Some of the best biodynamic wines are produced by small-scale, independent growers all over the globe, while other examples incorporate prestigious labels.

Below, you’ll find some great biodynamic wines reviewed by the Decanter team to help you raise a toast to the wider movement for environmental protection on Earth Day 2023 – on Saturday, 22 April.

Taking inspiration from scientist and philosopher Rudolf Steiner, biodynamics is rooted in a holistic vision of vineyard management, respectful of soil and nature and promoting a form of ecological harmony.

It is also associated with lower intervention in the winemaking cellar, to a stronger extent than organic approaches.

As with organics, some wineries choose to pursue certification, while others have long adopted biodynamic principles without making this ‘official’ Certification bodies to look out for on wine bottle labels include Demeter and Biodyvin.

As Decanter’s Amy Wislocki wrote in her article of biodynamics in winemaking, ‘both Biodyvin and Demeter have rules on growing and vinification that can be stricter than organic alone – for example, less use of copper sulphate per hectare, and the use of natural yeasts for fermentation’.

Châteaux Palmer, Pontet-Canet and Climens in Bordeaux are leading proponents of biodynamic wines, but others in the region have been embracing the methods, as Simon Woolf highlighted in this recent article.

Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, the highly regarded chef de cave and executive vice-president at Louis Roederer, owner of Cristal, has credited biodynamics with enhancing a ‘fight for freshness’ in Champagne vintages, in particular.

He has previously spoken of how biodynamic approaches encourage greater attention to detail in the vineyard and critical thinking.

Some producers have said biodynamic approaches enhance the expression of terroir in the glass, although the skill and expertise of the winemaker is inevitably a big factor in terms of overall wine quality.

Higher costs can be a downside of biodynamics for producers.

Best biodynamic wines: a selection of top bottles to seek out

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The post Best biodynamic wines to try on Earth Day appeared first on Decanter.

Supermarket Aldi showcased 119 sparkling and still wines in its 2023 UK spring/summer collection – half of them new.

In January 2023, the discount German supermarket chain made the controversial decision to stop all of its online operations. This means its current range of 223 wines is only available to purchase at (or through a click-and-collect service to) one of its 990 UK stores.

Scroll down for scores and tasting notes of the best Aldi wines

Aldi first started selling wine and spirits online in 2015, charging customers £3 for home delivery orders under £50.

But thanks to huge sales growth during the pandemic, and from the cost of living crisis driving more budget-conscious shoppers to its doors, deliveries have been deemed an unnecessary expense. It is now focusing on increasing its branches nationwide, including up to 50 more in Greater London.

With prices ranging from £3.89 for the non-vintage Grapevine Spanish Merlot to £21.99 for the last few bottles of 2015 Veuve Monsigny Blanc de Blancs Champagne (which Decanter first recommended back in October 2021), the focus of the spring/summer tasting – as always with Aldi – was on affordable quality.

Aldi’s buyers Josh Heley (still wines) and Andy Maxwell (sparkling and fortified wines) know their customers, however the high residual sugar – perceived or actual – in a large number of the wines detracted from that quality, particularly at lower price points.

On a positive note, some suppliers have changed, meaning that a few ranges – particularly a couple of wines under the South African Cambalala label – have improved.

The 14 varietal or dominant Sauvignon Blanc wines remains excessive, particularly as the buyers said a key focus for this spring/summer collection was to offer ‘great-value alternatives to popular styles and flavours’.

Familiar and eclectic styles

But for those seeking familiar varieties, Merlot was a surprising strong point. Cambalala’s South African Merlot – one of those from a new supplier – was the pick of its Specially Selected Range (see recommendations), alongside examples from the Californian Beachfront (£6.79), French Pierre Jaurant (£5.79) and Australian Kooliburra (£4.49) labels.

A South African take on the Portuguese grape Fernão Pires tops the exciting eclectic buys among the new wines in the Aldi range (see recommendations), though you will have to wait until July for it to hit shelves.

Available now (and recommended below) is the Chardonnay from Filos Estate – the Greek winery that produced the much-heralded 2020 and 2021 Aspri Petra single-vineyard Assyrtiko – as well as a Specially Selected Marlborough Riesling Blush rosé under the Freeman Bay label from New Zealand.

Since Decanter last reviewed the Aldi range in October 2022, there’s nothing new of note among the sparkling wines. But depending on your taste and price point, the picks are the Costellore, Specially Selected Valdobbiadene Superiore Prosecco NV (£7.99), Veuve Monsigny, Premier Cru Champagne NV (£19.99) and Bowler & Brolly, Winemaster’s Lot Classic Cuvée English Brut NV (£19.99).

Aldi wines: Decanter’s pick of the best buys

The first 23 wines are new recommendations. The others are still available in store.

03/04/2023: Added wines from the spring/summer 2023 tasting (23 wines) and removed unavailable wines

12/11/2022: Added wines from the autumn/winter 2022 tasting (20 wines) and removed unavailable wines

12/04/2022: Added wines from the spring/summer 2022 tasting (20 wines) and removed unavailable wines

03/11/2021: Added wines from the autumn/winter 2021 tasting (21 wines) and removed unavailable wines

15/06/2021: Added wines from the spring/summer 2021 tasting (20 wines) and removed unavailable wines

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With the Easter holidays just around the corner, thoughts will be turning to entertaining, and planning the food and wine for the long weekend break. There are always supermarket wine offers to be had, but Waitrose’s 10 Fine Wines at £10 is a particularly strong promotion, with 10 fine wines across different styles marked down to just a tenner each. This represents a significant discount on the retail price for most of the wines featured – all of these wines will set you back at least £14.99 when not discounted, and the most expensive included in the offer (the Escarpment Pinot Noir) has a price-tag of £17.99, so a great saving if you’re a fan of that style.

Waitrose famously runs this promotion in the run-up to Christmas, but last year started giving shoppers a second opportunity to take advantage, offering the deal before Easter too. Jamie Matthewson, beer, wine & spirits trading manager at Waitrose, said: ‘Easter is our second biggest trading highlight of the year after Christmas, and our customers love to come together with friends and family to enjoy great food with the perfect drink pairing. We’ve tried to make that choice as easy as possible with our £10 fine wine offer running over the Easter period. They’ll be able to pick up top quality wines at a great price that will complement their Easter dishes perfectly.’

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The line-up this Easter covers many of the same bases as the last Christmas offer, with a fizz, a Piedmont white, a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, a Beaujolais, a Rhône red, a Rioja and a Malbec all featuring in both promotions. Unsurprising really as they’re all popular styles. The overall verdict among the Decanter tasting team was that there have been more exciting line-ups in previous incarnations of this offer – but without a doubt these wines are great value at this price.

There are many strong names in the line-up, including respected South African producer of traditional-method sparkling wines Graham Beck, here with a non-vintage rosé. Saint Clair, which has won many awards including at our very own Decanter World Wine Awards, fields the Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc this time round, while French family-owned Domaine Bousquet is behind the well-crafted Argentinian Malbec – the perfect match for your Easter lamb. Prefer something Old World instead? You can choose from a Crozes-Hermitage made by northern Rhône cooperative Cave de Tain, a 2017 Rioja Reserva from Bodegas Beronia, or – for a less full-bodied option – a Fleurie from Beaujolais estate Henry Fessy. Or if you’re a Zinfandel fan, why not try the Puglian Primitivo? The two grapes are related, and you’ll find the same deep colour and intense, sweet black fruit here that the Californian Zin style often displays. Meanwhile, the Gavi di Gavi from Piedmont would be a good match for fish or seafood dishes, while The Beach by Whispering Angel will keep the Provence rosé fans happy.

This year’s promotion runs for a fortnight, from 29 March to 11 April, in most stores and online – at Waitrose.com and Waitrose Cellar. Stocks are limited, however, and some of these may sell out fast.

Waitrose’s 10 Fine Wines at £10

All wines tasted 22 March 2023. Prices do not reflect this or other offers.
Some wines might only be available in selected stores.
Wines grouped by style and ordered by score, in descending order. 

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Lidl’s revolving Wine Tour selection, which changes every couple of months, is a popular draw for shoppers – and the new Spring Wine Tour has just hit the shelves. The selection of 14 wines encompasses sparkling wines, whites and reds, with prices starting from £5.99. It will be in stores while stocks last and until the Summer Wine Tour goes on sale in mid-May.

The buyers for the German-owned supermarket, which established itself in the UK in 1994, do a great job of sourcing small quantities of interesting and well-priced wines for the Wine Tour line-up. Between this and the core range, it offers a comprehensive selection of Old and New World wines across a range of styles.

Spring Wine Tour

Sometimes the Lidl Wine Tours have a theme – for instance, the Italian Wine Tour that has just made way for this selection (there was no press tasting for the Italian Tour, hence no coverage on Decanter.com). This one is an eclectic line-up, spanning different styles and regions – though focusing more on Europe than the New World. 

The sparkling wines on offer include the impressive, bone-dry Arestel Brut Nature Cava (£7.49), while the white line-up majors on fresh, aromatic, unoaked styles that are perfect as the weather starts to turn warmer. Try the fruit-forward Torrontés (£6.99), the mineral and pear-fruited Vinho Verde (£7.99) and the well-made fresh and grassy Hungarian Sauvignon Blanc (£8.49). 

Among the highlights in the red line-up is the Romanian Kadarka (£8.99), which is packaged wrapped in brown paper, and so stands out on the shelf. Fresh and filled with juicy cherry flavour, it’s perfect for spring sipping. If you want to push the boat out and buy something special to match your Sunday roast beef or lamb, make a beeline for the Vacqueyras (£12.99), full-bodied and full of dark fruit flavours. 

New Deluxe wine range

Look out also for Lidl’s Deluxe wine range, which is new for 2023. Lidl first introduced the Deluxe brand into their UK stores in 2008, and it has won a loyal following. It’s a logical step to extend this branding to the wine range – indeed, one might wonder why it’s taken so long. 

The current Deluxe collection comprises 11 wines, and focuses on the New World only, with offerings from New Zealand, South Africa, Chile, Argentina and Australia. Prices range from £5.49 to £7.99, which might seem surprisingly low given the ‘Deluxe’ branding – it could have been an opportunity to flag up in a clear way wines that were above the ‘everyday drinking’ level.

Nevertheless, there are some good picks in the Deluxe range, which showcases classic New World styles in wines that offer typicity and easy-drinking pleasure. The Deluxe New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc from Awatere in Marlborough (£7.99) is a good buy, while the Limestone Coast Chardonnay (£6.79) and Barossa Shiraz (£6.99), both from Australia, are also worth trying.

Don’t forget the core range beyond the Deluxe brand, as there really are some fantastic bargains to be found. Among the sparkling wines, The Crémant de Loire (£8.99) offers great value, made in the same way as Champagne but from the Chenin Blanc grape. The other two wines I’d pick out are the Mosel Riesling (just £4.99), and the Corte Alle Mura Chianti Riserva 2019, which offers great typicity for just £6.49.

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The best Lidl wines this spring:

Lidl introduces six ‘Wine Tour’ updates to its core range every year. The wines are only available for a short period of time, while stocks last. The Spring 2023 Wine Tour selection went on sale on Thursday 16 March – every wine in the Tour goes into every store. The wines listed below are a mix of highlights from the Spring Wine Tour and Deluxe range press tasting in February 2023, and other wines that are part of Lidl’s core range, tasted previously and still available.

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Mother’s Day falls on Sunday 19 March in the UK this year, the day before the official start of spring in the northern hemisphere; the mimosa trees are beginning to blossom, buds are breaking, and there are signs of new life.

Flowers, plants and bulbs make for wonderful gifts on Mothering Sunday, but adding in a bottle of sparkling wine as well is sure to keep a smile on mum’s face.

We’ve put together a selection of sparkling wine options below that should suit many tastes.

The list includes varying styles of sparkling wine from classic Champagne and Cava to English sparkling, Franciacorta and pétillant naturel. Prices range from under £20 to over £300.

Looking for something really special for the grande dame in your life? Try Veuve Clicquot’s newly released La Grande Dame Rosé 2012.

Would you prefer to find something she won’t have tried before? This sparkling wine from Luxembourg is sure to surprise and delight.

Keen to impress but don’t want to break the bank? The Domaine J Laurens, Les Graimenous, Crémant de Limoux comes in under £20 and is a delicious, complex fizz.

Scroll down to see our round up of sparkling wines for Mother’s Day

Quick guide to the sparkling wine styles shown below:

• Champagne – Mostly made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, this must come from the French region of Champagne. It’s produced using the traditional method, with secondary fermentation taking place in the bottle.
• Traditional method – This refers to wines made using the same method as Champagne, where a second fermentation takes place in the bottle. The key examples are:
• Cava – Sparkling wine from Spain using both native grapes, such as Xarello and Parellada, as well as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Reserva and Gran Reserva Cavas undergo extended ageing in bottle, offering additional complexity.
• English sparkling wine – The cool climate and limestone soils in southern England are similar to those in Champagne, producing fantastic sparkling wines.
• Franciacorta – From the northern Italian region of Lombardy, this serious wine can be both fresh and complex.
• Crémant – There are eight appellations in France where Crémant sparkling wines can be produced, and local grape varieties tend to be used. Examples include Crémant de Bourgogne, Crémant de Limoux and Crémant de Savoie.
• Other very good traditional method sparkling wines can be found in the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil.
• Prosecco – Made in the Veneto region of northeast Italy from the Glera grape, using the tank – or charmat – method.
• Pétillant Naturel – This is in fact the oldest method of making sparkling wine, also known as méthode ancestrale. Unlike Champagne, the wine is bottled before it finishes its first fermentation, so the bubbles develop in the bottle. They can be slightly cloudy due to sediment, fairly low in alcohol, with a gentle fizz and sometimes a touch of sweetness. For the more adventurous mothers out there, what’s not to like!

Need more inspiration? See Top rosé Champagne to try

At a glance: top picks for Mother’s Day

Sparkling wines for Mother’s Day:

The wines below were tasted by Decanter’s editorial team and experts.

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Established in 1992, the Fairtrade Foundation’s distinctive logo was something of a curiosity when it first began appearing on our bottles of wine (and bags of coffee, bars of chocolate, bunches of bananas…).

Scroll down to see our selection of the best Fairtrade wines

Today, however, it is surely one of the world’s most recognisable trademarks, it pronouncing that whichever product finds its way into your shopping basket has been made in a more sustainable and ethical manner, or, as Fairtrade itself says, it’s about ‘better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms for farmers and workers around the world’.

Other than guaranteeing a minimum price for its in excess of 1.9 million farmers and growers when they sell their products, the Fairtrade initiative also provides extra funds which are invested into local, environmentally friendly initiatives (this Fairtrade premium amounted to £169m in 2020).

The polish and quality of Fairtrade wines continue to soar, so in celebration of Fairtrade Fortnight (which runs 27 February to 12 March) we’ve picked out some recommendations for you.

Our Fairtrade wines recommendations:

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This year marks 50 years since vines were first planted on a commercial scale in New Zealand’s Marlborough region.

While now synonymous with Sauvignon Blanc, the perceived wisdom at the time was that the South Island too cold for the variety. So it wasn’t until two years later, in 1975, that growers replaced those original Germanic and fortified varieties.

And then, in 1979, Montana Wines (renamed Brancott Estate by parent company Pernod-Ricard in 2010) released the first Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

Scroll down for tasting notes and scores of 15 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 wines – all under £20

‘It was a ground-breaking, direction-changing moment that changed the fortunes of the New Zealand Wine industry,’ Philip Gregan, CEO of New Zealand Winegrowers, told Decanter at the country’s recent annual trade tasting in London.

‘We have a variety, and a place, and a people and a culture – an open-mindedness to innovation and a confidence in being uniquely New Zealand. When you get all that right in the moment, as Marlborough did with Sauvignon Blanc, then it sets you apart.’

Jamie Marfell, chief winemaker of Pernod-Ricard New Zealand’s Brancott Estate and Stoneleigh.

Jamie Marfell, chief winemaker of Brancott Estate and sister winery Stoneleigh, has worked 32 of the 50 years that vines have been planted in Marlborough and has seen the style of Sauvignon Blanc evolve considerably.

‘What we thought was good in the past – picking early, aiming for 11% alcohol, focusing on greener notes – is not what we aim for now,’ he says. ‘Back then we were worried about acidity – even deacidifying – now it is the opposite: acidity is our gold when it comes to Sauvignon Blanc.

‘Now we pick riper, looking for around 13%, and with that natural acidity and alcohol all you need to do is tweak the residual sugar – just one or two grams – to get the perfect mouthfeel, texture and richness without losing any of that aromatic purity.’

Sustainability over sub-regions

This evolution in style has come hand-in-hand with investment in the vineyard, particularly in replanting older vineyards.

This is key, says Marfell, given the price of land in Marlborough: 50 years ago it was between NZ$80 and NZ$120 a hectare, now it is NZ$400,000 a hectare, with much of the viable vineyard pockets already planted out.

The focus on regenerative farming has seen New Zealand become one of the greenest winemaking countries in the world, with 96% of its vineyards certified sustainable, 10% of those also certified organic and several biodynamic.

Producers have been quick to promote this on wine labels far more readily than identifying sub-regions or single vineyards.

Natalie Christensen, chief winemaker of Yealands.

‘It’s safe and simple being Marlborough,’ says Natalie Christensen, chief winemaker of Yealands, explaining that not only is it a brand in itself, with instant global recognition, but producers can blend within the Marlborough sub-regions when vintages are difficult.

‘For consumers, brands still come first. We like to think people know all about sub-regions and single vineyards, but there is a long way to go.

‘Putting a sub-appellation on the label is useful to celebrate it – to be proud of the unique qualities of a certain vineyard or area. And yes, that certainly helps as part of consumer education, which is important. But widespread sub-regionality will take time.’

Varied Marlborough Sauvignon styles

Awatere is the most distinctive of Marlborough’s sub-regions, lending herbaceous, nettle and tomato leaf aromas and flavours to its Sauvignon Blancs. In general, Wairau is what many might call the ‘classic’ Marlborough style, with punchy tropical and passion fruit tones, while the Southern Valleys offer more of a gooseberry, citrus and melon spectrum.

While most wines are purchased and enjoyed within a year or so of the vintage, aged Sauvignon Blanc releases are increasingly common, showcasing nutty, earthy almost truffle-like notes that offer exciting food-pairing opportunities. Brancott Estate’s Chosen Rows 2015 and 2013, as well as Jackson Estate’s 2017 Somerset Sauvignon Blanc are characterful examples.

Ben Glover, winemaker at Vineyard Productions and his own Glover Family Vineyards, among others.

Partially barrel fermented and/or matured wines are another particular style (along with those fermented with wild yeasts) which some argue masks the purity of fruit for which Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc has become famous. Several new releases tasted, however, were successful, such as Greywacke’s Wild Sauvignon Blanc 2020, Vineyard Productions’ Spoke Resolute 2021 and Saint Clair Family Estate’s Barrique 2020.

The following 15 Sauvignon Blancs from the 2022 vintage – all under £20 – are a selection of more than 50 tasted at the New Zealand Annual Trade Tasting in London.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022: 15 wines under £20

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Kroger is the largest grocery retailer in the United States. With its recently announced merger with Albertsons, it now has a total of 4,996 stores in 48 states plus Washington DC. The business is America’s generalist grocery store covering many categories, including wine. Assortments in each store may vary and are tailored to the geographical location and local customers.

Wine is merchandised simply and with no frills. You will rarely see a shelf-talker with tasting notes or score. There are just shelves and shelves of wine with pricing listed below each bottle. As with many grocers, you’ll find large national wine brands at eye level, with lower prices brands lower on the shelves and higher priced brands on the higher shelves.

The product mix for wine at Kroger is broad. There is a large selection of wine in alternative formats (boxed, canned and large format/jug wine, for example) but the predominant selection is wine in 750ml bottles.

Decanter’s selection of top Kroger wines to try

The wines below are a current selection from the Kroger portfolio. Wines reviewed may not be available in all Kroger retail locations. 

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The latest figures show that Champagne sales continued to grow in 2022, albeit more modestly than in 2021, which saw the category rebound dramatically after the pandemic.

Reports also show that the rosé Champagne category in particular continues to increase in popularity.

Increasingly the trend is to use a lower dosage in rosé Champagne, in part as a reaction to warmer vintages producing riper grapes and therefore riper and richer flavours.

Rosé Champagnes can be more expensive than their white counterparts. This is largely because production quantities are lower and the additional production costs of high quality, still red wine push up prices.

Read the results of the recent vintage rosé Champagne panel tasting

Rosé on the rise

While non-vintage rosé Champagne is still a popular choice with consumers, Jan Konetzki, consultant sommelier and director of wine at the Four Seasons, notes that vintage and prestige cuvée rosé Champagnes are gaining traction, particularly in restaurants.

It’s easy to see why, as many of the best examples can work brilliantly at the dinner table – whether it’s Valentine’s Day or not.

The list below features rosé Champagnes reviewed by our experts and available at a range of prices, with some great value options under £30 to more expensive choices over £300 a bottle.

How rosé Champagne is made

There are two ways to achieve the pink hue of rosé Champagne: rosé d’assemblage or saignée.

Rosé d’assemblage

Champagne is the only region where the blending of red and white wine is permitted for the production of rosé wines, and it is common across quality levels.

A small amount of red wine made from Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier is added to the white base wine prior to its second fermentation. The percentage of red wine added at this stage depends on the producer’s preference and can vary from 5% to 15% or above.

The aim is to ensure that the freshness and tension of the Champagne is maintained. Carine Bailleul, chef de cave at Champagne Castelnau, says her goal is ‘to have a fine balance between fruitiness, sweetness, colour and acidity’.

It goes without saying, therefore, that the red wine added should be of high quality. It not only contributes colour to the finished Champagne, but also flavour and texture.

Saignée

The saignée method involves bleeding off the pink-tinged juice from macerating red grapes.

Louis Roederer uses a version of this technique alongside cold maceration to make Cristal rosé, for instance.

The Fleur de Miraval variant uses the saignée method, blended with top Chardonnay, according to winemaker Rodolphe Péters, who worked on the project alongside Brad Pitt and the Perrin family.

How rosé Champagne tastes

It is difficult to generalise about what rosé Champagne tastes like because styles can vary, yet many will have noticeable red berry characters alongside citrus such as grapefruit and orange. In more complex styles, such as vintage rosé, you might find this balanced with the traditional autolytic flavours of Champagne, such as brioche or bread-like aromas, associated with ageing on lees.

Rosé Champagne and food pairing

Pink Champagne is versatile when it comes to food pairing. Richer styles can stand up to bigger flavours and richer foods, while the more delicate, fruit-driven wines make for a stylish aperitif. Sweeter styles such as demi-sec are a great match for fruit-forward desserts.

Konetzki recommends ‘a colossal, Pinot Noir-heavy prestige cuvée like Bollinger La Grande Année Rosé with Peking duck’. The plum sauce in the dish matches the sweet plummy flavours in the wine.

He suggests a beetroot Wellington with something like the Philipponnat Clos des Goisses Juste Rosé. The pastry-rich, fruity, earthy flavours in the wine pair perfectly with the sweet, earthy beetroot.

For extra glamour, add some preserved black truffles into the dish and try it with a 20-year-old vintage rosé Champagne for a superb – yet fairly pricey – match.

Rosé Champagnes to try for Valentine’s Day:

The following wines have been tasted and scored by Decanter’s experts. 

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There’s nothing quite as celebratory as a bottle of sparkling wine. And nothing more evocative of a celebration of love than a bottle of sparkling rosé. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we guide you through a selection of pink bubbles that will make an elegant statement and also work as perfect gifts.

How is rosé sparkling wine made?

Sparkling rosé simply uses a rosé base wine, which then goes through one of the methods of sparkling wine making. That could be ancestral, traditional, charmat or transfer method. The rosé base wine itself is produced through one of the usual rosé winemaking techniques (saignée, direct press), although some regions – such as Champagne – allow the addition of red wine to a white-dominated blend.

Looking beyond Champagne

Champagne might be the region that first springs to mind when thinking of a celebratory fizz. Indeed some rosé Champagnes have become synonymous with romantic occasions: Billecart-Salmon or Laurent-Perrier rosés are just two of a number of cuvées, ubiquitous in Valentine’s Day displays, that have acquired iconic status among lovers of pink Champagne.

Scroll down for our selection of sparkling rosé to try

But it’s well worth looking beyond the French flagship region for sparkling wines, pink or not, that deliver a different character but the same quality. Other regions and appellations producing outstanding traditional method sparkling are:

Sparkling rosé: taste and food pairing

So does rosé sparkling taste different to white sparkling, or is it just a matter of colour?

Grape varieties, blend and winemaking process all play a role in the eventual flavour of the wine, making it difficult to generalise how a sparkling rosé tastes and how it is different from its white counterpart.

Having said that, there are some general characteristics you might expect from a pink fizz:

• Subtle red berry flavours, sometimes with a hint of red citrus (thing pink grapefruit or blood orange) and red orchard fruit.
• A hint of tannin, imparted by mild contact with the skins during the production of the base wine, which might give it a pleasant grip and texture.
• The higher degree of phenolic compounds can give it a richer body, especially if the wine has spent more time ageing on its lees (dead yeast) prior to disgorgement.

Sparkling rosé for Valentine’s Day:

The wines below have been tasted and rated by the Decanter team.

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Spain’s Rioja region has built its reputation on producing classically styled red wines. Matured in oak, with strict age regulations determining their style, these are dependably enjoyable bottles that many wine lovers always have on their table or in their cellar.

Perfect for enjoying on a chilly winter day, there are three styles of aged Rioja to look out for: crianza, reserva and gran reserva.

What style to choose?

Crianza, the youngest wines, spend a minimum of 12 months in oak, and can only be released in at least their third year after harvest. Usually well-priced, they are fruit-forward, but full-bodied with enough structure for food pairing. Rioja is a classic match for lamb.

Reserva wines must spend a minimum of 12 months in oak and six months in bottle. Because they are aged for longer, reservas are usually made from better quality grapes than crianzas, giving them more body and character.

The oldest wines, gran reservas, will be made with a winery’s top grapes and have the longest ageing requirements. They spend a minimum of two years in barrel and two years in bottle before release – but often much longer. These top Riojas can offer great value in comparison to similar aged styles from Bordeaux or Italy, for example, with just as much drinking pleasure.

More to explore

While Rioja’s crianza, reserva and gran reserva wines offer plenty of great options for winter drinking, there’s more to discover in the region. What about full-bodied, oak-aged white Rioja? With great complexity and depth of flavour on the palate, these wines are ideal for food pairing. Think dishes such as roast chicken and turkey, pork in creamy sauce or hearty fish stew. The same goes for aged rosados, made in a textured gastronomic style.

The choices don’t stop there either. Rioja is evolving, with a new generation of producers choosing to make wines outside the conventional ageing requirements. Many of these new-wave wines are labelled ‘genérico’. Previously known as ‘joven’ – and referring to entry-level Riojas – this is now a dynamic category to watch.

At the same time, Rioja’s newest category, viñedo singular, has turned a spotlight on single-vineyard wines. Launched in 2017, this emerging style of Rioja is already producing some top-quality wines, as a recent Decanter Panel Tasting proved.

Remírez de Ganuza’s vineyards in Rioja Alavesa

Pushing boundaries

On my last trip to Rioja in October 2022, it was clear that producers are not resting on their laurels. Some of the innovation is driven by external changes. In particular the threat posed by climate change is causing producers to look for cooler vineyard sites and grape varieties that cope better with hot vintages.

‘Tempranillo suffers a lot in very hot weather,’ explains José Ramon Urtasun, co-owner of Remírez de Ganuza in Rioja Alavesa. ‘But Garnacha copes better in the heat.’

Garnacha is used to make Ramon Bilbao’s Límite Sur red, part of the winery’s new Límite range alongside Límite Norte white. First produced in the 2017 vintage, these two wines are made from new high-altitude plantings; vineyards that sit at the outer limits of the demarcated Rioja region.

Old and new

While some wineries are focusing on the new, others are looking back to old viticultural methods and protecting their old vine heritage. In 2021 Rioja’s governing body, Rioja DOCa,  approved a number of measures that were aimed at preserving the region’s old vines. These included financial incentives and training.

‘Sometimes when you look back to the past you find solutions for the future,’ says Richi Arambarri, manager of Vintae, which owns Hacienda López de Haro in Rioja Alta. Its El Pacto range is going back to field blends, focusing on old vines.

The result is increasing diversity of wines – which can only be good news for Rioja lovers. As well as classic oaked styles for winter drinking, you’ll find fresh crunchy reds, refreshing rosés and crisp whites for summer months – and plenty in between.

‘There is space for this diversity in Rioja,’ says Raquel Pérez Cuevas of Queirón winery in Rioja Oriental, a fifth-generation producer. ‘There’s movement, a sense of change and making things better in Rioja.’

Top Riojas to enjoy this winter

Wines recommended by the Decanter team from recent tastings

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If you’re open to discovery, and particularly if you’re on a budget, it’s important to know that there is a multitude of sparkling wines to try beyond Champagne’s borders.

Champagne’s long ageing requirements and reputation push up its price tag, but other traditional method sparkling wines can provide commendable levels of complexity for a bit less money.

Some use the same grape varieties as Champagne and offer similar flavour profiles, while others use different grapes and have their own delicious character.

The list below highlights traditional method sparklings from around the world worth seeking out, available in supermarkets and independent retailers across the UK.

Scroll down to see 30 great Champagne alternatives for Christmas

Top Champagne alternatives for the festive season:

The wines below are ordered by score.

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There are plenty of sparkling choices if you’re selecting bubbles for the festive season. From Champagne, Crémant and Prosecco to English sparkling wines. But there’s only one type of fizz that combines signature Spanish style with quality and value.

Cava, Spain’s flagship sparkler, offers something for everyone. World-class gran reservas and vintage wines will please fine wine lovers. Meanwhile great-value non-vintage bottles are ideal for bargain-hunters.

What’s more, with its own trio of grape varieties, Cava has a gastronomic character that makes it an ideal choice for Christmas meals. Serve it as an aperitif or pair it with a variety of dishes (see below).

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How is Cava made?

For a sparkling wine to be classified as Cava it must be made using the traditional method (also known as méthode Champenoise). In this process the second fermentation happens in the bottle.

Cavas must also be made within specific areas approved for Cava DO (Denominación de Origen) production. Unlike other DOs, however, the defined area for Cava production is not contiguous. While most Cava is produced in Catalunya – with the village of Sant Sadurní d’Anoia as its epicentre – it can also be made in other Spanish provinces. These include Aragón, Euskadi, Extremadura, La Rioja, Navarra and València.

Rather than origin, what truly differentiates Cava from other Spanish sparkling wines is production method and regulations.

This scattered geography has caused intense debate within the Cava DO itself. Some producers oppose a system that, in their opinion, should focus more on terroir. As a result some famous names, such as Raventós i Blanc, chose to leave the DO and lobby for region-specific classification. Similarly the Corpinnat group from Penedés is now making wines under a new quality label. Others have chosen to push for change from inside the DO.

While this might sound like division and confusion, it also signals a vibrant community of winemakers. Producing some outstanding wines, they’re determined to push for higher quality standards and greater awareness, beyond the value proposition.

Which grapes are used to make Cava?

Another key part of Cava’s identity is grape varieties. Most renowned traditional-method production areas focus on the Champagne trio: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier. However Cava has its own flagship varieties, which impart distinctive aromatic and textural characters.

While Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are also permitted in the Cava DO, the traditional and most commonly used varieties are:

• Macabeu (also called Macabeo or Viura) – Widely grown across Spain as well as in the French Roussillon. Although relatively neutral in flavour, it plays an important role in blends by adding body and texture.
• Xarel·lo – The grape largely responsible for the trademark herbal perfume of the best Cavas. In addition to lime blossom and hay-like aromas it adds acidity and earthiness to blends, therefore being essential to the age-worthiness of top quality Cavas.
• Parellada – Grown almost exclusively in Catalunya, Parellada contributes with fruit aromas, especially green apple and citrus notes. There are single-varietal examples of Cava that use just one of the above, but blends are by far the most common, making the most of the characters imparted by each variety.

For Cava rosado (rosé), Garnacha, Pinot Noir, Mataró (Mourvèdre) and the local Trepat are the most commonly used red grapes. They are often blended with at least one of the flagship whites.

Malvasía, known locally as Subirat Parent, is increasingly used to make Cava dulce (sweet) and semi-dulce (semi-sweet).

Is Cava good value for money? 

It’s true that Cava delivers great value: you can pick up reliably good bottles for under £10. But it’s worth investing a bit more money to explore some of the higher quality Cavas. Reserva, gran reserva and Cava de Paraje Calificado (single-vineyard wines) are well worth seeking out.

The fact that Cava is often dismissed in favour of its traditional method sparkling counterparts, especially Champagne, means that great wines are unfairly overlooked. Wine lovers are missing an opportunity to discover a different, specific expression of fizz, produced by very talented winemakers. It’s worth exploring the top Cava producers. All of them make wines with outstanding ageability.

On the flip side, Cava has been somewhat immune to the branding and pricing games which have inflated prices elsewhere. Wine lovers can benefit from a great value-for-money option, across tiers, quality levels and price points. So if you’re looking for a great fizz for the festive season consider Cava; but look at the top, not the lower shelf!

What can you pair Cava with?

Because it’s generally quite dry, with most wines falling in the brut category, Cava is particularly versatile when it comes to food pairing.

It makes a wonderful festive aperitifs, no doubt. But try it with a selection of canapés, buttered lobster or a chocolate-based dessert and you won’t be disappointed.

Extra-brut and brut styles of the traditional white blends go well with meat- and fish-based recipes. Rosados will pair better with dairy and/or rich sauces. They’re a good alternative if you are having a vegetarian or vegan Christmas banquet.

If your festive table features more exotic flavours, try pairing Cava semi-dulce with Asian-inspired dishes. It’s also a surprisingly good match for your Christmas cheese selection.

Whichever style you try, here are a few suggestions to get you started…

Top Cavas for Christmas

Recommendations by Decanter’s editorial team.
Wines ordered by score, in descending order. 

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With Christmas just around the corner, and delivery delays looming large, it’s time to think seriously about replenishing your cellar with all the wine you’ll need in the festive weeks to come.

The festive season might be the time to splurge and treat yourself to a more expensive bottle. But with so many, and such different, moments of celebration, you’ll want to have some safe good-value options to choose from as well. Save where you can so you can spend more on gifts and other treats!

With that in mind, we’ve selected 20 wines, all under £15/bottle, that deliver all the festive satisfaction without breaking the bank. They might even become your new everyday drinking favourites and/or cellar staples in the New Year.

The selection below covers a wide selection of regions and styles, which will pair perfectly with the different festive meals, whether it’s turkey, duck, beef, vegetarian banquet or boxing day leftovers. Another advantage of going for multiple, good-value pours rather than a single flagship bottle is that you’ll be able to cater to a wider range of tastes and requirements.

Important things to know when picking a red wine for Christmas:

• Beware of tannins – Festive food tends to be quite intense, with multiple flavours, spices, and textures, as well with a significant amount of fat. Tannins bind with these compounds and if a wine is too tannic this will not be a pleasant feeling. So go for wines with medium, riper tannins instead. Or for wines that have lots of tannins but have mellowed through extended ageing. Keep the punchy reds for strong yet lean textures such as roast beef or braised tuna.
• If you’re looking for a wine for homemade mulled wine, choose a medium-bodied style that has fruit but also herbal flavours. These will make for a more enjoyable and complex drink. Think Merlot or Cabernet Franc, rather than Garnacha.
• Get the serving temperature of your red right – One of the most common mistakes when serving reds is to pour them too warm. This means actually need to be properly chilled down. Light to medium bodied reds should be at 12-16°C (54-61°F), while fuller bodied reds should be served at 15-18°C (59-65°F).
• Price doesn’t always matter – while it can be an indication of quality, it is sometimes (often!) also driven by availability, brand placement and market pressures. You can trust some of the wines below to deliver the same quality and satisfaction than other bottles found on shelves at £20+
• Trust your supplier – the best way to know whether you’re truly getting bang for your buck, as opposed to a low quality bargain, is to buy from trusted suppliers whose selections are careful and thoughtful, across price points. Our selection was also made with this in mind.

Red wine for Christmas under £15:

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With the holiday season around the corner, start stocking up with some of our top-scoring English sparklings and still wines tasted this year. From premium sparklers to canned food charmers, from elegant still reds and whites to luscious dessert wine, there is something for everyone. All wines are above 88 points.

Our highlights

Exton Park’s Pinot Meunier Plot 4, Langham’s Culver Classic Cuvée NV and Artelium’s Blanc de Blancs 2015 are among the solid top scorers in the increasingly sophisticated English sparkling sector.

Chapel Down’s Kit’s Coty single-vineyard range is also one of our favourites to follow. In addition to the Blanc de Blancs, the alluring Chardonnay and the gorgeously aromatic Bacchus are well worth the spotlight, too.

In fact, we are seeing riper and more characterful expressions of Bacchus across the board. Cambridge Urban Winery Gutter&Stars’ Bacchus 2021 adds a dash of aromatic sparkle to the varietal typicity. Denbies’ Sparkling Bacchus 2019 is an affordable food charmer that exhilarates your spirit with vibrant green fruits. Redbrook Estate‘s paper-and-pouch-packaged Bacchus, while achieving intensity and freshness, proposes a greener and lighter option for packaging.

We also encountered a range of ‘alternative’ inspirations this year, including a canned sparkling white blend by The Royal Agricultural University, a value ‘Italian style’ fizz from Bramble Hill, and a late-harvest sweet Schönburger by Biddenden Vineyards. We also sneaked in a surprisingly light-hearted and fun Welsh wine, the Amphora Solaris from Gwinllan Hebron, for you to try.

The latest on wines of the UK

Bucking the gloomy trend of the pandemic, the sales of wines from England and Wales saw a remarkable 69% growth between 2019 and 2021, according to an industry survey conducted by Wine GB.

The national trade organisation says that the direct-to-consumer sector with a 265% increase played a crucial part in the overall growth.

Sussex achieved their long-waited PDO status in early July, despite a potential overhaul of the current PDO and PGI schemes, as WineGB just announced an ‘industry-wide’ consultation this autumn in an effort to ensure these protected origin status are ‘fit for purpose’.

The UK now has 3758ha of land under vine (in 2022, not including new plantings), encompassing 896 vineyards and 197 wineries. Chardonnay (1179ha), Pinot Noir (1,164ha) and Pinot Meunier (327) remain the favourites of wine growers in England and Wales, while cool-climate varieties such as Bacchus (264ha), Seyval Blanc (117ha) and Solaris (93ha) are increasingly valued for their ability to produce quality still wines.

While sparkling wines still account for 68% of the country’s total wine production (8.95 billion bottles in 2021), a third of the share is now taken up by a wide range of still wines.

Best English wines

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Supermarket own-label wines feature frequently in Decanter’s recommendations and reviews, because they provide notable consistency and value for money.

While it is difficult to make great Champagne cheaply – it is a labour-intensive process, after all – there are still gems to be found on supermarket shelves under their own-label brands.

If you’re looking for recognisable names, the grands marques can of course also be found in supermarkets.

Scroll down to see the top value UK supermarket Champagne to seek out

Recent reports of Champagne shortages, attributed to high demand coupled with the length of time it takes to replenish stock, are a concern, but as it stands UK supermarkets are currently well stocked and offering their usual selection of own-brand and grand marque labels.

That being said, there are are impressive Champagne alternatives in supermarkets that go beyond Prosecco, such as Crémant de Bourgogne and English Sparkling.

Looking for bubbles and feeling adventurous? Check out these 15 offbeat sparkling wines

The selection below lists Champagnes from most of the key UK supermarkets. This includes Aldi, Booths, Co-op, Lidl, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose.

Champagne styles

There are a number of factors which influence the style of Champagne, including grapes, vintage, colour and sweetness.

The majority of the supermarket Champagne in the list below is non-vintage, with a few vintage examples.

Blanc de Blancs Champagnes offer the pure, citrus character of Chardonnay, for example the Tesco, Finest Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs 2015. Whereas Blanc de Noirs offers a richer, red-fruited character, like Waitrose own Blanc de Noirs Brut made from 100% Pinot Noir.

Prepared to splash out this Christmas? See the Best vintage and non-vintage Champagnes to try

The best supermarket Champagne to try:

The wines below have been tasted and rated by the Decanter editorial team, and are ordered by colour and score.

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Prosecco’s light, fruity character and affordable pricing has helped it to carve out its own (significant) corner of the sparkling wine market. It’s the go-to fizz for many people who are turned off by the richness, and price, of Champagne.

Below, you’ll find our round up of recommended wines available for (mostly well) below £20 to try – all tasted and rated by our experts. Included are picks from UK supermarkets as well as some independents and high street chains, such as Decanter’s 2021 National Wine Retailer of the Year, Majestic Wine. You’ll even find an own-label Prosecco rosé from US juggernaut Costco!

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Prosecco grapes

Prosecco is predominantly made from the Glera grape, formerly known as ‘Prosecco’, but other grape varieties may be included in small quantities: up to 15% of the blend can be made up from Bianchetta Trevigiana, Chardonnay, Perera, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Verdiso and Pinot Noir, all fermented off the skins. Rosé Prosecco (see below) can contain up to 15% of Pinot Noir fermented on the skins.

Prosecco categories

Not all Prosecco is equal: Prosecco DOC and Prosecco Treviso DOC (a subzone which theoretically offers higher quality) tend to be the most affordable, perfect for a lunchtime quaffer or aperitif. They represents the bulk of exports and you’re bound to find examples at very reasonable prices.

Stepping up to the DOCGs of Asolo and Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore, the latter with its sub-categories including Rive (single-village bottlings) and Superiore di Cartizze (top of the tree, sweet style) gives you sparkling wines made from better fruit from the best hillside sites, and can challenge some of the best sparkling wines from other regions in terms of complexity and quality.

Producers may even experiment with longer ageing, drier styles or old-vine bottlings. These DOCG Proseccos can get quite pricey, but you can still find some under £20.

Prosecco Rosé

A brand-new Prosecco category launched in November 2020: Prosecco rosé. Blending Pinot Noir with Glera, produces a pink Prosecco with subtle red fruit characteristics, perfect for summer sipping as well as pairing with food in the winter.

Jack Merrylees, head of content, brand & PR at Majestic Wine, said: ‘The most pleasant surprise has been Prosecco rosé, which now comprises over 20% of [Prosecco] sales and is growing.’

It’s a classy drop –  vintage only – but don’t expect to see rosé Prosecco at the DOCG level just yet; this is a new development at DOC level.

Best Prosecco under £20:

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Costco Wholesale is a membership-only big-box retailer that started in Seattle in 1983.

Its 834 stores can be found in the US, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Japan and the UK, among others, offering grocery and home goods, electronics, furniture, pharmacy, optical – and even tyres.

Costco’s USP is the strength of its private-label programme, Kirkland Signature, which is named after the location of Costco’s original headquarters in Kirkland, a Seattle suburb. The range generated $58 billion in sales the last fiscal year, which makes up a quarter of Costco’s overall revenue.

On the wine side, Costco is one of the largest retailers in the world. The product mix consists of both Kirkland Signature wines and well-known brands, with Kirkland Signature wines regularly coming in at close to 50% less than branded wines from the same regions.

In stores, the wines are displayed in a spartan manner, with simple shelf talkers and bottles nestled in wooden wine boxes. Others are displayed on wooden pallets with cases stacked one on top of the other. No frills is the name of the game at Costco.

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Founded in 1998 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wine.com bills itself as the world’s largest wine store. It is the biggest online wine retailer in the US, offering 17,000 different labels from regions around the world.

Featuring a mix of both well-known and well-distributed wines to smaller boutique brands, the company works hard to deliver what consumers want.

Wine.com aims to make buying bottles online easy, fun and informative. It offers live-chat wine recommendations with sommeliers as well as virtual tastings with some of the industry’s top wine personalities. Such savvy technology is also used by Total Wine.

Wine.com also has a wine-club program called Picked, which customises wine deliveries to a member’s unique tastes.

Annual shipping membership options – free to over 40 states – as well as competitive pricing set the business apart as a consumer-friendly, wine-savvy retailer that caters to both collectors and new wine lovers alike.

‘Wine.com is a wine-discovery engine,’ says CEO Rich Bergsund. ‘With our vast selection of wine and spirits, our algorithm that sorts by “most interesting”, plus our live-chat sommeliers, we help you discover the incredible world of wine with confidence.’

Bergsund is particularly proud of Wine.com’s mobile app. ‘People can keep track of what they’ve purchased and how they’ve liked it. Imagine having a record of every wine you’ve ever had, with your rating and notes attached?’

Decanter’s selection of top Wine.com wines to try

The wines below are a current selection from the Wine.com portfolio. The most recently tasted are at the top of the list. 

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For winter 2022, Marks & Spencer has unveiled a new premium wine range, Collection, as well as own-label spirits under the Distilled moniker.

The Collection range initially sees 14 own-label wines made in collaboration with top producers in some of the best wine regions in the world, and finally brings wine into the existing M&S Collection range, which includes top-quality foodstuffs such as Cornish butter, truffle mayonnaise and single-origin coffee.

The Distilled range retails for £18/70cl and encompasses 10 different spirits, including the first M&S Tequila, a Pink Grapefruit Gin, and 5 Times Distilled British Vodka.

These new additions build on the UK retailer’s already popular Found range of ‘discovery’ wines, which Andrew Shaw – head of trading for drinks at Marks & Spencer – says has recorded a 160% year-on-year increase.

Meanwhile, sales of English sparkling wine are reportedly up 20% year-on-year, and French sparkling wine, including Champagne and Crémant, up 12% year-on-year. In total, M&S has increased its market share for beers, wines and spirits to 5.8% (vs 5.6% in 2021)

Own-label picks

Standout picks from the own-label range this winter include Marks & Spencer Prosecco NV (which at £18 for a magnum is not only fun for the festive table but also reasonable value), Marks & Spencer Found Weissburgunder 2021 (delightfully fresh and saline German Pinot Blanc), and Marks & Spencer Collection Barossa Valley Shiraz 2021 (a spicy, chocolatey red with minty freshness).

Pick of the brands

From the branded wines in the range, check out the Nyetimber Classic Cuvée NV (a juicy, creamy and leesy traditional-method fizz from Sussex), Stéphane Ogier Les Closiers Blanc 2020 (a delicious white Châteauneuf-du-Pape full of honeyed apple and spice flavours), and Cantina Valpantena Amarone della Valpolicella 2019 (an impressively weighty yet well balanced with sweet red cherry and violet flavours).

Interestingly, Marks & Spencer has opted to phase out promotions (including their popular Dine In wine offer) in favour of what they call ‘everyday low prices’, as well as monthly ‘Wine Shop Specials’. Over 40% of the M&S still wine range is priced at £8 or less, while around the same amount of sparkling wine (excluding Champagne) retails for under £10.

Marks & Spencer wines to try this winter:

The first 34 wines below are from tastings in May 2022. The following wines are from tastings in 2021. All wines are available from one or both of M&S (in store and on online) or Ocado (online only).

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