The diary says you have a few weeks in hand, but if you leave your wine-buying until the last minute, you will end up with boring big brands and tired old names. You and your guests deserve better. If you’re not going to stock up this week, keep these pages safe, because, as usual, there are recommendations for all budgets and occasions — the fruits of my selfless tasting of thousands of wines.

A couple of important housekeeping points before we start. All the Thresher and Wine Rack prices are the ones you pay per bottle when you buy three (on their buy-two-get-one- free deal), because that’s what most customers do. If you buy just one bottle, the price will be 50% more. For Majestic, where there is a reduction on two bottles, I have given the discounted price: you have to buy a minimum of 12 bottles in Majestic, so it makes sense to buy at least two of the same and get the discount.

CHAMPAGNE MOMENTS

There’s no way round it — however good (and sometimes expensive) the sparkling wines from other regions are, you can’t beat the real McCoy. There are a couple of jaw-dropping price reductions below and other offers will appear between now and Christmas, but be wary, especially with cheap unknowns. Lea & Sandeman is a good source of offers and trustworthy names (020 7244 0522).

TOP SPARKLERS

Piper-Heidsieck Brut, £14.66

Fresh, rounded, lightly toasty champagne. Widely available at £21-£22, but the Co-op is selling it at this knockdown price (Co-op).

Serge Mathieu Tradition, £16.50

Ripe, soft and lemony. Good value (Stone Vine & Sun, 01962 712351).

Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru, £19.50-£19.99

Creamy, biscuity, grand cru champagne (Swig, 08000 272272; Waitrose).

Alfred Gratien Brut, £22.95

Fresh and toasty with a fine, chalky texture (Berry Bros & Rudd, 0870 900 4300; also available to members under The Wine Society’s own label).

Times recommends

• Live chat: Thrifty ways to update your winter wardrobe
• Is anybody out there really listening?
• Nutrition Q&A: Will eating late make me fat?