Berry Bros & Rudd

Shop 307-308, The Lee Gardens

33 Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay

Call 29072112

BERRY'S OWN SELECTION EXTRA DRY CREMANT

DE LIMOUX

Region: Domaine de l'Aigle, France. Character: Made with mauzac, chardonnay and chenin, this sparkling wine has a soft, delicate mousse and a floral nose with the suggestion of honey, nougat and limes, which combine to give it immense appeal. It is ideal for matching with Christmas pudding, white meats and lemon-based puddings. Price: $123 a bottle, $112 a bottle for orders of 12 or more

RUINART BRUT NV

Region: Reims, Champagne-Ardenne, France. Character: Dom Ruinart is a low-profile yet select Champagne house dating back to the 16th century, the time of the famous Dom Perignon. Its Gallo-Roman chalk cellars are now a historical monument and every two years the finest wine waiters in Europe gather there to compete for the Trophee Ruinart. The high proportion of chardonnay makes this a very clean, elegant champagne. It is good with seafood, especially lobster, oysters and caviar. Price: $427 a bottle, $389 a bottle for orders of 12 or more

DOM RUINART ROSE VINTAGE 1988

Region: Reims, Champagne-Ardenne, France. Character: The winner of the Gold Medal at the London International Wine Challenge 2003, this wine is also a rare old vintage of predominantly pinot noir. This vintage is like a fine Burgundy with bubbles. Hints of raspberries and a lovely nuttiness characterise the palate. It is compatible with soft fruits like figs and strawberries and delicious with all rich food as a palate-cleanser. Price: $1,080 a bottle

CLAUDIA CAPELVENERE

General manager

Castello del Vino Italian Wine Shop & Delicatessen

12 Anton Street, Wan Chai

Call 28660587

Shop 23, Basement, Luk Hoi Tong Building, 31 Queen's Road, Central

Call 28660577

RIPASSA DI ZENATO 2000

Region: Veneto, Italy. Character: Closely related to Amarone, one of Italy's four most popular wines, this wine is made with the ripassa method, which involves two fermentation processes. It is a deep ruby red with an intense bouquet and gentle tannins, and has aromas of ripe plums, prunes and dried berry fruits with flavours of black cherry and pepper and a touch of creaminess. It is very silky and full, a pleasure to drink and goes with all types of food. Price: $198 a bottle

CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 1998, VIGNA FONTALLE, MACHIAVELLI

Region: Tuscany, Italy. Character: The cellars of Machiavelli have been built beneath what was once the house of Niccolo Machiavelli, exiled in 1512 by the Florentine Medici family. This excellent Chianti Classico Riserva has an elegant, full and well-balanced bouquet with pleasant notes of vanilla that enhance the raspberry and violet scents. It is dry with a finish of ripe blackberries. This wine perfectly matches roasts, game, truffle dishes and aged cheese. Price: $258 a bottle

BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 1997, VILLA POGGIO SALVI, BIONDI SANTI

Region: Tuscany, Italy. Character: The 1997 vintage Brunello has been hailed as 'the vintage of the century' and awarded 94 points from Wine Spectator, and The Decanter Award. It is an incredibly rich sangiovese with super ripe aromas of dried fruits and a hint of spice. It is full-bodied, concentrated and rich with round tannins and masses of fruit. The Villa Poggio Salvi vineyard is located on the Montalcino hill facing west. The grapes harvested in this area are lower in acidity, have higher alcohol levels and higher levels of important tannins, resulting in full-bodied wines that can be drunk younger. It is ideal with roasts and seasoned cheeses. Price: $628 a bottle

PAUL LIVERSEDGE

General manager

Watson's Wine Cellars,

36 Queen's Road, Central

Call 21473641

(Seven shops around town)

BABICH SAUVIGNON BLANC 2003

Region: Marlborough, New Zealand. Character: True to the style for which sauvignon blanc from this region is famed, this wine's hints of citrus, lime, gooseberry and fresh-cut grass make for easy drinking. It is a friendly wine that suits a wide range of palates. Price: $99 during the season (originally $129)

D'ARENBERG NOBLE RIESLING 1999

Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia. Character: The Noble Riesling typically exhibits ripeness and richness of flavour and an overall intensity which, combined with balancing acidity, results in a rare wine with extraordinary characters of lemon, peach, tropical citrus and honeysuckle, as well as quince, cumquat, marmalade and dried apricot. It has earned 93 points from Robert Parker and won a trophy at the Japan International Wine Challenge for the Best Riesling. It is best served chilled with fruit, delicate seafood and pate or oysters, or with almonds and blue cheese. Price: $169 a bottle during the holiday, originally $198

ALAMOS CHARDONNAY 2002

Region: Mendoza, Argentina. Character: This is one of the best-value chardonnays, richly layered with pear, apple, melon and sweet vanilla with a hint of smoke. It is ideal as a match for a seafood barbecue and starters, while its full body stands up to some very rich dishes. Wine Spectator has given it 86 points and calls it a best buy. Price: $115

TOMMASO BUSSOLA RECIOTO CLASSICO BG 2000

Region: Veneto, Italy. Character: Tommaso Bussola is the master of Recioto and this bottle has masses of sweet fruit. It is full-bodied, with loads of fruit and a long, long finish, and has been praised as a delicious, pretty, sweet wine. Price: $268 a bottle during the holiday, originally $349

DELAS FRERES MUSCAT DE BEAUMES-DE-VENISE 2000

Region: Northern Rhone Valley, France. Character: From a historic vineyard famed for its method of separate vinification, this wine has a pale golden hue and a bouquet that shows intense fruity and floral aromas. It is elegant on the palate, with a full body and lingering fruity aromas that end with a lemon-tinged finish. Price: $215 a bottle during the holiday, originally $249

Food and wine expert Ross Edward Marks will be at Watson's Wine Cellars at Great Food Hall, Pacific Place from 2pm to 5pm every Sunday until December 28 to answer customers' queries.