Well, here we are. It’s that time of year again; Christmas. The days and nights are a little chillier but it always feels a little warmer when you look around at the Christmas lights in the shop windows and on houses.

In the build up to Christmas this year we’ll be doing a series of blogs on what wines to have on Christmas Day - pre-prandial, during dinner and post-prandial. So without further ado, let’s get Christmas Day started with a bang, or should that be a POP?!!

Christmas Day wouldn’t be the same without a but of celebratory fizz to start the day. So here are three options to go for to suit all budgets.

Vilarnau Cava NV Gold Edition £14.95

Lushness in a glass. Made in the same way they make Champagne this is a seriously good Cava. Lashings of honeyed citrus fruit notes, brioche on the palate too and a long finish. This Gold Edition is purely for the independent merchants so it’s a bit more special.

Rathfinny Estate Classic Cuvee Brut £30

A relatively new English wine estate making incredibly good sparkling wine already. If you like your  fizz a little drier then this is the one for you. Think Pol Roger quality but not price. Fresh notes of lemon and lime, this zingy fizz is brilliant if you like bacon and eggs for breakfast or if you are having smoked salmon/cream cheese blinis as a snack before the main dinner.

Deutz Champagne Brut Classic £45

Our best selling Champagne. We’ve had this in the inception of Whitmore & White. Essentially our “House” Champagne. Big and bold with deep notes of honey, brioche, toast and caramel. A serious Champagne for a big day. Serve with breakfast, brunch or simply on its own.

So that’s it for this blog. Next time we will show some wines to have with Christmas Dinner.