Drinking wine is a seasonal experience for many of us and when asked what my favourite wine is I often think about the time of the day, month and season in which I am drinking. There is nothing more enticing than a good glass of red as the days cool. I have taken a look at the best offerings on the high street and supermarket to quench your thirst for the season’s reds! From £4.29 to £14.99 there is something for every red wine lover out there.
£15 and under
2019 La Masseria del Borgo Primitivo Manduria: Italy
Sainsbury’s £12
Grapes grown in one of my favourite Italian wine producing regions Puglia, right down in the heel of Italy. 100% primitivo grapes are encapsulated in this luscious, smooth and oh so drinkable rich red stuffed to the gills with spice and dark red fruits such as blackberry, black cherry and cassis.
2019 Vasse Felix Filius
Margaret River, Australia: Cabernet Merlot
Majestic £14.99
Vasse Felix are known for their high quality wines and this rich red is no exception. Made by female wine maker Virginia Willcock this classic Bordeaux style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot brings out the best from these varieties with blueberry, blackcurrants and cedar in the mix.
£10 and under
2019 Marks & Spencer Found, Itata Valley, Chile: Pais
Marks & Spencer £9
A great mid week wine that isn’t over complicated but is known for its easy drinking style. Made with the native Chilean red grape variety Pais brought over by Spanish conquistadors this simple red has a soft acidity and plenty of red berry punch.
2019 Recanati, Red, Judean Hills: Israel
Marks & Spencer £10
Israel may not be the first place you think of when buying a red wine but this one is surely worth a try. Made from a well-established Israeli winery this old dry-farmed bush vine Carignan and Petit Sirah. It’s a wine full to the brim with dark black fruits such as damson, black cherries and blackberries along with silky dark chocolate. Worth picking up as the night’s draw in.
£5 and under
2020 Merlot Pays D’Oc
Lidl £4.49
The Merlot grape is known the world over and has its home in France and this offering from the Languedoc is very popular. A dry, well balanced red with flavours of black cherry and plum. Great with a cheese board and all things charcuterie related.
2020 Toro Loco Superieur
Aldi £4.29
Toro Loco means “Crazy Bull” and this medium bodied wine is full of red and black fruits and packs a punch for the price. Made with Tempranillo and Bobal grapes, it’s a perfect partner to Spanish Tapas and also stands alone quite nicely!
We tried the Toro Loco
For a fiver it’s a nice easy drinking red that went well with our lazy afternoon BBQ!
Thank you!
Good to hear it!
From the bottom to the top of the list now..
The La Masseria del Borgo Primitivo Manduria is soooo good.
We enjoyed it this evening with some rare cooked venison and such a treat it was. Dark berry fruits, velvety smooth tannins and a long finish. Mind, it’s a strong one at 14.5% – all in balance though.
Would definitely buy again especially when it’s on offer at Sainsbury’s for £9.50 at the moment.
Thank you for this great recommendation Abbie!!