IAN & SPAIN

What are the best red wines we can find in the supermarket for less than 5 euros? With some professional help from the increasingly well-known book ‘The  Superwines 2019: The Supermarket Wine Guide' by Joan C. Martín, I have selected the top 15. The writer and winemaker analyses 150 great wines in the latest edition of his guide, in which all kinds of wines appear: white, pink, champagne and, of course, the best reds. The author also has a curious way to rate the selected wines: from 2 to 5 ‘eyes’, avoiding more complex systems and scores and analyzing each wine in a simple way for the less expert consumer.

So, I have thoroughly explored the pages of the guide and chosen 15 of the best red wines for 2019 (with 4 qualifying eyes) that you can buy in the supermarket for less than 5 euros! A gift for your winery ... and your pocket. So in no particular order, here we go:

1. Alaja Cosecha, Bodegas Luzón – DO Jumilla

Score: 4 eyes

Price: 1,99 €

Where to buy? Masymas

Comments: "The best supermarket red - value for money of 2019" - "Its price is a gift" 

2. Torre Oria Crianza – DO Utiel-Requena

Score: 4 eyes

Price: 2 €

Where to buy? Mercadona

Comments: "light, easy to drink with a wonderful aftertaste" - "A gift for the price"

3. Castillo de Liria Bobal Shiraz, Vicente Gandía – DO Valencia

Score: 4 eyes

Price: 2,29 €

Where to buy? Mercadona, Carrefour, Consum, Alcampo, El Corte Inglés…

Comments: "A young fresh wine which is smooth and elegant" - "fruity and delicate"

4. Torre Oria Viñedo Antiguo Roble, Torre Oria – DO Utiel-Requena

Score: 4 eyes

Price: 2,90 €

Where to buy? Mercadona

Comments: "interesting quality red wine" - "brilliant ruby red from Bobal grapes" - "made from XIX century vines"

5. Casa de la Ermita Joven, Casa de la Ermita – DO Jumilla

Score: 4 eyes

Price: 2,95-2,99 €

Where to buy? Consum, El Corte Inglés

Comments: "Young wine made with Monstraell and Syrah grapes" - "Definitely a great red" 

6. Comportillo Crianza, Bodegas Ontañón – DO Rioja

Score: 4 eyes

Price: 2,95 €

Where to buy? Mercadona

Comments: "A great wine to buy now and enjoy but also buy some more bottles and put them away until around October when it will be even better" - " a grand red at a very attractive price" - "some tannins, full of flavour and velvety smooth"

7. Torre Oria Monastrell Joven, Torre Oria

Score: 4 eyes

Precio: 3,25 €

¿Dónde? Mercadona

Comments: "flavour echoes mature fruit, dates and figs" - "an absolute gift at this price" 

8. Solar Viejo Tempranillo, Bodegas Solar Viejo – DO Rioja

Score: 4 eyes

Price: 4,40 €

where to buy? El Corte Inglés

Comments: "delicate and quite frankly very good!" - "It makes you want to preserve it but also drink it"

9. Sabatacha Monastrell Joven, Bodegas San Isidro – DO Jumilla

Score: 4 eyes

Price: 2,95 €

Where to buy? Carrefour

Comments: "Goes really well with manchego cheese and Tetilla cheese" - "ideal for an aperitif" - "spices, red fruits and figs"

10. Estola Reserva, Bodegas Ayuso – DO La Mancha

Score: 4 eyes

Price: 3,70–4,35 €

Where to buy? El Corte Inglés, Carrefour, Alcampo, Mercadona, Eroski, Caprabo, Consum, E-Leclerc, Froiz, Gadis…

Comments: "a real classic on the supermarket shelves" - "A Reserva for €3,70! Exquisite"

11. Tesoro de Bullas Monastrell, Bodegas del Rosario – DO Bullas

Score: 4 eyes

Price: 4,45 €

Where to buy? Carrefour, Consum

Comments: "A fresh aroma, fruity, reminiscent of dates, spices and almond sponge" - "a brilliant red"

12. Clot d’encís, Sant Josep Vins – DO Tierra Alta

Score: 4 eyes

Price: 3,75-4,35 €

Where to buy?  VinoPremier, El Corte Inglés

Comments: "very aromatic and fruity, but delicate in the mouth" - "perhaps the best Spanish red for less than €4"

13. Hoya de Cadenas Reserva Tempranillo, Vicente Gandía – DO Utiel-Requena 

Score: 4 eyes

Price: 3,99 €

Where to buy? El Corte Inglés, Carrefour, Alcampo, Consum, Hipercor

Comments: "One of the most rounded wines in this guide" - "wonderfully accomplished - a fantastic red" - "it will make you happy!"

14. Primitivo Quiles Tinto Roble, Bodegas Primitivo Quiles – DO Alicante

Score: 4 eyes

Price: 4,56 €

Where to buy? Hipercor

Comments: "simple, great-tasting - six months in barrel" - "flavour reminds of spice, figs, dates and red fruit confiture, a long-lasting aftertaste but elegant at the same time"

15. Ramón Roqueta Cabernet Sauvignon Tina 25, Ramón Roqueta – DO Catalunya

Score: 4 eyes

Price: 4,75 €

Where to buy? Carrefour

Comments: " A great fruity red at a great price" - "really high quality"