…beginning with sherry

Barbadillo Manzanilla Pasada Pastora En Rama (2017 bottling), Spain (£9.99 per half Amazon, Cambridge Wine Merchants, Taurus Wines, Roberts and Speight, The Dorset Wine Co, Mumbles Fine Wine)
Has the classic bracing briny edge of Manzanilla, but this is deeper in colour, and weightier, with pungest yeasty notes, greater depth of fruit and an edge of toffee, even though it’s dry Bring on the jamon please… S

Now onto two sweet wines from opposite hemispheres

Seifried Winemakers Collection Sweet Agnes Riesling 2016, Nelson, New Zealand (£18.99 per 37.5cl Waitrose, Neill & Co, Flagship Wines, Roberts & Speight, Richard Granger, The Lovely Little Wine Shop, Soho Wine Supply)
Intense and juicy, even voluptuous, with flavours of peach and raspberry, notes of petrol and honey and a bite of citrus acidity, Certainly attractive, but lacks the effortless charm of great sweet Riesling. S-

Pellegrino Pantelleria Passito Liquoroso 2015, Italy (£11.49 per 37.5cl Amazon, Campbells of Leyburn, D.Byrne, Eton Vintners, Wineman, South Downs Cellars)
Barley sugar meets Xmas cake, packed with flavours of candied orange peel, rose petal, honey and treacle toffee, not the most complex of wines, but I find myself liking it more than the Riesling above. S(-)

While we’re on Muscat…

Torres Floralis Moscatel Oro Vino de Licor, Spain (£7.99/50cl Waitrose, Morrisons, Mitchells Vintners, Roberts and Speight, Peake Wine)
An honest glass of marmalade and barley sugar intensity, could maybe use a little more citrus bite, but overall an enticing, juicy glugger, B+

And finally, a keenly priced fortified from South Africa

KWV Classic Cape Tawny, South Africa (£9.00 The Wine Society)
Warm, potent spirit and dried fruit aromas lead to very similar flavours, with walnuts, figs, prunes and dates to the fore, that spirity glow in the background and a mellow finish. Great value. S-