12 Essential Christmas drinks

Pionniers Champagne Brut NV, France (£16.99, Co-op)
The Co-op's own label champagne is as good as (if not better than) the big, well-known names, and it's a fraction of the price.

Morrisons Vintage Rosado Cava 2014, Spain (£6.50, Morrisons)
Move over, prosecco - cava is back. This pretty pink vintage cava is all wild strawberries and raspberries, with a cool, hard edge. Very festive.

Hambledon Classic Cuvée NV, Hampshire, England (around £29, M&S, Berry Bros. & Rudd, Waitrose)
A seriously impressive English sparkling wine that has beaten some of Champagne’s biggest names in blind tastings.

A cocktail lover's delight

Sacred Bottle-Aged Negroni (around £30, sacredspiritscompany.com)
The boutique London gin specialist has mixed its own rosehip cup, spiced English vermouth and gin. Result: a seriously good English negroni. I’m addicted.

Top reds for festive feasts

Domaine de la Meynarde Plan de Dieu Côtes du Rhône Villages 2015, France (£9.50, M&S)
Plush like crimson velvet and underlaid with a stony, pumice-like bite, here’s a sumptuous, grenache-based red for Christmas dinner or roast ham.

The Hedonist Shiraz 2015, McLaren Vale, Australia (£10.99, down from £13.99 from 9 Nov to 6 Dec, Waitrose)
A sleek, dark-fruited, gently oaked biodynamic shiraz. This is a glossy and modern match for rich beef dishes, lamb, or the big day itself.

Errazuriz Wild Ferment Pinot Noir 2012, Chile (£13, Morrisons online only)
The bright cherry, stewed plum and undertow of spice to this pinot noir is great with turkey and trimmings, and brilliant with beef too – especially if it's got an Asian-style spicy rub.

Easy-drinking white

Finest Gavi 2015, Italy (£7 Tesco)
Crisp as fresh snow and with a gentle taste of lemons, this refreshing white, made from the cortese grape, is very moreish, and a partner for smoked salmon - or just as an aperatif.

Crowd-pleaser

Gran Vista Garnacha 2015, Campo de Borja, Spain (£4.99, Co-op)
Stock up for a party with this sweetly strawberry-ish pom-pom of a red, made from the fruit of rediscovered, precious old vines in northern Spain.

For super-speedy desserts

Taste the Difference 12-Year-Old Sweet Pedro Ximénez Sherry, Spain (Sainsbury’s, £8 for 50cl)
Dark as night and sweet as sin – a sherry that tastes like molasses and liquidised raisins. Pour over ice cream for an instant dessert.

My new favourite gin

Anno Gin (£34, thewinesociety.com; £31.20, masterofmalt.com)
A limpid, floral gin, with plenty of juniper, distilled in Kent using local samphire and lavender. My new favourite – every gin lover needs to try this. It would make a great gift too.

For a nightcap

Maynard’s 10 Years Old Aged Tawny Port (£9.99, Aldi)
Mellow and the russet colour of autumn leaves, this bargain of a tawny tastes of luscious raisins and caramel. Drink it slightly chilled.

Check out our top 10 drinks for Christmas guide for some more drink inspiration.

What's your go-to Christmas tipple? Let us know in the comments below...