Which supermarket wines would I actually buy?
After years of tasting supermarket wines, I’ve developed some firm favourites, and a few brands I rarely buy. Some of the best bottles I’ve discovered aren’t from famous names at all. They’re hiding in supermarket own-label ranges, or on the bottom shelf.
So I’m launching my Supermarket Wine Series, sharing the wines I rate, where I shop and a few tricks to help you spend your wine budget wisely. Remember, wine is personal. What I love might not be your favourite, and that’s part of the fun.
The brands I rate
These are producers I keep coming back to:
- Yalumba, especially the Viognier
- Wynns, for Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon
- Catena, for Chardonnay and Malbec
- Errázuriz, a Chilean favourite
- Oxford Landing, for Merlot and Pinot Grigio
- Villa Maria, for Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir
- Yealands, New Zealand wines worth exploring
My tip: find a producer you love and explore their other wines.
The brands I tend to skip
Not every popular wine brand makes it into my trolley: Jam Shed, 19 Crimes, Yellow Tail, Hardys and Casillero del Diablo. I’d rather spend my money discovering something more interesting. But that’s my personal taste, and wine is personal. If you love them, enjoy them!
Don’t ignore the own labels
Some of the most interesting supermarket wines don’t have a famous brand name:
- M&S Found
- Tesco Finest
- Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference
- Waitrose No.1
- Morrisons The Best
- Aldi Specially Selected
- Asda Exceptional
Next in the series: where I shop for wine and how I use discounts.
