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.

What you're drinking in the restaurant probably isn't very expensive at all.
I know I've had a £19 bottle of wine in a restaurant that I'd bought from Asda myself for £5 the night before. I find with alcohol, how it tastes to me is a lot about the ambiance and the mood I'm in!

I tend to buy whatever is on offer, as a poster above has said, as it will be better quality wine. Unfortunately, you probably will have to experiment a little to find ones you like. 13mo DS is actually surprisingly good at choosing - I always submit the bottles for his approval and takes the one he shows the most interest in. He's not steered me wrong yet!

Casillero Del Diable are often on offer as are the Campa Viejo. If you like merlot, malbac and shiraz, you'll maybe like tempranillo, cabernet sauvingon and cote de rhone (I say that because they're all wines I like!). I used to be a rioja fan but have gone off it in favour of the lighter bodied ones.

No one knows much to start off with! Just treat it as a fun journey. Look at the wine you're drinking at the restaurant and where it's from, I tend to like French reds the best. If you're a friend's house and they serve you wine, ask what it is and where they got it.

Dark horse merlot.or cabernet sauvignon

try majestic wines, you can try them in store and a box of six you see a big reduction and you can mix wines.

Buy Oyster Bay when they are reduced in price. Very nice and defo smooth....

Italian Primitivo from Waitrose when on offer is below £7. Absolutely gorgeous, smooth red.

Another one to recommend opening an hour before you want to drink and make sure it's come up to room temperature. If it hadn't opened up properly it can taste a bit scratchy and unbalanced.

Also think valpolicella ripasso would suit you. Normally about £11 but wait till someone is doing a 25% off to bring the price down? Enjoy

I feel strongly enough that I made an account! I don't have kids, but I know wine and somehow came across this thread. Based on what you've said, Cabalie or Black Stump could be worth a try. Both from laithwaites. Both very smooth and when part of a crate (introductory offers on all the time), it's about £7 a bottle. Anything you buy at Tesco etc for £7 will be overpriced rubbish in comparison. I have also heard good things about Aldi wine, but would recommend laithwaites or majestic as a place to get pretty decent wine at decent prices, especially when they have their offers. Hope it helps.

Thank you all for your suggestions, I'll enjoy working my way through them. For those of you that are interested I went to Costco and they had a box of Barefoot Malbec, 6 bottles for £28. I bought it and it's bloody lovely! Will definitely try their merlot too.

Yellowtail Jammy red too is much too sweet for me but I do like some of their other reds.