SWEET AND FORTIFIED

NV Blandy’s Duke of Clarence Rich Madeira, Portugal

£12, Morrisons; £12 reduced to £9.60 until Jan 3, Waitrose; £10, Asda

BLANDY’S makes sensational Madeira, and Duke of Clarence is a work of art. Nutty, honeyed, figgy and raisiny, this is officially a sweet style of Madeira. But I sense masses of acidity, so this is actually a very wellbalanced wine and the term ‘rich’ sums it up perfectly. Open and sip over a fortnight and the flavour won’t budge an inch, too!

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

£12.99, 38 branches of Waitrose & waitrosecellar.com

WITH its pinpoint accurate nose and flavour, this is a truly celestial star wine. Manzanilla at its apogee, this is an epic dry sherry.

2015 Pillitteri, Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé Ice Wine, Canada

£15.99, half bottle, Lidl

THIS is a bizarre creation — and it is worth every penny. Made from grapes which freeze on the vine in winter and are then magically transformed into a pink, cherry-scented, sweet elixir, this is a massive treat from one of Canada’s ice wine specialists. ’Tis the season!

2002 Warre’s, Quinta da Cavadinha, Douro, Portugal

£27, Morrisons; £30.99 reduced to £23.23, until Jan 3, Waitrose; 2001 vintage £31 reduced to £21 until Jan 1, Marks & Spencer

WITH a wonderful Christmas cake nose and a much smoother and more mellow palate than many ports, this is my pick of the higher-priced vintage releases this year. And everyone is doing discounts, so shop around. Cavadinha will leave you weak at the knees with its noble flavours.