Highly commended wines

Portugal red wines (continued)

Symington Family Estates Quinta da Fonte Souto Red, Portalegre, Alentejo 2018 (£16.49, Fells): Gorgeous robust red with rich roasted fruit and depth.

Cabeca do Reguengo Solesticio Red, Alentejo 2018 (£19.40, Marta Vine): Really excellent quality for the price – lots of complexity and depth for your money.

Ana Rola Wines Rola Grande Reserva Touriga Nacional, Baixo-Corgo, Douro 2020 (£30, Marta Vine): Balanced, rich, opulent. Big roast lamb wine.

Quinta do Espinho Reserva, Douro 2018 (£20, Vindependents) Loads of black fruit and savoury too. Hits the spot perfectly for the style and price.

Romania red wines

Legendary Dracula Principe Feteasca Neagra, Muntenia, Dealu Mare 2019 (£18.99, Transylvania Wines): Very distinctive and appealing style.

Legendary Dracula Folklore Negru de Dragasani, Oltenia, Dragasani 2020 (£18.99 Transylvania Wines): Sweet and jammy cooked fruit: a crowd-pleaser.

Legendary Dracula Legend of Dracula Negru de Dragasani & Merlot, Oltenia, Dragasani 2017 (£13.99, Transylvania Wines): Spicy dark fruits – bargain!

Legendary Dracula Draculea Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz, Muntenia, Dealu Mare 2017 (£21.99, Transylvania Wines): Oodles of dark fruit.

Legendary Dracula Dominion Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Feteasca Neagra, Muntenia, Dealu Mare 2020 (£17.99, Transylvania Wines): Serious; cassis, herbal.

Legendary Dracula 555, Muntenia, Dealu Mare 2017 (£19.99, Transylvania Wines): Blackcurrant, black cherries, floral; good length.

South Africa red wines

Zorgvliet Silver Myn Argentum, Stellenbosch 2021 (£8.99, Boutinot): An easy-drinking well-balanced wine full of smooth, soft berry fruits.

Jordan The Long Fuse Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch 2021 (£19.75, Awin Barratt Siegel Wine Agencies): Full of ripe soft blackcurrant fruit.

Tokara Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch 2020 (£19, ABS Wine Agencies): Extremely well made; flavours come together beautifully. Hard to beat at this price.

Idun Confession, Cape South Coast, Bot River 2021 (£24, Vindependents): Wonderfully elegant and a great example of the new wave of Cape Grenache.

Warwick Blue Lady, Stellenbosch 2018 (£27.99, Fells): Inviting nose of cassis, sweet vanilla and violet. A real crowdpleaser of a Cabernet.

Faithful Hound Mulderbosch Vineyards, Stellenbosch 2020 (£17.25, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Distinctive, well-made, punchy Bordeaux-style red.

Idun Charismatique, Cape South Coast, Bot River 2021 (£23.50, Vindependents): Lovely aromatics; black cherry, liquorice, spice; concentrated yet fresh.

Lomond Wines Conebush Syrah, Cape Agulhas 2018 (£30.99, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Deep, dark briary fruit; soft tannins a hint of peppery spice.

Vergelegen Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch 2016 (£19.99, Fells): Concentrated and elegant. A superb blend made for fine dining.

Jordan Cobblers Hill Red, Stellenbosch 2020 (£35.50, Awin Barratt Siegel Wine Agencies): Full-bodied; vanilla; plummy purple fruit. Archetypal SA red blend.

Spice Route Chakalaka, Swartland 2019 (£23.99, Liberty Wines): Concentrated plum, black cherry; liquorice and violet. Impressive weight and balance.

Helfrich Family Owl Post Pinotage, Stellenbosch 2020 (£23.49, GCF Exclusive): A refined Pinotage which could certainly convince the doubters.

Spain red wines

Bodegas Peique Tinto Mencía, Bierzo 2021 (£13.50, Vindependents): Light in body; very drinkable. Cherry bakewell-esque finish. Excellent value.

Casa Mariol Garnatxa Negra, Terra Alta 2021 (£13.99, Top Selection): Black cherry and spice. Very drinkable and pleasing. Could easily be an indie top seller.

Mauricio Lorca Viña Peón Mencía, Ribeira Sacra, Galicia 2021 (£18.25, Ucopia Wines): Spice, herbs, blackcurrant and redcurrant; vibrant and rounded.

Perelada 5 Finques Reserva, DO Empordà, Catalunya 2016 (£17.99, Alliance Wine): Lots of complexity; layers of spice and oak. Grippy tannin. A savoury edge.

J Fernando Family Wines SOL Finca Navahermosa Syrah, IGP Vino de la Tierra de Castilla 2022 (£10, Daniel Lambert Wines): Sweet berry fruit; great value.

Familia Torres Gran Coronas, Penedès 2018 (£14.99, Fells): Very well made, balancing rich ripe fruit and savoury notes. Fits well into a Spanish range.

Wineryon Demuerte One, Yecla 2020 (£12.95, Vinfinity): Lashings and lashings of dark and juicy fruit; spice but not OTT; really well made.

Struggling Vines Phinca Hapa Tinto, Rioja Alavesa, Rioja 2018 (£32.50, Moreno Wines): Lots going on; real quality. Good length; savoury, meaty complexity.

Familia Martínez Bujanda Finca Antigua Garnacha Crianza, La Mancha 2018 (£14, Berkmann Wine Cellars): Hedgerow fruit; great for the price.

Marco Abella Loidana, Priorat 2021 (£21.50, Vindependents): A really good example of Priorat for the price. Fruit and spice. Really nice balance.

Bruma del Estrecho de Marin Finca CQ, Jumilla 2021 (£22.99, Alliance Wine): Distinctive, perfumed, raspberry, strawberry; authentic and natural feel.

Esteban Martin El Otro Tinto, Sierra de Algairén, Cariñena 2021 (£10.95, Ucopia Wines): Fragrant berry fruit; lovely fresh easy-drinking.

Bodegas Peique Viñedos Viejos, Bierzo 2020 (£23, Vindependents): A textbook example of Mencia, with plenty of red fruit, earthiness and acidity.

Bodegas Arloren Vegacañada, Jumilla 2021 (£11.95, Daniel Lambert Wines): Complex but quaffable with classic varietal character. Floral aspect; red berries.

Celler del Roure Safrà, Valencia 2021 (£20.99, Alliance Wine): Beautiful structure; lovely red fruit. Very pure and great acidity; so much personality.

Can’ Leandro La Lloma, Valencia 2021 (£13.99, Boutinot): So bright and lively; some spice, aniseed balls, plum and bramble berries.

Casa los Frailes Dolomitas Terres dels Alforins, Valencia 2020 (£28, Graft): Arresting nose: Asian spices, earthy; beautiful red fruit; fine dusty tannins.

Bideona Las Parcelas, Rioja Alavesa, Rioja 2020 (£22.99, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Savoury; lifted red fruits and blackcurrants; tangy red fruit acidity.

Telmo Rodriguez Gago Tinta de Toro, Toro 2018 (£22.08, Bancroft): Rich, dense dark cherry and mocha flavours but balanced, not sickly. Good intensity.

Finca Museum La Renacida, Cigales 2020 (£26.99, Liberty Wines): Cherry and plum, smoky undertones; Well balanced and very enjoyable.

Bodegas Peique Ramon Valle, Bierzo 2020 (£17, Vindependents): Ripened red fruits on the nose, fleshy fragrant dark fruits on the palate. Good example.

Cuevas de Arom Altas Parcelas Calatayud Garnacha, Calatayud, Aragón 2020 (£19.99, Liberty Wines): Ripe blueberries. Delightful acidity keeps it bright.

Cuevas de Arom As Ladieras Calatayud Garnacha, Alarba, Acered and Murero, Calatayud, Aragón 2020 (£27.99, Liberty Wines): Super-silky and fragrant.

Ontañón Rioja Reserva, Rioja 2015 (£17.99, Boutinot): Bold, roasted notes, well integrated tannins; supple. Gran reserva quality and style at a reserva price.

Adega Ponte da Boga Mencia, Ribeira Sacra, Galicia 2020 (£16.99, Alliance Wine): Leafy; fennel, red plum. An interesting wine and decent value.

Bodegas San Alejandro Viñas de Miedes, Calatayud, Aragón 2021 (£11.99, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Lots of bramble fruit and spice; appealingly fresh.

Mas Blanch i Jové Saó Abrivat, Les Garrigues, Costers del Segre 2020 (£20, Vindependents): Packed full of fruit. Lovely texture, finish, balance. Very well made.

Mas Blanch i Jové Saó Expressiu, Les Garrigues, Costers del Segre 2019 (£26, Vindependents): A bright, fun wine but substantial. Lovely balance.

Vino de Montaña Sierra de Gredos Cadalso, Sierra de Gredos 2018 (£15.49, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Fresh, pure palate. Medium bodied and well balanced.

Viña Elena Familia Pacheco Barrica, Jumilla 2019 (£12.99, Alliance Wine): Cassis and figs; supple tannins, very expressive and enjoyable.

Bodegas Arloren SL Paco Arloren, Jumilla 2018 (£13, Daniel Lambert Wines): Macerated fruit on the nose, crushed black berries on the palate. Well balanced.