Victoria Moore of The Telegraph highlights the familiar feeling of brain fog when faced with an overwhelming selection of wine bottles in a shop. She offers a solution for swiftly picking a wine, presenting both budget-friendly choices and pricier ‘upgrade’ alternatives
Last of the summer rosé
Budget buy: La Vieille Ferme Rosé 2022, France – Asda (£6.75 down from £7.75), Sainsbury’s (£7 down from £8.25 until Sept 26), Tesco (£8.25 or £7.50 Clubcard price until Sept 18), Waitrose (£7.25 down from £8.25 until Sept 26)
The upgrade: AIX Provence Rosé 2022, France – Ocado (£19)
A cold glass of white with friends
Budget buy: Pecorino Terre di Chieti 2022, Abruzzo, Italy – Waitrose (£5.99 down from £7.99 until Sept 26)
The upgrade: Fortnum & Mason Anselmo Mendes Alvarinho 2022, Vinho Verde, Portugal – Fortnum & Mason (£14.50)
To impress your claret-loving in-laws
Budget buy: Bergerac Eglise Saint-Jacques NV, France – Tesco (£7)
The upgrade: La Raison du Chateau des Fougères 2015, Graves, Bordeaux, France – Tesco (£16.50)
The spicy Spanish red (good if lamb or roast pork is on the menu)
Budget buy: Tesco Finest Viña del Cura Rioja Reserva 2018, Spain – Tesco (£8.50)
The upgrade: Tesela by Clunia 2018, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León, Spain – House of Townend (£15.49)
Sturdy red for steak
Budget buy: Castillo de Zalin Monastrell 2021, Jumilla, Spain – Co-op (£7.50)
The upgrade: Morrisons The Best Gran Montaña Uco Valley Malbec 2020, Argentina – Morrisons (£11)
Champagne (or sparkling wine that resembles champagne)
Budget buy: Graham Beck Pinot Noir Chardonnay Brut NV, South Africa – Majestic (£11.99 in a mixed six or £16.99 single bottle price), Waitrose (£11.99 down from £16.49 until Sept 26)
The upgrade: Champagne Ayala Brut Majeur NV, France – Waitrose (£27.99 down from £32.99 until Sept 26)
A bottle as a present
Budget buy: Taste the Difference Western Australia Shiraz 2021, Australia – Sainsbury’s (£9)
The upgrade: Coates & Seely Brut NV, England – Lea & Sandeman (£36.95)
