Wine expert Tom Gilbey blind-tasted 16 Proseccos from major UK supermarkets and ranked them into three categories: pass, class, and a**e. The selection included brands from Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Tesco, Waitrose, Costco, Lidl, and Aldi, with prices ranging from £6.99 to £22.
Tasting Criteria and Quality Tiers
Gilbey explained that he looked for "apple and pear fruit, crispness, something that's fresh, not to cloying, really clean, and I can guzzle loads of it." He also noted that Prosecco comes in two main quality levels: DOC (standard, covering about 85% of production) and DOCG (premium tier from Conegliano Valdobbiadene or Asolo). However, he stated that classification meant "c**k all" when it came to taste.
The Winners: Three Standout Bottles
Three bottles impressed Gilbey the most, all costing around £11. These were Yellow Tail Prosecco DOC (£11 at Sainsbury's), Freixenet Prosecco DOC (£12.50 at Tesco), and Morrisons' La Gioiosa Prosecco (£10.50). He noted that Yellow Tail and Freixenet are "extra dry," meaning they have a bit more sugar, while La Gioiosa is a Brut, "a very decent little glass of wine."
Disappointments and Overpriced Bottles
Five bottles landed in the a**e category, including a £16.99 Waitrose Prosecco. Gilbey was particularly critical of Maschio Prosecco from Morrisons (£10), calling it "absolutely horrid." He also disliked Terra Organica Prosecco, Canti Prosecco DOC, and Aldi's own-label Prosecco Spumante DOCG. Despite placing Della Vite Prosecco Superiore DOCG (£22 from Waitrose) in the pass category, he warned: "Do not pay £22 for a bottle of Prosecco!"
Pass Category Highlights
Eight bottles made it into the pass category: I Heart Prosecco DOC (£9.25), Lidl's Allini Organic Prosecco DOC (£6.99), Sainsbury's Taste The Difference Conegliano Prosecco (£10), Dolly Wines Prosecco (£10.50), Costco's Kirkland Signature DOCG Prosecco (£8.29), Mionetto Prosecco DOC (£11.50), San Leo Oro Prosecco (£8.25), and Waitrose's Della Vite Prosecco Superiore DOCG (£22). Prices may vary by store and promotions.
Health Advice
According to the NHS, regularly drinking more than 14 units of alcohol a week risks damaging health. 14 units is equivalent to 6 pints of average-strength beer or 10 small glasses of lower-strength wine. Drink responsibly, and for independent advice, visit Drinkaware.
