EX PERT GU IDE

“ It’s a special time of year, so make sure your drinks selection stands out. I’ve come up with spectacular matches for your best cooking – not only wines but also exciting beers, ciders and soft drinks, all of which will enhance whatever’s on your menu, at a range of prices. And since it’s party season, I’ve selected sparklers, spirits, winter cocktails of the moment and lots of gin as well. Cheers! “

SUSY ATKINS, DRINKS EDITOR

Get the party started

The job of that first drink is to zip across the palate, waking up the taste buds with zesty, light, crisp flavours – and, often, lively bubbles. Here’s some fine fizz and a couple of alternative aperitifs

GREAT VALUE

Majestic Loves Fizz NV, Italy (£7.99, or £6.49 as part of a mixed six until 1 Jan, Majestic) Lively prosecco-style Italian sparkler. It’s fresh and easy (11% abv) with a fun label. Perfect party pop.

• Franck Massard Mas Sardana Cava Brut Nature NV, Spain (£13.50, down to £12.50 until 3 Jan, greatwesternwine.co.uk) Prefer a bone-dry, mouth-watering fizz to softer prosecco? Try this premium cava: lean, slightly toasty with a white-pepper twist. Just the thing to accompany salty snacks.

• Camel Valley Classic Cuvée 2014, Cornwall, England (£28, Marks & Spencer) Cornwall’s finest fizz is a rich and complex bubbly with exquisite notes of brioche and pineapple but with a dry finish. Fly the flag for English sparkling wine.

• Waitrose Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut NV, France (£22.99, down to £17.99 until 26 Dec) One of the best ownlabel champers on the high street, with yeasty, creamy depths beneath a light, fresh yellow apple flavour.

• La Gitana Manzanilla, Hidalgo, Spain (£10.99, down to £8.99 until 26 Dec, Waitrose) Dry, pale sherries such as manzanilla are among the world’s best aperitifs; this one, on a tempting offer, has lemon peel and green olive notes with a salty dab. Drink well chilled.

• Gavi DOCG 2016, Italy (£5.49, Lidl) An elegant, light and refreshing white for a thirsty crowd. White blossom and lime-scented with a crisp finish. Sip on its own.