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.

[Willowfrost]

Barefoot Merlot

[Fuzzywuzzyhadnohair]

Aldi has a lovely Zinfandel called Alberforre, it’s £7.99 but sometimes on offer. I usually drink Malbec and their Malbec/Syrah is nice too.

[AuntieMarys]

Sainsburys do a good Malbec ..red/gold label...£5.

[SheSnapsThenSheFarts]

Lidl Pinot noir, the bog standard one showing a similar design on the label to their merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. I buy them by the case.

[Roselilly36]

Toro Loco Aldi £3.99 a bottle, award winning red wine, great buy for the money.

[ThursdayLastWeek]

For those of you that like the Jammy Red Roo I can recommend an Australian Shiraz called Jamshed. You can get it from Spar or Tesco. Some might find it a bit sweet but I think it’s lovely and drinkable.

[INeedNewShoes]

I now do an annual wine shop in France, bringing back bottles ranging from £3 to about £12 for something special.

I know that probably doesn’t help, but just in case you live on the South coast and could hop over on a cheap ferry deal (usually £30 return) it could be worth considering.

Bottles that would cost £9 in Tesco cost half the price or less in France.

[isabellerossignol]

I second Barefoot Merlot.

Or the Lidl Shiraz, the one with the yellow label mentioned above. It's less than £5 and far nicer than some wines I have tried that cost twice as much.

[BammBamm]

Aldi Malbec (now £5.99) is a firm favourite here

[sassafras123]

Apothic Red is very drinkable from Morrisons.

[30not13]

Gallo Merlot, lovely and soft

[Coughsyrupsucks]

Waitrose French Cuvee Chasseur is lovely and about £5.50 a bottle.

[Span1elsRock]

Barefoot Merlot is nectar of the gods, and around £6 a bottle. It's the only red we ever buy now, never had a duff bottle.

[shopaholic85]

Another vote for Barefoot Merlot

[Goldensummer]

Lidl do nice red wines cheaply. Or go for the more expensive wines that are on offer, so normal price £9/10 now £6/7.

Also, do you let the wine breath first or do you open the bottle then drink it? I find opening the bottle and letting it sit for an hour or so really helps the wine taste smooth rather than sharp.

[thenorthernluce]

Aldi French red called Carcassonne - about £4/5 and lovely!

[Luckingfovely]

Aldi Carcasson at 5 is good.

[CaballeroJ]

At last someone recommended Rioja - perfect for you. Current best buy is at Asda - Espartero Reserva 2013, smooth, nice fruit cz not too strong, and only £6 !!

[BikeRunSki]

I buy wines that are reduced to £6 or £7. I have recentjy discovered a wine called “19 Crimes” from Australia, which is delicious, and which I now always buy (in bulk!) if it’s reduced to £7.

[Babushkacandle]

Bought this Malbec the other day in home bargains for about £5 it was beautiful.
www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/beefsteak-club-malbec-argentinian-red-wine/797719-499478-499479

[PFS30]

Loving 19 crimes either banished or uprising both equally full bold reds, approx £10 available in Asda

[Corrag]

Another vote for Jammy Red Roo. I usually drink white wine but I mage an exception for this. Very reasonably priced too, usually 2 for £12 in my local shop.

[Inforthelonghaul]

Have you tried The Straw Hat? I buy this in Tesco, it’s a very easy to drink red wine and at £3.90 a bottle it’s great for cooking too. It must be rubbish wine but I think it’s ok and great on a tight budget.

[MrsB0202]

Agree!

[ForTheFew]

I had Yellowtail Jammy Red Roo for the first time last night and it was the first red wine I’ve ever actually liked. It was not vinegary at all but fruity and almost a touch sweet. I’ll definitely be buying it again!