Marks & Spencer's own label port has beaten some of the most famous brands to win a prestigious award to find the world�s best-tasting bottle of port for under �10. The retailer scooped the coveted Decanter World Wine Awards International Trophy for the best Red Fortified Wine under �10 for its Finest Reserve Ruby Port. Marks & Spencer was the only major retailer to win any of the 31 categories for the world�s best-tasting wines chosen by judges blind-tasting. The Finest Reserve Ruby Port will be on offer during October, November and December priced at just �5.99. M&S�s port expert Sue Daniels added: "We're absolutely delighted to win this award - especially on a product that is such a best-seller at Christmas. For some people port heralds the beginning of the festive season."

A report on the awards in Decanter magazine says: �This is a wake up call to those who instinctively shy away from supermarkets� own-brand wines. Marks & Spencer�s Finest Reserve Port is evidence that good wines can be made at low price points, if the economies of scale of the big retailers can work in conjunction with renowned producers.�

Steven Spurrier, Chairman of the Decanter World Wine Awards, commented: "This award underlines the quality of the M&S wine and drinks buying team."

The wine is produced by the Fladgate Partnership, the family-owned, 300-year-old group behind such names as Taylor�s and Fonseca. Blending is overseen by Natasha Bridge, wife of Fladgate�s managing director Adrian Bridge, in consultation with M&S technicians from the wine department. The drink dates back to 1972 and is a three-year-old blend of ports made from the six main grape varieties of the Douro region in Portugal. M&S expects port to be more fashionable than ever this year with sales exceeding even the glamorous allure of the little black dress � only Champagne is expected to outsell it in M&S's top ten best-selling lines in the run up to Christmas. -Ends-