Popping out to buy some extras? Slip these into your shopping basket for an extra treat over the holidays…
Aperitif
M&S Manzanilla, £7.50, M&S
Sherry lovers will agree that Christmas opens up even more sherry drinking opportunities. At WineTubeMap HQ it accompanies most festive activities, from wrapping the presents to preparing the veg on Christmas day. This M&S Manzanilla is refreshing and lively giving it a feeling of lightness amongst the Christmas stodge.
Drink frequently.
Fizz
Tesco Finest Prosecco, £8, Tesco
This prosecco is a great one to have sat in your fridge, it knocks the socks of lots of others available at similar prices with a zing that can be missing from some of them.
A great value option for when people drop in or just to celebrate small victories, like finally finishing the Christmas cards
Aldi Philipe de Michel, Cremant de Jura, £7.29, Aldi
This is a go-to fizz, not just for Christmas. It is a great alternative for champagne lovers as it has a similar richness of flavour and crisp, dry style. It looks fab for the price as well so you can put it on your Christmas table with pride.
It goes particularly well with cheese straws!
Sweeties (and great gifts)
Pitteri Vidal Icewine, £14.99 50cl, Lidl
This is an amazing price for icewine and a great introduction to the style if you’re not familiar with it. Icewine is made by letting grapes freeze on the vine and then extracting the remaining sweet nectar to create a tangy and delicious wine. Served chilled it is a refreshing alternative to pudding or an accompaniment to blue cheese and desserts.
It comes boxed so makes a great pressie.
M&S Gibo Asti, £9, M&S
At the other end of the scale is this fragrant, frothy Asti. Even people who don’t like sweet wine seem to enjoy the guilty pleasures of this style of wine. Super with meringues and lighter desserts and nice to open when you have visitors for a slice of cake.