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Christmas is a costly affair and one that can amount to hundreds, if you don't play smart with your cash.

But, while you can't always scrimp on Christmas gifts, households can make huge savings on the big festive feast - with Aldi topping best-value lists across the board for turkey and booze, and Lidl winning on the trimmings.

The discount retailer has been crowed top of the poll in this year’s annual Which? festive taste tests for red wine and Champagne, with own-brand tipples costing between £5.99 and £9.99 respectively.

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Aldi’s Exquisite Collection Argentinian Malbec 2016, £5.99, was voted top by the Which? experts in a blind taste test for the best winter red wine. The panel agreed it was a “decent winter red” with “big red fruit flavours and rich tannins”.

And while Piper Heidsieck Champagne Brut Non Vintage, £30, came out with the highest score in the Champagne blind taste test, Aldi’s Veuve Monsigny Champagne Brut, at just £9.99, came third ahead of major retailers Waitrose, Morrisons and Lidl.

It also outscored the two most expensive major brands tested,Laurent-Perrier Brut (£38, Morrisons)andVeuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label Champagne (£30, Tesco)as the tastiest festive drink.

What about the turkey?

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In a separate survey of more than 2,000 Which? members, Aldi was voted the top supermarket for buying your turkey for the festive season.

People who bought their turkey at Aldi ranked their bird’s taste the same as those who bought at Marks & Spencer, Waitrose or Morrisons, but independent shops and butchers came out top overall for taste - most likely owed to the freshness factor.

Those looking to get their turkeys in early this year, can also take note from the expert Marry Berry who recommends Iceland's award-winning frozen bird, which comes in at just £4.95.

The Luxury British Whole Turkey with Orange and Thyme Butter (£4.95 per kg) is brined for eight hours in water, salt and brown sugar, and hand prepared with thyme butter and real orange slices for an authentic, home-cooked taste.

...And all the trimmings?

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Independent shops were voted the best place to buy your Christmas vegetables, with Lidl and Aldi following closely behind for value.

However, it seems we Brits know our frozen from our fresh, with Marks & Spencer topping the trimmings poll for 'quality'.

Nevertheless, Lidl and Aldi still beat major names Asda, Sainsbury’s and Tesco on quality, and matched or scored higher on taste. After independents, Lidl was also scored highly for sausages.

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Richard Headland, Which? Editor, said: “You don’t have to fork out a fortune for your Christmas tipple this year, with supermarket own-label products coming out above well-known more expensive brands. Discount retailers continue to provide good-quality festive produce at affordable prices.”

50 smart ways to cut your food costs (Click image below to begin)

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