A tasty trio this Christmas

For a real treat Morrisons have launched a range of three exclusive Old World wines which are perfectly suited to sipping this Christmas.

Petit Chablis 2006, £7.99, 12%ABV
After tasting this wine, you might well be forgiven for thinking this Petit Chablis fell into the category of Chablis proper, were it not for its small price tag. A fresh lemon, gunflint grapefruit aroma gives way to a fresh, crisp palate with mineral tones and fruity citrus and banana flavours. This would be a great aperitif, but would also work well with dishes such as smoked trout or salmon, or ham with a light sauce.

La Rose Peyrière Montagne St Emilion 2006, £7.99, 12%ABV
Hailing from vineyards surrounding the picturesque village of St Emilion, in the world-famous Bordeaux region, La Rose Peyrière is a classic. This richly-coloured wine is has plenty of youthful plum and currant fruit flavours derived from the Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grapes that go into the blend. The wine has had a period of oak ageing to give some complexity and backbone.

With aromas of black cherry and spices that give way to a rich mouthful of smooth black fruits this wine is an excellent match with food, such as with turkey on Christmas Day, or, if you want to impress your guests at a dinner party, pair it with roast dinners, steak, poultry dishes or cheese. This wine would even benefit from decanting to allow its youthful aromas to develop fully.

Villa Gemma Chianti Riserva 2004, £7.99, 13%ABV
This famous Italian wine, grown in the region of Tuscany, enjoyed a superb vintage in 2004. This justified keeping some of the wines a little longer than usual in oak barrels, entitling them to be called Riserva. This prestigious wine is an intense ruby red/garnet colour which is brought about by the 18 months it spent ageing in oak barrels.

Villa Gemma Chianti Riserva 2004 has an intense fruity aroma, which is dominated by cherry mingled with spicy notes. A smooth, velvety wine, it is round and well structured and there is a distinct taste of chocolate. Its powerful flavours make it an ideal accompaniment to red meats, games and mature cheeses. A great buy if you like your wines elegant yet powerful.