Are there any nice but cheap red wines out there?

[Pepperwand]

I know nothing about wine but do occasionally like a glass of red. I like them if they are smooth and not too harsh or sharp. In a restaurant I'd usually order a merlot but have also had Shiraz and malbecs that I've enjoyed (is my wine ignorance showing yet?)

Every time I buy a bottle of wine to try at home it is disappointing and too vinegary or not as smooth tasting as I'd like. I'd assume it's because I don't really want to pay more than £7 a bottle or so but there must be some really nice cheaper bottles out there!

I'd really appreciate recommendations as it's getting expensive just taking a punt on different bottles when I have no idea what I'm buying.

Aldi merlot is nice

I like/love Aldi Rockstone red wine. Really easy drinking and not vinegar like at all. It's £5. I like Oyster Bay red wines too, I think £12.

Bit of Chilean Malbec is nice

It might be country of origin letting you down in the supermarket then.
For example a french Merlot or Malbec will taste different to an Australian or Chilean. Often the supermarkets will sell wines from say an Eastern European country cheaper than a country more renowned for wine making. So an Australian grape has had much more warm weather exposure and ripening.

I don’t drink a lot of red wine, but I tend to prefer the ‘cooler’ ones, so I’d go for an Italian, valploicello, chianti, etc.
DH much prefers the more robust, rounded flavours from new world wines, so tends to go for Australian, NZ, Argentinian, Chilean etc.

*valpolicello spelling sorry! (It’s still probably wrong 😂)

Eat well for less recommended a box wine (it's the episode with students)

I buy an Aldi organic wine that I can’t remember the name of. Their organic Merlot is lovely but it’s been out of stock for a while.

Aldi and Lidl are good for wine.

In fairness, if you're looking to spend no more than £7 than most of your money is going on tax, bottling and marketing. If you look out for wines normally priced at £10 or above that are reduced you'll get better wine.

I love a Malbec

I usually buy Tesco Finest Valpolicella Ripasso when it’s on offer (current normal price is £11) - we aren’t big wine drinkers, but we drink it at family gatherings and everyone comments on liking it.

Corbieres at Lidl, £5

Hardy Crest shiraz
The unexpected
Castillo diablo

All around the £6-7 mark and lovely.

Lido do a very drinkable Hawkes Bay Pint Noir for about £6/bottle.

Asda box of malbec is nice.

I tried apothic red and never looked back.... You can get it dor £8 in asda or tes o

Best red I’ve had recently was a Portuguese wine called Gallo from Iceland - it was a present for walking someone’s dog ..... had a picture of a cockerel on the label . Who knew that Iceland had its own vineyards ......

Get yourself to Lidl’s. Some wines from £3.99 and decent enough. Last weekend I got dh a Pinot noir for £2.99, he said it was very good.

Toro Loco from Aldi, that’s the chap.

The very best was the wine from the village in France where my friend had a house, that was €5 a bottle, but that doesn’t help.

My favourite is Yellowtail Jammy Red Roo. Usually around £7. Also 19 Crimes or Red Velvet Cupcake (both more like £9 though).

Aldi Malbec with the blue cap. Or either of the Kooliburra wines (with lizards on).

Agree with PP, a Chilean Malbec. Chilean wine is good value IMO
Try Montes Reserva Malbec. It’s £7 or £8 a bottle on a six mix from majestic.

Aldi do an Australian Shiraz called Bushland, it's absoutely delicious and very cheap.

www.aldi.co.uk/bushland-australian-estate-shiraz/p/002530000298800

Whadayacall cheap? 19 crimes is the best “budget” red IMHO. Usually £9 a bottle, often reduced to £7. Available in asda, Morrison’s, tesco and B&M bargains.

Other than that, Asda’s own brand generic Australian red, in bottles or boxes is drinkable, usually works out about £4-4.50 a bottle.

Another vote for Aldi, I like the Rioja

Jammy red roo by yellowtail is absolutely lovely my local shop stocks it for 6 quid but can be 7 some places. Doesn't taste like red wine it's smooth and sweeter than the bitter taste I drink far too much of the stuff tho 🙈