The retailer’s selection is already looking very festive, with an impressive number of references added across categories alongside offers galore between now and the end of the year.
While focusing on the core classics, there are also more unexpected listings to explore – and even many of the ‘usual suspects’ are seen from different, intriguing perspectives. Jackson Estate’s Stitch Sauvignon Blanc is a good example: with restrained aromatics and a fine mineral line it offers a more poised take on Marlborough’s most loved wine. Or Louis Jadot’s Beaujoulais-Quincié – vibrant and bright without loss of elegance, revealing a more filigreed side of Gamay.
Own-label talent
Waitrose’s own-label collections remain strong and offering outstanding value. They also remain a reliable source of classics – many of which produced by leading winemakers, such as the No.1 Douro White, produced by the talented Jorge Moreira at Quinta de la Rosa, or the No.1 Grüner Veltliner, crafted by Markus Huber – at particularly accessible prices. But they also champion lesser-known styles and regions, well-worth discovering as very interesting alternatives to those usual suspects. The Loved & Found projects goes from strength to strength, showcasing the potential of lesser-known varieties to produce enjoyable, food-friendly wines that go a bit beyond what you usually find at that price point. Stand outs among the current offerings are a Treixadura from Ribeiro, with lovely minerality and sense of place, and a Piquepoul Noir from the Languedoc, bursting with crunchy fruit and Mediterranean herbs.
Great for gifting
Waitrose’s shelves are full of bottles that will make for thoughtful gifts and tokens of appreciation to festive hosts, including Gusbourne Estate’s delicious Exclusive Release (also available in a rosé iteration), which comes in smart gift box. You might also want to wrap a bottle of Masi Campofiorin Apassimento (great winemaking on show with beautiful integration of the intensity of the dried grapes in the blend), of the Schug Pinot Noir or of the Mâcon-Lugny Les Charmes from cooperative Caves de Lugny.
Fortified bounty
Perhaps the best source of gifts and gems is, however, the fortified section. While there are interesting and great-value discoveries across styles and categories, the fortified line up on Waitrose’s shelves is looking particularly impressive. Starting with the retailer’s own Blueprint Fino, Medium Dry Amontillado and Fine Tawny – produced by Bodegas Lustau, Sánchez Romate and Symington Family Estates respectively – for guaranteed satisfaction under a tenner, the line up goes all the way up to some seriously good finds. The fact that you can find a White Colheita 2010 from white Port specialist Kopke, a Graham’s Quinta dos Malvedos 2012 or Taylor’s Quinta de Vargellas 2015, on a supermarket shelf is no short of extraordinary.
Waitrose has multiple festive offers around the corner, many of which might include some of the highlights below, but you might want to stock up on most of these more unique gems while stocks last.
Waitrose & Partners: top buys this autumn and winter
All bottle prices are correct at time of publication and do not reflect special or multi-buy offers. Wines are grouped by style and ordered by score, in descending order.
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