Are you seeking last-minute pressie inspiration for your favourite wine-lover? Alan suggests three ideas that he’d like to see under his tree this Christmas.

Top of our present list this year is the deluxe, honey-sweet wine Old Boys 21 Years (50cl. Waitrose £22) from the distinguished Australian producers De Bortoli.

This super-sippable, seasonal treat has been barrel-nurtured over an astonishing twenty-one year period.

With a show-stopping deep red amber colour and thick, oily texture, Old Boys releases intense aromas of prune and burnt orange with a mature, woody edge.

Pocket expertise

Now in its 41st year of production, Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book is, quite frankly, a present that every wine lover should receive every Christmas.

The author’s unsurpassed knowledge of, regions, grapes, vintages and suitability of wines for foods, is miraculously condensed into a micro-reference volume that is blissfully easy to use.

Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book 2018 is published by Octopus Books at £12.99.

Pop goes Santa

One of Christmas’ great little blessings is The Wine Society‘s fantastic offer on a mixed case of six fine bottles of Champagne.

It features non-vintage gems from star names including Pol Roger, Louis Roederer, Charles Heidsieck, Boizel, and Bollinger.

The offer price of £165 gives a massive saving of £72 on the normal price of £237 and is available form The Wine Society until 31st December 2017.

Take advantage and stock up for the year ahead; but hurry, pre-Christmas delivery slots are filling up fast.