I've had the pleasure of meeting Nikki Fletcher at my supper club recently. She's a wine expert that is about to have her first book published. I really like her relaxed approach to wine 'buffery' (I've just made that word up) and was delighted when she offered to suggest some wines to go with my menus. Nikki has just launched her website Convivium Wine and it's well worth checking out for interesting and informative tips on choosing wine. Here are her suggestions for wines to drink with the Christmas past menu...

In my teens and twenties I would definitely have been classed as a clubber, you know, glo-sticks and happy house and dancing all night. Nowadays I seem to have moved on to a ‘supper clubber’ where I go to happy houses where the only glo-sticks are candles and I eat all night! Not that I’m complaining.

With three different supper clubs under my belt I feel qualified to make the wine recommendations for Aoife’s Food of Christmas Past menu. I run my own wine business and have just finished my first wine book, so love any excuse to talk about wine.  Buying wine for a Supper Club is really quite fun, you know the menu in advance, you get to pick any wine you choose and you’re only paying retail value so you either save a lot or you get far more for your money than you would in a restaurant.

Anyway, what to drink with Aoife’s menu?

I think there are a couple of different options, you could go classical and have something akin to what might have been drunk with this style of food originally (think French classics), or you could head off and travel the globe to find some amazing wines that will enhance the flavours.

For the fish mousse you need something that’s got good acidity, some fruitiness and a bit of softness around the edges. Traditionally, on an occasion like this, a Sancerre is the obvious choice, on the crisper side but with lots of complexity to pick out the flavours, a softer option would be some dry Alsace Pinot Gris.

For the main course you need big flavours and tannins to balance the game pie and a hint of sweetness to complement the red cabbage.  In the 1500’s people would have been drinking  claret with their dinner, and some Cabernet Based Bordeaux (look for Médoc on the label) is still a fantastic match.  Equally, you can’t go wrong with a spicy Côtes du Rhône to pick out all of the subtle spices in the meat stock and cabbage.

I’ve picked out some of my favourite wines for every budget. Most of them are from WoodWinters wines on Newington Road, an independent wine merchant that I’ve recently discovered.  It’s a tiny bit out of the way, but you can park in the loading bay outside (which may or may not be legal). They have a really interesting selection of wines at appealing prices. I’ve also thrown in a couple of other wines in case you can’t get over to WoodsWinters (just for your info, these will be amongst the selection of wines adorning my table on Christmas day).

Saving up for Christmas?

White - Tierra Alta Sauvignon Blanc 2010, from Chile, tastes like Sancerre that’s been having a sunbathe! £6.50 WoodWinters
Red - Pinna Fidelis Roble 2009, Spanish Ribera del Duero, rich and ripe and very easy going. £8 WoodWinters

Halfway through the shopping?

White - Huber Grüner Veltliner Obere Steigen, this is from Austria where the native Grüner Veltliner grape is one of the hottest grapes around. It’s softer than Sauvignon but crisp and fresh. £13.50 WoodWinters
Red – Argiano Rosso di Montalcino. I think this is a Tuscan steal. It’s a kind of baby brother to a classic Italian wine, Brunello but half the price. Very juicy and intense this will send the game soaring. £14 WoodWinters.

All I want for Christmas!

White – Vacheron Sancerre. This is la crème de la crème of Sancerre. Hand made all the way, organic, biodynamic by a family who have been making this wine for generations. It’s refined and elegant. £17.85 Waitrose (the more premium Sancerre form Vacheron is available at Vino Stockbridge £30+).
Red – Chateau Liversan.  This is great value Bordeaux and will go perfectly with the game flavours. Great blackcurrant fruit and a smoky finish. £12.15 Waitrose.

If you want to learn more visit my website conviviumwine.com where there are lots of hints and tips about how to make the best of your wine.