Drinks expert Becky Paskin has selected the 10 best Waitrose wines for summer, highlighting a trend toward full-flavoured mid-strength wines and an expanding range of chillable reds. Her top pick is the Waitrose Loved & Found Vermentinu Rosé Brut NV at £9.50, praised for its fruity, fragrant profile and bargain price.
Expert Tasting Method
Paskin tasted every new wine in Waitrose's range, chilling all bottles before tasting and using a white wine glass designed for sparkling wines and chilled reds. She rinsed the glass with water between samples and spat after tasting to maintain objectivity, following standard competition practice.
Top Picks and Notable Trends
The selection includes a mix of styles, from the budget-friendly Waitrose Blueprint Sauvignon Blanc at £7.90 to the premium Quinta da Fonte Souto Florão 2024 at £15, ideal for gifting. Paskin notes a growing number of chillable reds, with labels instructing consumers to refrigerate them, and praises the quality of Portuguese wines.
Among the highlights are the Royal Palmeira Loureiro 2020 Vinho Verde, described as one of the best examples of its style in supermarkets, and the Waitrose Loved and Found Grolleau Gris 2025, a rare Loire Valley grape with a lower 8.5% ABV. For cheese and charcuterie, she recommends the Darling Cellars Old Bush Vines Chenin Blanc 2023, made from vines over 40 years old.
Chilled Reds and Food Pairings
The Tread Softly Pinot Noir from South Australia is suggested for pairing with salmon or duck, while the Gérard Bertrand Le Chouchou 2025, a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault, is designed to be served chilled. Paskin advises lightly chilling the Pinot Noir for 30 minutes to enhance its vibrant fruit notes.
For those seeking to moderate alcohol, the Dr. Loosen Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Kabinett 2023 offers a light, fresh option at 8% ABV. The Muja Rioja Rosado 2025, a dry rosé from sustainably farmed vineyards, is recommended for pairing with creamy summer desserts.
Paskin concludes that Waitrose's range offers unbeatable variety, and she urges readers to hurry to secure the limited-edition Vermentinu Rosé Brut NV, which is likely to sell out quickly.
