Christmas 2015: 12 wines to see you through the festive season

Terry Kirby's selection will ensure the 25th is an all-day celebration

(Corbis)

THREE SPARKLING

A party prosecco

Pignoletto Brut Taste the Difference

Technically vino spumante, but prosecco by any other name – and partygoers are hardly likely to quibble once they taste the delightfully fresh bubbles and vibrant apple and stone-fruit flavours. It also makes a great Bellini – just add peach juice. £9, Sainsbury's

An English sparkling

Henners Brut 2010

This sparkler from East Sussex-based Henners is as light and ethereal as a spring day, with effervescent citrus flavours. Drink while opening presents on Christmas morning, with oysters or smoked salmon. £18 (normally £28), winetrust100.co.uk; £29.99, virginwines.co.uk

A pink champagne

Taittinger Prestige Rosé Brut NV

This classic pink is a wonderful aperitif at any time, but makes a special festive meal even more so with its uplifting strawberry and raspberry flavours, toasty overlay and tight, bright bubbles. Savour on its own or with canapés. £37.50, thechampagnecompany.com; £48.99, Waitrose

THREE PARTY WINES

Typically tropical

Peter Yealands Sauvignon Blanc 2014/15

Its crisp, palate-cleansing acidity makes New Zealand Sauv Blanc almost the perfect party or aperitif glass. This bottle from one of the best Kiwi producers is packed with grass and tropical-fruit flavours – great on its own, and very good with all shellfish. £8, Sainsbury's

Zippy and zesty

Falanghina Beneventano IGT 2013

This Italian white from near Naples has all the easy drinking qualities needed for a versatile seasonal white. It's zippy and zesty for easy drinking, but some underlying vegetal, smoky notes make it a very good partner for canapés and seafood starters. £7, Marks & Spencer

Cherry red

Santa Rita 120 Cabernet Franc 2014

Fresh and aromatic, this bottle delivers crunchy cherry-fruit flavours, with enough body to make it brilliant for party spreads and a fine accompaniment for those plates of turkey sandwiches. £5.99 (each, when bought as six bottles, normally £8.99), majestic.co.uk

THREE FOR THE FEAST

For fish and white meats

Château Ollieux Romanis, Corbières Cuvée Prestige 2014

A baked fish needs an equally meaty white. Here, hand-picked Roussanne and Marsanne grapes are aged in oak to give big, creamy, luscious flavours, with hints of tropical fruits, some spice and smoke. £14.50, thewinesociety.com

For turkey, poultry and lighter game

Domain Road Central Otago Pinot Noir 2011

Oak ageing gives a mellow complexity to this sumptuous Pinot, balancing the bright, lingering cherry and plum flavours. Underlying acidity will also counter the fatty richness of goose or duck. £17.95, slurp.co.uk; £18.40, tanners-wines.co.uk

For beef or venison

Cuvée du Vatican Châteauneuf- du-Pape 2012

This southern Rhône red balances rich, dark-fruit flavours, laced with earthy black pepper, in a wine of finesse which retains a hint of freshness from the Grenache grapes. A gorgeous counterpoint to equally full-flavoured meats. £19.99, laithwaites.co.uk

THREE DESSERT WINES

A tawny port

Taylor's 20 Year Old Tawny Port

The perfect partner to mince pies, hard and blue cheeses, preferably consumed post-prandial in front of an open fire. Intense but mellow, oaky flavours of nuts and figs with a satisfying and long aftertaste. £32.96 (£21 for 37.5cl), amazon.co.uk; £34, thewinesociety.com

A sweet wine

Noble Harvest Denbies

Although made from grapes infected with the "Noble Rot" Botrytis, this is not oversweet. A hint of citrus and a little tropical, underlying honeyed notes and some toasty, yeasty flavours make it just right for lighter desserts, fruit puddings and, say, an almond and apricot tart. £19.99, Waitrose

An aged sherry

Matusalem 30 Year Old Sherry

A sweet Oloroso, aged in oak for 30 years. Unbelievably complex with layer upon layer of flavours of nuts, raisins, dates and other dried fruit. Chill just a little and savour with Blue Stilton and, of course, Christmas pudding and cake. £19, Waitrose, ocado.com; £20.81, thedrinkshop.com