AS THE festive season is now coming upon us I have two treats for you this week, both excellent value and both great additions to your festive drinks list.

The first is a stunning white wine from the south of France from the stable of Gerard Bertrand and his Reserve Speciale Viognier 2011. Gerard is an award-winning wine maker and this wine is true to form, displaying a rich, golden colour, followed by an intense nose of honeysuckle and pear, then citrus notes, which leads to a rich, mouth-filling hit of stone fruit (peach) and then floral and citrus flavours to finish. The initial sweet taste you get on the tip of your tongue is finished with a crisp, clean length. This would be fantastic with fish starter (smoked salmon or seafood platter) and ideal with the turkey. Available from Majestic Wines at £8.99 a bottle when bought in a case of six wines - which you can mix and match.

The beer this week is from the Co-operative and is their own label Gold Miner golden ale. The brew is from the Freeminer Brewery in the Royal Forest of Dean. It is a well balanced ale with a light, golden colour, followed with a intense hop flavour and soft malty texture with a hint of sweetness. This is ideal if you don’t want wine with your Christmas meal. Available at £2.03 a bottle from all Co-op stores.

  • Graeme Hedley is sommelier and expert on food and wine at Kendal College’s Lakes Hotel School