The team tend to steer away from the major brands but this, from Australia, is fairly priced and a relatively simple but solidly-made wine with a bit more weight than the Californian. Finally, a Merlot-dominated blend from its spiritual home on the Right Bank of Bordeaux. Fronsac is a less fashionable village but one that often delivers extra value as a result and this is a very decent example. International Merlot Day is on 7 November, so expect lots of promotions in your supermarket to celebrate. But how do you tell which are genuinely good value? First up, and definitely at the bargain end of the market, is an unpretentious Merlot from California. A blend of more than one year, it doesn’t carry a vintage on the label but is well-priced quaffing wine.

of the best supermarket Merlots - Good Housekeeping 5 of the best supermarket Merlots - Good Housekeeping

Also from Australia, but something of a step up in quality, this has a little bottle age to develop some extra complexity.