Good wine doesn't have to be expensive. Supermarkets are full of great bottles now, whether you want a fresh white wine for drinking outside or a big glass of red wine to pair with a Sunday roast. Social media has played a big part in making wine feel more accessible, with viral bottles like the £10.99 'chicken wine' (La Vieille Ferme rosé) and Aldi's award-winning sauvignon blanc gaining popularity.
According to Libby Brodie, wine consultant and columnist, supermarkets have invested in their wine buyers and relationships with producers because most people buy their wine there. Sinead Murdoch, sommelier and co-founder of restaurant Tasca, adds that top wine buyers now work for supermarkets, raising the standard of what ends up on the shelves.
Experts recommend several standout bottles. For crisp and fresh wines, an Albariño from the supermarket is zesty with apricot, lime and a salty edge, perfect with seafood. A South African red blend, predominantly Pinotage, is smooth, fruity and a little smoky, ideal for barbecues.
For rosé lovers, a dry Greek rosé offers a fragrant, zesty twist with citrus, peach, cherry and a hint of rose, at under £10. Another elegant rosé blends seven grapes from Provence into a silky-smooth wine with raspberry, peach, citrus and rosemary, described as a perfect sunshine sipper.
Vinho verde from Portugal is aromatic, zesty and has a tiny spritz, with just 10% ABV, making it one of the most refreshing wines on a warm day. English sparkling wine from Sussex is also recommended, with racy lemon and green apple notes balanced by raspberries and strawberries, ideal as a summer barbecue aperitif.
