Asda’s Autumn Winter Press Tasting took place in mid-October in London. As ever, the supermarket’s core focus remains firmly on delivering great value across its range. This commitment was clearly underlined in the tasting booklet, which acknowledged how increasingly difficult that goal has become in light of ongoing market challenges and record levels of taxation affecting the drinks industry.
Despite these hurdles, Asda has continued to impress on the awards front, winning more Great Value awards at the International Wine Challenge (IWC) than any other UK retailer. Among the accolades was the coveted Great Value Red Wine Trophy, awarded to the Great Western Shiraz, which I’ve highlighted below. Asda also picked up honours at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) and the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC), bringing their total to an impressive 395 awards – including 9 Golds and 91 Silvers.
Out of the 111 wines featured at the tasting, the following stood out the most to me:
Côte de Beaune-Villages 2022 13% £14.48
This 100% Pinot Noir from Burgundy has been matured for nine months in French oak, adding depth and character to its bright red fruit. The wine shows floral, red cherry and raspberry aromas with a delicate touch of caramel. On tasting, it reveals lively red fruit and gentle tannins, all wrapped in a soft, elegant texture. With gold, silver and bronze medals from IWC, IWSC and Decanter respectively, this is an impressive Burgundy at a great price.
Exceptional Barolo 2020 14% £16.46 New
Made entirely from Nebbiolo by Natale Verga, this Barolo comes from a small estate in the Monforte d’Alba sub-region and has spent 24 months in barrel. The aromas of blackcurrant, rose and violets are beautiful, while the taste combines red and black cherries with medium tannins and a rounded texture. At this price, it represents exceptional value for such a refined, ready to drink, Barolo.
Via Vincini Gran Rosso 2024 14% £8.47
From Botter in Veneto, this blend of 50% Negroamaro, 30% Lambrusco and 20% Montepulciano has been matured in large oak vats for six months. The aroma bursts with red fruit and oak, leading to a rich and slightly sweet taste of black fruit and dried fruit. It’s round, full and generous, ideal for those who enjoy a sweeter red and outstanding value for money.
Exceptional Old Vine Garnacha 2024 13.5% £6.75
Produced by Bodegas Paniza in Cariñena, Aragon, this 100% Garnacha offers an intense cherry aroma and plenty of fruit character. The wine is soft and easy to enjoy, showing more depth than its price would suggest, even if a touch more body would have been welcome. It remains a remarkable value Garnacha from Spain.
Marques de El Norte Rioja Reserva 2020 14% £8.07
This new vintage of 100% Tempranillo, produced by El Coto though the tasting notes said Baron de Ley, continues the strong reputation of previous award-winning vintages. The 2020 Reserva shows cherry and plum on the aroma, complemented by oak and soft red and black fruit flavours. The mouthfeel is rounder and very slightly tannic, offering excellent balance. It remains an outstanding value Rioja, and was perfect with the Asda lunch snacks.
Marques de El Norte Rioja Gran Reserva 2020 14% £12.19
Also made by El Coto, this 100% Tempranillo is fuller and smoother than the Reserva. It reveals a brilliant combination of cherry, plum, oak and balsamic notes. The texture is rounder, with slight tannins that keep it fresh. Awarded both IWC and IWSC Silver medals, it’s impressively priced.
Lleyda Pinot Noir 2024 13.5% £7.48
From Chile and produced by Luis Felipe Edwards, this blend of 95% Pinot Noir and 5% Malbec spent six months in oak. The aroma shows oak, fruit and earthiness, while the taste brings raspberry, cherry and a touch of spice. With bronze medals from IWC, IWSC and Decanter, this is an excellent example of affordable Chilean Pinot Noir.
Uco Valley Malbec 2023 14.5% £9.77
Produced by Norton in Argentina, this 100% Malbec spends up to a year in barrel. It offers a bold black fruit aroma with blackberry and violet notes, leading to a rich, rounded and powerful taste. A past favourite and still excellent value, it carries a Decanter Silver medal and somehow outshines some of Norton’s, more expensive, branded versions.
Carménère Valle de Colchagua 2022 13.5% £6.98
Made by Luis Felipe Edwards in Chile, this blend of 90% Carménère and 10% Shiraz offers a smoky and earthy character, full of black fruit, oak spice and herbs. It’s soft and satisfying, especially when given time to breathe. Winner of an IWSC Silver award, it remains a long-time favourite of mine and an incredible bargain.
Otago Pinot Noir 2023 13% £10.47
This 100% Pinot Noir from Otago replaces the previously excellent North Canterbury version. Partially matured in oak barrels for twelve months, it offers plum, cherry and savoury earthy notes. It seems comparable in quality to its predecessor, though I anticipate further tasting to discern its full character.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 14% £6.98
From Australia’s renowned Margaret River region, this blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot is matured for twelve months in French oak barrels. It reveals aromas of leather and dark fruit, consistent with earlier review. With silver medals from both IWC and Decanter, it remains one of the best-value Australian reds available.
Great Western Shiraz 2023 13.5% £8.77
This 100% Shiraz from Victoria, Australia, bursts with red fruit and herbal aromas. The taste is soft and rounded with blueberry richness, intense yet not overly jammy due to the ‘cooler’ climate of Western Australia. Its lighter style enhances its freshness, making it stand out as one of the best quality-to-value wines of the tasting. Winner of IWC Gold, Trophy and Best Value awards, it’s a special find.
1000 Stories Bourbon Barrel-Aged Zinfandel 2023 14.5% £14.97
From Lodi in the USA, this blend of 77% Zinfandel, 18% Petite Sirah and 3% other varieties offers deep oak, balsamic and caramel aromas. The taste is lively, smoky and sweet, filled with dark fruit and bourbon-spiced oak. Intense yet balanced, it delivers a rich and memorable experience.
Asquith Gardens English Sparkling Wine NV (2015 based) 11.5% £17.97
Made by Rolling Green Hills Ltd and rumoured to originate from Nyetimber, this sparkling wine is composed of 62% Chardonnay, 29% Pinot Noir and 9% Pinot Meunier. It opens with brioche, lemon and apple aromas, followed by a lively, sweet apple and citrus taste. Awarded IWSC Silver and Decanter Bronze, it offers exceptional quality for the price.
Louvel Fontaine Champagne 2016 12% £28.98
Matured for more than 36 months in bottle, this Champagne reveals aromas of pastry and apple, leading to a fresh apple and citrus taste with excellent balance. Winner of a Decanter Silver medal, it offers classic Champagne elegance with refined structure.
Wine Atlas Garda NV 11% £6.97
Made from 100% Garganega by Cantina di Soave near Lake Garda in Italy, this wine presents lemony aromas with fresh apple and citrus flavours. It’s lively and slightly sweet, providing a refreshing alternative to Prosecco. Winner of an IWC Silver medal, it remains a previous favourite and superb value.
Austrian Riesling 2024 12.5% £8.14
This 100% Riesling from Niederösterreich, Austria, displays ripe apricot, honey and almond aromas. The taste combines apricot and peach, giving a rounded, long finish. With IWC and IWSC Silver awards, it’s a beautifully balanced wine that’s not overly sweet thanks to its higher alcohol, due to more sugar turned to alcohol.
Grüner Veltliner 2024 11.5% £8.12
Also from Niederösterreich, this 100% Grüner Veltliner shows ripe pear and mandarin on the aroma. On the tongue, it offers surprising depth with peach, guava and subtle tropical flavours, finishing with a gentle peppery lift. Its full texture and balance make it one of the best-value whites and a reliable previous favourite.
Le Manoir du Baron Viognier 2024 12.5% £5.14
From France, produced by Les Celliers Du Vent, this 100% Viognier spent three months on lees. It delivers intense citrus aromas and a rounded peach and melon taste. Dry but bursting with fruit, over the tasting, it showed even better character when served slightly warmer. At this price, it’s quite remarkable.
Wine Atlas Fetească Regală NV 11.5% £6.08
This 100% Fetească Regală from Romania is a long-standing favourite in the Wine Atlas range. It’s light and fruity with tropical hints, previously compared to a softer Sauvignon Blanc with touches of peach. A consistently reliable and great-value choice that always pleases.
d’Arenberg The Hermit Crab Marsanne Viognier 2024 14% £13.47 New
From McLaren Vale, this blend of 53.5% Viognier and 46.5% Marsanne has 10% aged in French oak. The aroma is rich with oak and apricot, while the taste is full of ripe peach and rounded texture. Luscious and layered, it provides lots of generosity.
I couldn’t help but wonder how Asda manages to offer some of these wines at such remarkably low prices, especially during periods when they run an additional 25% off promotion. In speaking with an Asda buyer at the tasting, it became clear that they are making the most of current market conditions. A surplus of wine on the global market, combined with access to occasional end-of-line stock, is enabling Asda to secure excellent deals. This strategic buying approach plays a key role in supporting their ongoing commitment to value.
Availability will vary by store and prices are subject to change
