Peter Morrell recommends some pre-lunch sparklers, a luscious dessert wine to pair with the pudding, and something for the evening party

I have been tasting some winning wines that are ideal to drink while celebrate Christmas Day with family and friends. I’ll start with some pre-lunch bubblies.

Zuccardi Blanc de Blancs 2017

This is a sparkling Chardonnay from Mendoza in Argentina. The wine pours a pale gold colour, and as it hits the glass streams of fine bubbles are released. The bouquet offers strong fruity aromas of apples and pears. In the mouth it has a very lively feel, and the crisp fruit is joined by citrus, honey and toast. There is good minerality with slight acidity making it perfect as an appetite sharpener. The finish is bright and fruity.

RRP: £26.90 |Taurus Wines and Christopher Keiller Fine Wine Services.

Alta Alella Laietà

This stylish cava is a particularly special one, with floral aromas plus white and red fruits. Its magnificent bubble adds the perfect flourish to a fresh and well-balanced wine.

RRP £20 | Vinissimus

Sumarroca Reserva Brut Eco 2018

Pale yellow colour with fine and well-integrated bubbles. The palate is fresh and fruity with notes of pastry, a result of 24 months of ageing. This cava pairs excellently with seafood and fish appetizers or as an aperitif.

RRP £16 | Decantalo

The next wine is a perfect companion to the Christmas Pud

Kleine Zalze Project Z Sweet Fortified NV (37.5cl) NV

This dessert wine from the Coastal Region of the Western Cape in South Africa is the result of the Kleine Zalze winemakings being given free rein to interact with nature and evolve new taste experiences. This wine proves that the Project has worked. It is a blend of aromatic grapes like muscat and sauvignon drawn from different vintages. The nose is alive with the aromas of dried apricots and honey, and once on the palate it opens up more flavours like caramel, nuts and spice. The finish is clean and persistent. I really liked this wine, althought it is sweet it is not cloying, and would not overwhelm a dessert.

RRP £24.40 | Handford Wines, Harrogate Fine Wine Company, Roberts and Speight, Sarah’s Cellar

Now onto the party

Copper Rivet Distillery Gin Gift Set

A picture containing text, grass, outdoor, old Description automatically generatedKent’s Copper Rivet Distillery has made three oh so special gins, featuring its Dockyard Gin, along with its Kent Strawberry Gin and Damson gin, all in pretty 5cl bottles, so you can try a little bit of everything!

• Dockyard Gin: 41.2%, this is a fresh tasting beauty, vibrant and brimming with all its nine botanicals. It loves tonic water and leaps with lemon, juniper and coriander.
• Dockyard Oak Aged Damson Gin: 28% this deep purple gin is delicious and intriguing, and can be served chilled, at room temperature or as a colourful addition to a cocktail. The damsons hark back to the Romans who planted damsons in Kent.
• Dockyard Kent Strawberry Gin: 40% made with only fresh Kentish strawberries. It contains no additives and not a granule of added sugar and is probably the most natural un-mucked-about gin of its kind. It says strawberries, and you taste them, with their natural sweetness and anti-oxidants.

Available from Amazon, £15