Best supermarket sherry

How we chose the winners

The olive team chose 21 categories for own-brand and retailer-exclusive supermarket wines, covering different grape varieties, styles and price points. The supermarkets were invited to enter one wine per category (so they had to choose carefully). Every wine was blind-tasted by a panel of olive judges (led by olive wine columnist, drinks author and sommelier Kate Hawkings), who awarded gold, silver and bronze winners. In some categories, where the standard was high, we awarded joint winners. So, if you see those labels on your next shop – trust us, these bottles are brilliant!

Best Pedro Ximénez sherry

Sweet and raisiny, PX sherries are perfect for festive sipping or drizzling over desserts.

WINNER: Morrisons The Best Pedro Ximénez

Raisiny with a spicy aroma and candied orange notes, this was less sweet than some of the others we tried, with good acidity and a little freshness.

Perfect pairing: Mince pies with stilton.

Available from Morrisons (£6.50)

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Aldi Specially Selected Pedro Ximénez Sherry

Balanced with nice spice, this is treacly but not too heavy, with flavours of toasted pecans and dried figs.

Perfect pairing: Simply drizzle over vanilla ice cream.

Available in store from Aldi (£5.49)

Best sherry for a sherry and tonic

Bored of G&Ts? Sherry and tonic makes for a refreshing, low-ABV alternative. Dry sherries work best for this – see our favourites here.

WINNER: M&S Fino Dry Sherry

Intense with a big hit of savoury salted almonds but still fresh and fragrant. Mixed with tonic, this is really refreshing and summery.

Perfect pairing: Salted crisps or fat Gordal olives.

Available from M&S (£8)

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Morrisons The Best Oloroso Sherry, £6.50

Nutty, rich and woody, this delicious oloroso has notes of dried apricots, with a bracing dry finish. Mixed with tonic it opens up and becomes softer, with a zesty orange flavourand warm spices. Garnish with a slice of orange for a lovely autumnal aperitif.

Perfect pairing: Salted cashew nuts.

Available from Morrisons (£6.50)

Previous entries

Gold: Waitrose No.1 Don Gaspar Dry Amontillado Lustau Sherry, £11.99

A gorgeous dry sherry with roast nuts and caramelised oranges on the palate. Deep and complex, and delicious to drink.

Perfect pairing: enjoy with a wedge of manchego

Silver: Tesco Finest Fino Sherry, £6

Intensely savoury with appetising yeasty and nutty notes and beautifully crisp and dry.

Perfect pairing: Try our ham croquetas

Bronze: Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Dry Fino Sherry £8

Great value fino with toasted almonds on the nose and a clean, salty finish.

Perfect pairing: sip alongside salted anchovies.

Best sweet sherry

Joint gold: M&S Lustau Rare Pedro Ximenez, £9

Bursting with figs, nuts and candied fruit, this is intensely sweet but nicely balanced and not too cloying.

Perfect pairing: Try our Christmas pudding

Joint gold: Asda Cream Sherry, £7.30

A toasty, not-too-sticky sweet sherry with pecan, caramelised oranges, dried apricots and a silky, creamy texture.

Perfect pairing: a wedge of blue cheese

Joint silver: Lidl Tio Nico Cream Sherry, £5.29

Caramelised walnuts, toffee apples and a little citric freshness in this great-value sherry.

Perfect pairing: Try our pecan pie

Joint silver: Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference 12-Year-Old Sweet Pedro Ximenez, £8

Silky and very luscious with layers of raisins, cinder toffee, dried figs and marmalade.

Perfect pairing: Try pouring over ice cream