Wines Under £15

The Tempranillo grapes are sourced from certified organic vineyards at altitudes of around 500m. Ontañón have 57ha of low-yielding organic vineyards and 300 barrels dedicated to organic wines. There is a long maceration of the grapes (over 20 days) - fermentation at controlled temperatures. Ecológico spends five months in American and French oak barrels (new and 1-2 year old barrels).

Ontañón Familia

The nose has rich plum and blackcurrant pastille characters, with delicate vanilla spice and cedar. The palate is ripe, smooth and opulent with layers of pure blackcurrant, juicy blackberry, lush spicy plum and cherry fruit, minerality and complex fine tannins on the finish.

Aromas of intense ripe damson and black cherry with a hint of spice. Rich and generous on the palate - robust and full-flavoured with intense plum and sour cherry fruit, and notes of dark chocolate - balanced by tangy, juicy acidity.

Azienda Agricola Il Cascinone

Produced from the estate's young vines (average age 10 years) growing in vineyards overlooking the Camargue and strewn with smooth pebbles from the Durance river valley. After harvesting, the grapes are chilled for 3 days before a natural ferment at controlled temperatures. Unoaked and ‘croquant’. Aromas of red bramble fruits and woodland herbs The palate has mature raspberry, blackberry and redcurrant fruit, juicy acidity and supple tannins.

Solevari Feteascã Regalã comes from selected areas of the vineyard with fractured Limestone and light iron oxide rich loams, clay soils. Typically they are the areas known to produce better grapes. The grapes are given an extended ripening period to allow development of more intense flavour. The grippy mouth feel, typical for Feteascã Regalã is well expressed in this wine by allowing full fermentation to dryness, to create a sophisticated palate

Golden yellow with greenish reflections, good limpidity. Mineral, with slight tints of black locust flowers and the discovery of white ripped fruits in the background (peaches, pears, pineapple). Good acidity, elegance, present mineralisation, balance and a medium aftertaste.

A delicate nose of ripe stone fruit and a hint of creamy oak. The complex palate is well-balanced with ripe peach characters, a broad mouthfeel and some toasty oak in the background.

Azienda Agricola Il Cascinone

Despacito Malbec (Despacito. Slowly) is from vineyards at the foot of the Andes Mountains, cooler temperatures at these higher altitudes provide the ideal conditions for a slower maturation and a perfect ripeness. The best things in life should be enjoyed SLOWLY…ensure you remember the elegance, fruit and flavour of the wine and savour the moment.

Not your thin, lightweight Merlot but rich, vibrant and very more-ish. Typical full-on red berry fruit on the nose (typical of Merlot) which leads through to a rich, vibrant and aromatic palate that swirls with lashings of ripe fruit underpinned by good structure.

Vibrant black fruit aromas with a touch of spice. On the palate layers of ripe plum, blackcurrant and juicy black cherry balance spicy, developed flavours. A well-structured and complex wine with ripe tannins and bright acidity on the finish.

Azienda Uggiano

From Chris- "I was properly bowled over when I tasted this a couple of weeks ago. Whilst the prices of top end Bordeaux place them well out of reach of mere mortals, many properties further down the food chain have struggled in recent years and countless Chateaux have simply thrown in the towel in the face of competition from across the globe. Others, have seen it as an opportunity to raise their game as Michael Regaud has done here. An investment programme started by his father in 1979 has seen quality levels consistently outperforming those of their neighbours – this is “proper” Bordeaux but at an accessible level."

Full-bodied, supple wine with soft tannins and a fruity finish

Lightly honeyed spicy nose with distinct floral, apple and citrus notes. On the palate it shows ripe fruit and subtle almond flavours balanced by crisp, lemony acidity. Good weight and texture through to the finish.

Excellent with seafood risottos, baked fish and cold white meats.

A great Argentinian Malbec offering aromas of red fruits and plums alongside floral and subtle, toasty vanilla notes; medium bodied in the mouth, the style here is soft, juicy and very well balanced with delicious red and dark berried fruits to the fore.

DR. LO Riesling has just the right amount of fruitiness to balance the crisp acidity. On the palate it is clearly Riesling, but it walks the line between a fruity and drier style. The characteristic acidity of Mosel Riesling helps it finish fresh and clean. If shown blind it may not be recognized as alcohol-free.

An expressive wine with aromas of apricot, fennel and floral scents. The wines roundness is a perfect match for its freshness and the finish reveals subtle notes of aniseed.

On the nose, this Sauvignon Blanc displays citrus aromas, of lime and tangerine. The palate features aromas of mandarin, tropical fruits and herbal notes. A wine with a refreshing acidity, great depth and persistence.

Ripe aromas of black fruit with warm wood spice. Cherry and plum fruit on the palate with fresh acidity and smooth balancing tannins. Classic, approachable and satisfying.

Ontañón Familia

Viognier 50%, Sauvignon Blanc 30%, Torrontés 20%

With a history of winemaking dating back to 1935, Cuatro Rayas are leaders in their field, producing almost 20% of all the white wine in DO Rueda. Now, the community of winemakers making up this co-operative boast over 300 members, with 2,400ha of land under vine, including 120-year-old pre-phylloxera ungrafted bush vines. With a modest amount of barrel-fermentation and lees ageing with battonage, this is quite textured and rich – really good with tapas.

This ‘croquant’ Cinsault is bright and deliciously enjoyable. Unoaked, vibrant redcurrant and raspberry fruit with a wild, delicately tannic herbaceous edge.

Lightly tropical aromas with hints of citrus fruit and honeysuckle. Ripe lemon and apple characters, hints of pineapple and candied peel, and notes of white spice on the finish. Fresh and juicy with appealing minerality.

Brothers Daniel, Eduardo and Gustavo are the fourth generation of Pisanos to take charge of the reins at this boutique winery some 45 minutes uphill from Montevideo. Being Uruguayan, Tannat is obviously their principle focus but the cool Atlantic breezes that shape the best Albarinos of north-west Spain also work their magic down here in Uruguay and this is a real mouthful of joy – refreshing and minerally with a lovely textural richness on the finish.

Aromas of ripe white peach, pineapple, and light citrus notes. The palate has stone fruit and nutty characters and a silky texture, which is balanced by fresh acidity and leads to a long and creamy finish. Richly textured yet with bright acidity so a dream to partner with food or drink on its own. Roast Chicken on a Sunday afternoon before nodding off and waking up during Antiques Roadshow.

A fine, delicate dry white with classic Riesling aromas of lime, petrol and a touch of lemongrass. The palate has citrus and stone fruit characters, with mineral notes adding complexity to the finish.

Azienda Agricola Il Cascinone

A stylish and concentrated Verdicchio with fresh intense aromas of grapefruit and lime, as well as honeyed stonefruit. The palate is fresh and fruity; very approachable, with apple, pear and ripe stone fruit. A mouthfilling minerality adds to the complexity and palate weight.

Monte Schiavo

Thick-skinned and wild, Gros Manseng is relatively unknown. For years, it was held in lower regard than its equally obscure parent, Petit Manseng, and blended away anonymously. We've captured its winemaking potential in one of the fruitiest and fun wines you're likely to taste.

The Brachetto variety may have originated in Provence, but today it is grown in much larger quantities in Italy, in particular in Piemonte. The Brachetto vine is delicate, giving low yields from which sweet red wines with the colour and flavour of strawberries are produced. The grapes for Alasia Brachetto d'Acqui are sourced from vineyards in the Monferrato hills in the south of the province of Asti.

Bright and aromatic with fresh crushed raspberries, violets and dried rose petals. The palate is juicy and lightly sparkling, and bursting with fresh grape and red berry fruit. The sweetness is perfectly balanced by mouth-watering acidity and a delicately fragrant finish.

Araldica

Bright red berries on the nose, and bursting with crunchy juicy, berry fruit flavours with a touch of dry, oak influence. Well-balanced with a lightly grippy, fresh finish.

A classic varietal nose of jasmine, white peach and fruit blossom, with a hint of white pepper. The palate is ripe and full-flavoured with exotic, tropical fruit flavours balanced offset by bright, zingy acidity leading to a gingery, textural finish.

Freshly picked and fermented Frappato grapes are blended with ultra-ripe Nero d'Avola that have dried on the vine to provide a delightful "Appassimento" style red - rich, savoury and a real crowd-pleaser.

Baglio Gibellina

Intense black fruit and warm spice, good depth of flavour with some balancing freshness and supple tannins. A very approachable yet classic Crianza.

Ontañón Familia

A classic blend of Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel-lo - from 35 hectares of vines cultivated on the Can Macia estate, in the Anoia river basin near Odena. Made using the traditional Cava method - the wine is matured for an extended period of 24 months before disgorgement to enhance the complex, fruity aromas.

White fruit and citrus aromas lead onto a complex palate with green apple, stone fruit and a touch of white spice. Bubbles are fine and persistent through to the long finish and gentle savoury twist.

The grapes for False Bay Whole Bunch Cinsault Mourvedre stem from bush-vine Cinsault (mostly old vines) in Stellenbosch and The Swartland, along with a small proportion of Mourvedre from Stellenbosch which adds a savoury depth to the wine. Although The Swartland is not as coastal as most of the vineyards used for the False Bay wines, it is an area where, quite frankly, grapes from old vines are available at the required prices. Thankfully, the area's old vines produce naturally low yields and retain good acidity despite being warmer and less windswept than Stellenbosch, so cooler, coastal Atlantic winds are less of a necessity for these gnarly old vines. Made by Waterkloof's talented young Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard. Balanced grapes are hand harvested, whole-bunch pressed and fermented spontaneously with wild yeast in stainless steel and wooden foudre. The wine is left on lees for a minimum of three months before bottling. No additions other than sulphur as a preservative. Grown, made and bottled in South Africa.

Old bush vine Cinsault forms the backbone of this ‘proper’ rosé. A pale, spicy and textural Rosé mostly sourced from bush-vine Cinsault with summer fruits on the palate and a lovely clean, savoury, dry finish.

False Bay Vineyards

Ripe stone fruit aromas leading to a textured palate with citrus and apricot characters alongside nutty, mineral notes and bright acidity. The finish is long, savoury and lightly saline.

Pinotage continues its quiet rehabilitation, and this is another strong argument in its favour. Brambly fruit, gentle spice and none of the historical horrors that gave the grape a bad name. Smooth, approachable and far more versatile than it has any right to be.