Best buys from Sainsbury’s: Value picks and seasonal sips to drink now

The summer selection at Sainsbury's is well worth investigating this year, with a recent shake-up in the buying team resulting in a much more interesting wine range. The UK’s second-largest supermarket has clearly been keeping an eye on the competition – as well as the latest trends – introducing a raft of exciting firsts.

Following in the footsteps of Aldi and M&S, Sainsbury's has launched an own-label pét-nat (£12) and an own-label orange wine (£11). ‘Our first Taste the Difference orange wine, offering vibrant peach and citrus peel notes with a subtle pithy texture, is a brilliant introduction to the style and a fresh alternative to summer rosé – ideal with olives and sunny day nibbles,’ says Jono Tiffany, who joined the team last autumn as a product development manager.

The latest sparkling selection also includes a new Blanc de Blancs Champagne (£29.50) and a first-ever own-label Discovery Cap Classique (£13). I've recommended it below, but Graham Beck’s Vintner’s Selection Brut is a worthier choice, at £14.50, if you're a fan of this uniquely South African style.

Discover whites you may not know…

The Discovery collection has much more to offer however, and as usual remains a source of good value, unusual and lesser-known grape varieties and styles to explore.

The new white range includes a Gemischter Satz (£10) – ‘A little-known Austrian style I’m excited to champion,’ says Tiffany. ‘Crisp, sherberty citrus and peach meet delicate florals, making this the ultimate summer white – perfect with simple fish or gently spiced dishes.’

Meanwhile product development manager Lauren Ballantyne, another newcomer to the wine team last September, is championing Discovery Custoza (£8.50). ‘A crisp, elegant white from northern Italy, offering bright citrus and white stone fruit with a clean refreshing finish.’

My top picks include the Discovery Marsanne Roussanne, a textured and characterful wine that’s great for food pairing. It’s made for Sainsbury’s by talented Languedoc winemaker Jean-Claude Mas, who has a hand in most of the Sainsbury's own-label southern French wines – look for his name on labels.

Finding value

Several of the Discovery wines I've recommended below come in at around £10 – or less with a Nectar card. But there are bargains to be found right across the Sainsbury's range. One of my great value picks is the fruity Clearsprings Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa (£7).

Or look to Portugal for a fresh Taste the Difference Vinho Verde white (£7.75) and Lisboa red (£8). Both are great for summer parties and barbecues.

Meanwhile from neighbouring Spain, seek out the Taste the Difference Sherries made for Sainsbury's by top producer Bodegas Lustau, which took all three Platinum medals awarded to Sherry in this year's Decanter World Wine Awards. The bone-dry, savoury fino below is perfect as an aperitif or with tapas – and is also among the most competitively priced wines you’ll currently find on the high street.

Summer sips

And of course it wouldn't be summer without a chilled glass of rosé… A highlight of the new selection is the recently launched Queen Côtes de Provence Rosé. Called Cuvée Rock n’ Roll – what else? – it’s produced by Roger Taylor, the drummer of the legendary band, in association with Provence winery Les Caves du Commandeur.

Only available at Sainsbury's and Waitrose, it makes a nice change from Kylie’s Provence Rosé if you like a pink with star power. At the launch Taylor described it as ideal for drinking ‘on the back of a major yacht in hot weather’ – but we think your back garden will do nicely if you don’t have a yacht…

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Best Sainsbury’s wines to drink now

Tasting notes come from the Sainsbury’s spring/summer 2026 tasting. All bottle prices are correct at time of publication.

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