34 top festive wines under £30

With an intoxicating perfume of rose petals, wet earth and forest floor jumping out of the glass, you know this is a classy and charming Brunello. The palate is intense and long-lasting, unfolding layers of sour red cherry, hawthorn, potpourri and sweet spice. The fine-grained tannins are masculine and well-structured. Aged in French oak barrels for four years, it is already a fine treat but can still evolve further in bottle.

The latest international venture for the northern Rhône’s Graillot family sees Antoine Graillot join Spain’s Raúl Pérez to craft this meaty, pure-fruited Mencía. Wild fennel joins tart plums and cherries on an inky, earthy palate. Elegantly rustic, with sappy tannins and savoury acidity.

<p>A cracking wine for the price from the Pisano family, showcasing what is often a mouth-puckeringly tannic and high-octane variety in an elegant guise. The six months in neutral French oak barrels has imparted sweet spice to the weighty, smoky wild blue and black berry fruits, supported by grippy fruit tannins and juicy acidity.</p>

In 2016, Rustenberg lost 5ha of vineyard to fires on Simonsberg mountain. But out of the devastation came a delicious vintage of RM Nicholson, benefitting from the reduced yields and thus increased concentration and opulence. A blend of Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet, it has a stalky hedgerow fruit aroma, minty-fresh with inky, violet-tinged black and blue fruit flavours. It has fine tannins, lip-smacking acidity and an oak-dominated finish of chocolate, black pepper, cream and liquorice.

From star Spanish winemaker Telmo Rodriguez and friend Pablo Eguzkiza comes this sappy, juicy bush-vine Tempranillo, fermented in concrete vats then aged in French oak barrels for 14 months. It's concentrated, mellow and spicy with savoury wild strawberry fruit. The Contino 2015 for £25 is also delicious if you want to trade up.

<p>The high altitude Uco Valley is widely recognised as producing some of Argentina&#39;s best Malbecs, and although this example - from Argentine wine pioneer Catena -&nbsp;is more than twice as much as the Tesco Finest Western Cape Malbec, I&#39;d highly recommend making the upgrade. It&#39;s a world apart: juicy, fleshy dark fruit is accompanied by refreshing minty hints, with some violet highlights and well-integrated chocolatey oak.</p>

Intriguingly layered aromas: savoury, spicy salami, some leafy-vegetal freshness, deep black fruit and a hint of smoke and violet. Luscious black fruit attack, fine tannins and nicely integrated oak. Harmonious, with a lingering black-fruit and spice finish.

Bosman's wines have gone from strength to strength since head winemaker Corlea Fourie joined the team in 2007 – she also makes the 2019 Taste the Difference Fairtrade Chenin Blanc (£8). This is a blend of 77% Cabernet and 23% Malbec from vines on ancient schist soils is all fruit: youthful, juicy red and black berries, fresh green herbs and a wonderful seam of smoky, minerality. Big boned yet vibrant and should age very well.

Grenache with a difference, from a small parcel of 70- to 80-year-old vines of this hairy leaved variety. Lifted aromas of black cherry and damson with a succulent, crunchy core. Has soft, mouthfilling tannins and good length. Dangerously drinkable.

<p>Natural wine from biodynamic vineyards, fermented outdoors in stainless steel, then aged in 225L six-year-old French oak for two years. Complex nose of savoury wild berries, soy sauce and pot pourri. Vibrant sour cherry fruit spiced by fine, earthy tannins. Alc 12.5%</p>

Grapes for this were sourced from Castelnuovo di Berardenga in the southern part of the Chianti Classico area. Well-known flying winemaker Riccardo Cotarella consults on the winemaking, which sees the wine aged for 10 months in oak, six in barrique and four in bottle. There's a lovely aromatic quality to this, with ample dark cherry fruit and rosemary notes along with some attractive leathery evolution. It would make an elegant match for roast lamb.

Classic blend: 40% Kékfrankos plus a collection of other red varieties. Smoky minerals and inky black cherry fruits explode on the nose and follow to the palate. Earthy tannins, wood spice (30% aged in new, small Hungarian barrels) and a fresh spine of acidity

It’s clear why this is one of Berry’s best-sellers: smooth, rounded with a velvety texture and good depth of fruit. Cherry and wood-smoke aromas, ripe berries and fine tannins on the palate, with a lovely meaty savoury element. Great for any occasion.

<p>Such a delicious treat for Christmas! The dynamic Maury cooperative makes this fortified Grenache using a solera system started way back in 1928 and releases wines from individually numbered casks - Berry&#39;s buyer Fiona Hayes selected 849. The fresh nose has enticing aromas of fruit cake, baked apple and figs. The luscious figgy palate has complex dried fruit and nut notes, but also incredible freshness, with red apple bite. Like a fine old Madeira and tremendous value for money. Bring on the cheese board!</p>

New from the Symingtons’ organically certified vineyards, and the kind of fantastic-value fortified that Graham’s, and The Wine Society, does so well. Rich and smooth, warming and spicy, this is über-drinkable – and at this price, not just for Christmas!