Sánchez Romate, Palo Cortado Escondido, Jerez

The Wine Society is great at sourcing half-bottles of fantastic Sherries and selling them at great-value prices. Palo Cortado is a style that combines the aromatics of an amontillado with the fuller structure of an oloroso. Traditionally it began life as a fino, but casks that failed to develop a complete covering of flor were fortified to 17-18% to kill it off, and then aged oxidatively like an oloroso. Intense and super complex, this is a deep amber colour. You'll smell and taste nuts, raisins and dried fruits, but it's really all about the salt – there's an incredible salinity that permeates the wine, which is structured and long. Sip on this with a full-flavoured, nutty hard cheese and you'll be in heaven.