SWEET AND FORTIFIED

NV Winemakers’ Selection Muscat de St Jean de Minervois, Les Jardinières, LanguedocRoussillon, France

(£5, half bottle, Sainsbury’s) COMING from a limestone plateau situated at nearly 1,000ft altitude and around 20 miles inland from the Mediterranean sea, this is a magical sweetie with honeydew melon notes and a bright, crisp finish. Bear in mind that it’s on the lighter side when you are preparing pudding!

NV Graham’s 10Year-Old Tawny Port, Douro Valley, Portugal

(£8, 20cl gift tube, Oddbins) THIS is the only wine which is featured in my list because of its packaging and its flavour. If you have to buy any ‘Secret Santa’ or relatively inexpensive Christmas gifts this year, then this port is one of the design winners for me. Not only that, but the flavour is cracking and it’s from the legendary Graham’s estate.

NV Taste the Difference Special Reserve Port, Douro Valley, Portugal

(£10, Sainsbury’s) MADE by the worldfamous Symington family estates, this is one of the standout wines of the year. Powerful and loaded with plum and dark chocolate notes, this is a magnificent port with great impact and distinction. You can spend five times this price and end up with a wine that isn’t as complete and rewarding as this one.

NV Pasada Pastrana, La Gitana Hidalgo Manzanilla, Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Spain

(£13.99, reduced to £11.99 each on a Mix Six deal, Majestic; £12.99 Waitrose) YOU won’t find another wine that I have given 20 out of 20 in my tasting notes for this price anywhere in the world. This is the definitive aperitif dry sherry for all others to marvel at. Chill it down and allow yourself to fall under its spell. Nothing on earth tastes this good for £12 or £13.