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At this time of year, we usually start heating up our beverages, favouring mulled wines and boozy hot chocs.

But there’s an unexpected drink that’s having a bit of a moment right now, that might make you forget all about your festive favourites, and that’s sparkling red wine.

With its shocking purple colour, it looks somewhat like a leftover Halloween concoction, but this tipple is so much more than or Prosecco’s gothic cousin.

To give a bit of context around what a sparkling red wine is, it’s a regular sparkling wine made exclusively from red grapes, left on the skins to soak up all the colour, structure and tannins (hence, its colour).

It can be made using any red grape, and no matter which production method you use, the bubbles are always created by the introduction of CO2.  

And let me tell you, red bubbles are alive and shaking off their novelty status to claim their moment in the sun this winter… well, the spotlight, anyway. Because, not only are they far more interesting to talk about than mulled wine or sloe gin, they actually taste pretty darned good, too.

In fact, sparkling red is such a hot ticket that bottles of the stuff are showing up on top-tier wine lists and retailer shelves across the country. And as you’d expect, Aldi has been one of the first to pounce on the trend, bringing back their Sparkling Shiraz (£7.49) from South Australia in time for the festive season.

It’s received rave reviews online, with Facebook users declaring it ‘amazing’ ‘fabulously fruity and fizzy’, ‘a delicious bargain’ and one to ‘stockpile’.

So I gave it a try and agree it’s delicious, with blueberry-flavoured bubbles and a smoky, lightly peppery, sweet-fruited, plummy, textured palate. No wonder it’s been attracting some glowing online feedback from people who’ve tried it.

This is definitely one to serve your guests instead of traditional Christmas tipples or Kir Royale, it’ll be the festive treat they never knew they needed.

Interestingly, sparkling red wine isn’t a new thing – it’s been around for ages.

You’ve probably heard of Lambrusco and associate it with the syrupy Italian monstrosity wheeled out on a hostess trolly at dodgy seventies dinner parties (I know I did).

But it’s undergone a full glow-up since then, and is now a thoroughly dry and delicious sparkler that tastes of Bakewell tart and sour red cherries.

Similar story with Australian Sparkling Shiraz, once given a raised eyebrow and a condescending snigger by the winerati. Never by me, though. Because there’s nothing second rate about sparkling Shiraz, it’s deep, spicy and velvety, basically Christmas in a champagne flute.

Personally, I can’t imagine anything going as well when paired with a joint of glazed ham.

And if you like Aldi Sparkling Shiraz’s style, here are some others to add to your wine list:

Reunite Sparkling Red, Italy, £6.52, Asda

This isn’t exactly the new face of sparkling red wine I was banging on about earlier, but if you like the style of Asti, you’ll be a fan. It’s from Emilia-Romagna in northern Italy, home of the world’s oldest sparkling wine, Lambrusco. This is the stabiliser wheels for Lambrusco newbies, a gateway sparkling red, if you will. Simple, off-dry and grapey with lightly drying tannings and a pleasant bergamot note on the finish.   

L’Occhiolino Semi-Sparkling Red, Italy, £6.99 (save £1), Laithwaites

‘Locky-o-Leenoh’ is how this stunning drop is pronounced. Produced in northern Italy’s Emilia-Romagna, and fun fact, this wine used to cost £12 a couple of years ago. That never happens. It’s a mouthful of sweet, plummy bubbles and I’m here for it.

Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Shiraz, Australia, £12.50 Waitrose

This is the big brand sparkling red, and look, it delivers. It has all the plummy, peppery depth of an Aussie Shiraz with a river of black cherry compote running through it. Actually, it’s more of a tributary, as this sparkling is on the dryer side of the spectrum. It’s creamy with a lingering note of dark chocolate on the finish. You just can’t fault it.   

De Bortoli Woodfired Shiraz Heathcote, Australia, £17, Majestic

With intense, crimson-coloured bubbles, there’s a morish meaty note to this wine that gives it an appealing sweet-sour moment. There’s also punnets full of blackberry notes over juicy plum pudding-flavoured bubbles, and a silky texture. It’s a bold choice, and one that could stand up to gamey notes of roast duck.

New Theory Love Bite Chilled Red, South Africa, £17, Ocado

Now for a quirky little number from Stellenbosch in South Africa, made from Cinsault grown overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It has a fresh, Beaujolais-style with boatloads of red and purple fruit and a moreish savoury note on the finish. Made from old vines, which give it even more concentration, and it’s only slightly fizzy for those who are weirded out by the whole sparkling red concept.

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