2018 Versino, Chateauneuf-du-Pape 6x75cl

Hard to think of a better staple than Côtes-du-Rhône: it packs the shelves of French supermarkets, and there’ll be an example, or two, on every brasserie and bistro wine-list. No wonder, when it’s such good value. And that is a consistently recurring theme: Ventoux, Vacqueyras, and Crozes-Hermitage all punch way above their weight. Even the top drops, Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, and Châteauneuf look inexpensive against many of their peers (not forgetting their formidable whites).