10 best red wines for winter - go on, it's Christmas (nearly)
With the weather turning brisk, keep warm by curling up indoors with a glass of ones of these wines in hand
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.1. Berry's Extra Ordinary Claret
This classic claret comes from a wonderful vineyard in the Graves region of Bordeaux. With notes of briary fruit, spicy oak and a touch of leather and smoke, it is ideal for a winter dinner party.
£12.29, bbr.com
2. Sainsbury's Taste the Difference, Douro, Quinta do Crasto, Portugal, 2007
Crafted in the Douro Valley, this bold red stands up well to the rich flavours of a traditional British roast. It's dark, rich and spicy with notes of violet, blackberry, prune and liquorice.
£8.49, sainsburys.co.uk
3. Toro Loco Tempranillo, 2012
This own-brand Spanish wine from Aldi excelled in blind taste tests at the International Wine & Spirit Competition last year alongside reds costing nearly 10 times as much.
£3.69, aldi.co.uk
4. Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz 2010, Penfolds, South Australia
Bin 28 is a ripe, robust and generously flavoured shiraz. On the nose, there are notes of coffee, mocha, spice, chocolate and liquorish, whilst on the palate, it's full-bodied, rich and densely textured.
£16.60, laywheeler.com
5. Château Pey la Tour Réserve 2009, Bordeaux Supérieur
This is a ripe and full-flavoured red is the perfect match for a Sunday roast-beef lunch. Blackcurrant and red fruit dominate the palate with a nice refreshing acidity and a long-lingering finish. And the texture is like velvet.
£10.50, thewinesociety.com
6. Beronia Rioja Reserva 2008
This powerful and balanced wine that should be a strong contender for this year's Christmas dinner. Cherry red in colour, you get aromas of black fruit and liquorice with clove over a mineral base, whilst on the palate there are notes of liquorice, chocolate and sweet spices.
£12.99, waitrose.com
7. Tikves Vranec 2012
Vranec is a black-skinned grape variety native to the mountainous Montenegro, which produces dense, deeply coloured red wines that are rich and flavourful. This particular wine also has a dash of velvety Merlot and the result is a wine bursting with flavour.
£8.99, marksandspencer.com (not sold on website)
8. Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon Cullen
If you can afford to splash out on one bottle this season, make it this wine, which has been matured for six months in French oak barrels, then bottled exclusively for Fortnum's
£24.50, fortnumandmason.com
9. Asda Extra Special New Zealand Pinot Noir
This award-winner from the favoured microclimate of Marlborough is excellent value and fantastic with duck and other rich meats. It has buckets of juicy raspberry fruit and a spicy, savoury finish.
£9.50, asda.com
10. Hacienda Del Plata Arriero Blend Reserve 2009
This deep purple wine, which has been aged in oak for six months before being blended and bottled for five months, has oodles of rich black and red fruit flavours.
£17.95, cupariwines.co.uk