Sainsbury’s is one of the UK’s Big Four supermarkets, and it has an admirable range of wines. Here are just a few picks of the retailer’s top performers from this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards.
With some 1,400 supermarkets and convenience stores, shoppers can expect plenty of choice from Sainsbury’s.
One of the most popular of those choices has to be the Silver-winning Louis Pommery, Brut, Hampshire NV from this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA). A traditional Champagne blend, this wine is a classic English sparkling with green and red apple aromas along with some autolytic development (£26).
Two red Silver-medal winners are worth noting from Bordeaux in France and Marlborough, New Zealand. Awarded 91 points, Dourthe, La Terrasse De La Garde, Pessac-Léognan 2020 shows excellent aromatics and concentration of fruit with structured ripe tannins and rounded texture. From New Zealand, judges awarded 90 points to Oyster Bay, Pinot Noir 2021 for its lifted cherry and blackcurrant aromas, layers of stony mineral character and luscious finish.
Scroll down to see our Sainsbury’s shopper’s guide for DWWA-winning wines
One more Silver-awarded wine worth seeking out is the supermarket’s own label rosé, Taste the Difference Les Vigneron D’Aghione 2022 from Corsica, France. This wine scored 90 points for its lovely nose of crunchy red fruits, lively acidity and luscious finish. It’s also great value at just £9.
Of the 16 Bronze medal winners you can find at Sainsbury’s, there’s choice for everyone with awarded sparkling, white, red and fortified styles to enjoy.
For Port lovers, keep an eye out for Graham’s, Quinta Dos Malvedos, Vintage Port, 2021 from Portugal. Awarded 89 points, judges noted its pure fruit, rose and tar aromas and really pleasant finish. In the sparkling category, choice continues with award-winning Champagne from Heidsieck & Co Monopole, Blue Top Brut NV (87 points), French Crémant de Bordeaux from Louis Vallon, Blanc De Noirs Brut NV (86 points) and New World bubbles from Oyster Bay, Cuvée Brut, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand NV (89 points).
Whether you shop in-store or shop online, there’s plenty of award-winning wines to select from. Find the full range of Sainsbury’s winners at this year’s DWWA below.
DWWA Shoppers’ Guide: Sainsbury’s
Silver
Dourthe, La Terrasse De La Garde, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France 2020
Silver, 91 points
£15
Juicy black fruit, excellent aromatics, and concentration of fruit, with structured ripe tannins. Lovely freshness, rounded texture, precision, and a long juicy finish. Alcohol 13.5%
Louis Pommery, Brut, Hampshire, United Kingdom NV
Silver, 91 points
£26
Green and red apple with cashew fruit, not too much autolytic development. A classic English sparkling; well made. Alc 12%
Oyster Bay, Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand 2021
Silver, 90 points
£12
Lifted cherry and blackcurrant with layers of stony mineral character; generous and framed with a lively acidity and luscious finish. Alc 13.5%
Sainsbury’s, Taste the Difference Les Vignerons D’Aghione, l’île de Beauté, Corsica, France 2022
Silver, 90 points
£9
Lovely elegant nose of crushed stones and crunchy red fruits. Harmonious on the palate, light and vibrant. Ethereal finish. Alc 12%
Bronze
Château Tanunda, Grand Barossa Shiraz, Barossa, South Australia 2021
Bronze, 89 points
£16
Chocolatey dark fruit aromas with peppery undertones. Grippy and dense, with a serious structure. Long. Alc 14.5%
Graham’s, Quinta Dos Malvedos, Vintage Port, Portugal 2012
Bronze, 89 points
£29.50
Pure fruited with roses and tar on the nose, a little herbaceous but really pleasant. Alc 20%
Jérôme Choblet, Taste the Difference, Saumur, Loire, France 2022
Bronze, 89 points
£10
Attractive citrus and orchard fruit notes with a juicy, ripe palate and long, fresh finish. Alc 12%
Journey’s End Vineyards, Identity Sauvignon Blanc, Coastal Region, South Africa 2022
Bronze, 89 points
£10
Restrained nose of white peach, apple blossom and jasmine. Zippy and fresh on the palate. Alc 12.35%
Journey’s End Vineyards, Spekboom Syrah, Coastal Region, South Africa 2022
Bronze, 89 points
£10
Upfront nose of baking spices, bramble jam and balsamic notes. Appealing, slightly meaty and peppery. Alc 14.4%
Oyster Bay, Sparkling Cuvée Brut, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand NV
Bronze, 89 points
£13
Generous lime fruit with notes of yellow apple and honeyed brioche; delicate with a lively mousse. Alc 12.5%
Jérôme Choblet, Château de La Pierre, Muscadet Côtes de Grand-Lieu, Loire, France 2022
Bronze, 88 points
£10
Lively orange zest and saline notes with a soft hazelnut edge; mouthfilling, refreshing and long. Alc 11.5%
Journey’s End Vineyards, Identity Shiraz, Coastal Region, South Africa 2021
Bronze, 88 points
£10
Ripe nose of blackberry and blueberries. Chocolatey and creamy in the mouth, polished and glossy. Alc 13.5%
Château Barreyres, Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France 2021
Bronze, 87 points
£14.50
Approachable, fruit-driven soft style. Violets, Black currants, plums in the nose. Juicy, fruity palate. Well balanced, fresh, good concentration and length. Alc 13%
Château Tour Prignac, Médoc, Bordeaux, France 2021
Bronze, 87 points
£13
Ruby red in colour, floral nose, and refreshing palate of red plum, bitter cherry, blackcurrant, and bell pepper. Fine tannins, elegant fruit, and well-balanced acidity, with an intense finish. Alc 13.42%
Chronic Cellars, Space Doubt Zinfandel, Paso Robles, California, United States 2021
Bronze, 87 points
£13
Spicy nose of cinnamon and vanilla with black tea and plummy notes. Soft and warm. Alc 14.5%
Heidsieck & Co Monopole, Blue Top Brut, Champagne, France NV
Bronze, 87 points
£32
Appealing lemony freshness, layered with toasty notes and a mineral finish. Nice mousse texture. Alc 12.5%
Journey’s End Vineyards, Spekboom Sauvignon Blanc, Coastal Region, South Africa 2022
Bronze, 87 points
£10
Delicate aromas of passion fruit, elderflower and grassy notes. Fresh and gentle on the palate, soft mouthfeel. Alc 12.67%
Louis Vallon, Blanc De Noirs Brut, Crémant de Bordeaux, France NV
Bronze, 86 points
£15
A crisp and fresh crémant with a profile of apple, pear, lemon and apricot. Rounded body, refreshing acidity and good intensity with lovely fine bubbles. A fun fizz. Alc 12%
Maison Mirabeau, Etoile, Côtes de Provence, France 2022
Bronze, 86 points
£17
Hints of fresh almond and raspberry. Red cherry on the palate and an easy going style. Alc 13%
Vidigal, Porta 6, Lisboa, Portugal 2021
Bronze, 86 points
£20/2.25L box
Ripe blackberry and rich plum aromas with crunchy red apple nuances. Ripe and easy to drink. Alc 13.5%
