Best Adventurous Red Wines to Buy

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Malbec, merlot, pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon are the UK’s favourite reds, and are among the dozen or so grapes known as ‘international varieties’ because, although most originate from France, they are now grown in most wine-producing countries and account for the vast majority of the wine we drink.

Yet there are more than 1,300 grape varieties used to make wine across the world, and there is a growing trend to revive the fortunes of the less well known, and those indigenous to where they’re grown.

Many of these are very niche and can be hard to find. Supermarkets and large retailers are wary of giving shelf space to wines their customers find unfamiliar, but this is slowly changing as adventurous drinkers seek wines with more distinctive personalities the reflect the places where they are made. Hats off to M&S which this year launched its 'Found' range of wines, championing native grapes from around the world and bringing them to shoppers at affordable prices, and others are following suit.

Look to central European countries such as Georgia, Hungary and Romania for reds made from ancient varieties that have names that may be tricky to pronounce but often offer fantastic value for money.

Portugal is also a very good bet, where different native grapes are grown in the same vineyard and vinified together to make wines that are known as field blends; while these days Greece and Sicily are producing really exciting and distinctive wines from grapes that have been grown there for thousands of years.

There's always a place for favourite and familiar wines but it's very rewarding to sometimes step out of our comfort zone and discover something new to love.

Best unfamiliar red to buy

Orovela Saperavi 2014, £16.99, Waitrose

The saperavi grape is native to Georgia, where wine has been made for 8,000 years. This is intensely dark, rich with blackberry fruit and a whiff of autumnal bonfires. Try it instead of a cabernet sauvignon with beef goulash.

M&S Found País, £9, M&S

The país grape was brought to Chile by the Spanish but was usurped by international varieties in the 20th century. Now it’s being championed once more and this is a fine example, fresh and crunchy with a touch of spice, that would sit well with pulled chicken tacos.