When choosing the best-value red wines from 2024 I could have included many more that I think represent real value for money. There are however no wines under €10. While many wines in this price bracket are perfectly drinkable, they rarely offer any real excitement. For a few euro more your wine will taste so much better.
Not long ago there were plenty of great wines priced at €10-€15. Sadly wine prices have increased over the past year or two, and many of my favourite wines are now close to €20 or more. The new labelling laws, if enacted, will add further increases and probably lead to fewer wines being available. Both Spain and France feature strongly in my selection, including two from Bordeaux. Spain offers great value for money and not just the well-known areas like Rioja and Ribera del Duero. Bargain hunters should also look to Chile, Portugal and Italy for well-priced wines that offer real interest.
I give two prices for some of the wines, as they are regularly promoted, or sold at the lower price. Obviously that is the time to buy them.
Laurent Miquel Château Cazal Viel, Vielles Vignes, Saint Chinian
14.5%, €10/€12.50
A rich powerful full-bodied red replete with dark fruits, spice and a smooth finish. Perfect with roast or grilled red meats. Great value at €12.50, even better at €10.
From Dunnes Stores
Château Lacombe Cadiot 2020 Bordeaux Supérieur
14%, €12/€17.99
Very seductive rich, ripe blackcurrant and elderberry fruits, a touch of spice and a lightly tannic finish. This would go nicely with roast red meats.
From SuperValu
Château Sainte Marie 2022, Bordeaux
13%, €15.95/€21.95
Delicious smooth sweet blackcurrant and cassis with softly drying tannins.
From O’Briens
Bardolino Cuvée XV Rizzardi 2022
13.5%, €15.95
A heady mix of raspberries, red and black cherries in a very moreish supple wine.
From O’Briens
Clos Lojen 2023, Manchuela, Bodegas Ponce
12.5%, €17
An instantly drinkable wine with very gluggable supple savoury ripe plums and light tannins. All of the Ponce wines offer great value for money.
From Lilith, D7; Pinto, D9; Green Man, D6; Lennox Street Grocer, D8; Grapevine, Dalkey; 64 Wine, Glasthule; MacCurtain Wine, Cork; Baggot Street Wines; BaRossa, Sandymount
Vermell 2023, Celler del Roure, Valencia
13.5%, €18.95
A perennial favourite of mine. Fresh, lively dark cherry fruits, an earthy touch with subtle tannins. A medium-bodied wine that goes nicely with a wide range of foods.
From Green Man Wines, D6; Blackrock Cellar; Fallon & Byrne, D2; D-Six; Baggot Street Wines; 64 Wine, Glasthule; Morton’s, D6; Brindle, D8
Parajes Bierzo, César Márquez, 2022
13.5%, €19.95/€29
Medium-bodied with supple savoury fresh dark cherry fruits and light tannins on the finish. This would go with a variety of foods, including chicken, pork and tomato stews with beans.
From WineSpark.com
Selvapiana Chianti Rufina 2022
13.5%, €25-€27
Refined with lively fresh red cherry fruits and light tannins on the finish. This would go nicely with a breast of roast duck.
Neighbourhood Wines; Mitchell & Son, D1, D2, Sandycove; 64 Wine, Glasthule; Blackrock Cellar; Thenudewinco.ie; Clontarf Wines; Green Man, D6
Saumur-Champigny Domaine des Roches Nueves 2023, Thierry Germain
13.5%, €27.95
My note from a tasting last year simply read “classic, light, excellent, adore it”. I could add it has delightful fresh crunchy redcurrant and cherry fruits and light tannins.
From Clontarf Wines; Grainstore at Ballymaloe; Green Man, D6; Mitchell & Son, D1, D2, Sandycove; 64 Wine, Glasthule; Stone Valley Roasters, Clonakilty; Whelehan’s, Loughlinstown; Sweeneys, D3
Carnuntum 2021 Dorli Muhr, Austria
13.5%, €28
A wonderfully fresh refined elegant wine with dark cherry and plum fruits and a lingering savoury finish.
From Pinto Wines, D9; BaRossa, Sandymount; Blackrock Cellar; Barnhill Stores, Dalkey; Sweeneys, D3; Red Island, Skerries; Theallotment.ie; Higgins, D14; Dodi, Lahinch; La Touche, Greystones; Whelehan’s, Loughlinstown
