After yesterday’s white duo, here are five red gems from southern France – does anywhere in the world offer better value?

Domaine Bertrand-Bergé Fitou ‘Origines’ 2013, Languedoc, France (£7.95 The Wine Society)
Gentle herby ripe berry and plum, tangy and lifted flavours, very easy to drink, but with some earthy complexity too. B+

Fort de Triniac Côtes du Roussillon Villages Latour de France 2013, France (£9 Marks & Spencer)
Cool, sleek red, with quite rich blackcurrant and herb flavours reined in by an almost slate-like character, which provides freshness and tension. Nice vibrant wine, great price too. S(-)

Domaine d’Aigues Belles Cuvée Nicole Pays d’Oc 2012, France (£14 Your Sommelier)
Made from roughly equal amounts of Syrah and Cabernet, with around 10% Merlot making up the blend, this is a cocktail of spicy blackcurrant and cherry flavour, pepped up with notes of leather and liquorice, full in flavour but never too brawny, and kept in check by a spine of tannin and acidity. S(-)

Abbotts & Delaunay Alto Stratus Carignan 2013, Vin de France (£16.99 Averys)
Manages to be full flavoured but still with a refreshing edge, juicy blackcurrant and spice, with a note of brown sugar and the cool Carignan spine. S(-)

Mas de Lunès Languedoc Grès de Montpellier 2012, France (£12.99 Majestic)
Has a cool graphite-like feel, intense dark cherry and blackcurrant fruit with some of the garrigue-y perfume and a hint of dark chocolate. Svelte and refreshing, very impressive. S