In mid-October 2025, I went to the Co-op Press Wine Tasting in London. This year’s event was held at a new, upmarket venue for the Co-op tastings. A total of 71 wines were on show, with over 50 new additions having made their debut this year.
The Co-op has placed a strong focus on refreshing its red wine offering, responding to increasing demand for unoaked, less tannic and fresher styles. Alongside these lighter options, there were also some new, more robust reds on display, including a selection of Malbec and Rioja that cater to those seeking bolder flavours.
One of the insights from the tasting was the ongoing success of the Co-op’s own-label ‘Irresistible’ range. This line now accounts for 12.2% of the retailer’s wine sales, a significant rise from 9.2% in 2021, highlighting the growing consumer confidence in own-brand quality.
Irresistible Languedoc 2024 13.5% £10.15
Exclusive to the Co-op and produced by Jean Claude Mas, this Languedoc red from France blends 50% Grenache Noir, 40% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. A portion of the wine spends four months in oak. It has a deep, dark colour and offers aromas of dark fruit with a hint of oak. The taste continues in the same rich vein, with dark fruit flavours balanced by soft tannins, making it both satisfying and easy to enjoy. Look out for a potential special price from 5th to 25th November 2025.
Château Beau-Site, Saint-Estèphe 2019 13.5% £25.00
From the Bordeaux region and made by Borie Manoux, this Saint-Estèphe red is made with 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. It has been aged for 18 months, bringing depth and structure. Strong aromas of dark fruit are joined by oak, and the taste follows through with similar richness. The tannins are medium but well-integrated, making this a wine that’s already drinking well. It pairs easily with food, even a simple Co-op sandwich lunch.
Albert Glas 2023 13% £9.50
A new addition to the Co-op from Germany, this 100% Pinot Noir is a elegant surprise. Pale in colour, almost pink, it opens with lively aromas of red cherry and floral notes. The taste is vivid and led by cranberry, with a light touch and delicate structure. Fruit-forward and expressive, it offers far more than expected at this price point.
Cune Imperial Rioja Reserva 2019 14% £22.50
From Spain and produced by C.V.N.E., this classic Rioja includes 85% Tempranillo and 15% Graciano, with additional touches of Mazuelo and Garnacha. It’s a traditional and confident expression, having aromas of plum, cherry and oak. The flavours are rich and dark, with vanilla and oak woven in and a slight grip of tannins. A reliably great Rioja.
Salice Salentino Riserva 2021 13.5% £8.15
From the Puglia region in southern Italy, this 100% Negroamaro wine is made by Botter and marks a new vintage of a previously favoured bottle. The aroma is deep and filled with dark fruit. It remains full-flavoured but without the slight burnt quality, though perhaps not quite as rounded as before. There’s still good length and enough richness to suggest it’s worth me revisiting in the future to get the full measure of it.
Casa Felina Merlot Feteasca 2023 13% £7.50
This Moldovan red is made by Asconi, who also run a dog and cat rescue centre at their winery! A blend of 55% Merlot and 45% Feteasca Neagră, it’s much more interesting than the bold ‘Merlot’ on the label lets on. Floral and fruity on the nose, with a generous blackberry and plum character on the palate, it’s soft and very good value. A brilliant example of the charm to be found off the beaten track.
Quinta De São Sebastião 1000 Paths Lisbon Red 2023 12% £6.50
Coming from Portugal and exclusive to the Co-op, this red blend of Touriga Nacional, Syrah and Alicante Bouschet is easy-going yet has more depth than expected. It gives off a ripe raspberry aroma which matches the soft, fruit-forward taste. A great alternative to Porta 6, with slightly deeper character, and excellent value.
The Hidden Vines Red 2024 14% £9.65
A new vintage exclusive to the Co-op, produced by Muriel in Rioja. This wine goes against the Rioja norm by omitting Tempranillo, blending instead 55% Maturana and 45% Garnacha. It’s unoaked and shows a floral, slightly herbal aroma, followed by flavours of cherries and plums. Soft and distinctively different, it defies Rioja expectations in a very interesting way. An interesting and individual red with plenty of personality.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva 2024 13.5% £9.00
Made by Argea and new at the Co-op, this Italian red is 100% Montepulciano. The aroma is strong, showing red fruit, vanilla and oak. Richer than many average examples from this region, it delivers dark, fruity flavours with only a slight touch of tannin. A fuller, more satisfying take on Montepulciano d’Abruzzo.
Irresistible Douro 2023 13% £8.50
From Portugal’s Douro Valley and produced by Real Companhia Velha, this blend of 30% Tinta Roriz, 30% Tinta Barroca, 20% Touriga Franca and 10% Touriga Nacional is unoaked. It begins with a vivid red fruit aroma, leads into bold raspberry flavours, and finishes gently with lingering fruit and soft tannins. Authentic and well-priced, this Douro red punches well above its price.
Less is More NV 10.5% £6.50
A semi-sparkling white from Italy, made entirely from Trebbiano Rubicone. It’s housed in a lightweight, fully recycled plastic bottle – practical and travel-friendly. Despite being labelled dry, it comes across slightly sweet that many will enjoy. Aromas of ripe pear lead into bold flavours of pear and apple, with surprising length. It’s deeper and more flavourful than many (DOC) Proseccos. Great value.
Casa Felina Sauvignon Blanc Feteasca Alba 2024 11% £7.50
Another new arrival from Moldova and from the same Asconi producer, this white wine blends 55% Sauvignon Blanc and 45% Feteasca Albă. With its intense tropical and citrus aromas, it delivers kiwi, passion fruit and zesty citrus on the palate. Bright, different and packed with character, it’s a real bargain for something so punchy and distinctive.
Les Pionniers Vintage Champagne 2023 12% £33.50
Made exclusively for the Co-op by Piper-Heidsieck, this Champagne combines 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. The aroma is inviting with rich brioche and apple. These follow through on the taste with full flavours of pastry and baked apple, finishing long and elegant. At this tasting, for me it outshone a Laurent-Perrier priced at £54, making this an outstanding choice for the money.
Irresistible Limited Edition Grenache Blanc 2024 13% £8.50
A fresh and exclusive white from France, produced by Paul Mas, this is made entirely from Grenache Blanc. The aromas are bright, with citrus and ripe peach coming through clearly. The flavour matches with juicy peach and a round, smooth mouthfeel with lingering flavour. At this price, it’s a great-value wine offering real charm and presence.
Irresistible Alvarinho 2024 12% £8.50
Produced by Vercoope in Portugal’s Vinho Verde region, this 100% Alvarinho is exclusive to the Co-op. The aroma is bold, full of citrus and peach notes, while the flavour brings in fresh melon with a clean, acidic streak. It’s vibrant, with a long finish, and a fantastic new addition for the Co-op, at a very reasonable price.
I was also particularly impressed with the Moldovan wines. It was refreshing to see something a little different on the table that also delivered on taste. There was also some noteworthy innovation in packaging, such as the ‘Less is More’ range, which offers a different approach without compromising the quality of the wine inside.
What stood out as well was the number of wines available under the psychologically important £10 mark. The fact that these wines are sold in convenience stores doesn’t mean they come with premium price tags. That said, there are still options for when you want to trade up, such as the excellent CVNE Rioja Reserva, Les Pionniers Vintage Champagne or the Château Beau-Site, all of which are well worth it for a special occasion.
Please note that prices may change and some of my followers have previously reported price differences between stores
