Finishing with a Christmas pudding or CHOCOLATE calls for some darker dessert options. Polvanera Aleatico 37.5cl 2019 (£14) is a graceful sweet red, a Madeira always pairs well too – Barbeito Rainwater 5 year Old Reserva 50cl (£17.50). Supreme satisfaction abounds in Quinta de La Rosa 20 YO Tawny Port 50cl (£36) or go for the unctuous gold medal winner with Fernando de Castilla Antique PX NV 50cl (£38). And whilst we’re at it, there are lots of other sherry options HERE, dry and sweet. Our favourite Organic Roussillon Domaine Pouderoux Maury Vendange 50cl 2022 (£18) is an early bottled style keeping its youthful raspberry twang.

Classy dessert wines to bring a smile at the end of the meal and that will go great with cheeses include the Saracco Moscato d’Asti 2023 (£17) – light and frothy palate plucker. Southern French Charles Hours Jurancon ‘Uroulat’ 2018 (£24) has been a long time favourite of many top restaurants, or similarly a smaller bottle of Chateau Tirecul La Graviere Monbazillac 50cl 2020 (£24.50). Hungary’s Tokaj region goes from pure fruited Ats Cuvee Tokaji Late Harvest 50cl 2020 (£19) to the seriously show-stopping Ats Tokaji Aszu 6 Puttonyos 50cl 2016 (£100) – one small glass each of this concentrated elixir will astound everyone at the table.

For some it absolutely must be Sauternes and the Suduiraut Sauternes 1er Cru Classe 2009 (£69) is singing right now. On the same theme, the Domaine de Grange Neuve Monbazillac 50cl 2019 (£12) offers light botrytis notes. Amongst the various vintages of Chateau d’Yquem Sauternes 1er Cru Superieur halves on tap, the 2005 (£195) is a current favourite.

Classic Port options include the primary and fruity Wiese and Krohn LBV Port 2017 (£20), the tawny/vintage combo that is Wiese and Krohn Colheita 2010 (£27) and the full vintage Fonseca Vintage Port 1992 (£112). Special mention goes to a tasting pack of all the Port styles – Quinta de La Rosa Quinta de la Rosa Port Experience pack (£27).

For this year’s post prandial sipping some rums join the cohort of brandies – we have around 100 to choose from such as the limited edition Fair Paraguay Rum (£39) and the Foursquare Distillery Exceptional Cask Selection Mark XXI 2010 (£75). For the intrepid explorer, the 1423 World Class Spirits 24 Days of Rum Calendar 2023 (£88) has 24 miniatures of rum, including full tasting notes and 2 glasses.

Fine Cognacs from Maxime Trijol VSOP Classic Cognac (£49) & Fanny Fougerat Iris Poivre XO (£70) are full of smooth charm and lead the way towards presentation bottlings such as Domaine le Reviseur XO Cognac Decanter (£141). For those that lean towards Armagnac then the Baron de Sigognac VSOP (£42) or their Baron de Sigognac 20 Year Old (£88), both truly fine tipples. For distillates beyond the grape then the Michel Hubert Calvados Pays d’Auge 2002 (£44) is utterly delicious.