15. THE AMERICAS

While I’ve called this class The Americas, in the end it was a hat-trick for Argentina and its most famous red grape, malbec, because it gives you so much flavour for a relatively low price.

2017 Don David, Blend of Terroirs, Malbec-Malbec CALCHAQUÍ

VALLEY, ARGENTINA (£9, reduced to £8 until 1 January,

Co-op) Oddly, this wine mentions the malbec grape twice on its label, to underline the fact that while it is a single varietal wine it comes from different vineyards with different flavours. This is evident in the kaleidoscopic array of black and red fruit and a heroic finish.

2016 Morrisons The Best Gran Montaña Malbec Reserve UCO VALLEY, ARGENTINA (£10, Morrisons) Be sure to choose Gran Montaña Reserve, because Morrisons stocks another malbec with a similar name, and it is not quite as indulgent and impressive as this slightly more expensive version, which has more power and oak influence and a longer, more succulent finish.

2016 Luigi Bosca, Malbec Luján de Cuyo MENDOZA, ARGENTINA (£17.99, reduced to £10 until 12 December, Waitrose) This is the youngest-feeling of the three malbecs here, with dense tannins that need to be aerated in a decanter before drinking. With enough energy and concentration to last for a few years, it’s one wine you could conceivably drink this Christmas – and also the next three or four to come.

FOODIE NOTES

Our winner, the 2017 Don David, is a very big and very straightforward wine. Plum, damson and dark chocolate compete for dominance in the flavours. It would be simply sublime with a rack of lamb.