Becky Paskin, an award-winning drinks writer with 20 years of experience, has tasted and selected the best Sainsbury's wines for summer 2025. From a debut Pet Nat to a classic Champagne, these wines are perfect for picnics, barbecues, and garden gatherings.
How the Wines Were Tested
All wines were chilled before tasting, with only one bottle removed from the fridge at a time to maintain temperature. Paskin nosed and tasted from an elegant white wine glass designed for sparkling wines and chilled reds to maximise aromatics. The glass was rinsed with water between samples, and all samples were spat to avoid intoxication affecting judgment, following standard wine competition protocol.
Best Overall: Sainsbury's Fronton Négrette Rosé 2025
Rating: ★★★★☆
Best for: A summer aperitif or paired with cured meats
Price: £8.75, 75cl, 12.5% ABV
This Taste the Difference rosé offers intense aromas of strawberries and raspberries from the Négrette grape, which is low in tannin and acid. Despite the fruit, it remains a dry rosé with citrus, liquorice, and mineral earthiness. Paskin calls it "an absolute bargain."
Best for Barbecues: Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Discovery Gemischter Satz 2025
Rating: ★★★★☆
Best for: Pairing with barbecued chicken
Price: £10, 75cl, 12.5% ABV
This Austrian field blend of Grüner Veltliner, Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay, and Pinot Blanc delivers sweet floral aromas of honeysuckle and orange blossom, with flavours of fresh fruits, blood orange, green apple, and toasted nuts. It's a unique and delightful wine for summer.
Best Sauvignon Blanc: Sainsbury's Coolwater Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2025
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Best for: Die-hard fans of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
Price: £10, 75cl, 12% ABV
Produced by Yealand Estate, this wine is vibrant and tropical with notes of fresh pineapple, ripe peaches, and limes, plus a minerality from its maritime climate. It pairs well with Manchego cheese and peach slices.
Best Crémant: Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Crémant de Loire NV
Rating: ★★★★★
Best for: Summer celebrations
Price: £12.50, 75cl, 12% ABV
Made from 85% Chenin Blanc and 15% Chardonnay using the traditional method, this Crémant is aged on lees for twice the appellation minimum. It offers lemon and quince flavours with biscuity notes and creaminess, offering excellent value.
Best Champagne: Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Blanc de Noirs Brut Champagne NV
Rating: ★★★★★
Best for: Bougie summer gatherings
Price: £26, 75cl, 12% ABV
Made from 53% Pinot Noir and 47% Pinot Meunier, this Champagne features red berry flavours of strawberries and raspberries with fresh lemon and toasty biscuitiness. Paskin recommends serving it with strawberries and cream.
Best Pet Nat: Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Discovery Pet Nat NV
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Best for: Sparkling or natural wine fans
Price: £12, 75cl, 11% ABV
Sainsbury's first Pet Nat is a gently sparkling natural wine from Chardonnay, Muscat, and Ugni Blanc. It's slightly sweet, with aromatic florals, peach stone, and citrus, and undertones of baked goods. Paskin calls it "a wonderful introduction to this unique style."
Best Gavi: Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Gavi di Gavi 2024
Rating: ★★★★☆
Best for: Sipping alongside strawberries and cream
Price: £13, 75cl, 12% ABV
Produced by Araldica, a cooperative founded in 1954, this 100% Cortese wine is fresh, bright, and ripe with stone fruit, apricot, and grapefruit, finishing with crisp lemon and tart green apple. It offers more structure than typical Sauvignon Blanc.
Best Celebrity Rosé: Sainsbury's Queen Côtes de Provence Rosé 2025
Rating: ★★★★☆
Best for: Rock ‘n’ roll fans
Price: £18, 75cl, 13% ABV
This classic Provence rosé blends 70% Grenache and 30% Cinsault for flavours of wild strawberries, blood orange, and redcurrants. The bottle features a glass stopper, but Paskin notes the price may reflect the brand name.
Best Chilled Red: Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Discovery Frappato Terre Siciliane 2025
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Best for: Serving with barbecued meats and pizza
Price: £9, 75cl, 12.5% ABV
This light, chillable red offers black cherries, blackberries, and pepper with enough acidity to balance its earthiness. Paskin recommends it for summer barbecue meats.
Top Pick
Paskin's overall recommendation is the Taste the Difference Fronton Négrette Rose 2025 at £8.75, calling it "an absolute steal" and "a superbly aromatic strawberry field of a rosé." She suggests pairing it with strawberries and cured meats.
