Christine Austin

A wine expert recommends a selection of affordable supermarket wines for summer, organized into crisp whites, sparkling wines and reds suitable for chilling. The bottles span producers and regions including South Africa, Greece, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Chile and New Zealand, with prices generally ranging from £7 to £12.50 and several supermarket loyalty-card or multi-buy discounts highlighted.

English sparkling wines made from the same grape varieties and using the same production method as champagne are increasingly matching or surpassing many champagnes, while offering a range of prices. Six recommended bottles include supermarket bargains such as Nyetimber Classic Cuvée, Asquith Gardens and The Best English Sparkling Grand Reserve Brut, alongside Tesco’s Finest English Sparkling Brut NV and premium Sussex and Kent wines from Roebuck Estates and Domaine Evremond. Ageing on lees, chalky terroir and distinctive English climate conditions are highlighted as key influences on quality and style.