Shoppers are drinking more varieties of red wine, with three new types making their debut in the category’s retail top 25 bestsellers, exclusive RN data has revealed.

RN’s new What to Stock data shows Secretary Bird Merlot, Hardys Stamp Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon and Yellow Tail Merlot taking second, 22nd and 24th places respectively, with their average weekly sales per retail stockist being £21.49.

Furthermore, Yellow Tail Shiraz, which was ranked 19th in 2017, climbed 11 places. Selling at an average price of £7.12 a bottle, its average weekly sales per retail stockist amount to £20.74.

Joe Williams, of The Village Shop in Banbury, said he has noticed a 5% increase in sales of red wine in the past six months and sells three cases per week of Hardys Shiraz variants on average.

“A lot more people are experimenting with red wines compared to last year and they are leaning toward bottles priced between £10 and £12. Our Villa Maria Pinot Noir, priced £12, sells particularly well and we go through three or four cases per week,” he said.