All white on the night

Ready for action

Everyone needs a few bottles ready for action when friends call round. Good fruit, good value and the ability to go with whatever you have in the fridge is essential.

La Difference Viognier Muscat 2009, Vin de Pays d'Oc 2009, Tesco 5.99

The grapey freshness of the Muscat combines perfectly with deeper peachy notes of Viognier, giving a wine that is instantly full of fresh fruit salad flavours. Drink on its own or team with a Chinese-style stir-fry or a chicken tagine.

Zebra View Chenin Blanc 2010, South Africa, Marks and Spencer 6.99

A welcome addition to the M&S range, packed with the fresh, lively lime and melon fruit flavours of good Chenin Blanc. Lots of concentration and a smooth silky texture, and no oak clouding the flavours. Drink with pork loin or quality sausages and mash.

Furmint 2007, Royal Tokaji, Majestic 7.99 on multibuy

Tokaji is the home of some of the best sweet wines, but many of the grapes are picked early and instead fermented to dryness to make this extraordinary-tasting wine. It has weight, balance and a terrific ability to go with baked salmon, creamy pasta dishes and pork.

Mouth-wateringly fresh

Good as an aperitif, or just with a few nibbles, Naked Grape Riesling 2009, Ernst Loosen, Bon Coeur (01765 688200) 6.99 is pure Riesling with crisp, lemony fruit and a touch of herbs and a light, rounded texture. Barely off-dry, it carries its crisp flavours well, and makes a perfect aperitif or it can partner sweet and sour combinations such as Chinese or Thai dishes.

Domaine Mandeville Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Languedoc, Marks and Spencer 6.99

This is a terrific, good value Sauvignon from the warmth of southern France, with citrussy freshness, not bite. Think pineapples, rather than gooseberries.

Cheverny Le Vieux Clos 2009, France, Majestic 6.99 on multibuy

This single-estate Loire wine is mainly Sauvignon Blanc with just a splash of Chardonnay. The result is a greengage and citrus-charged wine with minerally streaks. Great value but good enough to pour as an aperitif.

Jackson Estate Stich Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Marlborough New Zealand, Waitrose down from 10.99 to 7.99 from Wednesday, December 8

After two big harvests, the price of New Zealand Sauvignon has come down a little, so trade up in quality. Deep-flavoured wines with minerally crunch.

Social drinking

Artesano de Argento Pinot Grigio 2010, Argentina, Tesco 6.99

At last, a Pinot Grigio with some character, mainly because the grapes were grown in the high altitude vineyards of Argentina. Ripe pear fruit, cut with crisp apple and citrus flavours. Drink with lightly-spiced chicken dishes.

Palais des Anciens Ctes de Roussillon Blanc 2009 Tesco 6.99

A real blend of southern French varieties such as Grenache Blanc, Macabeu and Vermentino makes this a nutty, herbal, honey and vanilla tasting wine. Perfect with herb-strewn baked fish.

Falanghina 2009, Terredora, Italy, Majestic 7.99 on multibuy

Medal-winning wine from southern Italy. Starts with crisp apples and a hint of ripe melon and veers off into a light dusting of peppery spice. Good weight and texture.

Good with food

Tesco Finest San Antonio Organic Chardonnay 2010, Chile, 7.49

Around 1,000 geese patrol the vineyards at this organic farm in Chile, making sure that insects and pests stay well clear of the vines. Don't let the grape variety put you off. There is no oak, just rounded peach and melon fruit. Team this with chicken, vegetable-bake and pasta.

Val do Salns Albario 2009, Ras Baixas, Spain, Marks and Spencer 10.99

One of the best versions of this grape I have tried this season, with delicious, rounded peach notes, backed by clean, fresh acidity. Perfect to go with a turkey sandwich on Boxing Day.

Chablis Premier Cru Mont de Milieu Sainte Celine 2008 Sainsbury 16.99

As always there is far too much average wine hiding behind the Chablis label. But with clean citrus fruit and a precise, elegant finish, this is one to take you from oysters to roast chicken.

Sweet endings

Concha y Toro Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2007, 37.5cl Tesco 5.99

Light, bright, apricot and pineapple sweetness make this perfect to go with fruit-based desserts.

Torres Floralis Moscatel Oro, Spain, Morrisons 7.99 for 50 cl

Orange blossom, chunky marmalade flavours and a touch of butterscotch makes this big enough to cope with the Christmas pud or sticky toffee pudding.

Castelnau de Suduiraut 2003, Sauternes, 37.5cl Majestic 10.99 on multibuy.

Made from grapes grown within a stone's throw of Yquem, snap up a bottle of this nectar. Drink on its own or with a pudding. The bottle age is a bonus.