With the festive season well underway there'll be plenty of gatherings to bring a bottle. We give our recommendations for reds under a fiver and mark them out of five.

Specially Selected 2021 Cairanne, £3.49, Aldi (from Dec 11) Packed with soft, red fruit and blackcurrant spice, it is a 2021 vintage full of flavour and exudes elegance. RATING: 5/5

Cimarosa Mendoza Malbec, £4.69, Lidl (in store only) This South American bargain bottle from the famous wine region in Argentina is bold and juicy. RATING: 4/5

Italiano Vino Rosso d’Italia NV, £4.50, Tesco At just 11.5% ABV and very light-bodied, it tastes of tangy, chocolate-dipped cherries. RATING: 3/5

Co-op South African Red, £4.95, Co-op What this wine lacks in label appeal, it makes up for in flavour and its top value price is lower than a fiver. RATING: 2/5

Pierre Jaurant French Pinot Noir, £4.85, Aldi The result is a ravishing rouge that is packed full of plummy fruit and silky strawberry flavours. RATING: 5/5

Morrisons Smooth & Plummy Merlot, £4.69 on offer (was £4.99) It boasts ripe, liquorice and purple plum flavours. An absolute belter of a bottle for this price. RATING: 4/5