Last updated at 11:26, Saturday, 10 December 2011

Christmas dinner deserves a wine that’s not the usual run-of-the-mill everyday quaffer. What it needs is a posh wine that doesn’t break the bank.

At Booths there’s a couple of good-looking bottles that actually live up to their promise, or at least their swish labels, and they’re both on half-price offer for the rest of the month.

The Testardo Sensi 2008 is a so-called ‘Super Tuscan’ wine that’s a mix of the local sangiovese grape and cabernet sauvignon.

The two grapes are crushed and then spend 12 months in oak barrels and ends up tasting rich and tarry and spicy. A bit like a Christmas cake, but better.

It’s an Italian wine, so it has a certain character and power to it, along with some chewy tannins. Open an hour before serving and make sure you pour a glass if you’re not decanting.

A bargain at under a tenner.

Not quite in the same league – some softer, rounder and less layered – is the Fontvillac Puisseguin St Emilion at £6.49.

Not quite a fully-fledged St Emilion, this is from the next-door area, but it still has the gently plummy merlot flavours and touch of herbs you’d expect from the more expensive neighbour.

There’s another swish red on offer over in Marks & Spencer.

Their Crozes Hermitage 2008 is down to £8.99 for the party period.

A Rhone red made from the local syrah grape, this mixes blackberries with pepper and spices and a hint of cloves.

Not as big and round as its shiraz cousin, more refined and understated, but still lovely with beef or lamb.

For more affordable, party wines, at Tesco, there’s a two-for-£12 deal on their own-label Taste The Difference bottles until January 3.

Worth a mention is the gooseberry and lime Tapiwey sauvignon blanc 2011 (usually £8.99) and the surprisingly lush Vermentino 2010 (normally £7.99) which is more apricots and angelica, rather than apples and limes. Softer than other Vermentino, it still finishes with a citrus twang to keep it dry.

First published at 08:53, Saturday, 10 December 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk