The run-up to Christmas seems to have become a strangely stressful time. We run around like headless chickens on Christmas Eve because we forgot to buy Aunt Glad a soap on a rope, whilst being terrorized by reports of an impending snowpocalypse, and being warned that we are all drinking ourselves into cheery oblivion. I think we all need to stop worrying, take a step back, pour ourselves a big glass of wine and put things into perspective. Granted, cooking for fifteen family members who you only see once a year may not seem like the ideal way to spend the festive period, but let's face it, it's only one or two days out of the year and that's not really worth getting stressed about because on the 27th December we all go back to normal again until New Year's Eve€¦ So, with de-stressing, chillaxing and generally maintaining the slack in mind, here are six lovely wines to help you through Christmas Day. Where better to start than with something fizzy? Champagne? Certainly on the cards, but I think something Italian is perfect to "help you focus" whilst preparing the dinner. La Farra Prosecco is delicious and will match any canapés you serve up to your guests. Next we should serve up a couple of white wines. Firstly we have Riverby Estate Sauvignon Blanc, a classic from New Zealand - all gooseberry, nettles and blackcurrant leaves. A lovely pre-prandial white which then leads into a white wine that will be a perfect match to turkey or goose. Mischief and Mayhem White Burgundy is a Chardonnay made by an English couple who live in Burgundy. They are very small-scale producers and the wines are astonishingly good. The creamy, honey, lemon and subtle buttery character of this wine matches with the richness of the turkey/goose meat and any vegetarian option.

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Now moving onto a pair of reds, as most reds will certainly pair with the depth of flavour of both turkey and goose, but alternatively will also match nicely with beef, lamb, pork and game. So the first red is Beronia Rioja Reserva. This is a medium-full bodied red with deep wells of redcurrant fruit and vanilla notes. A match for any meat or vegetarian alternative. Next we have Charles Smith Velvet Devil Merlot. This is such a funky wine! Velvety smooth as the name suggests and a perfect partner to anything on the Christmas table (especially pigs in blankets). Finally it wouldn't be Christmas dinner without a glass of Port to finish. The Quinta do Noval Ruby Port will pair with both Christmas pudding and with a cheese board - if there's any room left! So there you have it. Six Christmas crackers for hopefully a stress-free day! Graham Simpson Wine & Spirits Buyer, Whitmore & White

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