SWEET AND FORTIFIED

NV Winemakers’ Selection by Sainsbury’s Asti, Piemonte, Italy

£5.50, Sainsbury’s EVEN though this is one of the simplest and most joked about styles of fizzy wine, I rather like well-made Asti and this one, in spite of its rock-bottom price, is actually made by a revered company, Araldica. Frothy and grapey — this is the wine to pop open with festive fruit puddings and Christmas sweeties.

NV Morrisons, Palo Cortado Sherry, Spain

£6, half bottle, Morrisons THIS is a distinctly nerdy style of dry sherry with some fascinating notes such as root ginger, coffee beans and cake spices overlaying a warm amber core — and I love it. Drink this with nuts or crisps and see that a cool, dry sherry can actually be modern and engaging. Cheers.

2009 Co-op LBV Port, Portugal

£11.49, Co-op A FEW years older than many LBVs, this is a sexy, smooth, sultry port with liquorice and prune notes and a ripe, almost sweet mid-palate which makes it so indulgent and yummy you will not be able to put it down. Made by David Guimaraens this is a wicked price for a slice of elite winemaking acumen.

2011 Graham’s, LBV Port, Portugal

£13.50, Morrisons; £13.50 reduced to £9.99, until Jan 3, Waitrose and Sainsbury’s; reduced to £9 until Jan 9, Tesco; £13, reduced to £9 until Dec 31, Asda A LEGENDARY wine estate, Graham’s makes spectacular port, and this Late Bottled Vintage version is magical and immensely satisfying with huge, prune and fig notes underlined with dark chocolate, espresso and summer pudding sweetness.