Atakarma is a star from Matetic, a winery whose consistent quality has seen it listed in Wine & Spirits magazine’s Top 100 Wineries of the Year four times now.

Nestled in the Colchagua Valley, they source their fruit from across Chile's finest grape-producing valleys.

The Sauvignon for this white was harvested from the banks of the Tinguiririca river, where winds keep the grapes cool and aromatic, with a sparky freshness.

Winemaker Felipe Vial cool fermented this white, giving it a little lees ageing to lend a creamy textured edge.

With a crunch of citrus and tropical fruits, it's an ace apéritif.

If you enjoy the food-friendly reds of northern Italy, especially the Valpolicella Ripasso style, you'll love this. We have worked with Italian Winery of the Year Cantina di Negrar for years. They own a vineyard in the Marano Valley and they’ve offered us a deal on their Rosso Veronese – a wine usually reserved for their Italian fans. It’s named after Bartolomeo Lorenzi, whose epic 18th-century poem of rural life made Valpolicella wines famous the world over.

The Marano Valley is especially cool, so grapes take longer to ripen, which adds depth, character and freshness to the wines. Also included is a dash of dark Amarone. With black cherry fruit and Christmas cake spice, it’s hard to imagine a more appealing Veronese red. Great with game.

Chai winemaker Mark Hoddy reserves the Belle Roche label for a red wine made from the best parcel of grapes of the vintage. In 2022 he found just the ticket in a few rows of dark, thick-skinned Cabernet, grown in high-up Languedoc vineyards close to Carcassonne. There the climate benefits both from Mediterranean and Atlantic influences, hence a wine that echoes both of the warm ripeness of the Med with the structure of Bordeaux.

It's a densely flavoured red, its colour almost black – the reason he calls it his precious ‘black diamond’ of the vintage. Meticulously crafted by Mark at the cellar, Belle Roche is best decanted an hour before serving, just like a claret. It’s ideal with a juicy steak, a rich lasagne or a hearty casserole. Decant.

For five generations, the Castro family have been making exceptional red wines in the heart of Valdepeñas, central Spain. Their extensive vineyards lie at altitudes in excess of 700 metres, planted on poor, infertile soils and blessed with plenty of sunshine (2,500 hours a year). All ideal conditions for the production of great wine, with good colour and intensity. They pride themselves on their traditional methods, using here all Tempranillo, hand-harvested, fermented slowly, then aged at least 18 months in French and American oak barrels. The former lends subtle spice notes, while the latter offers more obvious coconut flavours. With 7 years age, it shows mellow red fruits, spice and oaky complexity. Great with tapas or grilled meats.

From yet another quality Californian vintage, Bold Move 2021 marries three powerhouse grapes. Cabernet Sauvignon packs a punch with it’s deep, black-fruit aromas, brooding Petit Verdot adds great structure and tannins to the blend, while Petite Sirah contributes concentrated berry notes and extra body. Combined they produce this bold, intense fruit-filled red blend. A sure winner for any Californian wine lover – the previous vintage even won bronze at the San Francisco International Wine Competition.

Enjoy its rich, ripe blackcurrant and plums flavours, with baking spice layers, firm tannins and a long, sumptuous finish. A delicious red to sip on its own, or a great choice with roasted meats, vegetarian burgers, or spag bol.

Take a minute to read the (literally thousands of) 5-star online reviews for Cabalié. This one is typical: “When my time comes to shuffle off this mortal coil, this is the wine I want in that final glass. It is simply, utterly, indescribably fantastic.” Its secret? It’s crafted by a master winemaker, Hervé Sabardeil, following the centuries-old style beloved of Roman centurions, who first made wine there. Raspberry-rich Grenache, with herby Syrah and Carignan, Cabalié has impressive concentration.

That’s due to the maturity of the vines, most well over 50 years old. The tiny berries they produce give Cabalié extraordinarily rich, ripe flavours. Boasting 8 Golds in as many vintages, this much-loved red is warming solo or with hearty dishes.