The thought of it is enough to make a wine buff choke on their Chablis. According to a new survey by consumer research group Kantar, one in three UK wine drinkers don’t like spending more than £5 per bottle.
It’s said anything north of that feels too expensive for a quiet night in. But, after a decade of tax hikes and subsequent rising wine prices, sniffing out bottles at this level is becoming increasingly difficult.
Spend £5 on a wine and a staggering 64 per cent of the cost now goes to the Treasury. That’s £2.23 per bottle before VAT. Take out the packaging, shipping and distribution costs — and the retailer’s cut — and you’re left with less than 50p worth of wine in the bottle.
British drinks expert Helen McGinn picked out a selection of the best wines under-£5 in UK stores, including Cotes de Gascogne Colombard Sauvignon Blanc (pictured)
As a former supermarket wine buyer — and a lover of a bargain — I know from experience that cheap doesn’t always mean cheerful. It can mean insipid and downright ropey.
Spend just a little more and you’re likely to get better value for money and a greater choice of wines. The sweet spot, quality-wise, is often between £7 and £9. After that, you’re likely to be paying more because the wine is made in smaller quantities or has a prestigious name.
However, there are plenty of drinkable wines costing a fiver or less. You’ve just got to know where to look. If you just grab a random bottle off the shelf at this price, it’s more likely to be a miss than a hit. But follow my guide and you could come away with a real bargain.
You can now even find organic and Fairtrade wines at this price, as well as ones from famous regions including Beaujolais and Cotes du Rhone. When it comes to countries, head for wines from Spain and France, southern Italy and Chile. They might not linger on the palate, but they won’t leave a bad taste, either.
Here’s a selection of the best of the under-£5 bunch on the shelves…
White
CLEVER BLEND
Cotes de Gascogne Colombard Sauvignon Blanc, £4.99, Lidl
A clever little blend made from the relatively cheap (and relatively bland on its own) Colombard grape, brightened up with aromatic Sauvignon Blanc. It’s from south-west France and tastes like it’s worth at least a couple of quid more. 3/5
DINNER-PARTY STAR
Tesco Vina del Cura Rioja Blanco 2017, £5
Helen says Tesco Vina del Cura Rioja Blanco 2017 (pictured) is lemony with a floral twist, ideal for a dinner party
A glorious white Rioja made from the Viura grape. It’s lemony with a floral twist, and there’s no oak to get in the way of the lovely citrus flavours. It’s dinner-party worthy — no one will guess it’s only a fiver. 5/5
CHRISTMAS PICK
Gers 2018, £5, Marks & Spencer
Helen recommends stocking up on Gers 2018 (pictured) for Christmas parties, she describes the beverage as bright and light
Another gem from Gascony in south-west France. It’s made from the Colombard grape by one of the best co-operative producers there. Bright and light, with hints of ripe pear and crisp apple, this is certainly one to stock up on for Christmas parties. 4/5
FRUGAL FAIRTRADE
Co-op Fairtrade Chenin Blanc 2018, £4.80
Helen says Co-op Fairtrade Chenin Blanc (pictured) from South Africa is like a tropical fruit salad in a glass
The Co-op fields a strong range of Fairtrade wines and, amazingly, some come in at under £5. This one from South Africa is fantastic — think tropical fruit salad in a glass. Fairtrade funds have helped improve a community centre in the region where the wine is made. 3/5
ZESTY SURPRISE
Makaraka Sauvignon Blanc 2018, £4.99, Aldi
Helen claims Makaraka Sauvignon Blanc 2018 (pictured) is a pleasant surprise for a cheap Sauvignon
Cheap Sauvignon is at least usually best approached with caution. But this one from New Zealand is a pleasant surprise. It’s zesty, with enough of that trademark Sauvignon character to not leave your palate feeling cheated.4/5
HARD TO RESIST
Morrisons Soave 2018, £4.35
Helen advises those who are searching for an inexpensive Italian white to try Morrisons’ Soave 2018 (pictured)
If you’re after an inexpensive Italian white with classic, soft lemon flavours and a hint of almond, this is it. OK, so I’d rather have a bottle of Morrisons’ smarter Soave Classico, but, at more than £2 cheaper, it’s hard to resist this bargain. 3/5
Rosé
CITRUS TWIST
Yallaroo Rosé, £4.99, Aldi
Helen says Yallaroo Rosé (pictured) is crisp, has light raspberry flavours and a twist of citrus
From Australia, this is as pale as a Provence rosé, but not quite as dry. It’s crisp, with light raspberry flavours and a twist of citrus. It’s a good-looking bottle, too, if you like that sort of thing. 4/5
OH-SO QUAFFABLE
Waitrose Ripe & Juicy Spanish Rosé, £4.99
Helen says Waitrose Ripe & Juicy Spanish Rosé (pictured) is dangerously quaffable, with plump red berry flavours
This might be as basic as the Waitrose range gets, but it definitely delivers what it promises. The Garnacha grapes add plenty of plump red berry flavours. This is dangerously quaffable. 3/5
PINK AND PERKY
Mountain Vineyards Rosé, £5, Tesco
Helen claims Mountain Vineyards Rosé (pictured) from the Western Cape of South Africa, has a fresh, tropical flavour
This is a great addition to the Tesco range. Made from grapes grown in the Western Cape of South Africa, it has a fresh, tropical flavour. It’s properly pink and perky — and much better than some costing a bit more. 5/5
Red
A REAL WINNER
Tesco Cotes du Rhone 2018, £4.50
Helen recommends stocking up on Tesco Cotes du Rhone 2018 (pictured) from France, if you’re throwing a party
When I tasted this, I had to check the price with the buyer. Twice. I couldn’t believe a wine this good, from such a famous French region, could be this cheap. If you’re throwing a party, make sure this wine, with juicy red fruits and a gentle kick of spice, gets an invite. 5/5
HINT OF VANILLA
Baturrica Tarragona Gran Reserva 2012, £4.99, Lidl
Helen says Baturrica Tarragona Gran Reserva 2012 (pictured) has gorgeous bramblefruit flavours and a hint of vanilla
From Spain’s Tarragona region, this looks suspiciously good for the price, with its gold cage and sleek label. But what’s inside more than matches up, with gorgeous bramblefruit and a hint of vanilla. 4/5
JUICY GEM
Tesco Beaujolais Rouge 2018, £5
Helen adores Tesco Beaujolais Rouge 2018 (pictured) for its raspberry jam flavours and all-round juiciness
Often the best way to find a good, cheap wine is to look for an unfashionable region, where prices tend to be sensible. But Beaujolais is on a roll at the moment, so I am thrilled that this one manages to sneak in at a fiver. I adore its just-squashed raspberry jam flavours and all-round juiciness. 5/5
ORGANIC AND EARTHY
Toro Loco Organic Red, £4.99, Aldi
Helen says Toro Loco Organic Red (pictured) is a little rough around the edges and earthy
The other wines in this delightful range fly off the shelves, and I love this organic addition. It’s a little rough around the edges, but given that it’s (a) organic and (b) cheap as chips, I’m more than happy to embrace the earthiness. Made from the Bobal grape, grown in the Utiel-Requena region in Spain, it’s an absolute bargain. 4/5
FRUITY FIND
Co-op South African Red, £4.60
Helen says Co-op South African Red (pictured) is a gem, at a cracking price for such a drinkable red
Another gem from the Co-op, this is a medium-bodied fruity red from the Western Cape of South Africa. It’s made from the Cinsault grape, more commonly found lurking in a blend alongside other grapes, but here it takes centre stage. It’s a cracking price for such a drinkable red. 3/5
BARGAIN BEAUTY
Cepa Lebrel Rioja Joven, £4.99, Lidl
Helen says Cepa Lebrel Rioja Joven (pictured) has bold raspberry and black cherry flavours
This is basically a baby Rioja. The word joven means young in Spanish, and indicates the wine hasn’t been anywhere near an oak barrel. Made from the Tempranillo grape, this is bold and bright with characteristic raspberry and black cherry flavours. At 13 per cent ABV, it’s not a beast. And, at this bargain price, it’s definitely a beauty. 4/5