CHRISTMAS EVE
REDS
2016 Asda Extra Special, Old Vine Garnacha, Cariñena, Spain (£5, reduced to £4.50 until January 4, Asda)
YOU have read this price correctly. This is a tremendous bargain and this jolly raspberry and red cherry-smooched wine deserves every single new friend it makes. The Cariñena region of north-east Spain is home to masses of bold, honest reds and this is the pick of the cheapies this season.
2016 Mayne de Beauregard, Bergerac Red, France (£8, Marks & Spencer)
MADE by renowned ‘flying winemaker’ Hugh Ryman, this 70 per cent merlot, 20 per cent cabernet sauvignon and 10 per cent cabernet franc blend sees no oak whatsoever. This allows it to be fabulously forward, juicy and friendly on the palate. One of the lightest reds on these pages, this is a wine that will enchant your palate with its generosity.
2016 Berry Bros. & Rudd Reserve Red by Collovray & Terrier, Pays d’Oc, France (£8.75, Berry Bros. & Rudd, 0800 280 2440 & bbr.com)
BERRY’S might be one of the most fabulously snooty of all UK wine merchants but it sure knows how to make great inexpensive wine. It’s also excellent at finding some of the most expensive wines on the planet for us to savour. This merlot, syrah and grenache blend is thrillingly perfumed and perfectly balanced. I really love the energy and vitality in this berry-soaked wine.
2016 Tesco finest* Hawke’s Bay Syrah, New Zealand (£10, Tesco)
IF YOU have yet to taste the syrah grape from the unique setting of Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand, then this is the perfect introduction. Mediumbalanced, not too oaky nor too powerful, this is a pepper and blackberryscented wine with a sleek palate and polished finish.
2015 Lenné, Pinot Noir, Pfalz, Germany (£12.99, virginwines. co.uk)
A GENUINELY fascinating red, made under the watchful eye of worldfamous German wine wizard Erni Loosen, this is a stunning pinot. It comes from the southern Pfalz region where the extra sunshine gives this grape enough ripeness to result in a thrilling and seriously wellpriced pinot noir.
2015 Quinta do Crasto, Douro Red, Portugal (£11.25, Booths)
RICH and powerful, this wine is made from a heady cocktail of port grapes involving touriga nacional, touriga francesa, tinta roriz and tinta barroca. A punchy, powerful, but massively juicy wine, this is perfect drunk with aged cheddar or wintry pies and stews.