I sometimes wonder if my friends only really like me for my unending supply of wine recommendations as opposed to my dazzling company, which, to be fair, with a rambunctious four-year old, is definitely more dazed and confused than dazzling these days.
Whether it’s a video call from the aisles of Aldi, or a WhatsApp group hijacked for wine hacks, I really do have a suggestion for every occasion. And it is with this spirit that I wanted to let you into some of my steadfast favourites – along with some foolproof bottles that will see you in good stead – whether you’re after an easy red to go with a spag bol on a Tuesday night, or something to take to a friend’s house that won’t break the bank.
I have a few rules when I’m buying wine in the supermarket. I (mostly) swerve the big brands, as they seldom offer the best value for money, instead, I tend to put more faith in supermarket own labels. I actively select wines from regions that might not be quite as famous: you’re more likely to find the extra value in the bottle, not the marketing. But most importantly, I experiment.
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The joy of wine comes through the discovery and sharing of a bottle, so while it’s nice to have comfort in the predictable, always remember treasures can be unearthed in the unknown.
Sparkling wine
The strongest sparklers were creamy and packed with fruit (Photo: Rosamund Hall)
Alma 4 Phos Pet Nat Chardonnay 2025, Mendoza, Argentina
Tesco, £12, 12.5 per cent ABV
Once the preserve of indy wine bars and shops, it’s great to see “pet nat” available more widely. If you’ve never tried one before, they’re a naturally sparkling wine made by bottling partially fermented wine which finishes fermentation in the bottle, creating delicate bubbles. Expect a fun, frothy glass abundant with ripe red apples, orange peel and delicate white blossom, and a gorgeous, super-fresh, zesty acidity. Don’t be alarmed by its cloudy appearance, it’s unfiltered and tastes delightful.
Cave de Turckheim Organic Crémant d’Alsace, France, NV
Waitrose, £15, 12 per cent ABV
If, like me, you love champagne but your bank balance doesn’t, then reach for this glorious crémant from Alsace instead. A vibrant blend of pinot blanc and gris, which has aged for over two years, it’s creamy with notes of golden pears, baked apples, and licks of buttered toast.
Morrisons ‘The Best’ Crémant de Limoux Sparkling Wine, France, NV
Morrisons, £12.25, 12 per cent ABV
From a lesser-known region, this chardonnay dominant wine has great finesse with curls of lemon and lime peel and bites of green apple. I’d pass on the prosecco and offer this up as a perfect party pour instead.
Tesco ‘Finest’ Premier Cru Brut Champagne, France, NV
Tesco, £26, £22 with club card until 13th October, 12.5 per cent ABV
My go-to out of the supermarket’s own-label champagne, it never disappoints. Sourced from outstanding vineyard sites, expect spoonfuls of creamy lemon posset, ripe apple and a shortbread-biscuit note alongside fine, persistent bubbles.
White wine
A good balance of citrus makes a great white wine (Photo: Rosamund Hall)
Waitrose Blueprint Greek white wine, Greece, 2024
Waitrose, £9, 12.5 per cent ABV
Cheaper than a holiday to Greece, a blend of moschofilero grapes, with a touch of assyrtiko and malagousia, it’s a great example of the superb quality of Greek wine. Soft lemon peel alongside ripe white peaches and lifted, bright, mouth-watering acidity.
Albarino, Laurent Miquel, Lagrasse, France, 2024
Sainsbury’s, £12.75, (£10.75 with Nectar until 14th October) 12.5 per cent ABV
Perhaps the Galicians don’t want you to know this, but Albarino made its way to Spain via French monks from Cluny. This southern French expression has aromas of orchard blossom, pink grapefruit and juicy nectarines with an invigorating spray of mineral freshness.
Marqués de los Zancos Rioja Blanco, Spain, 2024
Tesco, £6.25, 12 per cent ABV
I’ve always thought rioja, and indeed white rioja, is one of the most undervalued wines for its quality. This entry-point example is an uncomplicated, uplifting glass with a bright citrus kick, alongside orchard blossom and fresh green apples.
Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, Marche, Italy, 2024
Coop, £8.65, 12.5 per cent ABV
My go-to suggestion if you’re stuck in a pinot grigio rut. Verdicchio is one of Italy’s most enticing white grapes, and this chic offering delivers lemon zest, soft pear, delicate jasmine blooms and a slightly saline, mineral edge.
Red wine
Surprisingly, rich dark chocolate adds a kick to red wine (Photo: Rosamund Hall)
Errazuriz Estate Reserva Pinot Noir, Chile, 2024
Tesco £9, (£7 with clubcard until 3/11/25), 13 per cent ABV
Chile remains one of the best countries for good value pinot noir. This example from a family-owned estate is brimming with plump cherries, strawberries, rose petals and sweet vanilla spice.
Morrisons ‘The Best’ Chinon, Loire, France, 2024
Morrisons, £9.25, 12.5 per cent ABV
From the spiritual homeland of cabernet franc in the Loire, this simple but enjoyable expression has inky blackcurrants, dried flowers and a hint of fresh green leaf.
Fleurie ‘Les Grappillages’, Laurent Delaunay, Beaujolais, France, 2023
Morrisons, £12, 13 per cent ABV
I adore gamay and the wines of Beaujolais. This expressive, silken smooth example has layers of morello cherry, crushed blackberries alongside a sprinkling of rose petals and violets.
Morrison’s ‘The Best’ Dão, Portugal, 2022
Morrissons, £10, 13 per cent ABV
Portugal is my go-to for great value wines, and this is a super example. It’s abundant with ripe black cherries and blackberries alongside wafts of pipe smoke and cinnamon.
Santodeno Sangiovese Appassimento, Italy, 2023
Sainsbury’s £11.75, (£9.75 with Nectar until 14/10/25), 13.5 per cent ABV
Appassimento refers to a process where the grapes are dried slightly to concentrate the flavours. This is like a baby amarone, with compote berries and cherries alongside rich dark chocolate notes, its velvety smooth and enveloping – find me a fireside and pour me a glass.
Specially Selected, Cairanne, Cru Côtes du Rhône, France, NV
Aldi, (in-store only), £6.99, 14 per cent ABV
I love the “cru” villages in the Rhône, and they offer superb value. This gorgeous, bold Rhône red really delivers. It’s dominated by grenache and is bursting with autumnal plums, ripe damsons, hints of wild rosemary and a lovely toasted mocha note too.
My favourite wines to take to a friend’s house
A fruity wine is the most versatile (Photo: Rosamund Hall)
Tbilvino ‘Qvevris’ Rkatsiteli, Georgia, 2022
Majestic, £12.50 any mixed six (£14 per bottle), 13 per cent ABV
A little left of centre, but utterly beguiling, this amber wine (a traditional method where the skins of the white grapes macerate in the juice to extract colour and texture), is a great conversation piece and is eminently food-versatile. It’s full of ripe, plump apricots, honey poached pears, a delicate white pepper spice and delightful tannic grip.
Reyneke organic cabernet sauvignon/merlot, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2021
Waitrose, £11, 14 per cent ABV
A Bordeaux blend with a South-African twist made by one of the most pioneering winemakers in the region. It has concentrated blackcurrant, red plums, swirls of tobacco smoke and sweet leather and deep, succulent tannins. One for a long lunch with friends.
Bourgogne Aligoté, Châtel-Buis, France, 2023
Waitrose, £14.40, 12.5 per cent
A touch of Burgundy class without a too crazy price tag. Aligoté is a favourite switch for Chablis – this example delivers layers of fresh lemon curd, golden apples and enlivening mineral acidity.
Dining and Cooking