TOM’S PICK OF THE BUNCH

Expensive taste

Faustino Rivero Ulecia Reserva €9, Tesco Bobal, that workhorse grape, is joined by posh Tempranillo here in Utiel-Requena and then aged in a mixture of French and American oak. Result? A Spanish red that tastes dearer than it costs.

The truth is out there...

Veritas Palmela DOC €8.99, Lidl Dark and silky, with a few years bottle age, this Portuguese red from Setúbal, better known for sweet whites, is delightfully offbeat.

Exquisitely seductive

Exquisite Collection Argentinian Organic Malbec €8.99, Aldi Tired of sweet, blowsy Malbec? This one is all blackberry and plum with a touch of spice, savoury and seductive.

Take a number

Chateau Haut-Medou Bordeaux Supèrieur €8.99, SuperValu A reminder that Bordeaux still produces some good value wines at the lower end. This is mainly Merlot.

Malbec from the midi

Lorgeril 1620 Malbec Vin de Pays d’Oc €10.50, Dunnes Stores The big tannins of this grape have been tamed while retaining a distinctively French je ne sais quoi.