Top 10 wines in the UK press

2013 Secret de Vin Manent Malbec, Colchagua, Chile

It’s Burns Night tonight, and with that the challenge of matching a drink with haggis is at the forefront our first contributor’s mind.

“Bold must be the wine that dares to stand up to haggis,” writes the Sunday Times‘s Damien Barr. “Go red, go bloody: Rioja, Malbec and Chianti.”

For a specific wine, Barr recommends “this big blend” that can “stand up to the spicy, meaty challenge”.

“At least 85% Malbec, the remaining varieties are secret – I detect spicy Mourvedre and rich Syrah. Punchy but with a fine finish and moreish black fruit.”

Oddbins, £11.25

2014 Quinta de Azevedo Vinho Verde, Portugal 

Next, The Guardian‘s David Williams suspends his constant search for fresh new wines to recommend this consistent performer.

“It’s quite rare to drink the same brand twice – and brands that have been quietly but consistently doing their thing for years get overlooked,” he writes. ”

A shame when they’re as good as Azevedo’s textbook Vinho Verde, a provider of vividly tangy but light refreshment for 25 years now.”

Waitrose, £8.49

2012 Masi Campofiorin Rosso del Veronese IGT, Italy 

“Another gem that sometimes seems to be hiding in plain sight is this evergreen red blend from Veneto wine family Masi,” Williams continues.

“The 2012 has a richness that stems from re-fermenting the wine with dried grapes, which gives a touch of the bitter chocolate of the classic dried grape wines of Amarone della Valpolicella, but with a vivid, vivacious, tomato pasta-friendly cherry character.”

Majestic / Slurp, from £9.74

2014 Torres Viña Sol, Catalunya, Spain 

Rounding up his nostalgic selection, Williams says this wine has “always been a cut above the generic whites with which it shares the bill from Torremolinos to Tossa del Mar.

“Made from local grape Parellada and Granacha Blanca, it’s not the world’s (or Spain’s or Catalonia’s) most complex wine. But its gentle blossom and apple character and light lemony bite works with most fish dishes, including your average costa hotel’s cheerfully inauthentic paella.”

Asda / Sainsbury’s / Tesco, around £6.50

2014 Winemakers’ Selection by Sainsbury’s Riesling, Rheinhessen, Germany

Next, Daily Mail wine writer Matthew Jukes pairs the following wines to some ‘home comfort’ recipes from TV chef James Martin.

“This is the finest value German wine on the shelves right now”, he boldly claims. “With a meadow flower and mildly-tropical fruit nose and a sleek, juicy palate it is a delightful, soothing aperitif and it also would adore being partnered with the Pork and hazelnut terrine with apricot chutney recipe.”

£5.00, Sainsbury’s

2012 Parcel Series, Clare Valley Shiraz, South Australia 

“Where these ‘parcel series’ wines come from nobody knows, but the value attributed in this mighty Clare Shiraz is amazing” he continues.

“This is a lusty, swaggering, dark red with moments of spice to lift the aroma. Big and bold, snap it up while stocks last.”

£9.99, reduced to £6.66 multi-buy until 1 February, Majestic 

2013 Sios Pla Del Lladoner, Spain

“Rich, unctuous and mouth-filling, with complex oaky flavours, but retaining an appealing aromatic freshness on the palate.” That’s how Terry Kirby at The Independent describes this Spanish offering as he searches for the best winter whites.

“Excellent for robust piscine dishes such as fish pie or casserole and also ideal with chicken or veal.”

£10.99, 31 Dover

2012 Pfaff Gewurztraminer, Alsace, France

“Also luscious and complex,” Kirby continues, “this full-bodied Alsace wine is laced with exotic flavours of lychees and pineapple, underpinned with smoke and spices.

“Great with richer white meat dishes such as pork belly with black pudding or chilli-hot Asian foods.”

£10.99, Wine Rack

2014 Seifried Estate Nelson Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand

And for those still keeping an eye on their alcohol intake, Kirby recommends “this naturally lower-alcohol version of most people’s favourite Kiwi wine.

“Despite being just 9.5ABV, it has the familiar crisp citrus, green apple and grassy flavours, and is suitable for winter salads, light fish and shellfish dishes.”

£10, Marks & Spencer

Les Jamelles Viognier 2014, Pays d’Oc, France

And finally, at the top of his list of the best affordable wines, Jamie Goode of the Sunday Express is full of praise for this French Viognier.

“With its floral pear, peach and apricot aromas, this is just so typical of the fabulous Viognier grape, with a rounded, textured feel in the mouth along with beautiful balance.”

£6.99, The Co-operative