As a bit of fun for our Christmas brochure, and to help the uninitiated through almost 400 wines, we got each of the team to pick their top wines for the festive season – what they’ll be drinking themselves over the well-deserved Christmas break. Here’s Julian.

Name: Julian Alubaidy.

A.K.A.: Julian, (‘Julien’, ‘Adrian’, ‘Justin’…), @curiousjulian.

First wine experience: Marvin Gaye singing “I Heard it Through the Grapevine”

Favourite wine: Red blends from the south of Frances, Caberdès maybe.

Last wine before you die: I try to enjoy them all that way! But, if I had the choice, a really special white Burgundy.

 
TOP WINES UNDER €10

58 Guineas Everyday Claret 2009 – Bordeaux, France – €9.99.

I often find inexpensive Bordeaux disappointing compared with what the same money could buy from other regions. Once in a while, though, a decent, honest wine like this one comes along. It’s authentic Bordeaux, but without pretensions – it’s for drinking, not keeping!

Moulin de Gassac Classic Blanc 2010 – Languedoc, France – €7.99 on sale.

I’m always attracted to the less familiar grapes, and this crisp blend balances the characteristics of three varieties to offer fragrance, richness of fruit flavour and a lingering finish. It has a little more body than some, so it’s a perfect match for fish with creamy sauces or seafood.

TOP WINES UNDER €16 (-ish)

The King’s Bastard Chardonnay 2009 – Marlborough, New Zealand – €16.99 (buy 5, get 1 free)

This almost feels like a guilty pleasure because it’s not only chardonnay, but oaked at that – so unfashionable! If fashions don’t hold you back, however, I strongly suggest you try this: what’s not to like in a ripe, peachy, voluptuous white wine whose flavours just go on and on?

Dignité Syrah 2008 – Languedoc, France – €12.99.

Sometimes a really powerful, full-flavoured red is what’s called for. This beast needs a good couple of hours’ breathing to get fully into its stride, but it’s perfectly balanced, with amazing deep, dark flavours – an eye-opener if your usual shiraz fix comes from Australia.

TOP INDULGENCE

Bleasdale ‘Frank Potts’ 2008 – Langhorne Creek, Australia – €18 on sale.

A taste of exquisite, understated luxury, the quality of the winemaking reveals itself sip by sip. Not a rough edge or a loose thread anywhere – just pure craftsmanship that’s a delight to savour.

TOP BUBBLY

Pirie Tasmanian Sparkling NV – Tasmania, Australia – €20 on sale.

At half the price of Champagne, this is astonishing value from a traditional marriage of chardonnay and pinot noir. Really outstanding.

TOP STICKY

Bleasdale ‘The Wise One’ Wood Matured Tawny – Langhorne Creek, Australia – €15.29 on sale.

I love the bottle and I love the concentrated, porty deliciousness of what’s in it. On my Christmas list.

All special offers in place until 31st December and while stocks last.