20. STICKIES

This family of sweet wines is more sugary and toffee-like than those found in my Sweet class, so I call them stickies! The guiltiest pleasures in the wine world, you simply must taste these because they are like nothing else on earth. NV Campbells, Rutherglen Muscat VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA (£12.99, half bottle, reduced to £9.74 until 1 January, Waitrose) I love Rutherglen muscat, and Campbell’s is one of the elite producers of this legendary style of fortified wine. Made from super-ripe muscat grapes, with extra flavourless alcohol added before being aged in oak barrels for years, this rose petal and caramel-kissed wine is bliss.

NV Tesco Finest Pedro Ximénez JEREZ, SPAIN

(£6, half bottle, Tesco) This sherry, made from Pedro Ximénez (PX) grapes, is on the lighter end of the spectrum but is still an insanely sweet, coffee, caramel and raisins-oaked wine. Designed for all manner of sweet dishes – Christmas pudding and mince pies are just two – this is eminently affordable, given that you only need a tiny glass to entrance your taste buds.

NV Rare Pedro Ximénez JEREZ, SPAIN (£9, half bottle, reduced to £6 until 31 December,

Marks & Spencer) A far more intense version than Tesco’s offering, above, this is so dark, rich, hedonistic and gloopy, you have to be a fully paid-up PX fan to be assured of adoring this wine. If you are, however, your palate will perform somersaults, such is its splendour in the glass.

FOODIE NOTES

Heaven in a glass, these wines go especially well with after-dinner chocs and rich orange or caramel puds – or try the Rutherglen Muscat with a salty cheese.