Don’t mind me. I’ve just come back from tasting of 150 Tesco wines.
That’s not a flex, by the way. I do it all for you and you’re welcome.
Miraculously, I’m not even staggering down the street clutching onto a lamppost. That’s because I’m a professional and I was tasting and spitting.
Yes, you can insert your own spitting jokes in here, I’ve heard them all.
But a quick word of warning. Even if you do spit (steady on), you’re still absorbing alcohol. The mucus membranes in your mouth absorb a small amount as you taste. So while you’re taking in roughly ten times less alcohol than by actually drinking, studies suggest around 5-7% still sneaks in.
Which explains why, after a long wine tasting, you can still feel a bit, let’s say, ‘philosophically lighter’.
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Anyway, back to Tesco.
Once spring rolls around, the supermarkets whip out their new-season wine ranges for the press. It’s a bit like fashion week, only with fewer sunglasses worn indoors and less posing.
The new collections are showcased, based on the latest trends. The key difference is that instead of watching models glide down a catwalk, we’re standing around swirling, sipping and spitting, in that order.
This year, Tesco’s tasting was a particularly confident one. Seventy new wines have been added to the line-up, alongside updated vintages of existing favourites. There are three new additions to the Finest range, and unsurprisingly, a significant emphasis on rosé. Because, as the British public, we lurch towards anything pink-coloured at the slightest hint of sunshine. As we should.
So, why is Tesco consistently one of the stronger supermarket wine ranges?
There’s no secret sauce, it’s an attitude thing. Quite simply, the buying team is willing to take calculated risks. They’re okay with stepping slightly off the beaten track, leaning into less obvious regions, experimenting with less familiar grape varieties. Backing wines that might not be instant crowd-pleasers but offer something a bit more interesting. While, at the same time providing incredible value among the traditional regions we know and love.
I’m not being sponsored for this, just to clarify.
Crucially, the Tesco team are also pragmatic about it. Something’s not landing? They’ll count it as a key learning, adjust and come back with something else next year.
So, that being said. Here’s my pick of what is landing, all priced under £10.
Sparkling
Wind & Waves Sparkling Vinho Verde NV, Portugal, £9 – New
Brand new to the range, this is a fizzy version of the dry still white wine from the Vinho Verde region of Portugal. Slightly off-dry with lashings of lemon sherbet and green apple zestiness to play with. It’s lightweight, fun, spritzy and crucially only 11% alcohol. Prosecco, who? This is your new party pal.
White
Stormhoek Chenin Blanc Pinot Grigio 2025, South Africa, £5.75 – New
Exhibit A, showing that cheap wine doesn’t have to be bland and uninspiring. Chenin is what South Africa does best, so we’re in good hands. This version is soft, dry and yellow appley, with an appealing honey note in the background. It won’t change your life, but it will certainly improve your Tuesday.
Prima Luna Frascati 2025, Italy £6.75
From the Lazio region, just below Rome. The wine isn’t a million miles from Pinot Grigio in style, so if you’re a fan, this is a risk-free sidestep. This is clean, dry, lightly floral with a saline minerality and a kick of peach pith on the palate. Very decent for the price, a perfect one to twist open when the sun next appears.
2 Banks Winery Assyrtiko & Malagouzia 2025, Greece, £8.50 – New
This is where Tesco cranks up the interest-factor to 11. If anyone asks what the grapes are, Assyrtiko is pronounced ‘Ass-ear-tea-koh’, and that’s really the only one you need to know. This is a belter as a Sauvignon Blanc alternative, with similar characteristics. Everyone will love it, guaranteed.
Rosé
Atlantique Merlot Rosé 2025, France, £7.75
Not a new addition – a coastal wine with soft, dry, cushiony strawberries and cream flavours going on. It’s made around the Bordeaux region, to the Southwest of France, going to show that you don’t have to pay Provence prices for something pale, dry and fruity. People are talking about this brand, some might say obsessively. Go get some.
Arc du Soleil AOP Sable Camargue Rosé 2025, France, £9.75
Camarge is the latest ‘hot’ place to find pale, dry and intense rosé, guaranteed to soar in price when people find out. Languishing in sunlight, cool breezes and sandy beaches, Camargue is located where the Rhône river delta meets the Mediterranean sea. This one is made by the same family who make Brangelina’s Chateau Miraval. Snap, it, up!
Faustino V Rioja Rosado 2024, Spain, £9.75 – New Vintage
We should all be buying rosé that is deeper in colour, because it delivers a flavour intensity unlike its paler cousins. Like this Spanish one, bone dry, with strawberry sherbet, cream and flicker of baking spice. It’s made from Tempranillo, the principal grape used in Rioja. You’ve probably tried the red wines of Faustino, they’re very good, and so is this.
Red
El Caserio Mendoza Malbec 2025, Argentina, £6.50 New
Cheap Argentinian Malbec can be a bit simplistic and dodgy. Not this one, it really surprised me with its complexity for the price. A smoky nose led to fleshy mulberry, damson and savoury meaty notes, followed by a touch of spice. No wonder, it’s from a top-notch cooperative in the high-altitude Uco Valley. I was impressed.
Val Duna Romanian Merlot NV, £7.50 – New
One of my stars of the show. The label is eye-catching. It’s from Romania, which isn’t on everyone’s radar as a wine producing country. It’s Merlot, which not everyone loves. I do, and so should you. Especially when it’s made by a top producer like Reh Kendermann. Think dry, juicy with pomegranate jewels and fresh tomato notes. Loved it.
Jules Lebègue AOP Bordeaux 2024, France, £8 New
New to the range, I think this is pitched perfectly. Merlot-dominated for that softness, with 35% Cabernet Sauvigon for a dry and brambly structure, and a delightful coffee bean finish. This is the approachable side of Bordeaux everyone can get behind, particularly as we start to dust off the barbecue.