During the lead-up to - and on - Christmas Day, a meal without wine is often considered breakfast. Tis the season.

Winter is perhaps my favourite time of year for several reasons. The dark nights, the miserable weather and the excuse to have a tipple here and there. You can stick your G&T summers.

Log fires, lamb shanks and lots of fun. What can make this even better? A red wine accompaniment.

But as I'm sure you're all aware, red wine doesn't come cheap, especially when you're stocking up for a period such as Christmas, so which supermarket should you head to?

According to finedininglovers.com, these are the most popular red wines in the world:

  • Merlot
  • Cabernet Sauvignon 
  • Syrah/Shiraz 
  • Malbec 
  • Pinot noir
  • Sangiovese
  • Zinfandel 

Malbec is by far my favourite red wine and my go-to when browsing in supermarkets. That said, I did have an incredible experience in Scotland that made me question this choice. 

During a trip to Loch Lomond I was treated to a bottle of Barolo in a restaurant (I won't say how much) and it defied all expectations. Needing to be on my best behaviour, I drank it slow and sensibly and it was a heavenly experience.

Although I've since seen bottles of Barolo being sold in Tesco, you're talking around £25/£30 for a bottle. So that experience will likely remain a one-off, for now.

However, can you get a decent bottle of red for a fraction of the price? Well being the martyr that I am, I went and found that out for you last Christmas.

I went to Aldi, Lidl, Tesco, Asda and my nearest Co-Op to see if any of the big names could offer up a decent bottle for a good price.

I've always wanted to go to a wine tasting in southern France or some similarly fancy vineyard, so instead of diving into the wine straight away, I had someone mix the bottles up and pour.

Instead of a lounger in Napa Valley, I was in a kitchen in North Wales, work with what you're given.

With five goblets of goodness in front of me, I conducted my first-ever blind wine tasting. Could I pick out my favourite? The Malbec?

Forestry Journal: (In order right to left) Co-Op, Asda, Tesco, Lidl, Aldi red wines (Newsquest)(In order right to left) Co-Op, Asda, Tesco, Lidl, Aldi red wines (Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest)

Tesco - Isla Negra Merlot

At the time of writing, it was the cheapest bottle of red I could find at the time in Tesco and it was actually £5.75, but £5 with a Clubcard. I was surprised as I swear Tesco sell cheaper wines.

If you don't have a Clubcard, this is the most expensive 'cheap' red wine that you can get in the supermarket.

It was the first wine I tasted and things got off to an okay start. Despite not having a tonne of flavour, watery if anything, it will do when all else has run dry and you're too drunk to care.

Better yet, use/save some for cooking.

6/10

Asda - McGuigan Merlot

Another Merlot, this time from Tesco's main rival, Asda. However, this one didn't have a flat bottom.

Similar to their closest competitor this wine was light-bodied, plain and not that exciting but for £4.95 you can't expect the world. It was good value that's for sure.

Again if you leave this bottle till last, you won't be too fussed.

6/10

Co-Op - South African Red

Avoid at all costs.

My initial notes were "This tastes like ****", but it was actually a hell of a lot worse than that.

I'm not sure what process they used to make this 'South African Red', however, I assume they used a can of Special Brew as an ashtray and then left it in the sun for a week. I think that was the flavour they were going for and by god they achieved it.

Foul. 0/10.

Forestry Journal: It's a hard life, isn't it? (Newsquest)It's a hard life, isn't it? (Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest)

Lidl - Vineyard Merlot 

This offering from Lidl was the first wine (let's forget Co-Op) to provide me with some decent fruity flavour. Not overpowering but it had a nice rich taste to it.

For £4.88 (at the time of writing) this is a steal and will go well with any beef dish. On the palate, it felt smooth.

7/10

Recommended reading

Aldi - Malbec

Did I call it? Absolutely I did. 

The best wine by far that you can sense from the very first taste. It was rich, velvety and felt full-bodied to me which is how I like them.

Forget saving it till last, I challenge anyone to say this isn't a decent wine that doesn't belong on the dinner table. Aldi have done themselves proud here by selling the cheapest and best wine.

Looking for decent cheap wine? It's simple, head to the cheapest supermarkets.

Also, drink responsibly.

8/10