The slake team taste 1000s of wines throughout the year, from everyday supermarket bottles to benchmark examples from some of the world’s leading producers.
Alongside this, we attend seasonal tastings hosted by the UK’s biggest supermarkets, including Aldi, Lidl, Tesco, Waitrose, M&S, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Co-op, allowing us to assess the latest ranges before they reach the shelves. Every wine featured in this guide is here because we genuinely think it’s worth drinking.
At slake, we don’t believe the best wine is always the most expensive. Great supermarket wine should offer character, balance and value, whether it costs £7 or £27. While price inevitably plays a part in our recommendations – the more expensive the more we expect from it, flavour comes first. A bottle only earns its place in this guide if we’d happily buy it again ourselves.
When tasting for our summer guide, we’re looking for wines that suit the season. Freshness, balance and drinkability matter, but that doesn’t mean every recommendation is a pale Provence rosé or a crisp Sauvignon Blanc. A lightly chilled red can be perfect with a barbecue, an orange wine can shine alongside Mediterranean food, and a richer white may be exactly what’s called for on a cooler summer evening. We’ve chosen bottles for a wide range of occasions, budgets and tastes.
Sustainability also sits at the heart of slake. We believe that good wine should be good for more than just the person drinking it. Wherever possible, we’ll highlight wines carrying recognised environmental or sustainability certifications, as well as producers making meaningful efforts to protect nature, reduce their environmental impact or support the communities behind the bottle. While it’s impossible to investigate every wine in depth, we’ll always mention notable credentials where they’re available.
For us, sustainability also includes economics. Producing wine is expensive. Vineyard workers need paying, grapes have to be grown and harvested, bottles and packaging manufactured, wines transported and, in the UK, duty and VAT added before a bottle even reaches the shelf. While supermarkets can achieve impressive prices through economies of scale, we believe there comes a point where the numbers simply become difficult to reconcile with both quality and a fair return for the people producing the wine.
As a result, as an editorial policy, we generally don’t recommend wines priced below £7. There will always be exceptions, but we’d rather recommend fewer, better bottles than encourage a race to the bottom on price. We believe great value doesn’t have to mean paying as little as possible. It means finding wines that overdeliver while respecting the people and places behind them.
Supermarket ranges change regularly throughout the year, and some wines are available only while stocks last. We update this guide every summer with new recommendations, current vintages and the latest supermarket releases. If you find it useful, bookmark this page and check back each year for our refreshed picks.
[To jump to a specific store, click the relevant link in the table of contents.]
Best Aldi Wines
Aldi has built a reputation for offering some of the best-value wines on the market. Its Specially Selected range remains our first port of call, consistently delivering bottles that outperform their price tag. The range isn’t huge, but it’s thoughtfully curated, and spending just a little more than the entry-level bottles often unlocks some of the supermarket’s most impressive wines.
Best Aldi White Wine
Specially Selected Sauvignon Blanc Reserva – £7.19
Ripe tropical fruit, citrus freshness and a touch of white pepper give this Sauvignon Blanc plenty of character. Generous without becoming overblown, it’s an excellent everyday white that comfortably punches above its price.
Best Aldi Rosé
Specially Selected Rosorange – £9.99
A rosé with more texture and personality than many pale summer bottles. Bright red fruit meets citrus pith and a gentle savoury edge, making it as good with food as it is on its own.
Best Aldi Red Wine
Specially Selected Pinot Noir Reserva – £5.99
Serve this lightly chilled and it really comes into its own. Juicy red fruit, a subtle herbal note and soft tannins make it an easy-drinking summer red.
Best Aldi Sparkling Wine
Nicolas de Montbart Champagne Brut – £13.99
A touch of residual sugar gives this Champagne a rounded, approachable style, balancing crisp citrus fruit with an easy-drinking finish. A reliable bottle for celebrations without stretching the budget.
Best Aldi Picnic Wine
Castellore Organico Organic Prosecco DOC – £7.49
Fresh, fruity and uncomplicated in the best possible way. This organic Prosecco delivers exactly what you want from an easy summer fizz and is perfect for picnics, garden parties and sunny afternoons.
Best Lidl Wines
Lidl’s buying team has long championed lesser-known European regions, often showcasing them through its monthly Wine Tour promotions. The downside is that many of those standout bottles are only available for a limited time before disappearing from the shelves. For this guide, we’ve focused on wines from Lidl’s core range, along with seasonal bottles that are available throughout much of the summer. The range is relatively compact, but there’s a strong emphasis on authenticity, value and rewarding shoppers willing to look beyond the obvious.
Best Lidl White Wine
Deluxe Sauvignon Blanc Reserva Privada – £6.99
Ripe tropical fruit and green pineapple are balanced by fresh acidity and a little more complexity than you’d expect at this price. A confident Sauvignon Blanc that easily overdelivers.
Best Lidl Rosé
Côtes de Provence Premium Wine, Breath of Paradise – £10.99
A convincing Provence-style rosé with bright berry fruit, refreshing acidity and plenty of flavour. If you’re a fan of Whispering Angel, this offers a similar style for less.
Best Lidl Red Wine
Australian Merlot Limestone Coast – £8.49
For those who don’t fancy chilled reds in summer, this smooth, juicy Merlot is a great alternative. Ripe cherry fruit is joined by savoury notes of rosemary, thyme and a touch of gravy granules in the best possible way.
Available in-store
Best Lidl Sparkling Wine
Crémant de Loire – £8.99
Everything you want from an everyday traditional method sparkling wine. Fresh, crisp and reliable, it’s an easy bottle to keep on hand throughout the summer.
Best Wine for Adventurous Drinkers
Lidl Chateau Dereszla Tokaji Brut – £9.99
One of the most unusual sparkling wines we tasted. Crisp green apple, Chinese pear and lively acidity make this an excellent introduction to sparkling Tokaji.
Best Aldi Picnic Wine
Terres du Midi Les Terrasses Wine – £7.49
Packed with fresh red fruit and a gentle pithy texture, this is vibrant, easy-drinking and made for sunny afternoons outdoors.
Best Tesco Wines
Tesco stocks one of the largest wine ranges of any UK supermarket, making it a reliable destination whether you’re looking for an everyday bottle or something for a special occasion. Alongside familiar favourites, the retailer continues to invest in exclusive wines and an increasingly impressive premium own-label range. The breadth of the selection means there really is something for every budget, provided you know where to look.
Best Tesco White Wine
Yealands Reserve Pinot Gris – £12.50
Beautifully aromatic with notes of pear, mandarin and jasmine, this Pinot Gris has lovely texture balanced by bright acidity and lingering minerality. Elegant, refreshing and quietly sophisticated.
Best Tesco Rosé
Tesco Finest Sancerre Rosé – £16
Made from Pinot Noir in the famous Sancerre vineyards, this elegant rosé combines delicate stone fruit and red cherry flavours with a long, crisp finish. A refined bottle that feels worth the extra spend.
Best Tesco Red Wine
Les Terrasses St Nicolas Cabernet Franc – £12.50
Crunchy red fruit sits alongside the classic leafy character Cabernet Franc lovers expect, without ever feeling under-ripe. Fresh, balanced and particularly enjoyable served slightly chilled.
Best Tesco Sparkling Wine
Tesco Finest Premier Cru Brut Champagne – £26
Fine bubbles carry flavours of citrus, green apple, white peach and brioche. A polished Champagne that offers impressive value compared with many big-name houses.
Best Wine for Adventurous Drinkers
Marieta Albariño – £13
The first semi-dry Albariño from Rías Baixas, with a touch of residual sugar adding lovely weight and ripe peach fruit. Ideal for anyone who enjoys their whites with just a hint of sweetness.
Best Value Wine from Tesco
Tesco Finest Steep Slopes Mosel Riesling – £8
A dry Riesling bursting with lime, delicate stone fruit and classic Mosel minerality. Bright, refreshing and exceptional value.
Best Hidden Gem Wine from Tesco
Bonny Doon Le Cigare Orange – £15.50
A beautifully judged orange wine layered with dried mango, stone fruit and gentle grip. Complex enough for orange wine fans, yet approachable enough for curious newcomers.
Best Tesco Picnic Wine
Tesco Finest Prosecco Rosé – £8.50
Bright red berry fruit, lively bubbles and an easy-going style make this exactly the sort of bottle you want to open on a picnic blanket.
Best Sainsbury’s Wines
As you’ll see throughout this guide, we found Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference range consistently delivering some of the supermarket’s strongest bottles, combining dependable quality with excellent value. It’s a range that rewards shoppers willing to look beyond the obvious and explore some of the retailer’s more adventurous picks.
Best Sainsbury’s White Wine
Sainsbury’s Grüner Veltliner, Taste the Difference – £11.50
Bright citrus and lively acidity are joined by the subtle white pepper that makes Grüner Veltliner so distinctive. Fresh, savoury and brilliantly food-friendly
Best Sainsbury’s Rosé
Sainsbury’s Île-de-Beauté Rosé, Taste the Difference – £10.50
A blend of Grenache, Vermentinu, Niellucciu, Syrah and Merlot, offering fresh summer berries with a subtle spicy edge. The influence of Corsica’s sunshine and sea breezes gives it freshness as well as personality.
Best Sainsbury’s Red Wine
Sainsbury’s Château de Pierreux Brouilly – £17
Juicy black fruit, vibrant freshness and plenty of charm. This Cru Beaujolais is packed with fruit while retaining the elegance that makes the region such a joy to drink.
Best Sainsbury’s Sparkling Wine
Sainsbury’s Ellercombe English Sparkling Wine, Taste the Difference – £22
Made using the traditional method, this elegant English sparkling wine balances citrus, green apple and subtle brioche with impressive finesse. A bottle that comfortably competes with wines at a much higher price.
Best Hidden Gem
Sainsbury’s Bandol Rosé, Taste the Difference – £16
A more savoury style of rosé, with wild strawberry, herbs, earth and a gentle salty note. Organic and wonderfully food-friendly, it’s a reminder that rosé can be serious as well as refreshing.
Best Sainsbury’s Picnic Wine
Sainsbury’s Crémant d’Alsace, Taste the Difference – £11.75
A softer, creamier alternative to Champagne, with lemon curd, orchard fruit and gentle richness from bottle ageing. An easy crowd-pleaser for summer gatherings.
Best Asda Wines
Asda’s wine range has improved significantly in recent years and while value remains at the heart of the range, there’s now a broader selection of premium bottles from respected producers, giving shoppers more reasons to trade up without spending a fortune.
Best Asda White Wine
Famille Brocard Vieilles Vignes – £16
Generous stone fruit is balanced by fresh acidity, white pepper and plenty of texture. A beautifully composed white that feels refined without losing its sense of generosity.
Best Asda Rosé
Screaming Devil Côtes de Provence – £13
A classic Provence-style rosé with delicate red fruit and floral freshness. Slightly fuller than some of its rivals thanks to the inclusion of Syrah, giving it extra fruit and spice.
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Best Asda Red Wine
ASDA Extra Special Cru du Beaujolais Fleurie – £10.50
Juicy purple fruit, floral violet aromas and a subtle mineral character make this an elegant summer red. Fresh enough to serve lightly chilled.
Best Asda Sparkling Wine
Asquith Gardens Traditional English Sparkling Wine – £18.25
Traditional method English sparkling wine combining brioche richness with ripe lemon, stone fruit and lively freshness. An impressive bottle that showcases just how good English fizz has become.
Asda’s Best Hidden Gem
Lugana – £12
A crisp northern Italian white with lemon, mineral notes and a distinctive chalky finish. Elegant, refreshing and a brilliant alternative to more familiar Pinot Grigio.
Asda’s Best Picnic Wine
Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Wine Can 200ml – £3.47
Proof that canned wine doesn’t have to compromise on quality. Packed with passionfruit, citrus and fresh herbs, it’s ideal for festivals, picnics and anywhere glass isn’t practical.
Best Co-op Wines
Co-op may have a smaller wine range than many of its competitors, but it’s one of the most carefully curated. The retailer has long championed Fairtrade, ethical sourcing and sustainability, and while the selection isn’t vast, it’s packed with bottles that consistently outperform their price tags.
Best Co-op White Wine
Co-op Irresistible Alvarinho 2024 – £9.15
Fresh, zesty and beautifully balanced, with citrus fruit, subtle stone fruit and a gently nutty finish. An excellent introduction to one of Portugal’s finest white grape varieties.
Best Co-op Rosé
La Petite Laurette du Midi Rosé – £10.95
Bursting with fresh summer berries and soft red fruit, this easy-drinking rosé is made for warm afternoons and long lunches.
Best Co-op Red Wine
Être Affamé Cinsault 2024 – £9.50
Light-bodied with gentle red fruit, savoury spice and just enough tannin to give it structure. Pinot Noir lovers should feel right at home.
Best Co-op Sparkling Wine
Co-op Les Pionniers Champagne Brut – £29.50
One of the UK’s most consistently impressive supermarket Champagnes. Balanced and refined, it’s a bottle we find ourselves recommending year after year.
Best Hidden Gem
Co-op Irresistible Assyrtiko, Macedonia, Greece – £12.75
A brilliant introduction to Greece’s flagship white grape, offering vibrant citrus, mineral freshness and plenty of character.
Best Picnic Wine
Vega Medién Cava Requena Rosé – £13.50
Made entirely from Garnacha, this joyful sparkling rosé is full of fresh strawberry fruit and lively bubbles. A bottle that’s guaranteed to brighten any picnic blanket.
Best Waitrose Wines
Waitrose continues to set the benchmark for premium supermarket wine. Its buyers have a reputation for working with smaller producers, championing lesser-known regions and introducing shoppers to wines they may never have discovered otherwise. While the prices are often a little higher, the quality and originality of the range regularly justify the extra spend.
Best Waitrose White Wine
Tiki Ridge Sauvignon Blanc Reserve – £11
Sourced from New Zealand’s cooler Awatere, Wairau and Waihopai valleys, this Sauvignon Blanc combines passionfruit, guava and citrus with impressive weight and freshness.
Best Waitrose Rosé
UP Ultimate Provence Rosé – £22
Organic and HVE-certified, this elegant Provence rosé offers delicate floral aromas alongside orange citrus and red berry fruit. Light-footed, refined and effortlessly drinkable.
Best Waitrose Red Wine
No.1 Beaujolais Villages – £14.75
Packed with juicy berry fruit, subtle spice and lively acidity, this is a vibrant, versatile red with fine tannins.
Best Waitrose Sparkling Wine
Graham Beck Rosé Brut – £17
South African Méthode Cap Classique packed with crushed red berries, citrus and fine bubbles. Stylish, refreshing and exceptional value.
Best Hidden Gem
Loved & Found Viorica – £9.50
Viorica is a little-known grape from Moldova, producing wonderfully aromatic wines reminiscent of Muscat and Torrontés. Fruity, floral and plenty of fun.
Best Picnic Wine
Cote Mas Rosorange Rosé – £10.25
Packed with quince, cherry, lychee and a gentle pithy freshness, this HVE-certified rosé is bursting with flavour and versatile enough to enjoy on its own or with food.
Best M&S Wines
Consistently investing in its own-label wines and collaborating with producers around the world, M&S has built one of the UK’s strongest and most consistent supermarket wine ranges. Whether you’re spending £8 or £28, there’s a reassuring confidence to the buying, with quality running through every bottle.
Best M&S White Wine
M&S Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi – £8
Organic, zesty and beautifully balanced, with orchard fruit, blossom and a gentle nutty finish. A fantastic-value Italian white.
Best M&S Rosé
Cintu Île de Beauté Corsican Rosé – £10
Delicate citrus and orange blossom sit alongside subtle bitterness, giving this Corsican rosé freshness and character
Best M&S Red Wine
M&S Balfour English Pinot Noir – £22
Soft red fruit, gentle spice and plenty of black pepper combine in a polished English Pinot Noir that’s both elegant and approachable.
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Best M&S Sparkling Wine
M&S Delacourt Cuvée Rosé Champagne Brut – £27
Well balanced, this rosé Champagne combines bright fruit with classic richness, making it an excellent bottle for celebrations.
Best Hidden Gem
M&S Found Encruzado – £8.50
Fresh, vibrant and a brilliant introduction to one of Portugal’s lesser-known white grape varieties.
Best Picnic Wine
M&S Lisboa Bonita Branco – £8.50
Fresh, zesty and unoaked, with flavours of mandarin, peach and white blossom. An easy-drinking Portuguese white that’s perfect for sharing outdoors.
A Few Final Thoughts
Looking back over this year’s selections, a few themes begin to emerge.
Perhaps most noticeably, we’ve included several English wines. That shouldn’t come as a surprise. Summer is the season when freshness and acidity really come into their own, and England’s cool climate is naturally suited to producing exactly those styles. More importantly, it’s a reminder of just how far English wine has come, as today’s best bottles are not chosen because they’re local; but because they genuinely deserve a place among the best supermarket wines on the shelf.
We’ve also found ourselves returning to a few classics. Beaujolais, for example, may have lost some of its shine over the years, but served lightly chilled it’s one of the most enjoyable reds you can drink in summer. Likewise, grape varieties such as Grüner Veltliner, Alvarinho and Assyrtiko continue to prove that looking beyond Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc often rewards curious drinkers.
Finally, don’t be afraid to try something unfamiliar. Some of our favourite bottles this year came from grape varieties and regions that many shoppers may never have heard of. One of the pleasures of supermarket wine today is that you no longer have to visit a specialist merchant to discover something new. Sometimes all it takes is wandering a little further along the aisle.
What is the best supermarket wine under £10?
Our favourite bottles under £10 this summer include Tesco Finest Steep Slopes Mosel Riesling, M&S Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, Co-op Irresistible Alvarinho and Aldi’s Specially Selected Sauvignon Blanc Reserva. Each offers excellent quality without stretching the budget.
Are supermarket own-label wines any good?
Absolutely. Throughout this guide you’ll notice that a significant number of our recommendations come from supermarket own-label ranges, particularly M&S, Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference and Tesco Finest. They are often made by or with highly respected producers and offer excellent value for money.
How did slake choose these wines?
Our recommendations are based on wines we’ve tasted throughout the year, alongside seasonal supermarket tastings. Every bottle is selected on its quality, value, suitability for summer and whether we’d genuinely buy it again ourselves. We also consider sustainability credentials wherever possible.
Why don’t you recommend wines under £7?
As an editorial policy, we generally don’t recommend wines below £7. While there will always be exceptions, we believe that once grape growing, production, transport, duty and VAT are taken into account, it becomes increasingly difficult for wines at very low prices to deliver both quality and a fair return for the people producing them.
How often is this guide updated?
We refresh this guide every summer, removing discontinued wines, adding new recommendations and updating vintages, prices and tasting notes where necessary. If you found it useful, bookmark the page and check back each year for our latest picks.
Which supermarket has the best wine?
As you can see from this guide there’s no outright winner. Aldi and Lidl continue to lead on value, Waitrose and M&S excel at the premium end, while Tesco and Sainsbury’s offer the broadest all-round ranges. Which is “best” depends on what you’re looking for.
Looking for another season?
- Best UK Supermarket Wines for Spring
- Best UK Supermarket Wines for Autumn
- Best UK Supermarket Wines for Christmas