Ten Great Reds under €20

An all-time favourite at Bubble Brothers and fantastic value.

Ripe and juicy with good weight, moderate tannins and attractive notes of sweet blackberry, farmyard and thyme in a fresh, attractive red. Impressive length and complexity for a wine at this price.

The judges at the Paris Concours Général Agricole regularly award the estate's wines in recognition of their overall excellence and exemplary Cabardès character.

This is another wine that won me over on the first sniff: its delicious sweet farmyard scent giving way to a well-weighted medium mouthful. Blake Creedon, Irish Examiner, January 2012

The Cabardès appellation was established only in 1999 and covers red and rosé wines made in the hills north of Carcassonne. The appellation's slogan “Vent d'Est, Vent d'Ouest” reflects its catchment area: on the climatic border between balmy Languedoc-Roussillon and the more inclement South-West, in the foothills of the Montagne Noir. This double identity is manifested in the grape varieties which make up the appellation's wines: Grenache and Syrah from the Mediterranean; Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon, and Merlot, from the Atlantic side. The result is some unique wines, the majority of which are red.

The Jouclary history goes back as far as 1530, when Guilhaume de Jouclary was the Consul of Carcassonne. Pascal Gianesini, succeeding his father Robert who took over the estate in 1969, is currently in charge of coaxing out its wonderful, expressive wines.

Rich plum, blackcurrant and raspberry aromas lead to a palate that explodes with red berry flavours before melting into the soft rounded tannins typical of the Sangiovese grape.

As a food wine, Sangioveses are friendly and accommodating, and traditionally served with tomato-sauced pasta dishes; however, because of the fifteen per cent Merlot in this classic blend, it is equally successful paired with red meats or even a rich soup.

According to the company's website, the Umbrian wine revolution begins at Cantina Tudernum. The Cantina is one of the largest wineries in Umbria, and is situated on the slopes of Todi’s hills, along the ancient Tiber Road. Founded in 1958, the winery uses only regionally produced grapes in partnership with 350 selected vineyards from the surrounding area.

The gently oaked sibling of our ever-popular Blina, this is also a Barbera of intense ruby colour and beautiful fruity aromas, but four months' aging in eighty-hectolitre barrels gives flavours with light notes of spice and a supple texture.

There's every reason to try this zippy and refreshing medium-bodied red, which is perfect for tomato-based dishes, meatier fish, or drinking on its own.

GOLD MEDAL, MACON 2019

Our range of wines from the Languedoc continues to grow with the return of a smooth, rich red from the Fitou appellation.

Given an hour or so to breathe, it brings together aromas of herbs, roads sizzling in the sun, and rich, spicy fruit. In the mouth it's supple and balanced, with more of those rich, satisfying fruits and underlying suggestions of vanilla, liquorice and black pepper.

Not quite a holiday in a bottle, but definitely a mini-break!

Toni Garriga's semi-crianza from the Mas Codina estate in Catalonia, north-eastern Spain is a fresh, light red with depth and a good finish.

Fans of the Cabernet Sauvignon crianza from the estate will almost certainly enjoy this 'little brother' when a less intense experience is called for. The fruit is pure and smooth, with blackberry and red fruit juiciness, and though this is a light-bodied wine, it has real character and more length than you might think. The modest alcohol percentage is a refreshing change from the slowly increasing average, and a reminder that there's much to be enjoyed about a wine that doesn't overwhelm you after the first glass.

It would make a terrific wedding, buffet or picnic wine, and has full organic certification—as do all wines from the estate since the 2017 vintage.

Mas Codina is located in the Alt Penedès, Catalonia, and is protected by two benevolent mountain ranges. All the fruit it uses is estate-grown.

The Penedès region spans a long strip of land between the sea and the mountains, half-way between Barcelona and Tarragona. This wine comes from the Costers de l'Anoia zone of the Penedès, coloured in red on the map below.