Smooth and rich nose of figs and toffee flavour. Zippy, with firm acidity partnered by a pleasing, citrus tang, hazelnuts and dried fruit. £68 Savage Selection, Glos (01451 860 896)
Lovely warm aromas on the nose, almost Christmassy, it has dried fruit and prunes with some hazelnut. The palate is complex and the sweetness is well-integrated with the structure and the creamy texture. Long and refreshing
finish.
£11.49 Sainsbury’s supermarkets (020 7695 6000)
Light, dry and tangy with flor aromas and lashings of salty Marmite. On the nose are chestnuts, almonds and a hint of spice. Soft and well balanced the palate, this Fino has attractive freshness and excellent length. £13.50 Robersons, London W14 (020 7371 2121)
Powerful on the nose, lots of dense black fruit and chocolate aromas. Robust and complex with lots of layers, very dense but bright black fruit and a long lingering length. £17.99 Majestic Wine Warehouses (01923 298 200)
Made in the classic, very dry amontillado style, which the Spanish favour, this is a delightful wine. The complex nose combines toasted almonds and hazelnuts, toffee and vanilla. Powerful, dry and balanced on the palate, it has an intense tang and a hint of Fino saltiness in the exquisite lingering finish. £14.99 Wimbledon Wine Cellars, London SW19 (020 8540 9979/8994 7989)
This is a Port that has terroir running through it. The aromas are steeped in the soil, based on an earthy minerality that support the classic, sweet cherry aromas
you'd expect. It's no less disappointing to taste, with intense spicy fruit, cloves and a relatively refreshing, punchy finish.
£30 The Wine Society, Herts (01438 741 177)
Dark brown, the nose is rich and aromatic, with raisins, figs, plum jam and honey in the mix, alongside roasted coffee beans and a strange but appealing truffle aroma. Smooth and velvety in the mouth, it's sweet and treacly without being cloying. £19.95 Laymont & Shaw, Cornwall (01872 270 545)
The nose exhibits aromas of caramel and salted nuts. Great drive and direction with a clean, mineral core, cloaked with dried fruits and spice. £16.50 Fortnum & Mason, London W1 (020 7734 8040),
