The drink is just as important as food at Christmas | This is Essex

CHRISTMAS dinner is probably the biggest family meal of the year. It takes a large amount of time and effort to organise and to prepare the food, so it can be overwhelming trying to choose the right wines to match.

I think that ultimately it comes down to personal preferences but there are few combinations that do not actually work. The old adage of white wine with white meat and fish, and red wine with red or dark meat, should be viewed more as a guideline rather than an unbreakable rule. So here are my suggestions for some wines that will go well with your Christmas meal.

1. CHEERS: Wine expert Neil Bull, of Stebbing, chooses his best wines for Christmas Day

2. CHEERS: Wine expert Neil Bull, of Stebbing, chooses his best wines for Christmas Day

Just as you can add a squeeze of lemon to smoked salmon to cut through the oiliness, then a glass of crisp white wine can complement many fish dishes. Also, if you want to celebrate in style then a glass of champagne is ideal.

One of my all time favourites is Duval-Leroy Fleur de Champagne NV premier Cru, which Waitrose have on offer at ?15.99 a bottle, down from ?31.99 from December 19 until January 2.

This Champagne is soft and balanced with those lovely toasty and citrus aromas and flavours that make Champagne special.

Or Marks & Spencer have their own label Louis Chaurey at half price from ?30 to ?15 until the end of December.

A hint of tropical fruit sits well alongside rich buttery and biscuit flavours.

If Champagne is not for you then try a bottle of Forrest Estate Sauvignon Blanc from Adnams (adnams.co.uk) which, at ?9.99, is fantastic value. It is a classic New Zealand Sauvignon with racy acidity and subtle flavours of tropical fruits.

Marks & Spencer also have a Chablis premier Cru 2008 on offer down from ?18 to ?13. This is elegant and crisp with a touch of steely acidity and a lovely mineral character. Both of these would match perfectly with a seafood starter, or indeed for those who prefer white wine, throughout the whole meal.

To match a single wine with the main course is almost impossible. The white meat of the turkey typically calls for a white wine while the dark meat needs a red wine. The herbs and spices in the stuffing would go well with a rich spicy Rhone red but the slight bitterness from the Brussels sprouts can spoil many a red wine.

The best way is to choose a wine that can stand up to all those flavours ? one that will not overpower but will complement the food and one that will not fade halfway but last until the very end of the meal.

Such a wine is Majestic's Lirac 2011 Domaine des Garrigues which is on offer for ?7.99 per bottle (if you purchase two bottles). I love this unoaked red. It is full-bodied without being overpowering. It is full of red fruit juiciness and that lovely spiciness of southern Rhone red wines.

The Americans love to match their Thanksgiving meal with a Zinfandel and Waitrose have Ravenswood Vintners Blend Zinfandel on offer from ?9.99 to ?7.49 until January 2. This has incredible flavours of ripe dark fruit such as blackberries and ripe cherries with a touch of black pepper spice.

If you really want to push the boat out then go for a 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Juniper Estate, Margaret River at ?19.50 from Adnams. This area of Western Australia is famous for making their wines more in the style of Europe rather than Australia. This wine has all the blackberry richness of cassis with some wonderful notes of dark cherries, plums and vanilla. Soft and well rounded, this has a lingering, fruity and warm finish. It really is a phenomenal wine.

Have a wonderful Christmas. Cheers!

Source: http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/drink-just-important-food-Christmas/story-17636268-detail/story.html

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