Graham’s Blend No 5 White Port

I must confess I’ve picked my drink of the week this week as much for its looks as its taste - though I like that too. It’s the first serious attempt I’ve seen to make port as appealing to the younger consumer as gin

As you can see the bottle is exceptionally pretty - scattered with images of fruit and herbs. It’s sweeter and more floral than most white ports and not as oxidised as the traditional style. I doubt if it’s seen any oak.

The serving suggestion is tonic but I found it a little sweet with a standard Indian tonic water and at the strength I would normally serve a P & T (50/50) I’d go for a slimline tonic and maybe up the proportion of tonic slightly.

At £21.25 (at Master of Malt and The Whisky Exchange*) it's gin price too which is clever. It would be a great bottle to take to your weekend host as a gift.

If you're already a white port drinker and/or want a cheaper option, larger branches of the Co-op are stocking the Sandeman’s white port - also rather smartly packaged - for just £10.

* and slightly more in indies like Taurus £24.99

Taylor’s Chip Dry White Port

Gin isn’t the only drink you can serve with tonic and this is the perfect time of year to try a delicious alternative: white port. Which, as I’m sure you know, comes from the Douro region of Portugal.

At 20% rather than 40%, it's lighter (and sweeter) than gin so you need rather more of it - about 40/60 I’d say (although the Taylor’s website recommends 1/3 to 2/3). Simply pour both drinks into a tumblerful of ice, stir and top with a slice of lemon and a sprig of mint. Simple and incredibly refreshing.

You can find it on special offer at Ocado at the moment for £10.63 instead of £13.29 which is the price Waitrose is currently charging but that still compares well with other stockists who are typically listing it for between £15 and £16.

Although it’s a drink you’d have Portuguese-style as an aperitif it’s also a great match with melon and ham.