We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
The best wines to shop in April, according to our expert, from £8.50
We've found the best deals in the (virtual!) wine aisle right now
Spring is officially in the air and we're looking for the perfect bottles to pair with seasonal flavours and lighter plates.
With that in mind, this month we’re spotlighting a selection of great-value pours, ideal for midweek catch ups and alfresco evenings with friends and family. We've scoured the (virtual) wine aisles to bring you the best deals across white, red, rosé and orange wines right now.
Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Rheinhessen Sauvignon Blanc
Read review
All the bottles in our list have been selected by our senior food & drink editor, Stacey Smith, who's a WSET-certified wine and spirits expert and has worked in the industry for over 10 years.
These are the easy-drinking wines to stock up on for the lighter evenings.
White wines
To tide you over until your Greek summer holiday, this under-a-tenner bottle deserves a spot in your basket. A great pick for sauvignon blanc fans, it’s zesty and bone dry, packed with citrus and a streak of minerality – made for that first glimpse of spring sunshine.
Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Rheinhessen Sauvignon Blanc
Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Rheinhessen Sauvignon Blanc
Looking for a spring aperitif? We’ve found the answer in Germany’s cool-climate sauvignon blanc. Aromatic and uplifting, with racing acidity and zesty fruit, this makes a brilliant match for seasonal dishes like asparagus risotto and new potato salads.
Buy three or more and save 25% with Nectar
Next time you’re in-store at your local Co-op, look out for this recognisable blue bottle (it should be easy to spot on the shelf). With its high acidity, thirst-quenching citrus and crisp minerality, Portugal’s alvarinho grape is just perfect for the summer months.
Championing biodiversity and lesser-known grapes, the latest addition to the Kew Series by Laithwaites range is this albillo from Spain.
It’s not a grape you come across very often, and therefore all the more special to seek out. It has a really creamy, rounded palate, thanks to six months lees-aging and it has enough structure to pair with roast chicken and all the trimmings. Whether you serve it in the garden or not is up to you...
You've heard of chicken wine, but what about octopus wine? Available exclusively at Majestic, La Marée Verte is a blend of sauvignon blanc, grenache blanc and chardonnay, and has a herbal profile, with notes of crisp green apple and soft peach. Organic and sustainable, it's perfect with sushi or goat's cheese salads.
Save £4 a bottle when bought as a case of six
A real belter for the price, this rich, buttery white has beautiful depth from oak ageing. It's classic Californian sunshine in a glass. Opulent and full-bodied, this one is made for serving with creamy seafood pasta or grilled prawns with garlic butter.
Rosé and orange wines
Whether you drink rosé year-round or have been patiently counting down the days until spring, this is the bottle to unscrew first. A rosé with real texture and grip, plus a pretty floral note and thirst-quenching acidity – it's got it all.
A blend of viognier, chardonnay, muscat, gewurztraminer and petit manseng grapes, this on-trend orange wine is a great "white" wine for red wine drinkers. Still with us?
We love the weight and gripiness of this one, and the combination of zesty citrus, apricot and nuts make it super food-friendly too.
Red wines
Described as the perfect "smashable" red, this 100% garnacha is super summery and light, with notes of cherry and pomegranate. It's an excellent choice to chill and serve alfresco – the clue is on the bottle.
Every household should have a "house" red – a bottle that's consistently good, at a price that means you won't think twice about opening midweek. Superb value and easy-drinking, this fruit-driven drop is made from indigenous Portuguese grape varieties.
What really sets it apart, though, is its mission: every bottle sold supports conservation projects that help restore ecosystems, protect wildlife and promote biodiversity.
Sparkling wines
A pét-nat at Tesco – how fun. Once the preserve of East London wine bars, pét-nat has officially hit the mainstream. And at just £12, this funky, lightly cloudy fizz offers a refreshing alternative to run-of-the-mill prosecco, making it a top choice for toasting someone special.
Expect fragrant notes of white blossom, candied orange peel and orchard fruit.
How to get good wine for less
To ensure you get the best bottle for your buck, look to lesser-known wine regions. For example, switching your champagne for less prestigious (but no less delicious) crémant – made in the exact same way, just down the road – could save you a fortune. And rather than France, zoom out to Romania, or try bottles from ‘New World’ wine countries such as Chile and Argentina.
We also recommend steering clear of the most well-known grape varieties, such as Burgundy pinot noir, and trying out less famous indigenous grapes such as Italy’s Montepulciano. Often, you’ll discover new favourites at a fraction of the price of their more famous counterparts.
It’s also worth taking advantage of bulk buy offers. Many retailers, including Majestic, Sainsbury’s, and Waitrose, among others, frequently offer discounts on mixed cases.
And of course, the likes of Aldi and Lidl still have some absolute gems at well under £10.
Stacey looks after all food and drink reviews — from coffee pods and veg boxes, to natural wine and tequila. Stacey is also founder of Crummbs, where she’s written nearly 2,000 restaurant and hotel reviews since 2013. Prior to this, Stacey wrote hundreds of in-depth buying guides for the Independent, i newspaper and BBC Good Food, as well as reviewing restaurants and interviewing celebrities in her column at Balance Magazine. Stacey has also appeared in BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary Blood, Sweat & Takeaways, where she investigated South East Asia's food production industry, appearing on both Newsnight and BBC World Service to share her findings. Regularly checking out the latest restaurants, bars and product launches, Stacey also loves experimenting with recipes at home, and is a WSET-certified wine and spirits expert, with over 10 years of experience in the business. You can follow Stacey on Instagram @crummbs_uk
