Festive drinks are rare. But fear not, SUDI PIGOTT is tracking wine exchanges

This year, more than any other, we look forward to the festivities. So, hearing our favorite Christmas drinks can run out, due to a shortage of truck drivers and supply chain issues, this is the breaking news we need.

It might be difficult to stock up on party items like champagne, New Zealand sauvignon blanc, and California zinfandel. Owners of brands such as Laurent Perrier and Moet & Chandon are so worried that 49 bosses in the beverage industry have written to Transportation Secretary Grant Shapps asking him to step up efforts to resolve the issue.

Your best bet is, without a doubt, to take preventative measures by taking an adventurous approach and ditching your old favorites for alternatives that taste just as good, cost the same or less – and will surprise your guests to boot!

From Lebanese reds to Japanese fizz, here’s our guide to the most elegant trades for the holiday season.

GO TO THE FAR EAST FOR THE NEW FAVORITE FIZZ

The champagne harvests have been affected by inclement weather – they are down by around 30% – so shortages caused by transportation issues this Christmas may well be the forerunner of limited production next year as well. In other words, there’s never been a better time to find a new favorite fizz. Pop the caps with a bottle of this product. . .

Morrisons The Best Sparkling English Brut, £ 25, Morrisons

A surprisingly good English vintage sparkling wine, aged for eight years, which rivals anything the Champenois can produce. It has complex brioche aromas on the nose and an appropriate depth of flavor with the signature citrus, green apple.5/5

Atago No Matsu ‘Waiting Love’ Sparkling Sake, £ 15.99, totneswine.com

Sparkling sake is dangerously drinkable. It matches the clean and fine bubbles of champagne thanks to a second fermentation in the bottle. Taste-wise, it has a whisper of sweetness, but nothing of the cloying brassy of many proseccos. Goes well with salty and sweet. 4.5 / 5

BAC BOURGOGNE DRILLING

A good Chardonnay such as a white Burgundy is synonymous with quality and a mainstay for entertaining, especially for the richest Christmas dishes.

In addition to transport and tariff issues, the Burgundy vineyard has also suffered from bad weather, which means it’s time to raise a glass to another region.

Those who like a medium to full bodied white with a nice mineral finish will love it. . .

Journey’s End Winemaker’s Reserve Chardonnay 2021 Stellenbosch South Africa, £ 8.99, Marks & Spencer

Deeply aromatic with notes of grapefruit and peach leaf and a round mineral finish, rich in almonds. This South African Chardonnay has been aged for eight months in French oak barrels, giving it additional resonance. 4/5

Specially selected Côtes du Jura, £ 7.99, Aldi

Composed of 100% Chardonnay, this elegant beverage – originating in the French mountainous region east of Burgundy, which has been less affected by bad weather – is rich and elegant, with intense aromas of peach and apricot. complemented by nutty and mineral notes. It goes very well with fish, chicken or turkey. 3/5

CHUCK OUT THE CLOUDY BAY

Among your guests, there will always be fans of the fresh New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc crisp like fresh snow with its generous amounts of citrus. Still, transportation issues aside, Cloudy Bay has become somewhat outdated and expensive. Dare to be different this year. . .

Broadbent Vinho Verde NV, £ 12.99, 9elmswines.co.uk

The best Portuguese Vinho Verde can be refreshing and tangy with lots of orchard fruit – and it’s really quite special. Bright yellow in color, it reveals notes of currant, passion fruit, melon and a note of honeysuckle on the nose. To the taste, it is round and mellow with green apple and a touch of lychee and melon zest, as well as a lot of finesse and a sweet effervescence. It will surprise your guests with its refinement. 4/5

Classics No.30 Gruner Veltliner Weingut Rabi, £ 8.50, Marks & Spencer

Austria’s first white grape is a good change from Sauvignon Blanc, offering a little more spice. There are fresh citrus and white pepper notes, with superb citrus and orchard fruit flavors and a racy mineral hint. It pairs well with seafood – so stock up on a bottle or two for the smoked salmon. 4.5 / 5

RISE A GLASS OF ROMANIAN RED

Wine lovers often look for powerful, medium-bodied reds like California Zinfandel, which has lots of jammy red fruit flavors.

However, Zinfandel fans may need to find alternatives as weather and transport factors could make the supply unstable. Instead, take one of the new kids in the neighborhood. . .

Romanian Pinot Noir blueprint, £ 5.99, Waitrose

Romanian wines are getting a lot of excitement right now, and this elegant offer comes at a very nice price as well. Full of juicy red fruit characteristics, it has a hint of flavorful complexity and tannic bite, with hints of cherry and raspberry on the palate, and a sweet smoothness on the finish. A crowd pleaser with turkey or goose and a good match for Stilton. 3/5

Specially selected Lebanese red, £ 7.99, Aldi

Deep purple with aromas of blackberry, cassis and black cherry, this inexpensive Aldi wine – a surprise hit for the supermarket – would hold up well on a prime rib. 3.5 / 5

GO GREEK FOR A GLASS OF PRESTIGE

A rich, ripe Bordeaux Cabernet Sauvignon is an expensive treat, and is synonymous with Christmas roasts and cheeses. But there are many non-Gallic alternatives to this prestige casting that might prove to be easier to find.

Kokotos Estate Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot de Stamata, Attiki 2017, £ 27, maltbyandgreek.com

A real find with its intense and deep ruby ​​color and its complex bouquet of red fruits, prunes, spices and tobacco, it has a robust taste with a fruity aftertaste of dark chocolate. Will do more than hold up with the cheese board. 4/5

Found Pais, Chili, £ 9, Marks & Spencer

Made from the rediscovered Pais grape from Chile’s southern Itata Valley, this bright and easy-drinking red, with aromas of black cherry and a hint of anise, is medium-bodied with lightly cooked plums on the palate and a heavy undertow. ‘spices. It has a smooth finish that packs a punch and would be perfect with any festive toppings. Enjoy! 3/5