Uncork a cracking port

White

Noval Extra Dry White Port

You can sip this on its own to enjoy its fruity honeysuckle notes, elderflower flavours and nutty finish, but the best way to enjoy crisp, dry, white port is to serve it as a minty cocktail. Top up the glass with Fevertree tonic, serve with orange peel, mint and ice for a refreshing, zippy, long, cool aperitif. £13, Villeneuve Wines, Edinburgh & Peebles

Kopke 10 Year Old White Port

If you normally drink tawny, you will love this mature white port with its enticing spicy hazelnut and orange flavours and smooth mellow texture. Like all white port it is made from white Portuguese grapes (codega, malvasia fina, rabigato, viosinho and moscatel). £22, Inverarity 121; Oddbins; Harrods; Nicholls & Perks

Tawny Niepoort 10 Year Old Tawny Port

Dirk Niepoort is a legend in the port world for his efforts to demystify this old fashioned drink. Whilst he is now making his mark with superb Douro table wines, Niepoort still excels at port making. Matched against a range of ten-year-old tawnies, this shone for its elegance, mellowness and refreshing finish. £29.99, Raeburn Wines, Edinburgh

Graham’s 20 Year Old Tawny Port

One of the best 20-year-old tawnies, although like all Graham’s ports it is on the sweet side. Made from a blend of five of Symington’s 28 quintas: Malvedos, Tua, Vila Velha, Lages and Malhadas. Attractive nutty, clove and cinnamon tawny with dried fruit flavours, sweet rich rounded and raisiny. £39, Waitrose; £45, Harvey Nichols; Justerini & Brooks

Quinta Do Noval Colheita Port 2000

A highlight from my recent trip to Portugal. A fabulous example of a mature Colheita (a vintage dated tawny) with mellow hazelnut, cinnamon notes and silky smooth textured palate. A rare Noval port made from 100 per cent estate-grown fruit. £70-£85, Selfridges; www. italvinus.co.uk

Ruby Quinta Do Noval Late Bottled Vintage Port 2012

Noval always take LBV more seriously than other port houses. It is treated just like a vintage port with foottreading, but matured for four years in large casks. Bottled unfiltered so it is advisable to decant it. Deep concentrated damson fruits with good structure and length; Noval’s LBV port can age well, so tuck a bottle away for next Christmas. £22.50, Oddbins; Ocado; Tanners Wines; Villeneuve Wines

Quinta De La Rosa Late Bottled Vintage Port 2014

I have always liked the classic style of ports made by this small Pinhao-based quinta overlooking the Douro river, run by father and daughter Berqvist. Good value compared to bigger names, their port style is often a little drier – but this 2014 has lusciously sweet super-ripe fruit in a good firm structure, with enticing cherry flavours. £17.95-£22.50 for 50 cl bt, Woodwinters, Edinburgh, Bridge of Allan & Inverness; www.oldbridgewine.co.uk Join Rose’s Pinot Noir around the World Wine Tasting at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society in Edinburgh on Friday 14 December, £42, www.rose murraybrown.com