Our pick of the best medal-winning but affordable wines for 2018

WM Morrison The Best Languedoc rouge 2016, France (£6, Morrisons)

A rustic red and finalist at the international Wine challenge (iwc), this is a lovely, easy drinking weekday wine with enticing and distinctively savoury ‘garrigue’ flavours of rosemary and thyme that influences wines from the sunny Languedoc. A touch of spice complements the herby character.

exquisite collection Malbec 2017, uco Valley, argentina (£5.99, aldi)

over the course of a glorious summer heatwave, BBQS brought together a multitude of flavours and for sizzling steaks and burgers, this iwsc silver award winner worked a treat. it offers ripe plums and blackberries scented with violet aromas, with good uco valley structure.

Tesco Finest Premier cru champagne nv, France (£19, Tesco)

this iwc Great value champion sparkling Gold medal winner is made from chardonnay and pinot noir, it’s bright, fresh and toasty with layers of pristine citrus fruits, complex yeasty notes, a lovely creamy mousse and long, succulent finish.

M&s Vire-clesse Florent rouve 2016, France (£14, Marks & spencer)

Winner of the iwc Great value champion White which the judges described as “sheer deliciousness,” this richly fruited Burgundy ticks all the right boxes with its creamy bouquet of peaches, honeysuckle and baked apple with a freshness and well-balanced acidity framing layered flavours of citrusy fruits. Mildly oaked but not heavy, it has just enough minerality to keep it fresh and elegant.