Crossword Genius

Serves up duck covered in wine in company (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

troop

'company' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'serves up duck covered in wine' is the wordplay.
'serves up' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'duck' becomes 'o'.
'covered in' indicates putting letters inside.
'wine' becomes 'port' (port is a kind of wine**).
'o' inserted within 'port' is 'poort'.
'poort' backwards is 'TROOP'.

'in' is the link.

(Other definitions for troop that I've seen before include "Cavalry unit commanded by a captain" , "Military body" , "Group of kangaroos" , "Gang" , "herd" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times (Crosaire) and the Irish Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app