PREMIUM wines without a premium price tag.

That’s probably what most of us are after (that and winning the Lottery), and Tesco’s wine chiefs are seemingly trying to do their bit having bolstered its ever-growing own-label Finest range this spring with the roll-out of no fewer than 10 new Old World classics.

We’re not talking sick squid wines (good ones costing £6 or less) like in last week’s column, but, priced from £7 to £20, these 10 tipples are certainly cheaper than comparable wines from such renowned regions and of similar style.

The 10 comprise Faugeres, Lambrusco Reggiano Amabile, Valpolicella Ripasso, St Emilion Grand Cru, Barbera d’Alba, Margaux, Mercurey Rouge ‘Selection Georges’, Gaillac Perle, Minervois La Liviniere and Vire Clesse, with Tesco believing they offer “prestige selection without the characteristically high prices expected”.

Tesco says it has chosen a “combination of classic and lesser-known styles and emerging grape varieties and regions”, which is perhaps one reason for the comparatively lower prices. There remains a focus on quality, though.

Interestingly, Tesco says it has seen growth in the premium wine category in the past year, with the sale of wines priced at £7 and above increasing by 7.5%.

The Tesco Finest Valpolicella Ripasso, for example, is made in partnership with Cantina Valpantena. It’s a 13.5 per cent drink coming in at £11 – and you’d be hard-pressed to get a Ripasso for much less.

It has long been a favourite kind of wine of this column, whereby the tipple, from the famed Valpolicella region, is twice passed (or re-passed) through grape skins to create a darker colour, richer texture and a complex taste.

This one is a fittingly bold, smooth wine full of dark fruit. It’s perfect with aged cheeses, stews and braised meats.

Meanwhile, the Finest Saint-Emilion Grand Cru from Bordeaux is produced by Chateau du Val D’Or, and it is indeed a gold (d’or) medal winner in our book. The £16 price tag might make it a gamble for many of us, but it is not a daft bet if you want to treat yourself to a Grand Cru from this region.

It is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with the 2011 summer apparently producing exceptional grapes for this vintage.

It’s aged in oak, giving the black fruit flavours interesting cedar notes and lovely spices. It’s a classic French red to have with a big classic roast meat dinner.

Alternatively, get it at its current price and cellar it for up to a decade to make it worth even more.

Conversely, the Finest Barbera d’Alba 2014 shouldn’t be kept any longer than 18 months so you should almost certainly just enjoy it now

Bottled by Fratelli Martini Secondo Luigi in the Cantine di Cossano Belbo in the Piemonte home of Barbera, it’s a surprisingly inexpensive £8 for what you get.

Aged in small oak casks, this is a rich 14 per cent wine with delicate perfume, gentle ripe tannins and flavours of plum, raisins and spices. It’s another one for roasts or some meaty Italian ravioli.