Finding great red wine on a budget isn’t as hard as it seems. In fact, some cheap red wines can surprise you with rich flavour and smooth quality. Below we’ve rounded up the top 10 cheap red wines that taste far from cheap – all offering excellent value for money. From Portuguese blends to California classics, these bottles deliver big taste without a hefty price tag. (Yes, red wines can be affordable and delicious!)
1. Porta 6 Red – A Cheap Red Wine Gem from Portugal
Porta 6 Red is a much-loved Portuguese red blend that over-delivers on quality. It bursts with ripe berry flavours – think plum, cherry and wild berries – wrapped in a smooth, medium body. Soft tannins make it easy to drink, so it’s popular among everyday wine lovers. This humble Portuguese red even became a sensation after a celebrity chef praised it on TV as one of the best wines he’d tasted in a decade. With its approachable fruity profile, Porta 6 pairs nicely with pizza, pasta or a casual cheese board.
The best part is the price: Porta 6 Red costs around £5.99 per bottle when you buy a 6-pack on Bulkyway. That’s a bargain versus UK supermarkets, where it’s often £6–£7 for a bottle of this quality. Porta 6 proves you can get an award-worthy taste without splurging. Its combination of rich flavour and affordability easily earns it a top spot among cheap red wines in the UK.
2. Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon – Affordable Chilean Classic
Casillero del Diablo is a renowned Chilean red wine that consistently over-delivers for the price. This Cabernet Sauvignon offers ripe blackcurrant and cherry aromas with a touch of toasty oak. It’s medium-bodied with a smooth finish that makes it hard to believe it’s a cheap wine. In the UK you can often find Casillero del Diablo around £7–£8 per bottle, making it a go-to choice for value-conscious red wine fans. Despite the low price, it tastes like a far more expensive bottle – truly a cheap wine that tastes far from cheap. Enjoy this Chilean classic with grilled meats or a hearty stew and savour its bold fruit flavours on a budget.
3. Painted Cat Cabernet Sauvignon – Smooth & Affordable Spanish Red
Painted Cat Cabernet Sauvignon is a Spanish red that offers incredible value for money. It delivers classic Cabernet notes of blackberry, plum and a hint of spice, yet remains smooth and easy-going on the palate. The mellow tannins make each sip silky, so even those who shy away from harsher reds will enjoy this one. It’s a crowd-pleasing Cab that pairs well with everything from burgers and barbeques to stews and hard cheeses.
At Bulkyway, Painted Cat Cabernet comes in an eco-friendly lightweight bottle that helps cut costs It’s priced at about £6.99 per bottle when bought as a case, firmly in the budget wine category. By cutting out middlemen and using cost-saving packaging, Bulkyway keeps this Spanish Cabernet very affordable. It’s proof that a cheap red wines can still offer depth of flavour and a satisfying experience. Both newcomers and seasoned wine lovers are impressed by the quality you get for such a low price.
4. Campo Viejo Rioja Tempranillo – Popular Spanish Red with Big Flavour
Campo Viejo Rioja Tempranillo is one of Britain’s favourite affordable red wines. This Spanish Rioja is known for its smooth, crowd-pleasing taste that features ripe berry fruit and warm vanilla notes from oak aging. It’s medium-bodied with gentle tannins, making it very easy to drink. Despite being widely available for around £8 a bottle, Campo Viejo often tastes richer than its price tag suggests. It regularly earns praise for delivering the classic Rioja experience on a budget – a balance of fruity and spicy flavours that feels a touch more expensive. Enjoy this cheap red wine with tapas, roast lamb, or even a Sunday roast; it can elevate a meal without breaking the bank.
5. Las Camelias Merlot – Rich Flavour at a Cheap Price
Las Camelias Merlot is a smooth Spanish red wine that balances ripe fruit flavours with a silky texture. It offers notes of plum, blackberry and a touch of cocoa, all wrapped in an elegant medium-bodied profile. This Merlot feels surprisingly refined on the palate, yet it comes at an inexpensive price. It’s about £8.99 per bottle when you buy a 6-pack from Bulkyway– an excellent deal for a wine of this character. By purchasing a case, you can enjoy this Merlot for less, proving you don’t need to splurge to sip a rich, quality red. Las Camelias Merlot’s softness and balance make it ideal for weeknight pasta or even special occasions. It’s a cheap wine that impresses with flavour, delighting those who appreciate a classic Merlot without the high cost.
6. Trivento Reserve Malbec – Award-Winning Argentine Bargain
From Argentina, Trivento Reserve Malbec is an award-winning cheap red wine that has gained a loyal following. This Malbec boasts velvety plum and vanilla notes, with a hint of oak, offering the kind of depth you’d expect from a pricier wine. In fact, the 2019 vintage earned high praise (93 points) from experts and was singled out in a Best of Argentina report in 2020 Despite these accolades, Trivento Reserve Malbec remains very affordable – usually around £7–£8 per bottle in UK shops It’s a rich and smooth red that pairs perfectly with steak, burgers or any hearty dish. If you’re looking for a budget Malbec that tastes expensive, this bottle should be on your list. It delivers Argentine quality and full-bodied flavour at a fraction of the cost of premium Malbecs.
7. Las Camelias Cabernet Sauvignon – A Bold Spanish Red Wine Bargain
For fans of robust reds, Las Camelias Cabernet Sauvignon delivers bold flavour at a cheap price. This Spanish Cabernet is packed with blackcurrant, cherry and peppery spice notes, supported by a fuller body and firm tannins. It has a confident character that red wine enthusiasts appreciate, yet it remains approachable and well-balanced. The best part: it’s priced under £10 per bottle when bought in bulk. At roughly £8.99 per bottle in a case, Camelias Cabernet is an affordable way to experience a classic varietal. You can find it on Bulkyway as a great-value alternative to pricier Cabernets. Serve it with grilled meats, stews or mature cheeses and enjoy a taste of Spain’s terroir without overspending. This bottle captures the spirit of Spanish Cabernet Sauvignon – bold and structured – while keeping things budget-friendly.
8. Apothic Red Blend – Smooth Californian Red That Tastes Expensive
Apothic Red is a Californian red blend famous for its smooth, crowd-pleasing style. It combines Zinfandel, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet grapes to create a lush tapestry of flavours. Expect rich dark fruit (black cherry, blueberry) layered with indulgent hints of mocha, chocolate and vanilla. The result is a silky-smooth red wine with a slightly sweet finish that feels luxurious on the palate. Priced around £8–£9 per bottle in the UK, Apothic Red often tricks people into thinking it costs more – its bold taste and sleek branding exude a premium vibe. This is the kind of affordable wine you can bring to a dinner party and hear your friends say, “Wow, this tastes expensive!” Pour Apothic Red alongside barbecue ribs, beef sliders or even a chocolate dessert to highlight its velvety, full-bodied character.
9. VDG Red – Bold & Modern Portuguese Red (On a Budget)
VDG Red is an expressive Portuguese red wine from the sun-soaked Alentejo region. It combines local grape varieties (like Aragonez, Trincadeira and Alicante Bouschet) to deliver bold fruit flavours, soft tannins and a perfectly balanced finish. This modern Portuguese blend greets you with elegant aromas of ripe red fruits and a hint of spice, then follows with smooth blackberry and mocha notes on the palate. Despite its premium taste, VDG Red remains budget-friendly – roughly £8.99 per bottle when purchased in a case. It’s crafted to offer style and substance without a high price. With VDG Red, you can experience the warmth of southern Portugal in every glass while staying within your budget. Try it with grilled meats, hearty pasta or a cheese platter and enjoy a touch of Portuguese flair at an everyday price.
10. Mariner Red – Light & Fruity Spanish Red for Any Day
Mariner Red is a Spanish red wine from Galicia that offers easy-drinking pleasure any day of the week. With a modest 11% ABV, it’s lighter than many reds, making it perfect for casual enjoyment. This wine showcases fresh red berry flavours (think cherry and strawberry) with gentle tannins and a light body. You can sip it on its own or pair it with everyday dishes like grilled chicken, tapas or simple pastas. Mariner Red proves that inexpensive Spanish reds can be full of charm and versatility. At about £8.99 per bottle in a bulk deal, it’s a cheap red wine that doesn’t skimp on character. Bulkyway is proud to include Mariner Red in its selection of value wines, giving UK shoppers another great option for quality on a budget. If you enjoy a lighter, fruit-forward style, this is an ideal affordable red to keep on hand for any occasion.