Spicy, Warm Reds

This is a gloriously warm-hearted, spicy red wine style, with rich flavours of fruit berries, black pepper and chocolate. The best examples are Australian Shiraz or French Syrah.

Australian Shiraz is rich, dense and chocolaty, often with a twist of pepper, a tang of leather or a hint of smoke. You can find good examples at all price levels.

This grape is known as Syrah in France, and is grown successfully in the Rhone Valley. The French version tends to be a little more austere in style, and has a smoky-mineral flavour compared with the rice spice found in Shiraz. It's often more expensive, too. However, you can find some good value wines, such as Vin de Pays d'Oc Syrah, Fitou, Minervois or heavier styles of Cotes du Rhone-Villages.

California Zinfandel made in its most powerful style is spicy and rich, and South African Pinotage is definitely worth a try.

In Spain, Toro and the more expensive Priorat regions produce wines with weighty vanilla and plum flavours, whilst Argentine Malbecs and Chile's great big spicy-savoury mouthfuls of Carmenere are excellent value.

For less than £5, try:

• Côtes du Rhône 'La Rectorie' (Rhone): Pepper-laced forest fruit with great balance and elegant tannins.

For around £5 to £10, try:

• Jacob's Creek Reserve Shiraz (Australia): Rich berry fruit, dark plum flavours, hints of chocolate, pepper and liquorice.
• L'Artisan Minervois (Languedoc-Roussillon): A juicy wine with flavours of ripe blackberry and spicy black cherry.
• Domaine Chaume Arnaud Vin de Pays Syrah (Rhone): Brimming with summer fruits, an elegant and delicious wine.

For around £10 to £20, try:

• Speir Premium Pinotage (South Africa): A deep ruby wine, with attractive aromas of red berries and vanilla. Rich flavours of banana, spices and red berries with elegant hints of vanilla oak.
• Don Victor, Carmenere Grand Cuvee William Fevre (Chile): A subtle mix of blackcurrant and green pepper, with smoky and minty notes.
• Seghesio Sonoma County Zinfandel (California): Full-bodied red fruit, with a chocolate mouthfeel and fantastic crisp acidity.
• Stonehaven Limestone Coast Shiraz (Australia): Dark cherry and liquorice-pepper flavours.

To push the boat out (over £20), try:

• Closa Batllet Priorat (Spain): With aromas of blueberry liqueur, violets, liquorice and toast.