Christmas 2012: Susy Atkins' red wines to drink with roast turkey Perfect reds for the cluttered plate of turkey and all the add-ons are ripe but decidedly not heavy - think warm-climate, juicy, rounded. Plus, they have only a subtle touch of oak, and tend towards youthful, bright flavours, not older, savoury ones. All the better to match vibrant fruity sauces, white meat and sprightly veg. Head south to warm French wine-making regions for smooth, ripe styles such as southern French syrah (aka shiraz), grenache or mourvèdre, or for Côtes du Rhône Villages. And don't feel the need to splash out, as simpler, early-drinking styles suit the turkey and trimmings better than premium cuvées. Ditto the Australian shiraz-cabernet blends and Chilean merlots. Les Jamelles Réserve Mourvèdre 2011, Pays d'Oc, France (Co-op £6.99) A little more savoury, but with a spiced blackcurrant flavour and rounded, sun-ripe finish that works well if your turkey comes with strongly flavoured gravies and sauces and a peppery stuffing. Brazin Old Vine Zinfandel 2010, Lodi, California (Waitrose, £12.99) Top choice on Christmas Day, with its brightly fruity, ripe blueberry and raspberry fruit, liquorice edge and warming hint of clove. Well-balanced flavours, but big on alcohol (15 per cent), so beware... Domaine de la Meynarde, Plan de Dieu Côtes du Rhône Villages 2011, France (Marks & Spencer, £8.49) Ticks the right boxes: ripe enough, but not over-tannic, with plenty of blackcurrant and baked plum and a mellow, soft toffee/clove layer. Decent Rhône at a good price. TIPPLE TIP one for mavericks... For convention-flouters serving up roast beef on Christmas Day, a fine Italian red is the best choice. Your guests will swoon at a duet of roast rib of beef with the magnificent cassis-and-prune-laden Villa Magna Primitivo di Manduria 2010, Italy' (Marks & Spencer, £8.99)