I have worked out that some people do their present shopping before Christmas Eve. This explains why it was so busy in York city centre last weekend. The shops were heaving and most folks I saw were weighed down, like packhorses, with boxes and shopping bags.

So if you are one of those people trying to get all the Christmas shopping done in good time, or even if you leave it until the last minute, here are some gift suggestions of the red wine kind. I have made the assumption that you do not want to spend more than £20.

Previous vintages of the Argentinian red blend Clos de los Siete have scored well in Tipping’s Tipples but I think the 2011 is my favourite yet. From the Mendoza region, it is predominantly malbec but with some merlot, cabernet, syrah and petit verdot in the mix too.

Full-bodied, with a creamy texture, there is an appealing freshness to this vintage and it is well balanced also. Flavours of brambles, cherry and violet, mingle with polished oak and dark chocolate notes in this wine, which would be perfect with roast beef.

A good pinot noir makes an ideal Christmas gift because it goes so well with Christmas dinner, assuming you are having turkey and the trimmings.

Jackson Estate Vintage Widow Pinot Noir 2012, from the Marlborough region of New Zealand, would be a good choice. It is smooth, concentrated, juicy and polished, with flavours of cherry and rosehip, spiced with cinnamon, vanilla and clove. You could drink it now but do bear in mind it will probably be even better by Christmas 2019.

Or head to the Old World and the delightfully named Abbotts and Delaunay Cumulo Nimbus 2011 from the Minervois appellation, in the not cloudy but sunny sud de France. Made from syrah and carignan it is rich and juicy, with long flavours of forest fruits, vanilla and black pepper.


Clos de los Siete 2011, Mendoza, around £14.99 at Waitrose and Sainsbury’s 18/20

Jackson Estate Vintage Widow Pinot Noir 2012, Marlborough, £16.99 each when you buy two at Majestic 17/20

Abbotts and Delaunay Cumulo Nimbus 2011, Minervois, £16.99 from averys.com 18/20 

Twitter: @TippingsTipples