In late April 2025, I went to the Co-op press tasting in London. Co-op remains the most shopped-at retailer in the UK, with an average of 2.2 million shoppers visiting every day, resulting in around 800 million shopping visits per year. In 2024, they grew their market share in the convenience sector to 13.7%, supported by a network of around 2400 stores. Their own-brand wine continues to be particularly strong, accounting for 43% of their wine sales. This year’s tasting introduced Co-op’s first ever Orange wine, an interesting new step for the retailer.
A total of 71 wines were shown at the tasting with a higher proportion standing out compared to other recent supermarket tastings:
Les Pionniers Champagne NV, at 12% ABV and £21.50, once again shows why it remains one of my favourites. Made up of 51% Pinot Noir, 31% Pinot Meunier and 18% Chardonnay, it had a Silver Award at the International Wine Challenge and a strong 92-point score from Decanter, with Régis Camus of Piper-Heidsieck credited for its production. It delivers a toasty, buttery aroma with a blend of brioche, apple and citrus flavours, balanced by refreshing acidity. What really appeals about this wine is its consistent quality, unlike offerings from some supermarkets which I found notably dipped over the last Christmas season.
Irresistible Prosecco Magnum NV, at 10.5% and priced at £15, is produced by Zonin 1821, a top Prosecco house also behind Kylie’s excellent Prosecco. Offering the classic pear character and perhaps a slightly sweeter profile, it is enjoyable nonetheless. I particularly like the novelty of the magnum format, which is available in stores from June, though shoppers may need to look on the top shelf as it does not fit the standard Co-op wine displays.
Fairtrade Shiraz Rosé 2024, at 12.5% and priced at £7, stood out among a very strong line-up of 13 rosés, including two from Miraval. While the higher-end wines were excellent, this affordable rosé shone for its pure drinkability and value. Produced by La Riojana Co-op in Argentina’s Famatina Valley, it has pear drop aromatics with a vibrant, dry, red fruit taste. The flavour intensity compares well to many white wines, with good mouthfeel and a satisfying length.
Orange Groove 2024, at 12% and £9.50, is Co-op’s first Orange wine, exclusive to them and produced in the Languedoc region of France. The name is a nod to music, with a vinyl record depicted on the label and a QR code linking to a curated playlist to enjoy alongside the wine. Refreshingly, it includes some tannins, expected of orange wines, which many other supermarket Orange wines shy away from. It has inviting apricot and orange aromatics, likely thanks to the Muscat component, followed by apricot, lychee and tangerine flavours with a spicy finish and zingy freshness. It is an interesting and different mashup that should pair well with food.
Miluna Vermentino 2024, at 12.5% and £10, is a 100% Vermentino wine from San Marzano in Puglia, Italy. It offers citrus and apricot flavours, with a lovely round mouthfeel balanced by freshness.
Irresistible Assyrtiko 2024, at 13% and £10, is another repeat favourite of mine. Made by the renowned Kir-Yianni, the new vintage now comprises 95% Assyrtiko and 5% Viognier, an increase in Assyrtiko compared to the 2023 vintage which was 85% that now provides a profile closer to branded Kir-Yianni Assyrtiko. It has a citrus character leading into a crisp, mineral taste profile, packed with fruitiness including grapefruit and perhaps a little apple. It remains great value.
Pacha del Fuego Fairtrade Chardonnay 2024, at 12.5% and £8, is a new and exclusive wine produced by Morandé in Chile. Made from 85% Chardonnay and 15% other varietals, most likely Chenin Blanc, it is unoaked and focused on fruit expression. It offers citrus aromatics and pear, melon and pineapple flavours, delivering a rich and long finish. At this price, the flavour profile is impressive.
Cape Point Sauvignon Semillon 2024, at 12.5% and £8, made by Cape Point Vineyards in South Africa, sees six months in oak. It has nectarine and grapefruit aromatics with a floral, honeyed, smooth flavour profile, finishing long and with a touch of oak. Again, the quality for the price stands out.
Vavasour Sauvignon Blanc 2024, at 13% and £11.75, is another returning favourite, this year with slightly higher alcohol than the previous vintage. It retains the classic tropical and passionfruit character, with very concentrated aromatics and flavours that remain clean and well-defined rather than becoming musky or muddled.
Irresistible Rioja Crianza 2021, at 13.5% and £7.50, produced by Muriel Wines, features strong classic Rioja aromatics and black fruit flavours. The wine has a lighter mouthfeel than many but medium tannins which soften noticeably with food. Once again, it offers fantastic value for money.
Pacha del Fuego Fairtrade Merlot 2024, at 13.5% and £8, is the sister wine to the previous Chardonnay. Produced by Morandé, it surprises with a different character than the soft, round and fruity usually expected from a Merlot label. It’s 85% Merlot and 15% other. Given Chile, it is likely blended with a touch of Carménère. The wine has a dark colour and offers black fruit flavours with slightly, burnt aromatics reminiscent of Pinotage, supported by low to medium tannins. It is a highly enjoyable and an atypical Merlot, at a great price point.
Baron de Ley Rioja Reserva 2020, at 14% and £13, is a 100% Tempranillo aged for 20 months in oak barrels. It has raspberry aromatics, ripe fruit flavours with hints of smoke and cocoa and rounded tannins. It paired particularly well with the food provided by Co-op at the event.
I came away thinking just how impressively competitive some of these prices are, especially considering these are convenience store offerings rather than supermarket selections. This is even more remarkable given the recent increases in duty rates and the fact that these wines are made by named, or discoverable, producers rather than being anonymous. The quality was consistently high despite the competitive pricing, putting pressure even on discounters like Aldi and Lidl.
Please note that not all wines are available in every store and prices are subject to change.
