From Rioja reserva to Tesco Finest Chablis, a wine expert shares the best deals on the supermarket shelves right now
‘Tis the season to be jolly, and what could be jollier than a lovely glass of something special to toast the big day?
Whether it is a crisp, refreshing white you want to pair with a prawn cocktail starter, a bold, red that can handle the richness of a full Christmas dinner, or a curveball rosé for your Boxing Day lunch, theres something for everyone – and it doesn’t have to break the bank.
Here are some of the best bargain bottles out there for your festive celebrations…
A glass of white is perfect with fish, pork or turkey curry
Whites
1. Costellore Fiano Terre Siciliane 2024
Italy, £5.99, Aldi
With herb-dusted pear, peach and apple flavours, backed by a thread of fresh citrus, this goes perfectly with grilled scallops.
2. Cono Sur Bicicleta Viognier 2024
Chile, £6 with Nectar, from 10 December until New Year’s Day (usually £8), Sainsbury’s
A fresh style of viognier with apricot and peach flavours. A great match with roast pork or lightly curried turkey.
3. Finest Côtes de Gascogne 2024
France, £6.75 with Clubcard until New Year’s Eve (usually £7.50), Tesco
Zingy flavours from Colombard with a splash of Gros Manseng adding apricot and lime notes. Good on its own or with grilled white fish.
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4. Masseria Pietrossa Verdeca 2024
Puglia, Italy, £7.50 with More Card until New Year’s Day (usually £9), Morrisons
Light, crisp, white peach and lemon flavours from the heel of Italy, with a hint of spice and enough weight to cope with roast chicken.
5. Mason’s Kloof Stellenrust Chenin Blanc 2025
South Africa, £7.97 until 18 December (usually £9.97), Asda
Crunchy apple, pear and ripe melon flavours with a hint of vanilla make this a perfect partner for grilled fish, chicken or pork.
6. Tewara Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024
New Zealand, £8, Marks & Spencer
Like a cold shower for the taste buds, with bright, zesty citrus and tropical fruit, this sets up your appetite for dinner.
7. Finest Chablis 2024
France, £10 with Clubcard until New Year’s Eve (usually £15), Tesco
Snap up this citrus-filled, crunchy chablis while it is on offer. This is the wine to pour with a seafood starter.
Find a tipple good enough for the big day
8. Rose & Rose Pinot Grigio 2024
Marlborough, New Zealand, £9 on a mix-six deal until New Year’s Eve (usually £10), Majestic
Clear ripe pear fruit, with fresh citrus and a long finish, sets this ahead of many pinot grigios. A stylish choice for a cold buffet.
9. Mâcon-Lugny Les Charmes 2023
Burgundy, France, £10 while stocks last (usually £17.50), Waitrose
Smooth peach and melon flavours with enough savoury complexity to cope with roast chicken, turkey or salmon. Good enough for the main event.
Rosés
10. Taste the Difference Île-de-Beauté Rosé 2024
Corsica, France, £8.25 with Nectar, from 10 December until New Year’s Day (usually £10.25), Sainsbury’s
Why wait for springtime to enjoy rosé again? This has juicy cherry and strawberry fruit and will happily accompany turkey with cranberry sauce.
11. Le Bijou de Sophie Valrose Rosé 2024
Coteaux de Béziers, France, £8.30 until 30 December (usually £11.30), Waitrose
With delicate floral aromas alongside wild strawberry fruit and lemon and lime notes, this is a winner for a Boxing Day buffet.
Reds
12. Specially Selected Cairanne 2024
Rhône, France, £4.99 while stocks last (usually £8.99), Aldi
Last year, this deal ran out in four days, so dash to Aldi right now and check out this smooth-tasting, damson- and bramble-filled wine.
13. Deluxe Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
South Australia, £6.99, Lidl
From the red soil of Coonawarra, this full-bodied wine has bags of blackcurrant and plum fruit and goes well with beef, sausages or cheese. Outstanding value.
14. Taste the Difference Gamay Comté Tolosan 2024
South-west France, £7.50 with Nectar from 10 December until New Year’s Day (usually £9), Sainsbury’s
Ripe, juicy cherry and blackberry flavours in this gamay from the Gaillac region of France. Perfect with a late-night turkey and cranberry sauce sandwich.
These reds are bursting with flavour
15. La Reine Collection Montagne-St-Emilion 2023
Bordeaux, France, £8.24 until 18 December (usually £9.47), Asda
Really good claret at an excellent price, this has creamy, juicy merlot fruit, with cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc adding gentle structure and complexity.
16. Villa Cafaggio Organic Chianti Classico 2022
Tuscany, Italy, £10 while stocks last (usually £16), Waitrose
An absolute bargain – so fill your wine rack with this elegant spiced black cherry, plum and savoury truffle-filled wine.
17. Famille Perrin Ventoux 2024
Rhône, France, £9 on a mix-six deal until 15 December (usually £10), Majestic
High-altitude vineyards and exceptional winemaking from Perrin make this a robust, cherry and blackberry-filled wine with herbs and a complex style.
18. St Hallett ‘Faith’ Shiraz 2023
Barossa, Australia, £10 with Clubcard until New Year’s Eve (usually £13), Tesco
Deep blueberry and blackberry fruit layered with spice and chocolate, wrapped in smooth tannins. Pour alongside beef for the perfect match.
19. Classics No.38 Pinot Noir 2024
Marlborough, New Zealand, £10, Marks & Spencer
A light, silky style of pinot with red and black cherry fruit, redcurrants and a hint of earthy forest floor.
20. Baron de Ley Rioja Reserva 2020
Spain, £10 until 2 January (usually £13.15), in-store at Co-op
Lifted raspberry aromas underpinned by darker fruits, spice and vanilla with smooth, supple tannins. Perfect with roast chicken or even the turkey.
Dining and Cooking