The woman&home Wine Awards 2023

DOC: Italy | 11% ABV | £9.99 | M&S

Made for M&S at a family-run estate in north-east Italy’s Veneto region, this is textbook Prosecco. The gentle apple and pear fruit flavours are crisp and defined, offset by a gentle fizz. A great party wine that’s relatively low in alcohol.

Spain | 11.5% ABV | £11.49 | Waitrose

A Cava with character, this wine has attractive saline notes mixed with green-apple flavours. Bright, clean, and intense, it would work brilliantly with tapas and savoury canapés. 

Spain | 12% ABV | £14 | M&S

A step up from basic Cava, the extra bottle age gives this wine more depth. We liked the gentle almond notes among the bright lemony notes. 

 DOC: Italy | 11.5% ABV | £7.99 | Aldi

Friendly on the planet and the palate, it is citrusy and gently herbaceous, with a welcome touch of sweetness to balance the acidity. Refreshing, party-ready – and great value.

France | 12.5% ABV | £22 | M&S

A beautiful golden colour, creamy texture, aromas of buttered toast and flavours of lemon curd and delicate bubbles… This wine has everything you could want from a good Champagne, and it comes at an affordable price. 

France | 12.5% ABV | £26.99 | Waitrose

Top supermarket Champagne. Cranberry and redcurrant, with lively acidity. Would work well with food too, making it a great celebratory wine.

England | 12.5% ABV | £39.99 | Virgin Wines

With grapes harvested from a village in East Sussex, a few years of bottle age have given it beautiful brioche and pastry aromas. Elegant and complex, it’s a brilliant example of English sparkling wine. 

England | 11.5% ABV | £22 | M&S

Made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes grown on the Hush Heath Estate, this wine strikes a balance between complexity and approachability. The ripe pear and apple fruit is underscored by smoky, flinty hints. Balanced, drinkable and affordable too. 

England | 12% ABV | £38 | Hattingley Valley

This impressive sparkler has a beautiful pale-pink colour, an aroma of raspberries and cream, delicate bubbles and a fresh finish. An excellent aperitif, or paired with smoked salmon.

France | 13% ABV | £15.99 (£13.99 for 6) | Majestic

Complex and elegant, with flavours of ripe apples, buttered toast, hazelnuts and lemon. Ideal for the festive table.

France | 12.5% ABV | £14.95 | Co-op

Winner of best supermarket own label wine, this delivers great Chardonnay fruit character and an appealing texture, with elegance and balance – all for an affordable price.

Spain | 13% ABV | £12.50 | Abel & Cole

Fresh, easy-going with appealing flavours of ripe apple and tropical fruit. A portion of the profits go to ocean conservation projects.

Portugal | 12% ABV | £5.29 | Aldi

A vibrant freshness, citrus acidity, and floral, grapefruit-pith flavours make this a real palate-awakener. Great value too.

Germany | 12.5% ABV | £9.50 | M&S

Pinot Blanc grapes give this a delicate aroma of white flowers and a pleasing nuttiness. Try it with your cheeseboard.

New Zealand | 13.5% ABV | £11.99 | Waitrose

Savoury hints of green apple and kiwi fruit. Pair it with canapés, light fish or chicken.

Italy | 14% ABV | £15.99 | Waitrose

With cherry flavours and hints of dried spices, this wine will delight lovers of Italian reds. Food friendly, try it with slow-cooked stews or pasta with tomato-based sauces.

Australia | 14% ABV | £13.99 | Virgin Wines

McLaren Vale is the home of big, bold, spicy Shiraz, and this is a textbook example. Rich, deep, with sweet ripe fruit and hints of leather, serve it with roast beef or game.

Spain | 13.5% ABV | £12.50 | Asda

Oak-ageing gives hints of vanilla and underscores damson and prune flavours. Top value for a wine of this age and quality. 

Argentina | 14% ABV | £16.99 | Waitrose

Here, ripe, soft, chocolatey fruit has a savoury twist, with touches of soy and black pepper. A natural for wintry stews. 

Italy | 14.5% ABV | £13.99 | Waitrose

Juice is passed over the grape skins twice to give a deeper colour and more body. This version is spicy and well balanced, soft, ripe, velvety and approachable. 

France | 13.5% ABV | £34.99 (£28.99 each for 6) |Majestic

Classic Bordeaux, this has notes of leather, cigar box, and thyme beneath flavourful red-berry fruit. Decant before serving with a forerib of beef or a festive cheeseboard.

France | 13% ABV | £28.99 (£24.99 each for 6) | Majestic

Made from the fruit of 45-year-old vines and oak-aged for 14 months, this is silky-smooth and elegant with luscious red-berry fruit. A festive must-have.

Portugal | 13% ABV | £7.99 | Aldi

This is nicely scented, with plum and blackberry fruit notes, and hints of cedar, black pepper, and spice. Well made and incredible value.

South Africa | 13.5% ABV | £8 | M&S

Made using South Africa’s signature red grape, this is packed with black cherries, has a juicy palate and a touch of bitter chocolate and smoke. Perfect midweek with pasta or a stew. 

Portugal | 14% ABV | £8 | M&S

Alicante Bouschet will be new to many, but is impressive here with juicy, crushed-cherry and blueberry aromas, and subtle smoky hints. Serve lightly chilled with charcuterie. This variety, a cross created in Austria in 1922, can be made in a range of styles. This one is light-bodied, with lip-smackingly juicy-berry fruit, and is dangerously easy to drink. If you like Pinot Noir, you’ll love this.