A wine expert has tasted dozens of red wines to find the best options for 2025, covering a range of budgets from under £10 to premium bottles. The selection includes classic French blends, Portuguese natural wines, and budget-friendly supermarket finds, all chosen for their depth, warmth, and ability to pair with hearty winter dishes.
The top pick overall is the 2017 Les Fiefs de Lagrange, a Bordeaux blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot, priced at £34.99 from Selfridges. Described as a 'spectacular example of Bordelais elegance', it offers notes of graphite, berries, and eucalyptus, with soft oak adding dimension.
For budget-conscious buyers, Aldi's Côtes du Rhône, under £10, is praised as an 'honest, relaxed wine' with black fruit flavours, softness, and a gentle structure. Another standout is the Tblivino Saperavi at £12, which punches well above its price point.
Other notable wines include the Portuguese Les Pim Pam Pum, a fresh, low-tannin red with cherry, plum, and earthy notes, and the Clos des Nines Cinsault Loco from Languedoc, a vibrant, bubbly red with ripe berries and dried figs. The Gerard Bertrand La Sauvageonne, also from Languedoc, offers concentrated flavours of leather, smoke, and tobacco, perfect for winter pairings.
All wines were tasted at room temperature from the same glasses, both shortly after opening and after 45 minutes, to assess evolution and balance.
