Supermarket wines – Decanter https://www.decanter.com The world’s most prestigious wine website, including news, reviews, learning, food and travel Tue, 11 Apr 2023 16:00:12 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://keyassets.timeincuk.net/inspirewp/live/wp-content/uploads/sites/34/2019/01/cropped-Decanter_Favicon-Brand-32x32.png Supermarket wines – Decanter https://www.decanter.com 32 32 Aldi wines: Best buys under £10 for spring and summer https://www.decanter.com/decanter-best/aldi-wines-336761/ Thu, 06 Apr 2023 07:00:39 +0000 https://www.decanter.com/?p=336761 Aldi Spring wines 2023

Easter treats, summer favourites and Coronation toasts…

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Aldi Spring wines 2023

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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Waitrose 10 Fine Wines at £10 Easter promotion: tasted and rated https://www.decanter.com/decanter-best/waitrose-10-at-10-tasted-and-rated-448522/ Tue, 28 Mar 2023 15:00:05 +0000 https://www.decanter.com/?p=448522

A selection of upper shelf wines for only a tenner....

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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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Best wine buys at Lidl this spring https://www.decanter.com/decanter-best/best-lidl-wines-331843/ Fri, 17 Mar 2023 08:00:02 +0000 https://www.decanter.com/?p=331843

The best of Lidl's wine range this spring...

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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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Fairtrade wines: explained and top picks https://www.decanter.com/decanter-best/fairtrade-wines-explained-and-top-picks-497986/ Mon, 27 Feb 2023 08:00:40 +0000 https://www.decanter.com/?p=497986 Fairtrade Wines

Ethical drinking pleasure...

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Fairtrade Wines

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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Kroger: the best wines available at the US grocery chain https://www.decanter.com/decanter-best/kroger-the-best-wines-available-at-the-us-grocery-chain-496464/ Wed, 15 Feb 2023 08:00:54 +0000 https://www.decanter.com/?p=496464 People pouring wine at a gathering

A list of 12 best buys to try, available at the national grocery retailer...

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People pouring wine at a gathering

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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Top value supermarket Champagne https://www.decanter.com/decanter-best/supermarket-champagne-uk-351490/ Wed, 14 Dec 2022 08:00:59 +0000 https://www.decanter.com/?p=351490 supermarket Champagne

Stock up on Champagne without breaking the bank...

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supermarket Champagne

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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Costco wines for Christmas time https://www.decanter.com/decanter-best/costco-wines-for-christmas-time-493496/ Fri, 09 Dec 2022 09:42:55 +0000 https://www.decanter.com/?p=493496 Costco wines for Christmas

Costco wines for the Christmas holidays...

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Costco wines for Christmas

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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Marks & Spencer wines: top buys this winter https://www.decanter.com/decanter-best/marks-spencer-wines-330220/ Tue, 22 Nov 2022 08:00:48 +0000 https://www.decanter.com/?p=330220 marks-and-spencer-winter-wines-to-try

Top buys for winter from M&S...

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marks-and-spencer-winter-wines-to-try

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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The best Morrisons wines for Christmas https://www.decanter.com/decanter-best/the-best-morrisons-wines-to-try-426614/ Fri, 18 Nov 2022 08:00:52 +0000 https://www.decanter.com/?p=426614

Our latest selection of refreshing sparkling, white and rosé wines from Morrisons...

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With almost 500 stores across the UK,  Morrisons is a major player in the supermarket sector and its value wine offering never fails to impress. While its ‘Best’ collection allows wine lovers to explore classic expressions at a reasonable budget, its ‘Value’ collection has increasingly become a reliable source for easy-to-enjoy food charmers at under £6.

From the supermarket chain’s latest autumn/winter offerings, the Decanter team has made a selection tailored for your festive gatherings at home this winter. The majority of the selection is under £20, with a few value-buys at around £5.

For charming yet affordable sparklers, The Best Crémant De Limoux offers crunchy green fruits and plenty of yeasty depth. Menestrello’s soft-textured Prosecco is easily a crowd-pleaser with decent freshness. Surprise your guests with Morrison’s Best English Sparkling Wine 2010 as a quality alternative to Champagne.

You can never go wrong with classic styles like Moillard’s Coquillage Chablis for seafood and Yealands Estate’s Reserve Sauvignon Blanc as a palate cleanser after creamy dishes.

Go for the Chilean Estate Cabernet Sauvignon from Errazuriz to pair with hearty lamb and beef dishes on just salt-and-pepper. Paul Mas’s Reserve Pinot Noir of Languedoc-Roussillon and Viñalba’s Patagonia Malbec won’t disappoint as companions to your Christmas turkey or dishes with a fruity seasoning.

From the ‘Value’ range, Villa Verde’s Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is a solid choice that merits both freshness and structure, sold at just £5.19.

Morrisons’ Best Pedro Ximenez may well be the final piece you need to complete the feast. The luscious liquid raisin and hazelnut flavours are all packed in a half bottle for just £5.5. Opt for the Special Reserve Port for a robust shot of alcohol and tannin – exactly what we need to warm up this winter.

The list also includes wines from our previous recommendations that are still available.


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The best Morrisons wines to try:


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Best Co-op wines for autumn and winter https://www.decanter.com/decanter-best/best-co-op-wines-343638/ Fri, 11 Nov 2022 06:00:01 +0000 https://www.decanter.com/?p=343638

Latest releases of excellent value wines from the UK retailer...

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From quaffable Spanish red priced at just £5.74 per bottle to affordable vintage Champagne, we have put together a tasty yet good-value lineup from Co-op. Making sure every pound stretch further this winter, the majority of our selection is under £15.

The Les Pionniers range, crafted by Piper-Heidsieck exclusively for Co-op, never fails to offer value and quality. The latest 2013 vintage combines creamy ripe fruits and leesy complexity a seriously delicious sparkler that works for both fine dining and family feasts.

Château Guiraud’s G de Guiraud 2019 is another one of our favourites from the retailer’s autumn/winter offering; a powerful Bordeaux white that merits complexity and class. Go for Château Dasvin Bel Air 2021 from Haut-Médoc if you are after a vinous yet elegant red Bordeaux.

From the New World, you have the choice between a meaty, juicy Shiraz from South Eastern Australia by Andrew Peace, or McGuigan’s Single Batch Project Cabernet Sauvignon for green peppercorn-spiced dark fruits sensation. Both are fresh from the 2021 vintage and under £10.

Never tried a wine from Moldova before? Tilting Tree’s perfumed Sauvignon Blanc 2021 would be an interesting first contact to sparkle some discussions at the dinner table. The Merlot from the same range also does the trick.

Co-op’s ‘Irresistible’ PX Sherry remains a must-buy if you need a luscious sipping wine for dessert. Enjoy a bouquet of dried dark fruits, figs and Christmas spices all packed in a half-bottle – for just £6.65.

You can now purchase Co-op’s wine offerings online and get them delivered by your local stores in just a few hours, according to the UK supermarket chain. Simply click on the ‘Find a store’ function on www.coop.co.uk and select ‘Buy food online’. The supermarket chain recently announced an extended partnership with Deliveroo, amid further collaboration with Uber Eats, with the aim to enable around 1000 Co-op food stores to deliver groceries ordered online within as little as 30 minutes.

*We have also included wines from our previous recommendations that are still available.


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Best Co-op wines: our top buys


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Best Booths wines: 25 top buys for autumn and winter https://www.decanter.com/decanter-best/best-booths-wines-buy-425489/ Thu, 10 Nov 2022 08:50:40 +0000 https://www.decanter.com/?p=425489 Booths wines

12 under £20 and six under £10…

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Booths wines

If you live in the north of England, then you’ll know about Booths. If you live elsewhere, you’ll wish you had one nearby. Fondly termed the ‘Waitrose of the North’, it is a small chain of 28 stores with a focus on quality.

Booths wines

The offering, under buyer Victoria Anderson, is one of the best in the UK – proven by the fact it won Supermarket of the Year at the 2022 Decanter Retailer Awards. It also won in 2020 and came runner up in 2019.

Booths places an emphasis on sustainability, as well introducing its customers to emerging trends. ‘We’re a family business,’ says Anderson, ‘[so] we particularly like to hunt for little gems from up-and-coming producers and family growers.’

The home-grown range of English still and sparkling wines is commendable, and there are great discoveries for adventurous wine lovers from Armenia and Bulgaria. Renowned producers are well represented, including Scala Dei, Penfolds, Trinity Hill and Sesti, while the 44-strong own-label EH Booth range offers value for money at all price levels.

This year (2022) marks 175 years since Edwin Henry Booth first set up his own wine and spirits business in Blackpool in 1847. He borrowed £80 of stock from his previous employer and, in just three months, thanks to his business nous, had not only paid the debt back but made a £50 profit.

Booths still honours his pledge to ‘sell the best goods available, in attractive stores, staffed with first-class assistants’.

To celebrate the anniversary, one of the new releases is an own-label 2016 vintage Port (£25/37.5cl) – perfect for Christmas.


Best Booths wines: 25 top autumn and winter buys

All wines tasted 22 September 2022. Prices do not reflect any special or multi-buy offers. Some wines might only be available either online or in selected stores. All bottle prices are correct at time of publication. Wines grouped by style and ordered by score, in descending order. 


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Best Tesco wines: top buys for this winter https://www.decanter.com/decanter-best/top-tesco-wines-winter-351356/ Tue, 01 Nov 2022 08:00:27 +0000 https://www.decanter.com/?p=351356

Best Tesco wines to drink this autumn and winter...

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Tesco’s latest press tasting of the autumn/winter range was its biggest in years, showcasing around 160 wines. It was only a snapshot of the total range but included a number of new vintages, and 62 wines that were completely new to the range. Decanter was there to seek out the best buys on the shelves of the UK’s largest supermarket chain. 

It’s inevitable that, in a wine range as large as Tesco’s, not every bottle will offer the same level of satisfaction. But as our recommendations below demonstrate, there’s genuine value – and excitement – to be found on the UK supermarket’s shelves.

Tesco Finest

As usual, Tesco’s  own-label Finest wines, made in partnership with a variety of respected producers and cooperatives, feature heavily in our recommendations. The retailer works hard to ensure that these expressions of classic styles are priced competitively and show good typicity, and they’re a great way to explore different regional styles from both Old and New World, at all price levels. Highlights in the current line-up include the fragrant and fruity Prosecco Rosé, the Chablis premier cru, the keenly priced Chilean Merlot and the Margaux.

Respected names

Beyond the own-label wines, Tesco’s range includes wines from a selection of the world’s most respected producers, including New Zealand’s Craggy Range (its delicious Pinot Noir would be a great pick for Christmas lunch), Tyrrell’s in Australia’s Hunter Valley, famous for its Semillons (here with new listing the Brookdale Semillon), and California Rhône ranger Bonny Doon with its cracking New World take on red and white Rhône blends. These are all top estates with a great reputation, and worth seeking out.

Winter warmers

Many of us are now seeking out wines for winter drinking. At this time of year, all many of us want in the evening after a day’s work is to curl up with a good book / TV drama and a glass of something on the fuller-bodied side. And there’s plenty to choose from here.

If it’s a white you’re after, consider the good-value Languedoc Viognier from Paul Mas, the own-label Finest Leyda Chardonnay, or the punchy and aromatic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from Te Pã.

Meanwhile there are myriad warming reds to take your pick from. Syrah/Shiraz is a classic go-to variety at this time of year, either as a varietal wine or in a Rhône blend, and there are a couple of crackers here: the Finest Barossa Shiraz for New World richness of fruit, or the Rhône blends Domaine d’Arbousset Lirac and Finest Châteauneuf du Pape. I’d also recommend the Finest Douro – a robust and good-value red that would be perfect matched with hearty meat dishes.

If Cabernet is more your thing, Tesco has added two great new listings to the range: a keenly priced Gran Reserva Chilean Cabernet from Luis Felipe Edwards, and a more pricey but delicious Napa Cab from Joel Gott Wines.

Christmas classics

And then of course, before you know it, Christmas will be here. Tesco has always offered a great selection of classic styles that are perfect for festive celebrations. Its sparkling line-up covers all bases price wise, and a range of styles including Champagne, English sparkling wine, Franciacorta, Cava and Crémant – and more!

From the latest press tasting, I’d single out the Prosecco Rosé from its Finest range, the classy Italian traditional-method Franciacorta from Castel Faglia, and Simmonet Febvre’s Crémant de Bourgogne.

Fast forward to dessert and after dinner, and there are some great sweet and fortified wines to snap up. There are Ports for every pocket, including a 10-Year-Old Tawny, an LBV and a 2010 Vintage Port from Symington Family Estates; a rich and unctuous Finest PX Sherry from Gonzales Byass, and the citrussy, botrytised Finest Dessert Semillon from Australia. These last two are some of the best value sweet wines on the UK shelves, and come in handy half-bottle formats, so buy to enjoy at the table – or even to slip into someone’s Christmas stocking…

Top wine buys at Tesco:

The first 31 wines were tasted by Amy Wislocki in October 2022 at Tesco’s Autumn/Winter 2022 press tasting in London. The rest of the wines below were tasted by the Decanter tastings team at previous press tastings and are still available. All bottle prices are correct at time of publication.

Updated 28/10/2022: Added 31 new wines from the Autumn/Winter 2022 range and removed unavailable wines


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Best buys at Majestic this autumn and winter https://www.decanter.com/decanter-best/best-majestic-wines-349265/ Fri, 28 Oct 2022 12:20:44 +0000 https://www.decanter.com/?p=349265 Shopping for Wine at Majestic

Decanter's editorial team pick some of their favourite wines available from Majestic...

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Shopping for Wine at Majestic

As blustery autumn days meld gently into crisp wintry evenings, our vinous tastes tend to turn towards warming whites and hearty reds. Majestic’s autumn-winter range has both in spades.

Keeping the range exciting and affordable

Since its last press tasting in April 2022, some 330 or so new lines have been added across wines, beers and spirits, many of which will be landing in stores in November, just in time for the festive period.

The new additions are spread fairly evenly across price points, but as the nation feels the financial squeeze, drinkers will be pleased to know that half of the top picks below fall into the under-£15 sweet spot.


Scroll down to see Majestic wines tasted and rated


Of great value and drinkability are the new listings in the South African range, which Jack Merrylees, head of content, brand and PR, says they are particularly proud of. South Africa falls under buyer Elizabeth Kelly MW’s remit, who says ‘South Africa has been a real focus for me recently, there’s such quality and a really great feeling in the South African wine industry, along with a focus on sustainability’.

Boekenhoutskloof’s The Wolftrap Grenache Blanc 2022 is an elegant tribute to this lesser-known white Rhône variety, its mild creaminess from extended lees contact making it a good autumn white that will complement roasted squash and sage dishes.

Off the back of a number of trends that the retailer has seen emerging, new listings have targeted French heartlands (as evidenced by the 12 French wines that made the list below), as well as Greek wines, and of course some great additions for Christmas.

Key areas of focus

After a rocky period as part of the Naked Wines group some years ago, Majestic has seen much improvement following a huge range overhaul, which has gained sharper focus thanks to the talent of its buyers.

‘We’ve seen some real breakthrough successes in recent years, and a renewed focus on quality across the Majestic range,’ says Merrylees. ‘For us the emphasis is now on maintaining that. We’ve seen customers really respond well to those changes, with many new and returning Majestic shoppers – some 300,000 – in that time.’

The buyers also reported a 27.4% uplift in sales of organic wines between August 2021 and July 2022, so this might see more organic wines being added to the range too.

Highlights

Perhaps unsurprisingly, France features heavily in the list below. It includes Maison Antech’s delicate, frothy sparkling from Limoux, a plump and pretty Pays d’Oc Viognier, and some cracking Christmas dinner-worthy reds from the Rhône.

Beyond the hexagon, a selection of really interesting whites feature from Portugal, Italy’s Soave, and the USA’s Washington and New York States. In fact, the Forge Cellars Classique Dry Riesling is a delicious new addition and one of the highest scoring from the latest tasting.

For the red fans, at £22.99 the Domaine des Tourelles, Grand Cuvée Pierre Brun from Lebanon is a belter, snap it up now for a great value Christmas dinner wine, or a match for an earthy autumnal weekend feast.

National Wine Retailer of the Year

Following its success in last year’s Decanter Retailer Awards, Majestic has once again scooped the National Wine Retailer of the year award in 2022.

Commenting on this win, the Retailer Awards judges said: ‘Continuing its laudable renaissance, Majestic’s range is once again a joy to peruse, from classics to new-wave bottles. The retailer is supporting diversity initiatives and charity, running tastings, helping recycle corks, and it recently launched a new Wine Club focusing on themed cases four times a year for subscribing members.’

It didn’t, however, do as well in the specialist categories as it has done previously, picking up Runner-Up Portugal Specialist and Runner-Up South Africa Specialist. This in itself is positive, however, and shows that the retailer is fast improving its range in these areas. Watch this space.


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Top picks from Majestic’s current range:

The wines listed below were tasted at Majestic’s autumn/winter 2022 press tasting, held in London in September. 

All prices listed below are single-bottle prices. There are savings to be made, sometimes significant, when you buy a minimum of six bottles (any mix).

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The Wine Society – Best buys this autumn https://www.decanter.com/decanter-best/the-wine-society-best-buys-this-autumn-490285/ Mon, 24 Oct 2022 01:30:34 +0000 https://www.decanter.com/?p=490285
The Wine Society Joy of Wine Experience Home Tasting Kit

The Wine Society remains a consistent source of quality, value and discovery...

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The Wine Society Joy of Wine Experience Home Tasting Kit

After winning, yet again, the award for best Large Online Retailer of the Year at this year’s Decanter Retailer Awards, The Wine Society remains a consistent source of quality, value and discovery, offering classics and pantry staples alongside lesser-known, and very interesting, conversation starters.

Outside the box

A good winter cellar will surely need a good Prosecco and a value red, to be drunk guiltlessly over the dark, cold evenings, perhaps in lieu of turning the heating on. The Wine Society’s own Prosecco is a must-have for both lovers and sceptics of the style, with its poise and zesty freshness offering unpretentious pleasure. Also from the retailer’s own range, the Australian Cabernet Sauvignon (produced by Yalumba) is a balanced winter-warmer which, at £7.95/bottle, offers great value.

But The Wine Society’s selection firmly invites you to think outside the box, with some of our season favourites hailing from lesser-known and unexpected appellations.

Künstler’s Assmannshauser Rosé Brut Nature is an outstanding sparkling, of moreish complexity which, tasted blind, not many would place in Rheingau, Germany. From Tokaji comes a dry single-vineyard Furmint whose Burgundian elegance and textural complexity speak a lot about the region’s potential beyond the sweet styles that have made it famous. And from the Centre Loire, one of the region’s best-kept secrets: Sancerre Rouge, comes with a vibrancy and depth that are worth keeping in mind as the prices for Burgundy soar.

Among the road-less-travelled options is a true jewel: an aged Xinomavro Rosé from Decanter Rising Star 2022 Apostolos Thymioupoulos. Those familiar with his rosé know of its incredible complexity and character, showing even more expressively in this aged iteration. A proper festive treat!


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You say potato I say…

The pleasure of wine is as much about drinking as it is about discovering the amazing diversity and fun complexity behind each bottle. One of the most fascinating explorations is comparing different expressions of the same grape variety. A fun exercise, perfect for long winter evenings, for which The Wine Society has many interesting comparative pairs: taste the Château Beauregard’s Pouilly-Fussé alongside The Society’s Margaret River Chardonnay; Bründlmayer’s superb Riesling against Framingham’s; Yalumba’s South Australian Cab next to Kanonkop’s South African counterpart. A great way to compare regional, stylistic, vintage and price variations and discover your own personal favourites.

Think big

The appeal of a Magnum is manyfold: the wow effect; the guarantee that everyone will get to taste from the same bottle; the greater ageing potential and freshness of big formats; the value-for-money when twice the amount of wine rarely costs twice the money.

For these reasons and, above all, for the quality of the wine they carry, we could not recommend some of The Wine Society’s big formats more. Highlights include Boizel’s Brut Réserve and Bründlmayer’s absolutely outstanding Ried Heiligenstein Lyra Riesling. While both are perfect for Christmas festivities you might want to get a few bottles of the Riesling for cellaring, as this will only get better in coming years.

Gifts galore

As much as exploring and selection one’s favourites is a fun exercise, The Wine Society also has exciting Christmas winter selections (available from November) suited to all budgets and tastes, from the Festive Half-bottles case (£45) to the exclusive Wonders of the Wine World (£750, pictured below). While the latter might be off-limits to most, it really is a fabulous treat, with amazing bottles form iconic producers such as Château Lynch-Bages, Kistler or Domaine de Montille.  But we have our eyes on the Joy of Wine Experience Home Tasting Kit (pictured above), which for £99 delivers a comprehensive selection of 10 bottles.


The Wine Society: top buys this Autumn

All wines tasted 29 September 2022. Prices do not reflect any special or multi-buy offers.
Some wines might only be available from late October.
Wines grouped by style and ordered by score, in descending order. 


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Best Sainsbury's wines to try https://www.decanter.com/decanter-best/best-sainsburys-wines-350813/ Thu, 20 Oct 2022 07:00:40 +0000 https://www.decanter.com/?p=350813 Five bottles of wine against a white background
Sainsbury's Autumn Winter 2022 wIne range

Top picks for your shopping basket...

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Five bottles of wine against a white background
Sainsbury's Autumn Winter 2022 wIne range

A recent tasting of wines from Sainsbury’s autumn/winter 2022 range included plenty of bottles that are perfect for the festive season. From Champagne and English sparkling wine for parties and new year celebrations, to food-friendly Chablis and Rioja.

As usual, the supermarket’s own-brand Taste the Difference range features heavily. It does a good job of covering many classic regions at affordable prices. But it’s also worth keeping a look out for Sainsbury’s Discovery Collection wines. This more adventurous, limited-edition selection includes a fruity Pinot Noir from Arbois in the Jura and a great-value Corbières from Languedoc-Roussillon (see below for tasting notes).

The Sainsbury’s team of buyers has also continued to strengthen the supermarket’s Italian range. A new Discovery Collection Morellino di Scansano joins the Discovery Collection Verdicchio Superiore, which was introduced earlier this year to the spring/summer range.

Great winter drinking

Other Italians to put in your shopping trolley include Taste the Difference Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Maremma Toscana and Valpollicella Ripasso, all priced between £10 and £12. With its rich, velvety palate, the Ripasso is perfect to enjoy in front of the fire on chilly evenings.

Other winter warmers to try include Château Tanunda’s Barossa Red. This blend of Cabernet and Merlot from the iconic Australian producer is cracking value at £13. Trivento’s Reserve Malbec is a safe match for steak with its juicy black fruit – and a steal at £8. While Hawkstone’s Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon offers plenty of classic Napa Cab character for £22.50.

Finally Bordeaux fans should make a beeline for two new bottles introduced this autumn. Château Béard’s La Chapelle St-Emilion Grand Cru 2018 is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc sourced from St-Laurent-des-Combes. It will certainly appeal to lovers of classic claret. Meanwhile L’Orangerie de Cantemerle is an interesting alternative to Château Cantermerle’s longer-lived cru classé wine from the Haut-Médoc, made from young, 35-year-old vines (both £20).


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Best Sainsbury’s wines

Tasting notes come from the Sainsbury’s autumn/winter 2022 tasting. Wines from older tastings have also been included if the wine is still available in store or online. All bottle prices are correct at time of publication. 


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Waitrose - Best buys this autumn https://www.decanter.com/decanter-best/waitrose-best-buys-this-autumn-489771/ Mon, 17 Oct 2022 17:38:53 +0000 https://www.decanter.com/?p=489771

With the festive season upon us, Waitrose's wine shelves are already showing a spirit of celebration...

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With the festive season upon us, Waitrose & Partner’s wine shelves are already showing a spirit of celebration with an interesting and diverse sparkling, sweet and fortified selection. But the retailer’s autumn/winter line up also has fantastic everyday-drinking additions.

Sparkling choices

This is the time of the year when retailers usually invest firmly on their sparkling ranges. Waitrose’s bubbly section is looking as healthy as usual, with great options across styles and price points. Champagne lovers will be spoiled for choice – from Waitrose’s own Blanc de Noirs Brut (see below) at £25.99 to Krug’s Grand Cuvée 170ème Édition Brut at £195 – but it’s well worth looking beyond the classic French region.

French Crémants, such as Cave de Lugny’s, Spanish Cava, and South African Cap Classique are great traditional method alternatives of undeniable quality and value.

Waitrose also continues to invest firmly in the English sparkling offering with cuvées from Hambledon and Gusbourne showing particularly well.


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Fortified diversity and value

Waitrose’s fortified range goes from strength to strength, with consolidated diversity and quality at fantastic value. Outstanding releases from iconic names – such as the superb Apostoles VORS Palo Cortado from González Byass – sit alongside the must-buy own label options. At just £7.69 the Fino and the Manzanilla deserve a place in every fridge.

On the Port front the choice is also fantastic. Standouts include vintages from Warre’s (Quinta da Cavadinha 2005) and Taylor’s (Quinta de Vargellas 2013).

Buying smart

Most Waitrose customers will be familiar with the ‘£10 Fine Wine’ which runs every Christmas and Easter. It will again be a unique opportunity to grab some truly fine bottles – such as Villa Maria’s Reserve Southern Clays Sauvignon Blanc or and Terroir Daronton’s Édition Limitée Rasteau –  for a tenner.

There will be, however, other great buying opportunities with many of the wines below available, for limited periods, with a 20 to 25% discount.

Classics and discoveries

Buying wine always involves a balancing act between sticking to the classics one loves and venturing into unexplored territories. Waitrose is a great place for both. Winter cellars will want a value Chianti Classico (see Meleti‘s below), a reliable Rioja Gran Reserva (El Piadoso’s will be part of the ‘£10 Fine Wine’ offering) or a classic white Burgundy. But there are more alternative options deserving of attention. Like the excellent, moreish Greystone Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc or Johann Wolf’s very classy Pinot Noir.

Waitrose’s Love & Founded range remains a source of interesting and great value wines from lesser-known grape varieties, well worth discovering. The ever-changing range currently includes an elegantly saline Loin d’Oeil and a vibrant Albarossa. Delicious, interesting, excellent value and perfect conversation starters.


Waitrose & Partners: top buys this Autumn

All wines tasted 27 September 2022. Prices do not reflect any special or multi-buy offers.
Some wines might only be available from late October and/or in selected stores.
Wines grouped by style and ordered by score, in descending order. 


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Decanter World Wine Awards winners available at Marks & Spencer https://www.decanter.com/wine-news/decanter-world-wine-awards-winners-available-at-marks-spencer-487534/ Fri, 30 Sep 2022 07:30:46 +0000 https://www.decanter.com/?p=487534

DWWA winners available at M&S this autumn...

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Marks & Spencer is no stranger to achieving top scores at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA), and to celebrate its results the leading retailer has selected its favourite award-winning wines from this year’s awards, for customers to purchase exclusively on marksandspencer.com.

Customers can choose from a carefully selected mix of six delicious winter-warming reds; an irresistible mix of crisp, refreshing, complex white wines from the Old and New World; a mix of both red and white wines; and finally a Decanter Fortified Duo Finest – Reserve Port and an Extra Dry Manzanilla Sherry.

Prices start from just £20 for the ‘Fortified Duo’ which also makes terrific gifts for wine-loving friends or family.

Marks & Spencer was shortlisted for Best Supermarket in this year’s Decanter Retailer Awards, of which winners were announced earlier this week.


Shop now

or scroll down to see the 2022 DWWA M&S winners


Decanter Reds – Case of six £66.50

  • Marks & Spencer, El Duque De Miralta, Reserva, Spain 2017– Silver
  • Marks & Spencer, Salentein Barrel Selection Malbec, Argentina  2020 – Silver
  • Marks & Spencer, Classics No20 Côtes du Rhône Villages, France 2020 Bronze
  • Marks & Spencer Classics No.34 Claret, France 2020 Bronze
  • Marks & Spencer, Classics No.23 Chianti, Tuscany 2018 Bronze
  • Marks & Spencer, Ebenezer & Seppeltsfield Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Australia 2020 – Bronze

Decanter Mixed Whites Case of six £64.50

  • 22 Families, Bush Vine Chenin Blanc, Swartland, South Africa 2021 – Bronze
  • Marks & Spencer, Classics no.2 Riesling, Pfalz, Germany 2020– Silver
  • Marks & Spencer, Classics No.14 Albariño, Rías Baixas, Spain 2020 – Bronze
  • Marks & Spencer, Journey’s End Winemaker’s Reserve Fairtrade Chardonnay, Stellenbosch 2021– Bronze
  • Florent Rouve, Viré-Clessé Vieilles Vignes, Burgundy, France 2020 – Bronze
  • Marks & Spencer, Echo Sauvignon Blanc, Leyda, Chile 2021 – Bronze

Decanter Mixed Red and Whites – Case of six £66.50 

  • Marks & Spencer, Found Mazuelo, Rioja, Spain 2019 – Silver
  • Marks & Spencer, Classics No.6 Valpolicella Ripasso, Italy Bronze
  • Marks & Spencer, Salentein Barrel Selection Malbec, Argentina 2020 – Silver
  • Marks & Spencer, Classics No.1 Bourgogne Chardonnay, France – Bronze
  • Marks & Spencer, Saint Clair ‘James Sinclair’ Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand 2021 – Silver
  • Marks & Spencer, Found Ribolla Gialla, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy 2021 – Silver

Decanter Fortified Duo £20.00

  • Marks & Spencer, Classics No.41 Finest Reserve, Portugal NV – Silver
  • Marks & Spencer, Extra Dry, Manzanilla Sherry, Spain NV – Bronze

About Marks & Spencer

DWWA promotion website
Promotion period: Ending December 2022
Promotion details:
A complimentary copy of the DWWA supplement is available with every case while stocks last


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Best Laithwaites wines to try this summer https://www.decanter.com/decanter-best/laithwaites-wines-recommendations-379605/ Tue, 28 Jun 2022 08:15:19 +0000 https://www.decanter.com/?p=379605 Laithwaites-wine-to-try

Top picks for the summer...

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Laithwaites-wine-to-try

In 2022, Laithwaites sees itself doubling down on sustainability, with the aim of halving its carbon footprint by 2030. It has committed to increase the number of UK-bottled wines in its range to help cut down on CO2 emissions from shipping glass bottles – shipping in bulk in large ‘bags’ drastically reduces the weight of the same volume of wine.

It also allows the process to be overseen directly by Laithwaites; a recent audit commissioned from EcoAct – a specialist company advising on sustainability showed that several factors, mostly outside Laithwaites’ direct control, contributed to 95% of the emissions footprint of a bottle of wine. There are also, no doubt, savings to be made by importing in bulk.

Other examples of Laithwaites’ efforts to improve its sustainability credentials include the release of the second wine in its ‘W/O’ range, an organic Lucido (better known as Catarratto) from Sicily. Bottled in ‘wild’ (100% recycled) glass and corked without a plastic capsule, it features a fully biodegradable label made using a single colour printing process on environmentally friendly pulp. Information on the wine is accessed via a QR code.

The wine merchant has also recently listed its first wine packaged in paper, the Redbrook Estate Bacchus. Made from 84% recycled paper with a recyclable plastic pouch, it’s a bit like a mini bag-in-box and, claims Laithwaites, has a carbon footprint six times lower than glass.

The buying team has sourced new wines from across the world for 2022, making the most of the ability to travel much more widely than they had been able to in 2020 and 2021. Notable in the range for 2022 are a number of lighter red wines, including the first examples made from Dornfelder, Páis and Xinomavro.

One of the reasons for introducing these new varieties is to cater for what Liz Smith, wine director at Laithwaites, identifies as a trend towards lighter styles of reds: ‘Beaujolais in particular has been a big success story of the past few years. But, partly in response to increased prices, we’re now seeing this shift towards other grapes and regions.’

Laithwaites wines are predominantly sold online and via wine clubs, but the retailer also has a smattering of stores around the south of the UK, including in London, Beaconsfield, Gloucester, Reading, Banbury and Windsor.

Best Laithwaites wine to try this summer:


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Best wine buys at Waitrose this summer https://www.decanter.com/decanter-best/six-best-waitrose-wines-350844/ Wed, 08 Jun 2022 08:00:35 +0000 https://www.decanter.com/?p=350844 best Waitrose wines
Runner-up: The Whisky Exchange

Waitrose tracks well above its market share in Champagne, but perhaps more commendable is its commitment to less obvious sparkling styles, from top-value Cava to English and beyond. Fizz sales are booming at The Whisky Exchange, which sparkling lovers would do well to check out, particularly Champagne aficionados.

Some top summer picks from the shelves of Waitrose...

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best Waitrose wines
Runner-up: The Whisky Exchange Waitrose tracks well above its market share in Champagne, but perhaps more commendable is its commitment to less obvious sparkling styles, from top-value Cava to English and beyond. Fizz sales are booming at The Whisky Exchange, which sparkling lovers would do well to check out, particularly Champagne aficionados.

With one of its regular 25%-off deals kicking off , it’s the perfect time to stock up on wines from the excellent Waitrose range. From today (8 June) until next Tuesday 14 June, Waitrose will be offering 25% off all wine and Champagne priced £5 and over, when purchasing any six or more.  The offer is available when shopping in branch, on Waitrosecellar.com, or online* at Waitrose.com with a grocery delivery (the usual £40 online grocery minimum spend applies).

The retailer won Supermarket of the Year in the 2021 Decanter Retailer Awards, as well as Runner-up in the Champagne & Sparkling Wine and England & Wales categories. Its Waitrose & Partners No.1 range is worth paying attention to – there are some great buys here, especially in the sweet and fortified categories. These wines are designed to show good typicity of classic styles. And for the more adventurous drinker, the brilliant Loved & Found range features 10 wines all priced under £10 that showcase lesser-known grape varieties and styles.

The Loved & Found line-up changes regularly, so customers can continue their journey of discovery once they’ve tried them all. New wines in the current Loved & Found range include Treixadura (a white from northern Spain), Caladoc (a southern French crossing of Malbec with Grenache), and the summery Sicilian red, Frappato. You’ll find tasting notes for all these in the recommendations below.



The best Waitrose wines:

The first 26 wines listed here were tasted at Waitrose’s Spring 2022 press tasting, held in May 2022. The remaining wines were tasted at previous press tastings and are still available.


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New Zealand Pinot Gris: best buys under £20 https://www.decanter.com/decanter-best/new-zealand-pinot-gris-best-buys-under-20-480130/ Fri, 13 May 2022 08:30:44 +0000 https://www.decanter.com/?p=480130 New-Zealand-Pinot-Gris-grapes
The distinctive copper-pink hue of Pinot Gris grapes.

10 wines to try – from just £9.99…

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New-Zealand-Pinot-Gris-grapes
The distinctive copper-pink hue of Pinot Gris grapes.

With fewer than 3,000 hectares, plantings of New Zealand Pinot Gris represent a drop in the ocean –  about 10% – when compared to the powerhouse of Sauvignon Blanc. But according to New Zealand Wine Growers, it is close to overtaking Chardonnay as the country’s second most planted white grape.

While some wines are made in a Pinot Grigio style – a typically light-bodied ‘dry white wine’ – the best examples follow Alsace Pinot Gris. These are off-dry, with a weightier, oily mouthfeel and rich pear, honeyed stone fruit and spice flavours.

In this young winemaking country the variety is a still a baby. The oldest vines are just 25 to 30 years old, so the potential is there for more development and complexity in future. Winemakers are also experimenting with wild yeast fermentation, skin contact, lees and barrel ageing as well as concrete eggs and amphorae to enhance mouthfeel and texture in this naturally low-acid variety

The majority of plantings (more than 40%) are in Marlborough, where the South Island’s cooler climate imbues great aromatics as well as crisp acidity to offset residual sugar. But fans will find examples from all corners of both islands.

New Zealand Pinot Gris is a perfect dinner companion, matching perfectly with dishes as diverse as roast pork, mussels (or cauliflower) in a cream sauce, Thai green curry or a simple cheese board at the start or end of a meal.

The country has a wealth of top-drawer Pinot Gris from producers such as Misha’s Vineyard, Dry River, Prophet’s Rock, Greywacke, Valli and others. But here are 10 New Zealand Pinot Gris that won’t break the bank, starting from just £9.99.

New Zealand Pinot Gris: 10 top buys for less than £20


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