Five FruitFul merlots
1 Leval Merlot 2018, Pay’s D’Oc (£ 8.58, 13.5%)
This gorgeous mediumbodied merlot oozes with all sorts of berries, with raspberries, cherries and blackcurrant at the fore. Richly flavoured and with aromas to match, an absolutely belting wine from Gascony in France’s historic Languedoc- Roussillon winemaking region. Available from Jascots.
2 Silver Mine in The Co- op (£ 6, 12%)
Bulgaria offers great wines at great prices, stunning value for money, and yet less widely drunk in the UK than pricier rivals for geopolitical reasons. ( Until the fall of the Berlin Wall and its knock- on effects, nine out of 10 bottles of Bulgarian wine went to the Soviet Union.) This soft and gentle merlot from Bulgaria’s Thracian Valley winemaking region is typically flavoursome and fruit- filled. Available from The Co- op.
3 Veramonte Organic Merlot (£ 11.49, 14%)
Chile provides the ideal climate for viticulture and winemaking and the cooler Casablanca Valley ( its coastal breezes from the nearby Pacific aid ripening) favours grapes like merlot. This slightly pricier organic version combines raspberries and blackberries with currants and a hint of spice to give a lovely long finish. Available from Ocado.
4 The Society’s Claret (£ 7.50, 13.5%)
Another great- value bottle from The Wine Society, unsurprisingly a perennial bestseller and an everreliable fallback for a reasonably priced Bordeaux red. Some claim it’s a bit bland but what do they know? Soft, fruity and goes with everything. Available from The Wine Society.
5 Morgenhof Merlot (£ 13.99, 14%)
For a little more luxury, this South African red from Stellenbosch hits the mark every time. Rich, fruity and deliciously smooth. It’s on special offer at £ 10.99 until Tuesday so grab it before it goes. Available from Waitrose.