What drinks to serve at Christmas is always a challenge.  What goes with Christmas dinner? What’s the best fizz to get everyone in the party mood and is it Sherry, Port or mulled wine with  those delicious mince pies?

Celebrity wine expert & top bloke, Olly Smith, who we did The C4 Secret Supper Club TV program up at Malham Tarn with in 2011 is also involved with The Glass House wine bar and restaurant on the P&O Cruises ship Azura and in this capacity is here to help and recommend some of this year’s festive tipples that will truly get you prepared for the party season.

In the video Olly Smith makes wine recommendations to accompany Christmas lunch. He chooses interesting “off the beaten track” wines which will pair well with the celebratory meal.  Sponsored by P&O Cruises but as I’m a fan of both P&O & Olly and the wine recommendations look great, I will let this blatant advertorial onto the blog!

Some of the wines recommended by Olly include

• Coates and Seely Rosé Hampshire sparkling wine £29.90, available from www.slurp.co.uk
• Frog’s Leap Zinfandel 2008, California £22.79, available from Waitrose
• Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference 12 year old sweet Pedro Ximenez sherry (with Christmas pudding) £7.99, available from Sainsbury’s