In May 2024, M&S held their Spring Tasting press event, showcasing over 130 wines. This year saw the launch of some new wine labelling and a fresh focus on competitive pricing. In April, M&S dropped the prices on 100 wines, shifting their strategy towards everyday trusted value with fewer monthly promotions.
The selection at the event was impressive, offering a wide variety of excellent wines. Generally, choosing any wine from M&S usually means picking a great example of its type. However, some wines stood out, for me, for being a bit different and/or having an exceptional taste:
Silver Frond Sauvignon Blanc 2023 12.5% £8.50
Created by Indevin in Marlborough, New Zealand, this wine with a new label offers a slightly lower alcohol content than the previous vintage. It is a dry wine with classic notes of gooseberry, citrus and tropical fruits. The taste is clear and straightforward, without the muskiness or blurred flavours that some New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs possess. Among the many Sauvignon Blancs I sampled at the M&S Spring Tasting, it was the least expensive and undoubtedly the best value.
Lyme Bay Bacchus 2023 11.5% £15
This English still dry white wine from Devon is aromatic with flavoursome notes of lime, elderflower and passion fruit, complemented by an intriguing nutty aftertaste. I tasted the previous vintage at the WineGB press tasting last year, and the latest vintage maintains the same high quality. It’s fantastic to see this wine available in-store.
Tbilvino Qvevris 2012 12% £10
This unusual and very enticing orange wine from Georgia is made from 100% Rkatsiteli grapes. It is dry, with distinctive notes of quince, pear and spice. This should pair well with seafood or chicken.
Domaine Mandeville Viognier 2023 13% £9
A dry, very aromatic and fruity wine. Unoaked to let the fruit shine through, it features strong notes of peach and floral accents. The wine is soft and rounded, offering great value for its quality.
Bramble Hill Sparkling Brut 2022 12.5% £15
Produced by Vineyard Farms in Kent, this sparkling wine is a blend of Bacchus, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir. It is aromatic and lively, with tangy flavours of apples and gooseberry. This fun wine has heaps of brioche notes, making it feel like you’re drinking liquid brioche. It offers exceptional value for a vintage English sparkling wine.
Collection Hattingley Valley English Sparkling Wine 2018 12% £30
This dry sparkling wine, a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, features a fine mousse and notes of brioche, red apple and citrus. During the tasting, it held its own against more expensive Champagnes.
Koha Organic Sauvignon Blanc Rosé 9.5% 2023 £8.50
This unusual, low-alcohol rosé is based on Sauvignon Blanc and produced by Giesen. With 5% Merlot to give it a blushed colour, it comes from Marlborough and features the classic notes of gooseberry, citrus and tropical fruits. The taste is so good that I didn’t realise it was lower alcohol until writing this review. It’s a perfect rosé for those who prefer Sauvignon Blanc and/or are looking for a lower alcohol option.
Provence Sainte Victoire Rosé 2023 13% £13
This fruity and aromatic rosé wine is mainly composed of Grenache and Syrah. It boasts flavours of red fruits and citrus with delightful floral hints. Among all the rosés in the tasting, this was the most expensive, but worth it.
Paco Real Rioja Rosé 2023 11% £8
A rosé with a darker colour than usual, composed of 78% Tempranillo and 22% Garnacha. Initially, I wasn’t sure about it, but it won me over on the second taste with its vibrant fruit. This dry, aromatic rosé is ideal for red wine drinkers. It offers great value and can better stand up to food, making it a versatile choice for various meals.
Expressions Organic Negroamaro 2022 13% £9
A previously reviewed wine that’s still great.
Notte Stellata Primitivo di Manduria 2021 13.5% £11
This medium to full-bodied wine features a complex blend of flavours. Notes of plum and chocolate mix with hints of raisin and mineral tones, creating a rich and layered tasting experience.
El Duque de Miralta Rioja Reserva 2019 14% £11
Produced by El Coto and featuring a new bottle label, this wine is aromatic, bold and smooth. It offers flavours of dark cherry, liquorice, vanilla and spice. A Decanter Silver winner, this was my favourite wine at the tasting. It’s an amazing bargain at this price. This wine has a yellow label (see above). Don’t confuse it with the Collection El Duque de Miralta Gran Reserva that has a blue label and costs more.
It’s worth noting that prices may vary and will differ between M&S and Ocado. Not all wines are in all stores.
Two things stood out at the M&S Spring Tasting. Firstly, there was a good showing of English wines, highlighting the quality and variety available. Secondly, when looking at the pricing, M&S has made changes to be more competitive. If you were avoiding M&S wines because you thought they were relatively expensive, it’s worth taking another look.
