£17.99, Waitrose
Knowing that a lot of wine drinkers raid their wine racks for Châteauneuf-du-Pape over Christmas, I’ve found a cockle-warming offer to replenish stocks. It comes from the cellars of one of the leading producers, the Perrin family, who are renowned for Château de Beaucastel, one of the most sought-after of Châteauneufs. Le Grand Prébois Les Quatres Terroirs is a typical Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah blend, but the grapes come from all four of the different Châteauneuf soil types. It's then matured for a year in large, old oak casks that don't give any extraneous oak flavours. Although it’s delicious now – vivid, opulently fruity, spicy and smooth – it’s from the excellent 2016 vintage, so you could stock up for the next four or five Christmases at least, if you’ve got somewhere cold and dark to lay it down. In between, drink it with more or less what you fancy, from cassoulet to casseroles, winter roots, stuffed cabbage, a hunk of Manchego or game pie. It’s in 289 stores and online at waitrosecellar.com and the 25% reduction, down from £24, continues until 20 February.
Le Grand Prébois Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Quatres Terroirs 2016, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France
£17.99 (down from £23.99 until 20 February), Waitrose