Which is the best Christmas sherry?

PERFECT with nibbles, roasts, cheese and mince pies, sherry is enjoying a revival as a festive tipple. FEMAIL’s drinks expert HELEN McGINN selects some of her favourites . . .

CLASSY FAVOURITE

Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana Manzanilla, 500ml, £9, Sainsbury’s SIPPING this sherry is like giving your taste buds a blast of sea air. Pale with a salty tang, it comes from the seaside town of Sanlucar de Barrameda. This is so bone dry it’ll make your cheeks contract on that first sip. But after that, it’s a joy to savour. Serve well chilled.

NIBBLES WITH FRIENDS

Tesco Finest Fino, 50cl, £6 FINO is made in Jerez, which gave sherry its name (we Brits struggled to say Jerez). Crisp, racy and raring to go, a pale Fino is the one to serve with smoked salmon.

SOCIABLE SIPPING

Dry Old Amontillado, 37.5cl, £8, Marks & Spencer THIS is darker in colour and richer in style than Manzanilla and Fino. The wine darkens as it ages and the flavours change to something altogether nuttier. This one smells, deliciously, of biscuits.

STOCKING FILLER

Wm Morrison Oloroso, 37.5cl, £5 (normally £6), Morrisons OLOROSO means scented. And this has rich, tangy aromas. It smells sweet, but tastes dry, which is all part of the charm. Loaded with salted toffee and hazelnut flavours. Tastes twice the price.

AUNTIE’S DELIGHT

Harvey’s Bristol Cream, 70cl, £7.99 (normally £10), Ocado THIS was the one in so many drinks cabinets in the Seventies, but Harvey’s Bristol Cream has had a quality makeover in recent years. Sip chilled on its own or with ice and a slice of orange.

ICE-BREAKER

Taste The Difference 12-YearOld Sweet Pedro Ximenez, 50cl, £8, Sainsbury’s SIP v-e-r-y slowly, it’s as thick as treacle. Smells of molasses and tastes rich and raisiny. Drink with thick slices of Christmas pudding.

JUST FOR YOU . . .

Delicado Pedro Ximenez ‘PX’ Sherry, 50cl, £14.99, Waitrose MADE by the brilliant Gonzales Byass, the Delicado range is produced exclusively for Waitrose. This is like drinking alcoholic fig juice. Wonderful poured over ice cream as a quick-fix pudding. TEETOTAL Tipples by Helen McGinn (Robinson, £9.99).