CHRISTMAS is fast approaching and it can only mean one thing: it's scoffing time!

But with some less than palatable pies, puds and mulled wines flooding the market, shopping for show-stopping treats can be fraught with perils - and disappointment. And if you're watching those love handles, you're probably looking to make every empty calorie worth the extra winter padding.

To spare you the heartache and heartburn, the Adver team has taken a bullet and tasted the worst - and best - our supermarkets have to offer this Christmas, with some surprising results.

MULLED WINE

M&S, 8/10 - £6.50

This is the wine for clove addicts. When it comes to spices M&S's Spanish wine is rather heavy-handed. At the Adver towers it was a pretty divisive vintage. The old-timey label was a favourite though. We love a heart-warning cup of mulled wine as much as the next person, if not more, but this went straight to our heads. Definitely worth a little guzzle however.

Morrisons, 6/10 - £3.50

It doesn't reach any new heights but this is a well-rounded mulled wine; though a touch on the sweet side. It may be a little sickening after a whole glass.

Sainsbury's, 9/10 - £3

It is leaps and bounds ahead of the rest. By far the smoothest, it is a crowd pleaser. Not too heavy on the spices, sweet enough without turning into grape juice, it is the perfect compromise. You'll definitely want a second glass.

Tesco, 5/10 - £3.50

The lingering medicinal tang (think Dr Pepper accidentally spilled in a wine carafe) is quite unpleasant. And after the first sip it is virtually all you can taste. It is by far the sweetest, and rather light on the spices expect for faint hints of cinnamon. Not Tesco's finest.

Waitrose 7.5/10 - £4.99

High-end supermarkets clearly love a bit of cloves. Some in the office went as far as calling it bitter. It has its drawbacks but the smack of cloves is balanced out nicely by the subtle but sweet cinnamon aroma. At 11 per cent it is one of the strongest. Worth a try.

MINCE PIES

M&S, 9/10 - £1.80 for 6

By far the biggest, M&S mince pies offer the best of both world. The crumbly and deliciously buttery (almost too rich for some in the office) pastry is perfectly complimented by the delicately spiced and zesty filling. Moreish to the extreme, this is what every mince pie should be like.

Morrisons, 5/10 - £1 for 6

When it comes to filling Morrison is on the stingy side. The pastry to mince ratio is woefully out of proportion. There is barely enough fruit to fill half the pies and after the first mouthful of heavy, and bordering on stale, biscuit it was all we could do not to dash to the water cooler and glug gallons of water. The sparse filling itself is a tad bland. It certainly didn't put us in the festive spirit.

Sainsbury's, 7/10 - £1 for 6

It is your solid bog-standard pie. There are plenty of currants to sink your teeth into though the pastry is a little dry and lacks the citrus zing of others. Not enough to make it stand out above the rest.

Tesco, 4.50/10 - £0.89 for 6

Tesco wins the prize for scrawniest mince pie. On the plus side the filling, probably because of its diminutive size, is more evenly distributed than say, Morrisons. The flavour is also slightly more appetizing than its competitor but overall the pastry a disappointment. It is by far the driest ('leathery' has been bandied around) and simply not worth the empty calories.

Waitrose, 9/10 - £1.70 for 6

It has the most distinctive package design - think John Lewis ad meets Rupert Bear. And the mince pies within are quite the treat too. The pastry by far surpasses any other brand. It is crumbly, light and oh so scrummy. The blend of fruit, citrus peel and spices is spot-on. They disappeared at record speed: a sure sign of quality. It was such a coin toss between Waitrose and M&S and we couldn't decide. You'll have to scoff both and make up your own mind.

CHRISTMAS PUDDINGS

M&S Classic Recipe Christmas Pudding, 8/10 - £3 serves 4

There is a lovely whiff of sherry as soon as you pluck it out of the microwave! And if you like a good lashing of rum too, this is the ideal pudding. Not too sweet, it offers just the right balance of cider, rum and sherry. The alcohol doesn't overpower the fruit, which comes through beautifully and the texture is surprisingly light.

Morrisons Rich Fruit Christmas Pudding, 4/10 - £2.50 serves 4

Although technically the same weight, it is by far the smallest pudding after cooking, only filling three-quarters of the packaging. It is far too thick (and could easily double as an excellent spoon stand) and by far the blandest - with only a lonely hint of citrus wafting through.

Sainsbury's 6-Month Matured Christmas Pudding, 9.5/10 - £3.50 serves 4

The citrus peel gives a nice tangy body to the dessert. It is very moreish, though a little denser than some - but not enough to make you put your spoon down. The lingering taste of caramel is fa-bu-lous. Every mouthful is a delight. Sainsbury's is raising the bar for store-bought puds this year!

Tesco Christmas Pudding, 6/10 - £2 serves 4

The texture is very dense, and the brandy overwhelms everything else. A good dash of alcohol can liven up a pudding, but it shouldn’t stamp out flavour. Go easy on the molasses and brandy next time, Tesco.

Waitrose 6-Month Matured Christmas Pudding, 8/10 £5 serves 4

The moisture is immediately noticeable and the spoon just glides through like butter. The pudding is dripping with brandy. This is certainly something to note if you don't like boozy desserts. But if you do it is the ideal Christmas pudding. The crunchy nuts are a nice addition. A great pud, nipping at the heels of Sainsbury’s.