scented Palatium Pinot Blanc to get everyone’s tastebuds going. You can’t go wrong with the classic roast turkey and cranberry, this favourite festive dish goes wonderfully with lightly oaked white wines such as the Mouton Cadet White Bordeaux or soft red Riojas such as the Muriel Crianza.

However, you may be looking for something a little different, mouth watering roast beef served with the darker blackcurrant fruit of Mouton Cadet Red Bordeaux or a fuller-bodied, fruity Rioja such as Bodegas Palacio Reserva is a great alternative for those with the palate for richer tasting Christmas lunches. (These are all excellent choices, which we heartily concur with. You really cannot go wrong with these wines)

Anyone with a sweet tooth will be starting to think about dessert. A dark and fruity Christmas pudding, served with fresh cream or custard, is absolutely magnificent alongside an intensely rich Noe Pedro Ximenez Viejo from Gonzalez Byass. Not to everyone’s taste however, it is always good to offer an alternative. Any fruit pudding, such as mango pavlova, comes up trumps with the ripe tropical fruit and marmalade aromas of a Riesling dessert wine such as Kendermann’s Beerenauslese, perfect for those who aren’t the greatest fans of the traditional pud.

Finally it’s time to put your feet up; make sure someone else deals with the washing up while you relax for an evening’s gentle entertainment. After the over indulgence of Christmas, light, Asian inspired dishes with a lower alcohol German wine such as the refreshing Dr L Riesling with just 8.5% alcohol will be very welcome. The mystery of Christmas wine matching is over, for one year at least.

Wine prices & stockists:

• Campo Viejo Rosé 2007(£5.49, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Thresher, Morrison’s, Budgen’s, Londis, Booker)

• Rioja Gran Familia Tinto 2006 (£5.49, Tesco, Co-Op, Sainsbury’s, Thresher, Asda)

• Tio Pepe Fino (From £8.99, Asda, Tesco, Morrison’s, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Oddbins)

• Palatium Pinot Blanc 2007 (£5.99, Tesco)

• Mouton Cadet White Bordeaux 2007 (£6.99, Morrison’s & £7.19 Sainsbury’s)

• Muriel Crianza 2004 (£5.99 Sainsbury’s)

• Mouton Cadet Red Bordeaux 2006 (£6.99, Morrison’s & £7.19 Sainsbury’s)

• Bodegas Palacio Reserva 2004 (£9.99, Morrison’s)

• Noe Pedro Ximenez Viejo from Gonzalez Byass (From £17.50, Fortnum & Mason and www.thedrinkshop.com)

• Kendermann’s Beerenauslese 2006 375ml (£7.99, Tesco)

• Dr L Riesling 2007(£6.99-£7.99, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Oddbins, E.H. Booths, Adnams, selected independents nationwide)