John Stimpfig - 'Party Wines'

My personal criteria for picking a Christmas party wine are fairly simple. It's got to be drinkable, affordable and have a bit of character too. Obviously, my list has to include a bottle of fizz. And in my book, the best New World sparkler is the Roederer Quartet NV from California. Moving on to an aperitif style white...Vina Carmen 2005 Sauvignon Blanc. its grassy aromas and nettley gooseberry fruit should be an ideal 'standing-up wine'.

Howard Goldberg - 'Sparkling, Sweet and Port'

In my apartment, the good cheer is heightened by fizz, especially when northerly winds whoosh past the windows. As usual, non-vintage Roederer Estate, supple and francophile, led the list. Sandeman's Royal Ambrosante Old Solera Pedro Ximenez, mahogany-coloured and raisiny, came across as a kind of rarified grand cru prune juice. I'd drink it on New Year's Day, with breakfast.

[The Royal Ambrosante is available to order; the excellent LBV 2000 is in stock]

Stephen Brook - 'Bourgeois Bargains'

...a good cru bourgeois should be accessible young, and capable of modest ageing - perhaps 8 or 10 years in a good vintage...less prone to the speculative pricing that afflicts classified growths, they continue to offer good value...Poujeaux fully justified its great reputation, as did Potensac, a mighty wine form the same stable as Leoville-Las-Cases...in the three-star category were a number of wines that, if not very well-known, are consistently good and attractively priced...these include Paloumey.

Carmen, Syrah-Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Maipo Valley 2001

"Attractive nose of spice and tobacco, very nice fruitiness with sweet middle flavours of spice and cassis; supple texture, firm backbone. 2-4 years."

Credit: Anthony Rowes.

Those we stock that received Decanter Awards.