Waitrose’s buyers are clearly making an active effort to consolidate and diversify the retailer’s options under the £20 mark. Not an easy feat in times of many operational and economic challenges. While some styles and regions seem to have suffered with more austere buying choices (it would be great to see more adventurous options from Portugal, South Africa and Australia for example), there are still plenty of enticing bottles to stock up on for the hopefully warmer and longer days ahead.
Own-labels: interesting and safe choices
Waitrose’s own ranges – Blueprint, No1 and Loved & Found – continue to offer some of the most interesting buys, both from a quality and diversity, as well as value perspective. Loved & Found’s rotating expressions of lesser-known grape varieties – featured below are a moreish Bourbolenc and a delicious pink Caladoc – are among the most interesting seasonal buys at the supermarket. They’ll also work as good conversation starters for the garden parties and lazy brunches the next few months call for.
The Blueprint and No1 collections, on the other hand, continue to be sources of great-value classics, some of them produced by renowned winemakers. Unpretentious, textbook examples of their styles and regions, these are safe choices that don’t break the bank.
Classics of freshness
Speaking of textbook examples, Waitrose’s selection now has multiple quintessentially summery options that evoke sea-kissed destinations. Two iterations of Vinho Verde – one of which a rosé – alongside an Assyrtiko from the Peloponnese (the Mediterranean in a glass) or a crowd-pleasing blend of Piquepoul and Terret Blanc from the Languedoc, are among those you should feel safe to buy by the caseload. All under £13, they are refreshing fridge-door staples.
Barbecue Season
Conversely, and perhaps counterintuitively, Waitrose’s spring/summer selection also has a good line-up of unapologetically hefty reads – think Valpolicella Ripasso, Brunello de Montalcino and Rioja Crianza. Classy options for barbecue season, marrying intensity with savoury lift and smoky depth. (Remember to chill them ever so slightly if the weather is too hot!)
The quality and value of South American Cabernet Sauvignon also features prominently, suggesting that, Argentinian Malbec notwithstanding, these are some of the best wines to stock up on during barbecue season. Unlike the more robust counterparts above, these are medium-bodied and have a delicious vegetal lift, with a crunchy, energetic bite. Waitrose has great options from Chile and Argentina – I’ve highlighted two Chilean iterations below. Again, a cooling touch will benefit your drinking experience and outline the vegetal verve.
On the topic of chillable reds: go for a Sancerre Pinot Noir or a juicy Zweigelt from Burgenland – Waitrose’s listings suggested below deliver great value, from two classic producers.
Pop that fizz
Waitrose’s sparkling range continues to show diversity and consistent quality. The choice, from different styles and geographies, will take you from Italy to England, by way of Spain and the inevitable Champagne – moreish, food-friendly bottles and refreshing, straightforward alternatives, perfect as crowd-friendly aperitifs.
As ever, it’s also worth looking at the fortified section, always a stand-out chez Waitrose. Summer highlights include an outstanding Sherry line-up, including the delicious Fino that one must simply have fridge-ready, with some olives and salted almonds. The pure flavour of summer.
Waitrose & Partners: top buys this spring and summer
All bottle prices are correct at time of publication and do not reflect special or multi-buy offers. Wines are grouped by style and ordered by score, in descending order.
