I’m making a list and checking it twice. Perbellini Pannettone, check. Marcarini Moscato, check. Prawns, check. Bellavista, check. Whilst our Italian friends will be making their way through the snow and gathering around the fireplace, we’ll be playing beach cricket and chilling our reds in the fridge. Here’s what’s on the menu at three of Italy’s great wineries. Buon Natale.

FRANZ HAAS in Alto Adige, from Franz Haas

Alaskan Salmon, fished by Franz’ cousin, Champagne Sous Bois Billecart Salmon

Soup with gnocchetti, Pinot Bianco 2009 Franz Haas

Fillet of beef baked in bread crust, Barbaresco Martinenga 1999 Marchese di Gresy

Panettone Perbellini and biscotti from Franz’ mother, Moscato d’Asti 2010 Saracco

PODERI COLLA in Piedmont, from Pietro Colla

It’s common knowledge around our office that Bruna Colla is one of the finest cooks in the Langhe. A meal at the Collas is always a treat, but you better pack a spare stomach because its so good, an extra helping simply cannot be refused. The wine choices here will of course be Piedmontese, coming from a cellar stocked with more than a few gems from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. That reminds me, don’t drink the 64’mate – save it for our Easter lunch!

Antipasti

Pat di fegato e di selvaggina, Flan di topinambur con fonduta

Cotechino con pur di patate, Zampone con lenticchie

Primi

Agnolotti al plin burro e salvia and Agnolotti in brodo

Secondi

Cappone bollito

Dolce

Panettone and  Bonet dla nona

Frutta secca, mandarini

POGGIO ARGENTIERA in Tuscany, from Gianpaolo Paglia

This year Gianpaolo is having a big family Christmas in Justine’s home town in the UK. It kicks off “in a traditional rave in the nave at the local abbey, when Justine will sing ‘Messiah’ with the choir. On the 24th, my Italian parents will be joining us and Mamma will bake lasagne to enjoy with a bottle of Capatosta Morellino di Scansano 2009.”

On Christmas day, the children will graze on chocolate and sweets with the odd crisp or two for dietary variety. The rest of us will have scrambled egg and smoked salmon for breakfast. Us adults will have an aperitif with a glass of Donnhoff Norheimer Kirscheck Riesling Spatlese 2002, and turkey with Bellamarsilia Morellino di Scansano 2010 (voted by The  Independent as the ‘best wine to go with turkey’). We’ll also have venison roasted with juniper and a glazed ham with Pommard 1er Cru Les Jarollieres 1999 Nicolas Potel.  Christmas pudding with Lalicante vino da tavola passito should send us into a calorie surfeit  slumber until boxing day, when we’ll have a good long walk followed by  a cold table of the ham (revisited),
Melton Mowbray pork pie, walnuts, cheese, more cheese, homemade bread and a small cherry tomato to share.”

“A nice bottle of 20 yrs old Tawny Port (to be selected) will also accompany the end of meals. And of course some Champagne La Grand Dame Veuve Cliquot 1999.”