Top 10 wines in the UK press

Waitrose Cuvée Chasseur, Vin de France 2013

David Williams, writing for The Guardian, rounded up a selection of budget wines for making it through January – a time of year when “most of us would prefer not to open the scary-looking post, let alone the front door.”

He said: “Because of tax, duty and the inflation of wine production costs, the ceiling of the bargain basement has risen exponentially over the past five years or so, just as austerity has bitten hardest. That means it’s very difficult to find anything decent under a fiver in the UK any more, which makes Waitrose’s trusty pair of southern French stalwarts more useful than ever: the dry citrus-and-gooseberry of Cuvée Pecheur (£4.99) is a decent stand-in for Sauvignon Blanc; the Cuvée Chasseur has a juicy, berry-filled charm.”

Price: £4.99, Waitrose

Vaucluse Grenache Syrah, IGP Vaucluse, France NV

The problem with so many “cheap wines” is that they “paper over the lack of fruit and rough edges with a jarring layer of sugar”, said Williams. That is not the case with this “little red gem from the Vaucluse in western Provence”.

He said: “Unashamedly rustic but in a good way: it has that herby-pepper savouriness and grip I look for in red Côtes du Rhône and would work just fine with sausages. Neither is mawkish sweetness a problem with a Tesco duo made in South Africa’s Swartland by the talented Adi Badenhorst. Good value at their full prices of £6.99 and £7.49, both the tangy apple of the Finest Swartland Chenin Blanc and the smoky, brambly Finest Swartland Shiraz are currently a steal at £5 a piece.”

Price: £4.29, Morrisons

3 Amigos Red, McHenry Hohnen, Margaret River 2010

Terry Kirby, writing in The Independent, recommended this “wonderfully balanced” Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvèdre from Australia’s Margaret River.

He said: “This is a full-blooded Aussie take on a typical southern Rhône-style blend – rustic, succulent, with a great combination of red fruit, some pepper and a long, satisfying finish. Just the thing to ward off the chill with a casserole or roast.”

Price: £19.95, bbr.com

Graffigna Centenario Malbec 2012

This Malbec was described as “soft, smooth and velvety” by Kirby.

He said: “A typically soft, smooth and velvety Malbec, with slightly less quantity of forward blackberry fruits than most expressions of the grape, but also lots of characteristic chocolate and coffee notes, all of which linger happily on the palate. A great excuse for a midweek steak.”

Price: £10, Tesco, Sainsbury’s

2010 Beronia, Crianza, Rioja, Spain

Matthew Jukes, writing for the Daily Mail, picked six wines suited to pairing with Indian foods, including this Riojan Crianza.

He said: “Crianza is a term which refers to Riojas which are released for sale after two years spent ageing in oak barrels and also in the bottle. The idea is that they can be drunk immediately having mellowed sufficiently during this period. This Beronia is a delicious, harmonious and affordable example and the 2011 vintage which follows this wine is beauty, too.”

Price: £10.99 reduced to £8.79 until 27 January, Waitrose

2014 Turkey Flat, Rosé, Barossa Valley, South Australia

Another of Jukes’ top picks was this “iconic rosé” from the Barossa Valley’s Turkey Flat, which he described as a “stormer”.

He said: “Don’t let the pale colour fool you – this is a wine that can go hand to hand combat with the spiciest of curries. It is a spectacular, cranberry-themed wine with immense class and length.”

Price: £12.00, Corks Out tel. 01244 310 455, Costco, Amps Fine Wines tel. 01832 273502, Drinkshop.com)

Sainsbury’s Winemakers’ Selection Riesling 2013 Germany

For those on a reduced wine diet this January Susy Atkins, writing for The Telegraph, provided a selection of low alcohol wines to try.

She said: “This month, as many of us try to be healthier than in the preceding one (ahem), I’m simply making my wine a lighter one and ordering – and pouring – dainty small glasses. I’m drinking mainly whites, such as the three below, since it is very hard to find decent reds under 12% (reds need more sun to ripen), and clean, refreshing sparklers.”

Of this German Riesling she said: “Banish any visions of bland Liebfraumilch, that German semi-sweet white: this is a palate-wakening, vivacious young riesling that races across the tastebuds in waves of lemon and green apple. Off-dry, good-value and only 9% alcohol.”

Price: £5.50

Alaia Txakoli 2013 DO Getariako Txakolina, Spain

Another of Atkins’ picks was this Spanish white which comes in at 10.5%.

She said: “A Basque white (they are rarely seen on the high street), dry but tasting of lightly honeyed melon and lime zest. Great with white fish or salads.”

Price: Marks & Spencer, £12

U San Muletto Irrésistible Rouge 2013, Corsica, France

Finally Jamie Goode, writing for The Express, recommended a selection of “floral, complex and fresh” wines to pair with winter warming recipes. Among them was this Corsican light red, which he said is “totally brilliant with floral, sappy cherry fruit and beautiful texture and aromatics.”

He said: “It’s not for lovers of heavy wines but, unusually for a red, it would work rather well with the cod and black olives.”

Price: £8.30, tanners-wines.co.uk

De Morgenzon Reserve Chenin Blanc 2013, Stellenbosch, South Africa

“Chenin Blanc is really happening at the moment in South Africa, and here’s one of the best”, wrote Goode of this bottle.

He said: “It’s fermented with natural yeasts in oak barrels and it is complex, rounded and textured, with bold pear, peach and grape flavours.”

Price: £21 or £16 each if you buy two, Majestic