Top 10 wines in the UK press

Terra Pegoes Branco 2015, Setúbal, Portugal

You’ve bought the turkey, wrapped the presents and hoisted up the tree. Now it’s time for the important stuff – the wine. With less than two weeks to go until the big day, UK win writers have been busy assessing the shelves so you don’t have to, coming up with their pick of the best wines on offer this festive season.

David Williams, writing for The Observer, kicks off this week’s list with a pick of wines from Majestic, including this “bargain” Portuguese white.

“Terra Pegoes Branco is light, easy-going, citrus-tangy – a handy party aperitif for under a fiver; Muscadet Pallet 2014 (£11.99, or £9.99 as part of a mixed case) is more serious, with a Chablis-like intensity of lemon, minerals, nuts and sourdough bread that shows the potential of this under-rated Loire region and is fine-tuned for festive first courses. For the roast bird, I’m going elsewhere for something a little richer: the multifaceted creamy, herby, orchard-fruity white Rhône gem Domaine Lombard Brézème Blanc 2015 (£19.50, Yapp Brothers).”

Price: £5.99, or £4.99 as part of a mixed case of six bottles, Majestic

St-Julien Limited Edition 2010, Bordeaux, France

Moving onto the reds, Williams was impressed by this 2010 vintage of Bordeaux from St-Julien, available through Vineyards Direct..

He describes it as a “deep, resonant expression of classic claret cassis, cedar and pencil-shaving flavours that is inviting now but will keep for a good decade or more if you’re looking for a present for a wine-loving relative”.

Slightly less expensive is Tanners’ Super Claret, (£14.95, Tanners Wines) from the “less-regarded” 2012 Bordeaux vintage, but which Williams says is a “beautifully fresh and crunchy style for the turkey and trimmings in two weeks’ time”.

Price: £21.95, From Vineyards Direct

Tenuta di Castellaro Malvasia delle Lipari 2013, Italy

Completing his trio of festive favourites with a selection of sweets, Williams said: “The sweet end of the meal may take me back to Bordeaux for the perfectly poised golden lusciousness of Berry Bros & Rudd Sauternes by Château Doisy-Védrines 2012 (£12.75, 37.5cl, Berry Bros & Rudd), although I’d be very tempted by the delicately exotic floral prettiness and apricots-in-syrup deliciousness offered by Tenuta di Castellaro’s stunning Malvasia, made from dried grapes harvested from seaside vineyards on the Aeolian Island of Lipari near Sicily.”

Price: £20, 37.5cl, Meadow Dale Wines

Bolney Estate Pinot Noir 2015, Sussex, England

Fiona Beckett, writing for The Guardian, championed the wines of the new world in her , saying it was a “disservice” to relegate them to “everyday rather than celebratory drinking”. Beckett recommended a raft of new world wines capable of living up to the demands of such a special occasion, including this Pinot Noir from Bolney Estate in Sussex.

“Red Burgundy is also often bettered by its new-world equivalents, especially those from Chile and New Zealand,” said Beckett.

“You’d be hard pushed to get a more powerful Pinot for the price than Tesco Finest Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015 (£12.50; 13.5% abv) or, from much nearer to home, Sussex-based Bolney Estate Pinot Noir 2015, which has an incredible richness and depth of flavour for an 11.5% abv wine.”

Price: £12.79 (from £15.99), Waitrose

Kyperounda Commandaria 2008, Cyprus

Beckett also recommended a sweet wine from Cyprus to round off the festivities.

“If you’re after something obscure to impress the family wine buff, splash out on a bottle of the glorious Kyperounda Commandaria 2008, a historic sweet wine from Cyprus that would be fantastic with a Christmas cheeseboard, or as a gift.”

Price: £17.95 for 50cl Berry Bros & Rudd

The Society’s Cava Reserva Brut, Spain

Victoria Moore, writing for The Telegraph, picked out a selection of sparklers to get your party off with a bang, from examples under a tenner, £20 and £50.

“I’ve always been more of a Prosecco than a Cava person, but the huge rise in Prosecco’s popularity has caused the quality of most cheaper wines to plummet,” said Moore.

“I can’t help but notice, at tastings, that at under a tenner it’s much easier to find a good bottle of wine if you look for Cava instead.”

Price: thewinesociety.com, £8.25

J Laurens Les Graimenous Brut 2014 Crémant de Limoux, France

Moving up the price ladder, to fizz under £20, Moore recommended this sparkler from Limoux in the south of France.

“Its lofty position in the foothills of  the Pyrenees means it has the cool climate to make elegant white and sparkling wines,” she said. “The wines, based on Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc, don’t aspire to the grandeur of Champagne, but they do have freshness and finesse.

“When it comes to choosing between discount-store champagne and a crémant at a similar price, there’s no contest when it comes to quality – Crémant de Limoux every time.”

Price: robersonwine.com, £12.99 down from £17 until January 7

Barone Pizzini Franciacorta Saten 2010, Italy

Rounding out Moore’s sparkling recommendations with an under £50 pick is this fizz from Franciacorta – Italy’s smartest region for sparkling wine – but which remains something of a hidden secret.

“Franciacorta is an hour’s drive from Milan, in the foothills of the Alps,” explains Moore. “The wines here are made in the same way as Champagne, using two of the Champagne grapes – Chardonnay and Pinot Noir – and also Pinot Bianco.

“The best can be very elegant, but I often find the quality disappointing for the price. So I was delighted to taste this all-chardonnay Barone Pizzini wine, which is delicious – silky and sophisticated with a cool edge.”

Price: vintageroots.co.uk, £25

Tohu Single Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2015

Finally Terry Kirby, writing in The Independent, put forward a number of wines to enjoy come Christmas Day, including this Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough.

“Out of all the oceans of Kiwi Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc available, why this?” asks Kirby. “Well, it is the first Maori-owned wine company and it is simply a wonderfully exuberant expression of the grape and style. Lively aromas of passion fruit, gooseberries and citrus, vivid and refreshing tropical fruit flavours and a dry lingering finish.”

Price: £14.99 Ocado (from 16 December); £14.99 kwoff.co.uk

“While many opt for claret for the Christmas meal, a gran reserva rioja can offer similar class in a glass at more realistic prices,” says Kirby.

“From one of the oldest names in Rioja, the Tempranillo is blended with some leavening Graciano and Grenache. Mature, serious, concentrated, with mellow red fruits, some spice and oaky hints in the mix. Savour every mouthful.”

Price: £26.99 robertsandspeight.co.uk; £27.15 amazon.co.uk