WAITROSE

BEST-VALUE WHITE:

Fief Guerin Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu Sur Lie 2021, France (12%, Waitrose, £6.99 down from £8.99 until Jan 1)

Muscadet has become one of those forgotten wines. It has the characteristics that many people love in a white – it is crisp, saline and a bit lemony – but many of us forget to buy it. A great house white at this offer price.

Waitrose has more wine options than most that are neither ownlabel nor gigantic brands, but so many of its wines are part of a promotional carousel that swings around each month that it can be hard to stay on top of the best buys. If you’re Christmas shopping, note that it has a wonderful selection of

BEST-VALUE RED:

The Hedonist Shiraz 2020, McLaren Vale, South Australia (14%, Waitrose, £10 down from £14.49 until Jan 1)

A long-standing favourite, this is a very together, attractively chewy oak-aged shiraz that would be good with hearty beef casseroles or even the turkey and its sausage trimmings. branded fortified wines, some of which are discounted between now and the New Year. For instance, Quinta do Noval 10 Year Tawny Port NV, Portugal (Waitrose, £19.99 down from £24.99 until Jan 1) and Warre’s Quinta da Cavadinha 2005, Portugal (20%, Waitrose, £24.99 down from £33.99 until Jan 1).

CHOICE CHRISTMAS FIZZ: Nyetimber Classic Cuvée NV, England

(12%, Waitrose, £28 down from £38 until Jan 1)

Nyetimber is the most recognised English sparkling wine and still one of the best: confident, sleek and assured.