If you want some wines on the go that offer SIMPLE PLEASURE OR LIGHTER STRUCTURE, the newest vintage of the aptly named The Juice Asylum Terzo Grado 2022 (£20) Biodynamic Sangiovese has just landed. As has cult organic French producer Franck Balthazar whose Cotes du Rhone 2022 (£20) is beyond delicious. Award winning glou-glou (gluggable) Bordeaux Chateau Penin Cabernet Franc 2019 (£14.50) was recently hailed by The Wine Advocate as ‘fine value, well worth seeking out’ and our favourite party wine of the year is the translucent berry fruited Bosman Family Vineyards Grenache Noir 2021 (£10.50).

LET’S TALK TURKEY! -There is no substitute to drinking what you want with the main dish of the day, especially if your plate has all the trimmings, as there will be plenty going on for every shape and size of wine. We highly recommend indulging yourself this day of all days. That said in classic partnering, Pinot Noir always shows well – the fruits in Hanewald-Schwerdt Spatburgunder 2020 (£16) will match perfectly, or a juicy crackle from the mountains in Les Cretes Pinot Nero 2022 (£26). The tendrils of spice in Au Bon Climat La Bauge Au-dessus Pinot Noir 2019 (£45) work sublimely as do the wild fruits of Domaine Maxime Dubuet-Boillot Pommard 1er Cru En Largilliere 2020 (£71).

A bit of MATURITY is a great foil too with wines like Holden Manz Vernissage 2018 (£15) or the epitome of developed Rioja – Vina Tondonia Rioja Tinto Reserva 2011 (£39) or any of the Bodegas R Lopez de Heredia range.  A rounded Bordeaux like Chateau Jean Voisin Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2012 (£28) or the newly arrived Chateau Biac 2016 (£45).

ROBUST numbers are welcome too such as the Aglianico of Luigi Maffini Cenito 2018 (£33) and Australian treasures such as the Soul Growers Equilibrium GSM 2020 (£22). The outstanding cut of Tabali DOM Cabernet Sauvignon, Maipo 2015 (£36) is a full spectrum, evolved Cab. Should we recommend a wine with this name for Christmas? – Sottano Judas Malbec 2019 (£56) – well, we just did and it’s a brooding beauty of Malbec magnificence.

With more around the table or gathering together, MAGNUMS are a great addition for the occasion. Tenuta di Ghizzano Veneroso 150cl 2018 (£65) outscored Sassicaia recently & Le Miccine Clarsach 150cl 2018 (£96) is a one off, organic, magnum only bottling of Tuscan Merlot that knocks socks of Bordeaux at twice the price.