Uncorking festive cheer

Do we have to have people round? Is there any particular reason why we rub along quite happily all year, with a nod to the neighbours, a quick chat to friends, and the occasional phone call to relatives but in the run-up to the festive season we feel compelled to invite them all round for drinks, supper or even a white tablecloth dinner?

The weather is awful, the roads are crowded and, frankly, it would be much better to close the curtains and hibernate until spring, but in response to various invitations which land on the doormat, there is the urge to throw open the front door and provide food and drink for all and sundry.

So if the list is prepared, phone calls made and the date is in the diary, what are you going to pour?

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Start the party with something fizzy. Bubbles speed the alcohol into the blood stream so everyone will start having a good time faster, but in times of fiscal restrain,t don't bother to open the champagne. There are some wonderful fizzes that do just as well and leave some of the budget for a few nibbles.

I was recently impressed by Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Prosecco 2009 (normally 9.99, now down to 6.65 until Dec 31) which comes from the region of Conegliano in north-east Italy. Prosecco has just an edge of sweetness which allows the floral fruit to shine out without seeming sweet on the palate. It makes it a universally acceptable fizz.

Team this with canaps such as satay chicken on sticks or bite-sized roast beef and onion marmalade filled Yorkshire puddings and the flavours will balance perfectly.

For occasions that demand a crisper, more aperitif style of fizz then head for the toasted apple and soft complexity of Cloudy Bay Pelorus (Majestic 19.99 down to 14.99 on multibuy) from New Zealand. Made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, then matured in bottle for at least two years to develop even more layers of flavour, it has a classic style with a creamy mouth-filling mousse and just a hint of southern hemisphere sunshine.

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Also from New Zealand, and with a faint hint of pink, is Lindauer Special Reserve NV which has good lively apples and light redcurrant fruit with a touch of toasted brioche.

In the baffling world of Majestic pricing, this is normally 11.99 but it is on special offer at 7.99 until Monday and then goes to 8.99 until January 31. Both of these prices apply when you buy more than one bottle.

Fizz is good for a while, but I like to switch to a good red wine to go with platefuls of food and this week it might be a good idea to trawl through the shelves at Waitrose because they have some terrific offers which run until December 7, before they move onto their Christmas deals.

Rioja is always a popular choice to go with a whole range of foods, from a cold roast beef salad to chilli con carne or lasagne. Waitrose has the ripe, mulberry fruit and balsamic-tinged Cune Rioja Reserva 2006, normally 11.15 but on offer at 8.89. This will make a good impression on any buffet table, but it can handle a dinner party style rack of lamb equally well.

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Much more suited to informal party style food is Errazuriz Estate Shiraz 2009 from Chile, down from 8.15 to 5.99. With deep, blackberry fruit and a hint of chocolate and spice, this tastes well above its offer price, although the full price might be a challenge.

Easily worth its full price, which makes the offer price even more attractive is Porcupine Ridge Syrah 2009 from South Africa, down from 7.49 to 5.49 until 7 December. Made by Marc Kent, of Boekenhoutskloof, this brand is growing without loss of quality and has now moved to its own winery. The wine is chock full of dark-berry fruit, layered with spice.

While you are in Waitrose, pick up a bottle of Waitrose partnership St Emilion 2008 on offer at 9.59 from 11.99 until December 7. Made in partnership with from Hubert de Board, the owner of the renowned Ch Angelus in St Emilion, this has delightful elegance and refined structure.

Over at Morrisons, they too have a St Emilion on offer from Monday, Lussac St Emilion, down from 12.99 to 6.49 until December 12. This offer looks too good to be true and so alarm bells should start ringing. Hold onto your money and instead go for Chteauneuf du Pape Tradition 2009 which is also at half price, 14.99 down to 7.49, but this one manages enough red plum and raisiny fruit to justify the price.

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Not everyone wants to drink red all evening so keep a few bottles of easy-drinking whites ready chilled. Those wrap-around chilling jackets keep wine cool and don't cause the puddles of water that an ice-bucket will.

For food-friendly flavours which can adapt from smoke salmon canaps to a chicken drumstick, try Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Albario 2009 from Ras Baixas (6.99).

And don't forget Chardonnay for its sheer adaptability with food. It is a crying shame that so many people now think they are too grand to drink it, pour a few glasses and pass them around, rather than let them see the bottle. Go for Domaine de Pellehaut Chardonnay Fruit 2009, at 7.99 on multibuy at Majestic. There is no oak clouding the bright apple and apricot fruit that will happily team up with salads, chicken and pasta dishes.

YP MAG 27/11/10

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