By Will Lyons, Wall Street Journal

Christmas isn’t a time to improvise. The holiday season is all about spending time with family and friends, basking in the warm glow of the familiar. It’s the same with wine.

At this time of year, I like to pull out old favorites, confident in the knowledge that I know what I’m getting and can relax and enjoy them for what they are.

This year, I’ve done the work for you and sipped my way through dozens of wines to find the perfect case for the holidays.

In the course of the next month, you’re likely to find yourself opening more bottles of sparkling wine than at any other time of the year. So you need an affordable fizz as well as something sought-after and rare.

I’ve chosen two sparkling wines that I think offer tremendous value for money: New Zealand’s Miru Miru and California’s Quartet. Both are ideal for small family gatherings and larger drinks parties. For something a little more special, there’s a stunning vintage Champagne from Pol Roger.

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