IF your tipple of choice at this time of year is a nice glass of red in front of a roaring fire then twist the cork with some sophisticated Merlots from your supermarket shelves.
A crowd-pleasing grape to suit everyone, Merlot is one of the most popular bottles of plonk.
8
Wine expert Helena Nicklin selects seven bargain bottles all for £6 and under and marks them out of five.
Chevalier de Fauvert – Lidl, £5.79
8
A PLEASANT sur- prise for the price, this South of France version is an excellent exam- ple of the Merlot grape and offers up buckets of juicy red fruit and a smidgen of cedar.
It is classically French but open with it and a great all-rounder that looks and tastes much more expensive.
read more on wine
Take it to a posh dinner and no one will guess from the bottle it is such a bargain.
RATING: 5/5
Smooth & Plummy – Morrisons, £4.69
8
WITH juicy, ripe plum and spice, this Aussie is described as smooth and plummy and it delivers exactly what it says on the label.
For the pound-stretching price (it was £4.99) it over delivers for taste and for under a fiver I don’t think you can do much better.
Most read in Money
It would be banging with any beef or bangers and at 10.5 per cent ABV, it’s lower in booze than many.
Plain label a shame.
RATING: 3/5
Grapevine Merlot – Aldi £4.09
8
CHEAPEST of this lot but still a respectable drop for the price. It’s rustic and fruity and maybe a bit rough around the edges but it’s still fine if you’re softening it with a chunky meat stew or tangy Cheddar.
I’d suggest sipping this one with food.
It would also make the perfect base for a decent mulled wine as it has some nice and spicy elements.
RATING: 2/5
Des Tourelles Claret 2022 – Tesco, £5.49
8
THIS Merlot/ Bordeaux blend is light on its feet, with a classic note of old-school pencil shavings!
Dry and balanced, with lots going on in the flavour department, it’s a classic to sip, super easy to drink, looks smart and has the world’s most famous wine region on the label.
Delicious enjoyed alone or sipped with your Sunday roast – especially pork.
RATING: 4/5
Australian Lime Tree Merlot – Co-op £6
8
ANOTHER awe- some Aussie packed full of ripe, bramble flavours along- side a cooling, minty note that keeps it fresh.
Bold and fruity, it’s the kind of red you want to enjoy by the glass in a cosy pub on a cold day, or just sip it snuggled up on your sofa.
Top value, the wine version of wrapping up in a cosy velvet blanket
RATING: 4/5
Yellowwood Mountain – Asda, £4.95
8
F you like your red big and bold, this moreish Merlot from South Africa is for you.
With lots of dark berry fruit you’ll get black cherry, plum and also a whiff of grilled meat as this very tasty tipple is full-bodied and smoky.
One to pair with winter grub such as hearty stews and sausage casseroles, as well as a spag-hetti Bolonese.
Really good value
RATING: 4/5
8
FANS of a cool climate red wine will like this tart number from South Africa with lots of crunchy cranberry.
Fine for a fiver, it’s one to splash into your chilli or stew and have a glug of yourself in the kitchen while doing it – but not much more than that.
The acidity feels a bit scratchy and high.
Read More on The Sun
But at a fiver it’s a useful standby to have to hand.
RATING: 2/5
