As libations go, port is a particularly festive one. That sweet, sticky tipple feels most at home on Christmas day, accompanied by a mince pie and a smile of approval from your nan. So, with just three weeks until 25 December, now couldn’t be a better time to brush up on your port knowledge and start stocking up on the stuff for the big day.

With this in mind, you might be interested to learn that Aldi has been named the best place to bag yourself a bottle: one of their top tipples has been awarded the top gong in a series of intensive blind taste tests.

Referred to as the ‘Oscars’ of the wine world, the International Wine Challenge pits the very best wines from around the world against each other in a series of rigorous blind taste tests. And, at this year’s awards Aldi has performed especially well, having taken home 50 accolades including an impressive top gong award for the supermarket’s Maynard’s 1992 Late Bottled Vintage Port.

This full-bodied port impressed experts with flavours of blackberry, blackcurrant and cherry. Deep purple in colour, it has a powerful, heady scent and is perfect for sipping alongside cheese or pudding. Cheers to that.

Priced at £19.99, it’s not the least expensive of Aldi’s wines but if you’re on a limited budget, you’re in luck. Aldi’s Maynard’s 10 Year Old Tawny Port, priced at £9.99, was also recognised with a silver award and took home a gold award at this year’s Decanter Wine Awards.

With ripe figgy flavours and hints of toffee, chocolate and fine oak, it sounds exactly like the kind of sumptuous tipple to indulge in on Christmas day and is also said to work very well with cheese or puddings. 

It seems that customers would agree, with many rating the wine with five stars on the supermarket’s website and giving it glowing reviews.

One reviewer praised its “nice raisined fruit and slightly nutty characters”. While many commented on its low price, but undeniable quality, with one port-lover saying, “I was a little sceptical due to the low price so was very surprised to find it just as nice as ones costing twice as much.”

Another agreed, writing, “This is comparable to big name ports but noticeably cheaper. Good quality tawny port.”

Aldi has long been the place to go for quality booze at a reasonable price, having treated us to some spectacular alcoholic offerings already this season.

We mean, who could forget the epic wine advent calendar, autumnal pumpkin spice liqueur or, when they really stole our hearts with that biggest bottle of prosecco ever move?

But refusing to be satisfied with ticking all the boxes when it comes to bubbles, creamy liquors and wines in variety of colours, the German store has also been named top-of-the-ports and boy, have they delivered. 

Get your figgy pudding and port glasses at the ready ladies, it’s going to be a very merry Christmas.  

Images: Istock / Aldi