Fizz and Fortified - From The Co-op

A port and Prosecco from the Co-op

The best meals, like great films, have a brilliant begining and ending, as well as being good in the middle.

My go-to for turning a meal into an occasion is to start with fizz and end with something sweet.

There are occasions and there are occasions; it's not always a significant birthday or anniversary. So if you have a mixed group of people, or your reason for celebrating is simply that it's the weekend and the sun is shining, then a good Prosecco to kick off and a decent ruby port to finish will keep even the most discerning palates satisfied.

With more fruit and ripeness than Champagne, Prosecco is a crowd-pleaser with bubbles - and what's not to like about sweet cherry fruit, warming spices and minty eucalyptus as you kick back at the end of a meal.

Both these wines from the Co-op are well-made, enjoyable and affordable. And don't just take my word for it - both have a Decanter World Wine Award Silver Medal

- Co-op Irresistible Prosecco Special Cuvée Brut (£7.99)
- Cockburn's Special Port (£12.99)