SWEET AND FORTIFIED

NV Le Monferrine Asti, Piemonte, Italy (£5.50, Morrisons) THIS joyful sparkling Muscat has a teeny price, but a big heart. It is frothy, amusing and juicy with grapey sweetness and a gluggable character, but the bottom line is that this is a muchloved style and this is a superb example. If this is your tipple, avoid the confected nonsense and dive into Monferrine. NV Manzanilla Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Spain (£8, Marks & Spencer) THE own-label M&S Manzanilla is a beauty with a less edgy flavour than most. The sea spray notes are all present and correct and the cool, lemon theme is endearing. Serve ice cold, then move to other wines once everyone has allowed the stresses of the day to melt away. 2017 Rustenberg Straw Wine, Stellenbosch, South Africa (Half bottle, £10, Booths) I SERVED this wine at a very grand dinner last month and it was an absolute hit. Everyone overestimated the price by miles; some even thought it was a £50 wine! It’s a honey extravaganza and you will fall under its spell. NV Lustau East India Solera Sherry, Portugal (50cl bottle, £10.99, reduced to £9.49, until January 1, Waitrose) THIS phenomenal sherry has one of the most complex flavours in the wine world. This is one I could sniff for hours. Take one sip and the amazing flavours will seep into your soul. NV Graham’s Crusted Port, Portugal (£19, reduced to £12 until January 1, Morrisons) CRUSTED port throws a huge sediment and so it must be decanted. The sediment ‘feeds’ the wine in the bottle, giving it deep flavour. Anyone buying port this year should aim for this. It’s extraordinary.