Have a supermarket sweep at Tesco

2004 Cortegiara Valpolicella Ripasso, Veneto, Italy (£7.99,Tesco).

Cortegiara is the 'ngociant' label of the legendary Valpolicella producer, Allegrini. Allegrini wines are highly sought-after and usually sell in top Italian restaurants for upwards of £50.This red is made in the Allegrini winery, but the grapes are sourced locally and not wholly owned by the family, hence the use of the Cortegiara brand and its accordingly inexpensive price tag.

I have to say, though, that nothing is lost in style and delivery of this stunner, because it is every inch an Allegrini work of art. Intensely plummy, liquoricey, spicy and full, with lashings of crunchy tannins and mouthwatering acidity, this is a structured wine that needs hefty, wintry fare alongside it in order to do its thing.The Ripasso technique cleverly utilises the rich, power-packed 'lees' of the wine and they give more texture and intensity to the finished product.

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I cannot stress just how sumptuous this wine is, and decanting is a must in order to release the layers of fruit. There is not an Italian red wine in the UK right now with so much class and impact at this lowly price. Apparently, 228 Tesco stores stock this wine, so you have no excuse now not to empty the shelves over the weekend of this truly exceptional offering.

Matthew Jukes is a winner of the International Wine & Spirit Competition's Communicator of the Year Trophy