The sparkly lights are up and the Christmas playlist is on. Not doing so well on the present-buying front but that's what the internet is for. I remember the thrill of seeing presents under the tree as a child. Even better when you found one with your name on the tag. And at that age, size really did matter: the bigger the better. Along with my siblings, we'd pick them up and shake them, peeling back the corners of the wrapping paper in the hope of seeing what was inside. This year, I've asked for a steam mop (nope, not kidding). At least it'll be the biggest present under the tree. Talking of taking sneaky peeks, I've been working on the new design for the blog. You'll be able to search for a wine depending on what shop you're in and how much you want to spend, much like an app. I'm dying to show you but as my mother used to say when it came to the presents under the tree, we'll just have to wait. Not long now, though.
Current white in the fridge: Peter Yealands Sauvignon Blanc 2015, £7 (normally £8), Sainsbury's
Earlier this year, the grapes for this were hanging out on a vine in New Zealand's Marlborough region. And in the wine, it shows. Incredibly fresh, literally quivering with gooseberry fruit flavours but with something of the tropical fruit about it too. One of the best Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc wines around at this price. Snap it up.
Current red in the rack: Stemmari Sicilian Pinot Noir 2013, £7.99, Waitrose
Well, this is a turn up. Pinot Noir thrives in Burgundy. It does brilliantly in New Zealand. And it's a hot grape in Chile. But Sicily? Not an obvious place for it (the grape prefers a relatively cool climate) but it really does work. Kind of juicy, but with that not-too-heavy raspberry fruit that makes Pinot Noir so positively drinkable. Great with tomato-y chicken stew.
Chin chin xLabels: 2015, Italy, New Zealand, Pinot Noir, red wine, Sainsburys, Sauvignon Blanc, Waitrose, white wine