Supermarket red wine has come a long way from the vinegary bottles that couldn't stand up to a mid-week Bolognese. Today, discerning buying teams at the best supermarkets showcase quality producers from around the world, many of which offer excellent value.
Anne Bousquet, co-founder of Domaine Bousquet in Argentina, notes: "Supermarkets are working harder than ever to create ranges offering great value across different price points. Sustainability is becoming increasingly important to good supermarket buying teams, too, in addition to a focus on quality and price."
Top Picks at a Glance
Elephant in the Room Pinot Noir Palatial is £11 at Waitrosecellar.com, while Little Giant Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon costs £13. I Heart Merlot is £6.50 at Sainsburys.com, and Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon is £9.25 at Waitrosecellar.com.
Whether paired with a cheeseboard, warmed with spices for a festive treat, or enjoyed full-bodied in front of the telly, these bottles cover all bases. They're perfect for home enjoyment or as a gift with a ribbon bow.
Standout Bottles
Elephant in the Room Pinot Noir Palatial is a bolshy red from Australia, big on flavour. The name reflects that winemakers famously hate talking about gargantuan wines, even though drinkers love them. This label is lipsmackingly delicious and unashamedly so.
Little Giant Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon is a rich, rewarding style bursting with blackcurrant, cassis and spice, complemented by fine savoury tannins. It's delicious with dinner today, but even better aged in a cellar for a decade.
Finca Lalande Malbec from Waitrose Cellar is an organic Argentinean malbec from leading winery Domaine Bousquet, founded by its French winemaker after discovering Gualtallary during a holiday. Packed with spicy black and red fruits with silky tannins, it's brilliant for charred red meat. The vineyard sits at 5,249 feet, pushing the limits of viticultural possibility.
Jam Shed Shiraz is rich and opulent, packed with sweet red berry flavours balanced with hints of vanilla and spice. It's suggested as a jammy base for mulled wine this winter.
More Great Value Reds
Cru des Côtes du Rhône Vinsobres from Sainsbury's is the highest calibre of the Rhône Valley, with no more than three in total. It packs a punch for Sunday roasts or barbecues, with a concentrated explosion of summer fruits and a spicy, herby finish.
I Heart Merlot is soft and smooth, full of black fruit aromas with spicy plum and raspberry flavours. It's the ultimate pizza-and-sofa companion.
Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon combines cassis, black cherries, coffee and dark chocolate in a smooth, medium-bodied style. Made in Valle Central, Chile, it teams best with grilled meat, with a subtle touch of vanilla adding a twist.
Catena Malbec is a bold Argentinean wine that packs a punch, its black and red fruit flavours providing the perfect accompaniment to grilled meats. Ripe and fruity, it's simply crying out for pink steak.
