The Tesco press tasting took place in the middle of an exceptionally busy three-week tasting period in October 2025. A total of 152 wines were available to taste, including 58 new additions. Over the course of the year, Tesco has launched 108 new wines, highlighting its commitment to continual development rather than standing still. Some of these wines have already featured in an earlier tasting.
Tesco is particularly proud of its recent accolades. The retailer secured an impressive 190 medals across the International Wine Challenge (IWC) and the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC), including six Gold medals. The Tesco Finest range continues to stand out, being the most awarded wine range of all UK supermarkets and retailers according to the IWC.
In recognition of its efforts, Tesco was named Supermarket of the Year, Buying Team of the Year, and Own Label Range of the Year 2025 at the IWC. This marks the fourth consecutive year Tesco has won the award for Own Label Range of the Year, underlining its consistency and excellence in wine retailing.
These wines particularly stood out for me in this tasting:
Palais St Vigni Côtes du Rhône 2023 14% £5.75 New Vintage
From Maison Johanès Boubée in France, it blends 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. It opens with a lovely red cherry aroma, followed by a burst of fruity blackberries and dark plums. It is light to medium bodied with soft tannins. It was awarded a silver medal by the IWSC. While I often find wines from this region rather generic and average, this one stands out as delicious and so keenly priced.
Château Boutisse Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2019 14.5% £38 New
Produced in Bordeaux by Château Boutisse, this Grand Cru combines 80% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, with small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Carmenère. The wine’s colour is beginning to brown, suggesting it’s reaching maturity. There’s a gentle oak and slightly balsamic aroma, while the flavours run deep with powerful black fruits. The tannins are subtle, giving a rounded structure with a smooth, lingering finish.
Tesco Finest Margaux, 2021 13% £25
From Bordeaux, this Margaux is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. A wine I’ve enjoyed in the past, it’s showing signs of browning, also likely indicating readiness. Its aroma is intense, with blackcurrant, oak and hints of caramel. On the tongue, rich dark fruit and toasted notes create a bold profile, with length and a delicate touch of tannin.
Bodegas Care Garnacha Nativa 2022 14.5% £12
This Spanish red is made from 100% Garnacha by Bodegas Añadas in Cariñena. The name ‘Care’ is drawn from the ancient Roman name for the town itself. Vines over 40 years old grown on the slopes of the Sierra de Alairén provide the fruit, which is matured in French oak, Foudre and concrete for eight months. Blackberry and blackcurrant aromas lead into flavours of dark cherry and roasted coffee. A long-standing favourite of mine.
Tesco Finest Viña del Cura Rioja Gran Reserva 2018 14% £15.00
Produced by Baron De Ley, this Gran Reserva blends 90% Tempranillo with 10% Graciano. It delivers a rich aroma of plum, cherry, oak and vanilla, with flavours of black fruits and warm vanilla that linger beautifully. A classic Rioja with depth and exceptional length.
Maruxa Mencía Valdeorras, 2023 13% £12
C.V.N.E. makes this wine in Valdeorras, Spain, using 100% Mencía grapes. It’s distinctive, with floral and violet notes that carry from scent to sip. Although light on the tongue, it offers a surprisingly powerful expression, finishing with a grip of tannin that brings it all together.
Costa do Castelo Lisboa Red Blend 2024 13% £6
From Lisbon in Portugal, this vegan-friendly red is made by Calçada Wines and includes 40% Syrah, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Alicante Bouschet and 10% Touriga Nacional. It’s another past favourite. The wine offers upfront cherry aromas which continue on the tongue. There’s a touch of sweetness, but the overall impression is balanced. It reminds me of Porta 6, but at a more accessible price point.
Tesco Finest Sicilian Nero d’Avola 2024 13% £8.50 New
From Sicily and made by Cantine Colomba Bianca, this 100% Nero d’Avola offers lovely floral cherry aromas with a soft, violet-led flavour. Tannins are minimal, making it very approachable. A great taste at a modest price.
Tesco Finest Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2021 13.5% £11.50
This red features 80% Sangiovese, 15% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. The colour is beginning to brown. Oak, cherry and vanilla dominate the aroma, while the flavour is soft, fruity and supported by oak undertones. It was awarded silver by the IWC. I’ve sampled many Chianti wines recently and none of them match this for quality at such a price.
Tesco Finest Barolo DOCG 2021 14% £21
From Piedmont, this Barolo is made by Fratelli Martini Secondo Luigi using 100% Nebbiolo. It’s a double silver medal winner from IWC and IWSC. The wine has a brownish hue and exudes balsamic, liquorice and dark fruit aromas, reminiscent of port. It’s bold and full-bodied, with rich oak and fruit flavours and just enough tannin to balance.
Tesco Finest Peumo Carménère 2023 14.5% £12 New Vintage
This is from Viña Concha y Toro in Chile’s Cachapoal Valley. The blend is 95% Carmenère with 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine brings a lively oaky and smoky aroma, while the taste is fruity, soft, and rounded, with oak weaving through. A favourite of mine from the past vintage. Even more expressive if given time to breathe.
Marques de Casa Concha Carmenere, 2023, 14% ABV, £17 New
Also from the Cachapoal Valley and again by Viña Concha y Toro, this Carmenère-based wine, 90%, with 5% each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, is an even more refined sister to the Peumo. It’s softer, rounder and extremely drinkable. I look forward to exploring this one further.
Penfolds Bin 28 Shiraz 2022 14.5% £32.50
This wine from Penfolds in South Australia is made entirely from Shiraz. It’s a consistent performer, with deep colour and an intense aroma of oak and dark fruit. On the taste, it’s bold and spicy, supported by medium tannins that provide structure.
The Bolney Estate Classic Cuvée NV 12% £35
Produced in Sussex by The Bolney Wine Estate, this English sparkling wine blends 59% Chardonnay, 32% Pinot Noir and 9% Pinot Meunier. Aromas of apple and brioche lead to a rich flavour that brings apple pastry to mind. There’s lovely length and elegance here.
Tesco Finest Premier Cru Champagne NV 12.5% £22
Made by Union Champagne, this Premier Cru blends 67% Chardonnay with 33% Pinot Noir. A vibrant aroma of apple pastry is matched by flavours of deep apple and pear, with a long, graceful finish.
Ultimate Provence Rosé 2024 12.5% £20
From Provence and produced by Château de Berne, this rosé is made with 30% each of Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah and 10% Rolle. There’s a great red fruit and ripe melon aroma, followed by a soft, ripe melon flavour that lingers with a rounded finish.
Tesco Finest Greek Assyrtiko 2024 12.5% £11 New
This white wine comes from the Florina PGI in Greece and is made by Filos using 100% Assyrtiko. It offers a crisp aroma of lemon, grapefruit and apple and opens into a peachy flavour with weight and length on the palate.
Patrick Javillier Meursault Les Clousots 2020 13% £60 New
From Burgundy and made by Patrick Javillier, this is 100% Chardonnay and was, in my view, the best white of the tasting. It has a peach, apple and floral aroma, followed by a rich tropical and mineral taste. Lightly oaked, with great depth and a finish that goes on and on.
Tesco Finest Viña del Cura Rioja Blanco 2024 13% £9 New
Baron de Ley produces this Rioja Blanco (white) from 65% Viura, 25% Garnacha Blanco and 10% Tempranillo Blanco. There’s a strong aroma of oak, florals and ripe apricot, while the flavour continues with oak, peach and apricot. A long finish completes this excellent value wine.
Tesco Finest Chablis Premier Cru 2022 12.5% £24
Made in Burgundy by Union des Viticulteurs de Chablis, this Premier Cru Chardonnay has received an IWC Gold and IWSC Silver. Its aroma of citrus and apple is followed by flavours of the same, layered over classic Chablis minerality and a rounded, lasting finish.
Pikes Clare Valley Riesling 2024 11.5% £13 New
From South Australia and made by Pikes Wines, this 100% Riesling is aromatic with notes of citrus, flowers and honey. Rested on its lees for three months, it brings a full, fruity mouthfeel with a touch of sweetness, balanced by bright citrus acidity on the finish.
Cono Sur Reserva Especial Riesling 2024 13% £11
Also made from 100% Riesling, this Chilean example from Viña Cono Sur is a different in expression compared to the Pikes. It offers aromas of citrus, flowers and stone fruit, and a rich peach and apricot flavour with a slightly smoky note. Softer and rounder than the Pikes, it makes for a striking contrast.
The exceptional Château Boutisse Saint-Émilion Grand Cru and Meursault form part of a new collaboration with Coterie Holdings, the owner of importers Lay & Wheeler and Hallgarten & Novum, who sell these wines. The new range includes a curated selection of 20 fine wines. Although distribution across Tesco stores will be limited, the partnership represents a clear continuation of the retailer’s strategy to enhance its premium wine offering, first outlined at last year’s Autumn wine tasting.
At the other end of the spectrum, I was genuinely impressed by the quality of some of the wines at the very low end of the price range. It’s remarkable to see such strong value at these price points, proving that affordability need not come at the expense of quality. As in previous years, Tesco demonstrates its ability to confidently cover a large part of the spectrum of the wine market, from entry-level to premium, and everything in between.
Keep in mind that not all wines are available in every store and prices can fluctuate,
even dropping significantly during 25% off promotions.
