The moment you crack open a bottle of red from Asda this season, you might just hear the faint double tap of a back pocket echoing through the aisles – like Santa’s sleigh bells on a winter breeze. Because yes, they’ve resurrected our favourite childhood tagline, “That’s Asda Price,” and judging by the medals, they’ve earned the right to say it again.
It seems the supermarket once known for value alone has quietly evolved into something far more interesting: a retailer with a genuine eye for finding bottle which offer a good quality-to-price ratio. This year, Asda took home more Great Value Awards at the International Wine Challenge than any other UK supermarket – including one trophy-winning red you’ll find it below.
At the recent tasting, our editor Aleesha Hansel worked her way through 111 wines and came away genuinely impressed. Supermarkets may not be the only place to find good wine, but there’s something reassuring about discovering a few bottles this good where you already do your weekly shop. Here then are our selection of the best red wines at Asda this season.
Best Beaujolais at Asda
Asda Extra Special Fleurie 2023 | £9.98
13%
As expected, a cheerful fruity red wine that’s light-bodied and as easy-drinking charm. Humming with redcurrant and violet it’s worth buying just to chill slightly and pretend you’re in France.
Best Bordeaux at Asda
La Reine Collection Montagne-Saint-Émilion 2023 | £9.47
14%
A left bank bargain. Good black fruit flavour with polite tannins thanks to the Merlot dominance (90%). The wine very much mimics the look of the bottle – no frills but classic.
Best Malbec at Asda
Exceptional by Asda Cahors Malbec 2023 | £7.47
12.5% | Vegan
Don’t expect a jammy Argentine number as this one’s from Cahors – Malbec’s moody homeland. It’s savoury with a cocoa powder, and finely grained tannins. A supermarket wine that feels more premium than the price tag.
Best Merlot at Asda
Asda Extra Special Merlot 2022 | £6.98
14.5% | Vegan
A soft and generous Merlot that will please a crowd. Given a bit more oomph thanks to 15% shiraz – it’s a cosy winter red that doesn’t ask too many questions.
Best Shiraz at Asda
Exceptional by Asda Great Western Shiraz 2023 | £8.77
13.5% | Vegetarian
Australia does full-bodied red wine well and this is no exception. Rich and deep with fruit, it has a touch of bitter on the back palate which keeps it from feeling generic. This is the IWC trophy winner – a level above gold – and we can see why.
Best Italian Red at Asda
Burdizzo Chianti Riserva 2021 | £7.07
12.5% | Vegetarian
A classic Chianti leans more savoury than sweet: with sour cherry and an earthy core. Nice bright acidity with tannins that offer decent grip, it’s the sort of bottle that flatters anything splattered in tomato sauce.
Best Portuguese Red at Asda
Asda Extra Special Douro 2023 | £6.97
13.5% | Vegetarian
Portugal’s Douro Valley doesn’t just make Port; it crafts solid, reliable reds like this consistently. Ripe fruit and ripe tannins but this isn’t a heavy red. Simple and perhaps a little lighter that you might expect but good quality for price.
Best Australian Red at Asda
Penfolds Max’s Shiraz 2022 | £19.97
14.5%
Penfolds is a giant in Australian wine, home to the legendary Grange, with this named after their legendary former Chief Winemaker. Rich, and vibrant black and blue fruit with vanilla and oak. Velvety mouthfeel. Indulgent but sweet or over extracted – the kind of full-bodied red that turns a midweek steak into an occasion.
Best French Red at Asda
Extra Special Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2023 | £19.77
14.5% | Vegan
Nice sweet, dark fruit on the front on the palate although it reads a a little hot on the way down. Lacking some complexity, but if you want a CNDP – for the price it’s great choice.
Best Under-the-Radar Find at Asda
The Wine Atlas Île de Beauté Red 2024 | £6.97
12.5% | Vegan
From Corsica, France’s sun-drenched rebel island, comes this medium bodied fragrant red. Made with the island’s leading grapes Nielluccio (Sangiovese) and Sciacarellu (Mammolo) which give fruit and freshness. Red berries with purple floral hues (mammole means violet).
Best Rioja at Asda
Asda Extra Special Rioja Gran Reserva 2018 | £12.19
14% | Vegan
Very of type. Smooth oak, good purity of fruit, and some smokiness. A full-bodied red wine that feels timeless. Very good quality for price ratio.
Best Cabernet Sauvignon at Asda
Exceptional by Asda Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 | £6.98
14% | Vegetarian
Doesn’t particularly show it’s terroir in the glass, but a very nice wine nethertheless. Bold, structured, and rich, with cassis and eucalyptus wrapped in soft tannins.
Want more? We taste all the supermarkets wines.
Here’s one you might like, if you shop at Tesco:
and one if you shop at Sainsburys:
And if you don’t mind where to shop but are still a bit confused about which red wine you prefer? Check out our article which breaks down the best red wine style for beginners.