I’ve decided to raise my wine standards. No more promoting bottles under £6 unless they truly blow me away. Why the change of heart? Take a £6.31 bottle as an example. £2.67 goes to excise duty, £1.05 to VAT, £1.37 to retailer and importer profit, 30p for logistics, and 64p for packaging. That’s before we even consider the actual wine itself, which only gets a paltry 29p (4.5%) of the price until you reach the £10 mark, where it jumps to a more respectable £2.10 (21%). This shocking truth is revealed in the annual Bibendum Vinonomics report, a must-read infographic for the wine industry, updated with every new budget. For a £20 bottle, you’re getting £6.33 worth of wine, defying the law of diminishing returns and, dare I say, demonstrating the law of increasing returns. But who’s shelling out £20 for a mid-week bottle? Not me. I’m an £8-£12 man for everyday drinking (sometimes less, see my recommendations below). However, when you stumble upon a delicious wine for under ten pounds, it feels like a revelation. It’s like you’ve outsmarted the system somehow. But how do you know if a wine is truly good value for money? That’s a question worthy of a book (and there are books written on it). Essentially, it comes down to personal preference and how much you enjoy the drinking experience compared to the price. When you know, you know. And, while I wouldn’t call myself a Debbie Downer, at £5.45, a bottle won’t be sustainable or ethically produced, as there’s no margin for the producer. That’s a moral dilemma I’ll leave in your capable hands. Don’t worry, I’ve included a more expensive option for those who want to sleep soundly at night…
Pierre Jaurant Bordeaux AOC, £4.99, Aldi
This is the bottle people were comparing to the £3,000 bottle of Chateau Mouton Rothschild that David Beckham favors. Cute idea, but they can’t be compared. Aldi’s is a juicy, ‘drink-me-now’ bottle bursting with plums, damsons, and hedgerow fruit, while the other is a ‘leave-me-the-heck-alone’ bottle, crafted by a legendary winemaking house from exceptional fruit. £3k is excessive, even by Beckham’s standards, hence why I’m not recommending it.
Chassaux et Fils Côtes du Rhône, £5.19, Aldi
Made by the same producer behind the viral Chassaux et Fils Atlantique Rosé (the squat bottle with the blue and white label and stripey neck), this red Côtes du Rhône is silky, black-fruity, herbaceous, and even a touch spicy. Let’s make this one go viral too!
Côtes du Rhône Palais St Vigni, £5.45, Tesco
Simple yet effective, I scribbled ‘best value’ above this wine in my tasting booklet. Produced by Masion Jahanes Boubée, one of the largest wholesalers in France, their economies of scale bring down the price. This red is 50% Grenache, resulting in a ripe and ready-to-sip experience.
Bordeaux AOP Superieur, £5.99, Lidl
Dare you deny this outrageous value for money at under £6? This should be the definition of a weekday wine. It has undergone oak ageing and delivers classic Claret flavor cues, like blackberries, cassis, and mint with mild tannins. Interestingly, Lidl also offers a Saint Emilion Grand Cru for £15.99, which, while good, I didn’t find complex enough to justify the price.
Chassaux et Fils Costières de Nîmes, £6.69, Aldi
This Syrah-heavy wine, with 70% of the blend, is 20% more Syrah than the previous vintage. This makes it spicier, richer, and deeper than its Côtes du Rhône counterpart. In my tasting notes, I scribbled ‘coffee, mocha, and caramel characters,’ and two stars, signifying a good one. Costières de Nîmes is the southernmost appellation in the Rhône Valley. Any further south, and you’d be in the Mediterranean, hence the marine influence that adds freshness to the wines.
Château Troupian Haut-Médoc, £16, Ocado
Non-spend thrifts, this one’s for you. Unusually, this is a Merlot-dominated wine from the Haut-Médoc on the Left-Bank of Bordeaux, an area known for Cabernet Sauvignon-heavy wines. This makes it informal, lacking in austerity, fresh, and full of crunchy red apples and frangipane flavors. Troupian’s wines have been described as feminine in flavor, a notion I disagree with. There’s no such thing as masculine or feminine flavors in my book. This one is delicate (for Bordeaux), powerful, and intense with a Ceylon tea finish.
Metro Drinks Club
For those who appreciate the finer things in life, Metro’s Drinks Club is the place to be. Led by industry expert Rob Buckhaven, this is a haven for readers to explore the latest and greatest in the world of drinks. From the trend of Indian Gin to the wallet-friendly Cremant, which rivals the most luxurious French Champagnes, you’ll find insights on seasonal wines, essential spirits, expert interviews, and even the best non-alcoholic options. You’ll also discover ideal food pairings for your drinks, get the latest TikTok chatter debunked, and learn everything from how to make cheap vodka taste expensive to the proper way to store wine.
