- and the best was among the cheapest

I TESTED LEADING SHERRIES FROM M&S TO CROFT ORIGINAL 

Drinks expert Helena Nicklin gives us her guide to super sherries that won’t break the bank and marks them out of five.

Pedro Ximenez £6.65, 37.5cl, 17% ABV, Co-op (in stores) It is thick like molasses and dark brown with notes of dried figs, raisins and caramel

3/5

La Gitana Manzanilla £9.75, 50cl, 15% ABV, Tesco This is good value for money. Sip it alone or enjoy Spanish style with salty cheese or almonds

4/5

Caversham Premium Cream Sherry £6.29, 75cl, 18% ABV, Aldi This bottle is just decent enough to serve to your traditional sherry-drinkers straight up and very chilled.

2/5

Palo Cortado £7.25, 37.5cl, 19% ABV, Morrisons Tangy and nutty, with notes of dried orange peel, this will be a tipple that will become your new obsession.

5/5

Croft Original £11.50 (down from £13) 1L, 17.5%, Asda This a great glugger in a whopping one litre bottle that will last the festive season and beyond.

3/5

M&S Fino £10.50, 75cl, 15% abv, M&S/Ocado Made with Palomino grapes and aged in oak barrels, it is ridiculously refreshing when mixed with straight tonic.

3/5