Leading wholesaler Matthew Clark, who have over 200 years’ experience supplying drinks, is determined to help make this year’s festive wine choices a piece of Christmas cake with a recommendation for every moment. Hand-picked by their buying team, these wines are all available via online retailer Cellar Vie.

Christmas Party Fizz

To kick off the celebrations in style the Bouché Père et Fils Grande Réserve Brut 2000 should fit the bill. A vintage Grand Cru Champagne, and an IWC Gold medallist, this is a mature, full-bodied fizz that would be a great party wine and a perfect match with canapés. (£22.21)

Laurie Davis, Wine Controller at Matthew Clark told Foodepedia:’What’s not to love? This Champagne is a blend of 50% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 20% Pinot Meunier which gives it real backbone and complexity. With its mature style and biscuity flavours it will stand up against fairly strong flavours. I think it makes a good fizz to go with the starter – in particular with anything involving any type of paté (which is my personal Christmas indulgence)…’

For the Starter

La Roncaia Eclisse 2011 is an subtle blend of Sauvignon Blanc and barrel fermented Picolit, a perfect match for a fish super! Fragrant and aromatic this wine is something special to toast the beginning of the festivities and welcome the arrival of the family around the Christmas dinner table. (£18.68)

Simon Jerrome, Purchasing Director at Matthew Clark said:’The Picolit in this wine is harvested from vineyards just six miles from the Slovenian border. Picolit is a local variety more commonly responsible for dessert wines and it’s the Picolit’s peach and tropical fruit flavours which bring out a depth and roundness when blended with the Sauvignon Blanc. In my house we usually eat fish for dinner on Christmas Eve, and my number one match with this wine would be grilled scallops, so hoping to include on this year’s menu…’

With the Big Bird

For the main event an indulgent glass of Sancerre Rouge Belle Dame 2012 will be a stunner with the Christmas turkey. The Pinot Noir grapes for this wine come from one of Sancerre’s oldest vineyards. Produced by the Vacheron family, this wine is full of rich red fruit flavours and expresses a lovely spice on the palate. (£33.07)

Simon Jerrome, Purchasing Director at Matthew Clark reported:’The’Belle Dame’ comes from possibly the oldest Pinot Noir vines in Sancerre – many which are over 40 years old. Malolactic fermentation in one-year-old casks, followed by a further year maturation in barrel gives this wine the savoury notes which lace its rich red fruit flavours. Well-integrated tannins and leather and spice on the palate makes this an excellent match with the Christmas turkey. It will complement all the turkey trimmings as well – ideal with the chestnut stuffing…’

For the Cheese Board

The IWC Silver medal award-winning Baigorri Reserva Rioja 2006 is a dark and concentrated wine with notes of leather, liquorice and black pepper. 100% Tempranillo, this is a wine to linger over, ideally with a well-stocked cheese board. (£19.37)

Siobhan Irons, buyer for Matthew Clark said:’I love everything about this wine – it’s full-bodied and bursting with flavour – it’s difficult not to finish the bottle! The Tempranillo grapes come from low yielding, old vines. A long maceration and fermentation in stainless steel is followed by malolactic fermentation and ageing in French oak over a period of about 18 months. The result, a full-bodied Reserva with an elegant tannin structure and finish. I will be enjoying a glass or two with my Christmas cheese selection while trying to find something decent to watch on the telly…’

To Round Matters Off

No Christmas Day would be complete without a glass of Sherry and the Hildalgo Faraon Oloroso is an opulent, rich and tangy treat that will be perfect enjoyed in front of the TV with a bowl of mixed nuts at the end of the day. (£12.84)

Zoe Coombs, Wine Marketing Controller at Matthew Clark:’I’m a huge Oloroso fan and don’t get the opportunity to enjoy it as much as I would like. This fine example, made from only estate grown grapes in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, has a rich walnut aroma, is full of flavour with a dry finish – I might have a drop of this as both an aperitif and digestif on Christmas day!’

Boxing Day

A Boxing Day pick-me-up, the Chateau Thenac Rouge from Bergerac is full of enticing flavours of sweet plum, dark chocolate, coffee and spice. Warm and comforting, this is the perfect wine to relax with as Christmas madness draws to a close. This wine was awarded a silver medal at this year’s Sommelier Wine Awards. (£17.65)

Simon Haywood, Wine Category Manager for Matthew Clark told our reporter:’This wine is similar in style and weight to a modern Grand Cru Classé Saint-Emilion, but if anything, shows additional complexity due to a large proportion of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. This is the wine I will be sitting down with in front of the fire on Boxing Day when calm is restored…’