I was invited to the Waitrose press tasting held in London in October 2025. While the overall wine market has been in decline, Waitrose has managed to outperform it in both value and volume, resulting in an increase in its market share.
A notable highlight was the strong performance of New Zealand fine white wine, which has seen a 19% rise in sales compared to the previous year. There has also been a significant rise in interest for the ‘Loved and Found’ wine range, with searches on waitrose.com increasing by 84% year on year.
Waitrose continues to see growing popularity in wines from lesser-known regions and has recently introduced four new ones, including from Moldova. The retailer has also focused on expanding its own-brand offering, which has seen a 71% growth in sales in the past three months. As part of this, the number of wines in the premium No.1 range has doubled to 26. Additionally, the no and low alcohol wine category continues to gain traction, with year-on-year growth of 11%.
Among the, 130 or so, excellent wines on show, these most stood out for their character, distinctiveness and appeal:
Les Trois Couronnes Vinsobres 2023 14.5% £15.00 New
This blend of 52% Grenache Noir and 48% Syrah comes from Vinsobres in the Drôme Provençale. It opens with dark black fruit aroma, a hint of liquorice and a spicy touch of black pepper. Medium to full-bodied, the wine delivers ripe dark fruit on the tongue, supported by moderate tannins and a satisfying structure.
Waitrose No.1 Primitivo di Manduria Riserva 2022 14.5% £15.00 New
Made entirely from Primitivo grown on old bush vines, this wine comes from a cooperative committed to sustainability. It’s richly aromatic with ripe blackberry and plum, layered with vanilla and a gentle balsamic tone. On tasting, oak and dark berry fruit lead the way, with a sweetness that feels well balanced and virtually no tannin grip.
Waitrose Blueprint Old Vine Garnacha 2023 13.5% £7.25 New
Sourced from Bodegas Ignacio Marín in Spain, this 100% Garnacha is made from vines between 25 and 50 years old. It has an intense, fresh aroma full of raspberries. The taste is bright and fruit-driven, with strawberry and blueberry notes and soft tannins. Excellent value for everyday drinking.
Palacio de Primavera Tinto 2024 13% £9.50
This 100% Tempranillo from Bodegas de Familia Burgo Viejo in Alfaro, Spain, is made from vines averaging over 30 years old, with some nearing a century. Aged three months in oak, it offers the typical Rioja-like character with plum and a hint of strawberry, wrapped in vanilla. Red cherry flavours follow through with a nuanced, herbal edge and medium tannins. It’s distinctive and a bit different.
Waitrose Loved & Found Touriga Franca 2024 13% £9.25
Made from 100% Touriga Franca grown at higher altitudes in Portugal’s Alentejo region, this wine is perfumed with red cherry and raspberry. Medium-bodied on the tongue, it brings a touch of spice, ripe tannins and a long, lingering finish.
DeLoach O.F.S. Pinot Noir 2024 14% £15.00 New
Made from 89% Pinot Noir, 8% Petite Sirah and 3% Petit Verdot, this Californian wine is made using small-lot fermentation and native yeasts. Aged in stainless steel after a restrained use of toasted oak, it shows an expressive aroma of raspberry, cherry, vanilla and dried herbs. The flavour is elegant yet generous, with cherry and cranberry notes, a silky feel, fine tannins and a long finish of fruit and oak. From a Demeter-certified biodynamic estate.
d’Arenberg The High Trellis Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 14.5% £15.00
From McLaren Vale in South Australia, this is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from old vines, some planted in 1912, using a high trellis training system. Unfined and unfiltered, the wine has a deeply dark appearance and a vivid aroma of black fruits, violets and wood. Rich cassis and plum come through on tasting, with earthy tones, dried herbs and a fine chalky texture. The finish is long and complex, lifted by fresh acidity.
Waitrose No.1 Langmeil Seven Generations Shiraz 2021 Barossa Valley 14.5% £14.00
Previously reviewed, this 100% Shiraz is made by the Lindner family, using grapes from multiple Barossa parishes and matured for 24 months in seasoned oak. Aromas of plum, blackberry, cherry and spice lead into a rich but balanced taste of ripe fruit and smooth tannins. The finish is full of lingering dark fruit.
Domaine Jean-Charles Rion Chambolle-Musigny ‘Aux Beaux Bruns’ 2022 13% £78.00 New
This exceptional Pinot Noir from Burgundy comes from the Beaux Bruns vineyard, just beneath a Premier Cru plot. With vines over 45 years old and aged partly in new oak, it offers intense aromas of smoky oak and savoury red and black fruit. Medium-bodied with refined black fruit flavours and fine tannins, it finishes long and savoury. With a lot going on with this wine, this was my favourite of the tasting. Available in Waitrose Cellar only.
Meerlust Rubicon 2021 14.2% £34.00 New
This classic Bordeaux blend from South Africa (48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot) provides intensity. Aromas of violet, plum, dark berries and tobacco lead into a bold mouthful of blackcurrant and blackberry. Smooth tannins and a long finish give this iconic wine depth and age-worthiness. Available in Waitrose Cellar only.
TAPI Cuvée Brut NV 12% £20.00 New
A sparkling blend from Marlborough’s Wairau Valley, made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Unusually, it undergoes barrel fermentation in old oak and lees ageing before Charmat method secondary fermentation. The result is a vibrant wine with aromas of grapefruit, lemon, red apple, vanilla and biscuit. The flavour is bright with lemon zest, nectarine, almond and some brioche richness. Lightly sweet with fresh acidity, it delivers a light Champagne-like texture at a very accessible price.
Prince Alexandre Crémant de Loire NV 11% £15.50
Made using the traditional method, this blend of Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc is aged 18 months on lees, plus another year in bottle. It exudes ripe pear, peach, apple and biscuit. On the tongue, it brings soft apple and pear, with light Champagne-like notes and gentle sweetness. The finish is long and fresh.
Leckford Estate Brut 2021 12% £35.00 New
Marking the 10th anniversary of the Leckford Vineyard, this sparkling wine combines Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier from Hampshire. After two years on lees, it opens with strong brioche and hazelnut aromas. On tasting, it’s bold and creamy with notes of apple, citrus and peach. Slightly sweet, it leaves a powerful and enduring impression. A full-on English sparkling wine.
Ayala Brut Majeur NV 12.5% £38.00
This Champagne combines grapes from more than 70 crus, aged three years on the lees in stainless steel. It’s very aromatic with bright citrus, floral and green apple notes, with brioche richness. On the palate, flavours of citrus, almond, apple and pastry build to a dry, structured finish. Very expressive but more restrained than Leckford.
Ultimate Provence Rosé 2024 12.5% £20.60
A blend of Cinsault, Grenache Noir, Syrah and Rolle from La Garde Freinet. This dry rosé benefits from lees ageing for added depth. It has a fresh, floral citrus aroma and a round, soft feel in the mouth. Dry and fruity, with a deep, textured taste.
Waitrose Loved & Found Viorica 2024 Moldova 12% £9.25 New
This Moldovan white is made from 100% Viorica and offers a striking floral character with bright peach, citrus and apricot. The flavour is layered with melon, green apple and ripe stone fruits. Fresh and expressive, it’s an excellent value choice.
Montonale Lugana 2024 12.5% £18.00 New
From Italy, this 100% Turbiana white opens with delicate white peach and citrus aromas, lifted by a savoury hint of thyme. The taste follows with pear and herbal notes. A wine with character and a clean, savoury finish.
The Dry Dam Riesling 2024 12% £13.00
From dry-grown Riesling vines in McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills, this wine is in the Kabinett style. Aromas of lime and lavender lead into flavours of crisp green apple and lime, with sweetness. A flinty edge provides freshness and lift on the finish.
There was a particularly strong line-up of sparkling wines at the tasting, many of which I didn’t include here simply because I’d already mentioned several. There was also a new ‘No 1’ own brand Primitivo to add to what I think is one of the strongest own brand ranges in the UK. Also see my previous reviews of No.1 Cederberg Syrah, La Val Albariño and Margaux.
Waitrose will be running ‘Wine Lover Week’ from 29 October to 4 November, which will include a 4 for 3 deal on wine. There’s also a fine wine at £10 promotion on the way, so keep an eye out for that too.
Please note that prices are subject to change and can even drop during 25% off Mix 6 events. Not all wines are stocked in every branch, but the full range is available to browse and order online at waitrosecellar.com, with next-day click and collect from any Waitrose store (except Jersey and Guernsey).
