I'm almost certain to receive a text message when I'm doing the daily shop at the supermarket. DONT 4GET BNZ & APLS, would be a typical example. Things are made more interesting if I receive one that says DONT 4GET YN. Sometimes I'm spoilt for choice, US OR OZ CABSO? Maybe BORDO or perhaps a nice OKT YT.

I can't find an XQS to include this randomly chosen selection of wines other than they need a mention before Christmas, if you get my message?

The MALBR region of NZ is known for fruity sauvignon blanc. I'm not always a fan but The Crossings Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2004 is in a different class. It is more complex than the norm, with mineral flavours that are characteristic of the Awatere Valley region of Marlborough. It is a wine of great length from the passion fruit and spice on the nose, to the apricot, melon, mandarin and mustard flavours and the grassy, effervescent finish. Just right with smoked salmon.

BO J L A can be a nice accompaniment to cheese and other festive snacks. Try Louis Jadot Combe Aux Jacques Beaujolais Villages 2004, after it's had half an hour in the fridge. Young and very fruity, it is light and dry with strawberry, raspberry, redcurrant and soft tannins.

P NO isn't everyone's cup of T, but I liked a Chilean example of the grape I caught up with, at the HC Wines Christmas tasting, last Saturday. The piquant Villard Expression Pinot Noir 2003 is rich with flavours of tea, raisins, cherry and hints of caramel. Subtle tannins add a little extra. I think pinot noir has good turkey pairing potential, it can cope with the gravy and cranberry sauce, where most white wine fails.

FIZ can cost a great deal of MNE, so it was great to taste a reasonably-priced French sparkling wine, also from HC Wines. For about a quarter of the price of a bottle of non-vintage Champers, Nerleux Crmant de Loire Blanc is a mighty fine wine. Aromas of brioche and crunchy orchard fruits lead the way for palate-invigorating tangy grapefruit, kiwi and sherbet flavours. This chenin blanc and chardonnay blend, Loire region fizz is just right for a Christmas day aperitif.

TTFN, CU next week for the Tipping's Tipples Christmas selection.

Tippling term of the week: Intense. Descriptive of a wine with powerful flavours or aromas.

The Crossings Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2004, £7.99 at Oddbins 18/20

Louis Jadot Combe Aux Jacques Beaujolais Villages 2004, £6.99 at Waitrose, Tesco and Budgens 16/20

Villard Expression Pinot Noir 2003, £6.25 from www.hcwines.co.uk 16/20

Nerleux Crmant Blanc nv, £6.95 from www.hcwines.co.uk 17/20

Updated: 16:21 Friday, December 02, 2005