Good wine doesn’t have to be expensive. Supermarkets are now stocked with excellent bottles, whether you’re after a crisp white for alfresco drinking or a robust red to accompany a Sunday roast. Social media has played a significant role in making wine more accessible, with viral sensations like the £10.99 ‘chicken wine’ (La Vieille Ferme rosé) and Aldi’s award-winning sauvignon blanc driving demand. TikTok personalities such as Lucy Hitchcock (@Partnerinwineuk) often cause bottles to sell out at M&S and Waitrose, while influencers like Hannah Crosbie and Tom Gilbey help demystify wine for everyday drinkers.
‘Wine is a whole aisle now, as people want more variety as well as value, and supermarkets have wisely chosen to invest in their wine buyers and relationships with producers – because this is how most of us buy our wine,’ says Libby Brodie, wine consultant and columnist. This trend extends to supermarket champagne and whisky, where growing demand has led to wider selections and higher quality. According to Sinead Murdoch, sommelier and co-founder of restaurant Tasca, ‘Now top wine buyers are working for supermarkets, and the growing competition is raising the standard of what ends up on the shelves.’ Shoppers can now find bottles that rival those in specialist wine shops without breaking the bank.
To help you navigate the aisles, we consulted sommeliers and trusted wine experts for their top supermarket picks. Below are the bottles worth adding to your basket right now.
1. Altos de Torona Albariño
Best crisp white wine
ABV 12.5% | Country: Spain
‘If you like crisp and fresh wines, like sauvignon blanc or pinot gris, then this Albariño is one to try,’ says Katie Brook. ‘It's zesty, with a touch of apricot, lime and even a salty edge.’ Perfect for summer, Brook recommends pairing it with seafood. £15 £12 from Waitrose.com
2. Visio Vintners We the People Cape Blend 75cl
Best wine for barbecues
ABV 13% | Country: South Africa
‘It's barbecue season, and if there's anything the South Africans know how to do, it's cook over a fire,’ Brook notes. ‘This South African red blend is predominantly Pinotage – a bold grape native to the country. You'll find a bottle at every BBQ.’ Smooth, fruity, and a little smoky, chill it for 20 minutes before serving with grilled lamb chops, burgers, and charred veggies. £10 from Tesco.com
3. Waitrose Loved & Found Moschofilero Rosé
Best rosé wine
ABV 12.5% | Country: Greece
‘If you love a food-friendly wine, then you're going to love this,’ says Lucy Hitchcock. ‘For those who love Côtes de Provence but want to step outside their comfort zone, this dry Greek rosé offers a fragrant, zesty twist with citrus, peach, cherry and a hint of rose.’ At less than £10, it’s an affordable crowd-pleaser. £8 £7 from Waitrose.com
4. La Balconne Organic Provence Rosé
Best Whispering Angel alternative
ABV 12.5% | Country: France
‘This elegant rosé blends seven grapes from across Provence into a silky-smooth wine bursting with raspberry, peach, citrus and a hint of rosemary,’ Hitchcock says. ‘The perfect sunshine sipper to make any summer moment feel extra special.’ £16 from Ocado.com
5. LB7 Vinho Verde
Best Vinho Verde wine
ABV 10% | Country: Portugal
‘Not only is this wine just 10% ABV, it's aromatic, zesty, and has a tiny spritz, too,’ Brook explains. ‘Vinho verde is Portugal's flagship white, and it's possibly one of the most refreshing wines on a warm day.’ £9 from Majestic.co.uk
6. Oxney Organic Estate Brut Rosé NV
Best sparkling wine
ABV 12% | Country: England
English wine often gets a bad rap, but Sinead Murdoch describes this Sussex bottle as ‘a wonderful fizz. There’s nothing better than enjoying something made closer to home. This sparkling wine has a real energy to it. It’s full of exciting, racy lemon and green apple skin notes that are balanced out perfectly by raspberries and strawberries.’ It has that classic English countryside orchard feel, ideal as a summer barbecue aperitif. £30 from Oxneyestate.com
7. Morrisons The Best Vinho Verde
Best subtle spritz wine
‘I'm currently obsessed with vinho verde,’ says Hitchcock. ‘It's got a subtle spritz which makes it super refreshing.’ Described as bright and zesty, this bottle is just 10% ABV. ‘The Vinho Verde bursts with lime and pear making it the ultimate refreshing sip for sunny days and laid-back summer lunches.’ £9 from Morrisons.com
8. Waitrose Cave de Lugny Crémant de Bourgogne
Best wine served with cheese
ABV 11.5% | Country: France
‘As close to champagne as you can get, this Crémant blanc de blanc is made the same way, from the same grape, but from just down the road in Burgundy,’ says Libby Brodie. ‘Fresh, flavourful with a creamy effervescence – this is heaven with a baked camembert.’ £17 £13 from Waitrose.com
9. Codorníu Gran Crémant Eco Vintage Brut
Best alternative wine to Champagne
ABV 11.5% | Country: Spain
‘Cava offers exceptional value when you're looking for an alternative to champagne,’ says Brook. ‘Made with the same method as champagne – a second fermentation in the bottle to get those vibrant bubbles – it's a refreshing alternative, and this one's rich, creamy, and delicious.’ This cava from Co-op is perfect for celebrations. £10 from Asda.com
Your questions about supermarket wines answered
What are the best supermarket wines for 2026?
For a crisp white wine suitable for dinner dates or festive parties, the Altos de Torona Albariño from Waitrose is a steal at only £12, while the Loved & Found moschofilero rosé from Waitrose offers something more innovative. For celebrations, opt for Co-op’s Codorníu gran crémant eco vintage brut. Bright and fresh, Morrisons’ the best vinho verde lives up to the social media hype.
Meet the experts
We spoke to qualified wine consultants, restaurant sommeliers, TikTok-viral influencers, and wine critics to find the best bottles to sip in 2026. Libby Brodie is a qualified wine consultant and founder of Bacchus & Brodie Wine Consultancy. Katie Brook is a journalist specialising in wine and founder of Run To Wine. Sinead Murdoch is a sommelier and co-founder of Tasca restaurant in London. Lucy Hitchcock is the wine enthusiast behind @Partnerinwineuk, with nearly 100k on Instagram and 65k on TikTok.
