Suggestions for Christmas Cheer from:

Nigel Werner, Findlaters
Martin Moran, Gilbeys
Gerry Grimes and yours truly, Hyperspatially
Mark Downes, Chairman, Preamble Wine Club

Advice from the local experts varies:  I heard recommendations on the radio suggesting Shiraz with the turkey - the excellent Tyrrells Long Flat at the cheaper end (around €9) and Wolf Blass President's Selection at the dearer (about €18).  For what it's worth, I'd go for the more restrained Peter Lehman's Barossa Valley Shiraz at about €11.50. 
In the 2001 "Tipple" e-zine Nigel Donnan  says: "I think the most important point to note here is to avoid any overtly spicy wines such as Australian Shiraz which would completely dominate, not allowing the food to express itself."  I'm more inclined to Nigel's point of view.  He says that the right wine for turkey will be light to medium bodied with a fruit which is red in character (that is strawberry, raspberry and cherry fruits, rather than the darker blackcurrant and damson).  If you want to read more you can sign up for the e-zine at www.esearch.ie/tipple. The 2002 version isn't of the 'wine with food' variety, but rather some (interesting) price bracket-based  recommendations.
If you want to really spoil yourself with the mince pies try Tuke Holdsworth 10-year old Tawny port from Dunnes Stores.  The price has shot up to €23 but it's still well worth it.  A close run second is the Tesco LBV at around €15. The Lidl version is very light brown and very (too?) smooth, at €9.99 - well worth a try.
I'll be starting with a white burgundy to match the king prawns in Pernod, and Jaboulet St. Joseph Les Pompiers with the turkey and ham (as usual).  I'm experimenting with a Tokay with the pud.  Have a wonderful Christmas and may the new year bring all that you wish.  

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Nigel Werner

Aperitif
Veuve Cliquot Yellow Label Champagne £26.00
or
Seaview Pinot Noir Chardonnay 1993 (Australia) £12.00
(Winner of Sparkling Wine of the Year)

First Course
Gewurtztraminer Princes Abbes 1994 Schlumberger £9.98
or
Penfolds Semillon Chardonnay 1995 (Australia) £7.76

With the Turkey or Goose
Savigny Les Beaune 1992 Champ Chevrey 1er Cru Tollot Beaut £15.93
or
Marques Merlot 1993 Conch y Toro (Chile) £7.86

Plum Pudding
Penfolds Botrytis Riesling Traminer 1990 - Half bottle £6.75
or
Tokaji Aszu 1991 Five Puttonyos £14.82

Port
Churchills LBV 1990 £12.50
or
Churchills 1985 £27.00

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Martin Moran

Festive Cheer
Santa Rita 120 Chardonnay or Merlot
or
Goulet Chardonnay 1993 or Paul Jaboulet's Ventoux Range

Smoked Salmon
Gewurtztraminer 1993 Trimbach
or
Marques de Murieta Rioja Blanco 1991
or
Chablis Regnard 1995

Turkey
Aloxe Corton Domaine Latour 1993, Louis Latour
or
Jamieson's Run Red 1994 or Jamieson's Run Chardonnay 1994

Ham
Fleurie 1995, Paul Drouhin
or
Lindeman's Bin 65 Chardonnay 1995

Goose
Crozes Hermitage Les Jalets 1994, Paul Jaboulet
or
Lindeman's Bin 50 Shiraz 1993

Roast Beef
Chateau Loudenne Medoc 1993
or
Faustino 1 Gran Reserva 1987

Christmas Pudding
Muscat de Beaume de Venise, Paul Jaboulet

Christmas Cake
Cinzano Asti Spumante
or
Gonzalez Byass Superior Cream Sherry

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Gerry Grimes and John Pierce

Aperitif
Almacenista Manzanilla Sherry (Mitchell's, £27.80)

Smoked Salmon
Sylvaner Zind Humbrecht (Imported by Brangans, widely available, about £8)

Turkey
Cotes de Ventoux, Paul Jaboulet (Superquinn, £5.69)
or
St. Joseph, Le Grand Pompee, Paul Jaboulet (Superquinn, £9.99)

Plum Pudding
Penfolds Botrytis Riesling Traminer 1990 - Half bottle (Findlaters, £6.75)

Port
Churchills 1985 (Findlaters, £27.00)

Christmas Cake
Montebello Vintage Champagne (O'Brien's, about £20)

To wash it all down
Laubade XO Armagnac (Mitchell's, £26.20)

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Mark Downes, Chairman, Preamble Wine Club Two menus, no less!

MENU 1
Aperitif
San Patricio Dry Sherry (Widely available, about £9)

Smoked Salmon and Prawns
Gewurtztraminer Turkheim 1994 (Imported by Brangans, widely available, about £8)

Beef Consomme
Sercial Madeira (about £12)

Turkey & Ham
Concha y Toro Chardonnay 1996 (Verlings, Findlaters, about £7)
or
Chateau Langoa Barton, St. Julien, 1985 (£26)

Irish Farmyard Cheeses
Domaine Dujac, Morey ST. Denis, 1988 (Findlaters, £20.00)

Plum Pudding and Ice Cream
Chateau Coutet, Barsac (about £30)

Coffee

MENU 2
Aperitif

and
Melon
Pinot de Charente, Chateau de Beaulon, 10 yr. old (Imported by Brangans, widely available, about £17)

Oxtail Soup
Riesling Grand Cru Kitterle, Schlumberger, Alsace 1991 (Findlaters, £16)

Roast Goose
Riesling as above
or
Rioja Reserva Vina Ardanza, 1985 (Superquinn, £14.50)

Mince Pies
followed by
Stilton Cheese
Calem Vintage Port, 1970 (£40)

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Your suggestions here. Just send them to jgp@iol.ie
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