In a very busy week for tastings in early October 2026, I was at the Waitrose Autumn Press Tasting in London.
It came after an impressive year, with Waitrose picking up a collection of industry awards. At the International Wine & Spirit Competition National Drinks Retailer Awards 2026, Waitrose was named Best Online Wine Supermarket, Best Sustainable Wine Supermarket and Best Classic Wine Supermarket. At the Drinks Retailing Awards 2026, it took home Sustainable Drinks Retailer of the Year and Multiple No and Low Retailer of the Year.
There was further recognition at the French Champion Awards 2026, organised by Business France and the French Embassy to acknowledge the important role the UK wine trade plays in promoting French wine. Waitrose was named Best Supermarket for France 2026, marking the fourth consecutive year it has received a French Champion Award. At The Drinks Business Awards 2026, Waitrose was named Multiple Retailer of the Year.
With more than 150 wines on show at the tasting, there was plenty to work through. Here are the bottles I found most interesting:
Waitrose No.1 Brut Special Reserve Vintage Champagne 2018 12.5% £39.00
Produced by Champagne Castelnau, this vegan-friendly Brut Champagne is a blend of 50% Chardonnay, 28% Pinot Noir and 22% Pinot Meunier. It is made by winemaker Carine Bailleul, one of the few female chefs de cave in Champagne. Pale lemon in colour, with fine bubbles, it has inviting aromas of green apple, lemon, brioche and biscuit, alongside stewed fruits and toasted nuts. The flavours develop from dried fruit into buttery, caramel biscuit richness. Medium to full-bodied, with high acidity and a long finish.
Nyetimber 1086 Prestige Cuvée Rosé 2013 12% £175.50
This high-end English sparkling rosé is a blend of 64% Pinot Noir and 36% Chardonnay. Beautifully aromatic, with fresh strawberries, red cherries and delicate floral notes. Refreshing acidity brings vibrancy to the fresh red fruit flavours, while creamy nougat and subtle brioche characters add richness and complexity. I have included this very premium wine because I previously reviewed it as part of a tasting I gave, where you can find more details about it. Available exclusively through Waitrose Cellar.
La Crème de la Crème Chardonnay 2025 13.27% £10.75
Made entirely from Chardonnay grapes sourced from lowland vineyards in the Pays d’Oc region of southern France. French oak staves are used during ageing to introduce additional roundness and subtle aromas without overwhelming the fruit. Ripe orchard fruits, sunny peach, lemon zest and sweet vanilla create an inviting aromatic character. Dry, bold and full-bodied, with flavours of baked pear and citrus complemented by a buttery, pastry-like richness. There is a noticeable oak influence, but it remains nicely balanced rather than excessive. Available exclusively through Waitrose Cellar.
Montgravet Cinsault Rosé 2025 11% £6.80
Produced entirely from Cinsault grapes grown in the Pays d’Oc region of southern France. Delicate aromas of rose petals, strawberries and raspberries give this rosé an appealing, summery character. Crisp and refreshing, with lively flavours of wild red berries and subtle hints of blackcurrant. An easy-drinking, fruit-driven rosé that offers great value for money.
Waitrose Loved & Found Kidonitsa 2025 12.5% £9.50
An unusual Greek white wine made from 100% Kidonitsa grapes grown in the Aigialeia region. Kidonitsa is a rare grape variety whose name means ‘little quince’, a reference to its characteristic stone fruit flavours. Fresh citrus, ripe pear and delicate white flower aromas lead into a dry, medium-bodied wine with appealing stone fruit flavours and refreshing acidity. Something a little different from the usual white wine varieties. Tasty, distinctive and very good value.
La Perrière Touraine Sauvignon Blanc 2025 13.5% £10.50
Made entirely from Sauvignon Blanc grapes in France’s Touraine region of the Loire Valley. Intensely aromatic, with lively notes of lemon, grapefruit and freshly cut grass. The flavour is dominated by crisp green apple and bright citrus fruits, supported by refreshing acidity and a clean, mineral character. A vibrant, fresh and expressive Sauvignon Blanc at a great price.
Morandé Terroir Semillón 2025 13% £10.75
Produced from 100% Semillón grapes grown in the Pencahue subregion of Chile. Morandé Wine Group is one of my favourite producers and was the first Chilean producer to achieve full compliance with every module of the Wines of Chile Sustainability Code. Delicate aromas of white flowers, fresh herbs and citrus are accompanied by subtle hints of honey. Rich and full-flavoured, with juicy lemon, lime and crisp green apple creating an appealing combination of freshness and depth.
Saint Clair Sauvignon Blanc 2025 12.5% £16.00
Made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes sourced from the Wairau Valley subregion of Marlborough, New Zealand. Saint Clair is another long-standing favourite producer of mine, consistently delivering expressive wines. Intense aromas of gooseberry, passionfruit, red capsicum, freshly cut grass and citrus immediately capture attention. Dry and bursting with flavour, combining crisp citrus and tropical fruits with vibrant freshness. Particularly appealing is its clean, precise character, without any of the musty qualities that can sometimes detract from this style.
Seifried Gewürztraminer 2025 11.5% £14.75
An intriguing aromatic white from Nelson, New Zealand, rather than the more familiar Gewürztraminer region of Alsace. The blend comprises 93% Gewürztraminer, 4.97% Würzer and 2.03% Riesling. Intensely perfumed, with an exotic combination of rose petals, lychee, Turkish delight, ginger and warming spices. Medium-bodied and off-dry, with medium acidity, it retains the distinctive floral and spicy character of Gewürztraminer while feeling noticeably fresher and less oily or silky than many Alsace examples. An interesting alternative for anyone who enjoys this aromatic grape but prefers a lighter, fresher expression.
Waitrose No.1 German Pinot Noir 2025 12.5% £15.00
Produced by Louis Guntrum Weinkellerei in Germany from 100% Pinot Noir grapes. Fresh raspberry, cherry and cranberry aromas are accompanied by gentle savoury notes and a subtle oak influence from ageing in barrique barrels. Dry and medium-bodied, with appealing cherry fruit flavours, low to medium tannins and an underlying earthy, savoury character. The finish is slightly drying, adding structure to this otherwise approachable Pinot Noir.
Château Tour Marcillanet Haut-Médoc 2019 13.5% £12.00
A classic Bordeaux blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, from Saint-Laurent in the Haut-Médoc, close to the prestigious appellations of Pauillac and Saint-Julien. In 2018, Château Tour Marcillanet achieved France’s High Environmental Value (HVE) Level 3 certification, recognising its sustainable, environmentally conscious vineyard practices rather than full organic certification. Rich aromas of blackberry and blackcurrant are layered with vanilla, coffee, cedar and smoky oak. Medium to full-bodied, with dark cherry and black fruit flavours complemented by tobacco, leather and savoury spices. A rare affordable find from France, particularly given its Bordeaux origins.
Montecillo Rioja Reserva 2023 13.5% £16.00
A traditional Spanish Rioja blend of 92% Tempranillo and 8% Mazuelo, sourced from 30-year-old, bush-trained vines grown without irrigation in Rioja Alta. Inviting aromas of ripe cherries and strawberries mingle with aromatic herbs and warming spicy notes. Dry and powerful, delivering generous flavours of ripe red fruits alongside savoury spices. A full-flavoured Rioja with plenty of character and the distinctive combination of fruit and spice.
Waitrose No.1 New Zealand Pinot Noir 2025 13% £16.00
Made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes selected from two premium subregions of Marlborough, New Zealand. Another excellent wine from Saint Clair Family Estate. Fragrant aromas of red berries, ripe cherries and dark plums are complemented by spice and toasted oak. Juicy blackberry and plum flavours develop into earthy, spicy undertones, supported by silky tannins and an elegant, medium-bodied structure. This is an extremely savoury style of Pinot Noir that may divide opinion, but I thought it was one of the best Pinot Noirs in the tasting.
Waitrose No.1 McLaren Vale Grenache 2025 14% £14.00
Produced entirely from Grenache grapes in McLaren Vale, South Australia, by Thistledown, a winery fully accredited by Sustainable Winegrowing Australia. Fragrant aromas of cherries, ripe raspberries and wild strawberries are lifted by white pepper and delicate spice. Vibrant red fruit flavours continue through the wine, with a lively, balanced and surprisingly light character despite its 14% alcohol.
Moss Wood Amy’s Blend 2024 14% £18.75
A distinctive Australian red blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 8% Malbec and 8% Petit Verdot, sourced from the Glenmore vineyard in Yallingup, Margaret River. Generous aromas of ripe plum, cassis, blueberry and blackberry are joined by eucalyptus, cherry chocolate and subtle underlying oak notes. Juicy blackberry, redcurrant and dark plum flavours create a rich, fruit-driven character, while low to medium tannins keep the wine smooth and approachable. An attractive blend that offers plenty of flavour without excessive tannic weight. Available exclusively through Waitrose Cellar.
Wine sales continue to show strong year-on-year growth at Waitrose, across a number of key regions and categories. Argentina White Wine has delivered strong performance, with sales up 56% compared with last year, closely followed by Austria Red Wine at +53%. American Red Wine has also performed particularly well, recording growth of 34%. Sparkling wine continues to see positive momentum, with French Sparkling Wine sales up 23%, while English Sparkling Wine has increased by 12%. Across the wider English & Welsh Sparkling Wine category, sales are up an impressive 21%. Portuguese wines are also performing strongly, with White Wine sales increasing by 23% year on year and Red Wine growing by 18%. Italian Gavi continues its positive performance, with sales up 16% compared with last year.
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).
