Christmas Cellar

It’s a household name in France. But Drappier is still a relatively well-kept secret on this side of the Channel. The house is 200 years old, with some of the oldest and most extensive cellars in Europe. They’re the only ones to have survived unscathed through the world wars and the fires which swept the region soon after. But they don’t rest on their history. They have a forward-thinking approach based on sustainability, making carbon-neutral fizz. It’s from Premier Cru vineyards that are consistently rated as some of the very best in the region. Fresh and intense, it tastes of pear and vanilla. It’s the perfectly plush glassful for fans of rich, toasty Champagne.

Domaine Durieu was founded by Paul Durieu in the 1970s and quickly gained notoriety in France and beyond. Today, his 17th century cellar is now in the hands of his sons, Vincent and François. Together, they continue to make fantastic Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It's robust and full-bodied, with notes of black fruits and red cherry and herbal aromas. Try it with lamb chops.

Second wines like this are a bit of an insider secret. Savvy claret lovers know that these wines use grapes from the younger vines of top châteaux – so they’re great quality, but a fraction of the price of their flagship wines. This is from Château Ramage la Batisse, a top Cru Bourgeois estate close to Pauillac's Château Mouton Rothschild. Unlike typical clarets which are aged in oak, this is made exclusively in stainless steel and concrete vats. The lack of oak keeps the wine bright and fresh. Expect flavours of briar fruit and plum that pair brilliantly with grilled lamb chops.