CHAMPAGNE is a lovely treat on Christmas day, if your finances can stretch that far. If you are having a big family gathering though it could work out to be very expensive and you may well need to look at some more affordable alternatives. They still have to be special wines however; it is the big day after all.

I have picked three wise white wines this week, two still and one sparkler which you could drink as an aperitif or match with pre-Christmas dinner nibbles or even with the traditional turkey main course.

I do like a decent chardonnay, irrespective of whether it is fashionable this week or not, and Jean Claude Mas Wild Lily Pad Chardonnay 2012 is certainly good.

From the Languedoc in the sunny south of France, it is really well balanced, revealing spiced apple, tropical fruit and citrus zest, with mineral and yeasty notes and a hint of oak toast.

If you are heading to Campania in Italy try Terredora Greco di Tufo 2013, Terre degli Angeli, you will also find it at Waitrose. A textured and complex white, with long flavours of pear, citrus and tropical, distinct notes of honey, a little cinnamon and almond; you can guarantee guests will be back for more.

Or if it’s a sparkler you want, then new to The Wine Society and just in time for Christmas and New Year celebrations is Hunter’s MiruMiru Brut NV, from the Marlborough region of New Zealand. Made in the traditional Champagne method with chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier grapes, I reckon this sparkler offers good value for money and would match up to many Champagnes at twice the price.

It is crisp and elegant, with a fine mousse, and subtle flavours of citrus, apple, hazelnut and vanilla. Incidentally, Miru Miru means ‘bubbles’ in the Maori language.

Jean Claude Mas Wild Lily Pad Chardonnay 2012, pays d’Oc, £8.99 from Vintage Roots 18/20

Terredora Greco di Tufo 2013, Terre degli Angeli, £13.99 at Waitrose 18/20

Hunter’s MiruMiru Brut NV, £14.95 from The Wine Society 18/20

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