Aidy’s drinks cabinet: Best supermarket wines, from Aldi, Waitrose and beyond

With so much choice on the supermarket shelves, it’s often quite hard to work out which of the wines on offer will be up your street. That’s where I come in.

Each year I taste thousands of wines and spirits with a mission to highlight the best of the best. Since the beginning of the year, hundreds of the bottles I’ve tried have come from the country’s supermarkets — and many of them are worthy of your money.

Here, I’ve picked out one bottle from each of the major stores, so that next time you find yourself heading down the vino aisle, you’ll know what to drop in your basket. Enjoy.

Lidl: Crémant de Loire

Here’s a sparkly option for those who like a little fizz in their lives. Crémant, sourced from the Loire region of France, is produced exactly the same way as Champagne, but at a fraction of the cost — the only difference is the grape varieties that go into it, which in this case are Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay. Taste-wise, think treacle brioche with caramelised apples and pears dunked in honey. There’s a crisp freshness of lemons and citrus rounded out by a soothing texture and sweetness.

£8.49, Lidl

Morrison’s: The Best English Sparkling Vintage 2010

If I’m being totally honest, I tend to struggle with Morrisons’ wine selection. That said, there are a few hidden gems and this English sparkling wine is one of them. Our country is going from strength to strength when it comes to fizz; these days, it’s not at all unheard of to be able to walk into a supermarket and pick up a fantastic bottle of something local. This one has spent around eight years aged on the lees, which gives it a creamy texture. Expect a harmony of apple, nectarine and pineapple with a rich honey brioche, toasted almonds and waxy orange rind. There’s a heck of a lot going on in this bottle, but at £25 for a 2010 vintage, it’s an absolute steal. I’d definitely choose it over Champagne at the same price point.

£25, Morrisons

M&S: M&S Classics No. 39 Sauvignon Blanc 2020

If you know what you like, and what you like is a good Sauvignon Blanc, you’re in safe hands here. New Zealand’s Marlborough region is famed for its tropical-tasting, citrussy stunners, and that’s exactly what you can expect here. Lashings of pineapple, mango, guava and kiwi meet a zesty burst — it’s very moreish. Perfectly paired with a long and comforting sigh as you put your feet up on the sofa.

£9, M&S

ASDA: Le Manoir du Baron Viognier

This floral, fruity, French love bomb of a bottle is perfect for those warm afternoons we keep being graced with as spring slowly becomes summer. Jasmine and hibiscus greet you on the nose with oodles of fresh orchard fruits, apples and pears — it’s delightful on its own, but versatile enough to be paired with fish, chicken, lamb, veggies… the list goes on. It’s also got a slightly oily texture, which is something I’ve come to adore about Viognier, a hugely underrated grape variety.

£4.70, ASDA

Sainsbury’s: DV Catena Chardonnay

While Argentina may be known for its Malbec, it may surprise you to know that some of the best Chardonnay in the world grows from these soils too. Catena Zapata is one of the most notable wineries in the country, perched at the foothills of the Andres Mountains, and it’s responsible for this bottle, packed full of sunshine and heat. Take a sip and you’ll taste creamy oak with a fruity balance of pineapple, peach, yellow plum and nectarine. It’s another absolute bargain for the price, and something I frequently put in front of any Chardonnay non-believers to easily convert them.

£12 (reduced to £10 if you buy six or more), Sainsbury’s

Waitrose: Mirabeau Pure Rosé

Say hello to my go-to rosé. What I love about this winery is that they have a variety of different Provençal rosés at different price points, all of which serve a purpose. For me, this is the flagship, guaranteed to fill you with joy at each and every sip. An abundance of ripe strawberries burst from the glass with a bright and expressive splash of fruit. Raspberry, apricot, clementine and rhubarb all make their presence known. A harmonising balance of freshness and smooth vanilla texture glides into the finish. A must-try, no question.

£15.49, Waitrose

ALDI: Chinese Cabernet Sauvignon

I bet you didn’t expect this one did you? ALDI are absolutely owning it when it comes to their wine choices. Every time I try their portfolio, their ability to think outside of the box puts a gleaming smile on my face, and another year running, they’ve done it again. The region of Ningxia, where this bottle derives from, continues to attract the attention of big wine personalities who dare to explore this unique terroir. At 14.5 per cent it packs a bit of a punch, but it has the flavour to back it up. Intensely rich tones of black cherry, dark plum and stewed raspberry jump out, followed by gentle hints of tobacco, milk chocolate, baking spices and elegant oak. Grab your decanter and make this the talk of the table.

£14.99, ALDI

Tesco: Tesco Finest Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2017

If big, deep, dark red wines are your language, this one’s for you. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a stunning region from the Southern Rhône, steeped in heritage and winemaking history; they’ve been producing wine here for centuries. This blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre forms an incredible unity on the palate, offering flavours of plum, mocha, cocoa, bergamot and liquorice. It’s a wine for those who aren’t afraid to drink big, love tannins and enjoy the feeling of your tongue being hugged by the wine as you sip. Perfect for hearty meaty dishes — lasagne, spaghetti bolognese, steak — or simply for winding down in the evening.

£18, Tesco

Co-op: Vila Real Rabelo Douro Red

When it comes to red wines, Portugal is becoming more and more popular — it’s not all about those sticky, gorgeous ports. The Portuguese have been making still wines for centuries and have mastered the art of making wine from a grape named Touriga Nacional. This wine offers up blackberry and black cherry pie with a dollop of brown sugar, followed by raspberries, chocolate, tobacco and a slight earthiness on the finish. I love the boujee cork on this particular bottle, too.

£6, Co-op

Aidy Smith is an award-winning drinks expert, writer, and presenter of The Three Drinkers TV Series on Amazon Prime. Follow him @Sypped