How to pick the perfect wines for the holiday season

• The holidays are stressful; wine shouldn't be.
• Avoid Beaujolais Nouveau at all costs.
• Embrace French wines.
• If all else fails, buy Champagne.

A long time ago, I was a professional wine journalist. Later, cars stole my heart, but because I spent about five years deep in the wine world and wrote two books about the wine-loving life, I consider myself reasonably qualified to hand out advice.

When the holiday season rolls around, I routinely see otherwise sensible people flummoxed by booze. So many choices! So many events and parties! So many wildly different foods - sweet potatoes, an enormous bird that's only eaten in November and December - on the plate!

Relax. We can get through this. Here are some hacks.