THE LITTLE BLACKBIRD OF WINES

1

Bursting with red fruits, this French merlot oozes blackberries, cherries and blackcurrant at a price you can’t argue with. A deep, deep red in hue with fruity aromas and a welcome tingle of spice on the tongue. Feels like Christmas has come early! Available from Tesco.

JP Chenet Merlot (£6.50, 13.5%) 2

Villa Maria Private Bin Merlot (£12.49, 13%) Full-bodied and smooth, this is the Rolls-Royce of merlots. Rich, dark red fruits – think opulent autumn plums and over-ripe cherries – mingle with spice and smoke. Markedly cheaper (£9.37) as part of a mixed six so stock up! Available from Waitrose Cellar.

3 Oxford Landing Merlot (£6.50, 13%)

Just when you thought it couldn’t get better, the New World strikes again. You can’t go wrong with this lovely, soft and rounded southern Australian merlot via producers Oxford Landing. Available from Tesco. 4

Dark and fruity with more plums, cherries and spiciness than you can shake a stick at, this medium-bodied South African from Stellenbosch is a refreshingly modern take on a classic grape. Available from The Co-op.

Mount Rozier The Beekeeper 2019/20 (£8, 14%) 5 Merlot Pays D’Oc Domaine du Bosc 2020 (£6.95, 14%)

Another fabulous merlot, this time from the Pays D’Oc region in the south of France, this is soft, well-rounded and utterly yummy. More red fruit and spicy joy and another great priced bottle. Available from The Wine Society.

6 Cave Saint Dézéry Cuvée Nuria Merlot 2019 (£9.99, 14.4%)

Another highly classy wine, this time via Cave de Saint Dézery from the relatively high altitude vineyards of the Cévennes in southern France. Silky, fruity and relatively full-bodied, a wine made for large glasses and generous pourings. Available from Laithwaites.