As the adage goes, great wines don’t have to cost the earth… when you’re in the hands of a gifted winemaker or successful supermarket brand, it’s more a case of seek and you shall find.
And despite trendy grapes and regions commanding a certain price tag, choices remain plentiful at what we like to call the midweek price point – £10 and under.
Moreover, don’t forget lesser-known varieties are worth seeking out, along with well-established wineries who continue to turn heads with their firm favourites.
Here’s what we’ve plucked for winter socials when you need to tighten the purse strings…
1. Oxford Landing Sauvignon Blanc 2024, South Australia, £7, Tesco
Cited as the number-one selling Australian sauvignon blanc in the UK, you can’t go wrong with this deliciously fresh, crisp style which focuses on passion fruit, citrus and herbaceous aromas; with brightness on the palate, hints of juicy, ripe papaya and zesty finish. Also worth noting, light on its feet at 10.5% abv, so a great entry-level white if you’ve been abstaining since the beginning of the month.
2. M&S Expressions Touriga Nacional 2023, Portugal, £7.50, Ocado
A fun, fruity and floral style, this layered touriga nacional (the country’s flagship grape) offers lush dark fruits with hints of blackberries and raspberries framed by perfumed notes of violets and bergamot. Unoaked, round and flavoursome, it’s fruit forward with immediate appeal – a midweek marvel.
3. Les Dauphins Côtes du Rhône White 2023, France, £8, Morrisons
A real peach, this blend of grenache blanc and viognier grown on the sun-kissed slopes of the famous Rhône Valley stands out for its fruity freshness interlaced with white peach, herbs and floral, blossomy notes; finishing crisp and refreshing. Flying the flag for co-operatives which represent both quality and value, Les Dauphins are one of the largest in France – and a label to love.
4. Co-op Irresistible Chardonnay 2024, Chile, £8.75, Co-op, in-store
What’s exciting about this Chilean chardonnay is the way its aromas of exotic tropical fruits draw you in, and the wine delivers what it promises on the nose. With flavours of bright peach, pineapple and pear at the fore, balanced acidity keeps it breezy and crisp. A standout in Co-op’s stable of own-brand Irresistible tier, and flowing with freshness.
5. Faustino V Reserva Rioja 2018, Spain, £12.50, Asda
This iconic frosted-glass bottle with its Rembrandt portrait is steeped in 160 years of winemaking history – and what we really love about this Spanish go-to is its crowd-pleasing charm. A wine that doesn’t challenge you, just begs to be drunk. With the Roman letter V representing the middle level, it overdelivers for the price with its smooth, spicy red fruits, sweet hints of vanilla and harmonious structure.
6. Loved & Found Piedirosso 2023, Southern Italy, £9.99, Waitrose
A delicious surprise, this native southern Italian grape variety proves the reds from Campania are just as worth seeking out as its popular neighbour, Puglia. Rich and full bodied, with its seductive violet nose, brambly fruits abound with plums and black cherry flavours on the velvety smooth palate, with an expressive, lingering finish. Bring on the pizza Napoletana with extra mozzarella. Deliziosa.
