THE DRINKER
EAT - DRINK - BE MERRY
ASDA WINE SELECTION 2025
SUMMARY
A really good showing in the up to £7 to £10 category so the ASDA buyers have done a fantastic job with some top value stuff, also very high quality Italian reds and really well chosen French wines. If in doubt plump for any bottle with the words 'Extra Special' on it, they're all reassuringly good, however do note that many of the 'Extra Special' wines are being re-branded/upgraded to 'Exceptional'.
They've recently introduced a new range labeled the Wine Atlas selection encouraging wine lovers to begin exploring the world of wine.
Prices subject to change.
KEY
The reds are written up in this colour
The whites in this colour
Pink in this colour
The fizz in this colour
WINE PRICE/DRINKER RATING
Manoir du Baron Viognier £5.14 /88
Nectarine and peach, easy going, simple light party wine, but interesting enough
Espartero Rioja Blanco £5.50 /89
Easy drinking house white, fresh and floral with a hint of citrus
Wine Atlas Feteasca Regala (Ita) £6.08 /89
Floral, aromatic wine, dry, fresh acidity, touch of passionfruit and citrus
Alvarinho Azul Marino £8.42 /89
The Octopus Wine! Youthful, fresh, light, peach and melon, herbal finish
Wine Atlas Carricante (Ita) £6.98 /89
Orange blossom nose, Sicilian lemon palate, wonderful mineral notes too
Extra Special Rueda Palacio de Vivero £6.42 /90
Lime zest and orange blossom, fresh and fruit driven, well made
Extra Special Vin de France Viognier £7.74 /89
Little touch of coconut husk on the nose, lemon and citrus dominate, beautifully poised
Extra Special Cotes du Gascogne £6.97 /90
Very special Extra Special, peach, lime and pineapple, super stuff
Extra Special Pinot Grigio £6.97 /88
Decent apple and peach nose, good hit of citrus on the palate, well made, balanced and affordable
Exceptional Western Cape Chardonnay (SA) £6.57 /90
Fresh crisp apple and lime zest, good mouthwatering acidity, lovely wine at the price
La Corriente Sauvignon Blanc £7.82 /90
Big, expressive passionfruit character, modern new world Sauvignon
Santodeno Grillo £6.97 /90
Lemon and white blossom nose, aromatic citrus and apple palate, classy and affordable
Cune Rioja Blanco (Spa) £9.32 /90
Wonderful orchard fruit aromas, body and depth, silky oak spices
Aupouri Pinot Grigio (NZ) £7.43 /88
Honey and honeysuckle, floral and citrus, tropical fruit, lots of character
Torre de Lapela Vinho Verde £5.50 /89
Light, elegant wine (only 10%) fresh spritz, lime peel easiness - breakfast wine
Kakapo Riesling/Sauvignon/Chadronnay (NZ) £6.50 /91
Pretty label, pretty wine, green lime, tropical fruit, classy, long pleasing finish
Tuki Tuki Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc £8.06 /89
Really precise Marlborough sauvignon, jsut as it should be, expressive, floral, tropical
Roversi Pecorino Terre di Chieti £9.74 /89
Greengage and lime on nose. Good zesty wine, easy drinker, uncomplex but sound
Dark Horse Chardonnay £9.47 /89
Big full bodied and oaky, old fashioned US Chardonnay, classic of the style
Dr L Riesling £6.50 / 90
Rather unfashionable medium riesling, but fabulous acidity and floral aromatics
Extra Special Ataware Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc £9.43 /89
Lovely tropical nose, lychee and peach, green grass and passionfruit palate, amazing wine
Exceptional Grillo £6.92 /89
Apple blossom nose, green grass and vanilla, well made commercial chardonnay - party wine
Nice Drop Pinotage £4.25 /88
Plum and black currant nose, soft and full, mouthwatering party wine
Espartero Rioja Joven £5.52 /88
Primary red and black fruit, light easy drinking young Rioja
Carne Rojo Malbec £5.47 /89
Red cherry and damson, proper BBQ wine, really well priced, super stuff
Extra Special Uco Valley Malbec £9.24 /87
Hint of pipe tobacco, forward fruit, ripe and intense, proper 'Drinker'
Exceptional Barossa Shiraz £8.97 /88
Distant hint of menthol on the nose, full ripe intense black fruit, long hot finish
Extra Special Primitivo £6.47 /90
Rock solid primitivo, ripe black fruit, bramble and black currant, big oak, black cherry, bargain
Extra Special Carmenere £6.98 /89
Dark and brooding, touch of burnt rubber, intense black cherry and spicy redcurrant
Extra Special Douro £6.97 /87
Concentrated blackcurrant, intense and rich, blackberry, prunes, cassis and vanilla
Extra Special Sicillian Reserva £8.47 /90
Black cherry, plum and damson, full on fruit, lovely structure, well made
Extra Special Chilean Merlot £6.98 /87
Big menthol noes, green stalkiness (in a good way), herbal and blackberry to finish
Extra Special Garnacha £6.17 /87
Intense summer pudding vibe, red currant and raspberry, balanced tannin, look at the price!
Extra Special Rioja Reserva £8.75 /90
Herbal tobacco, spice, cedar, pepper, red berries, lovely stuff, exactly what it should be
Exceptional Zinfandel £6.98 /89
Blackcurrant leaf, vanilla - a bit jammy, powerful stuff 14.5% alcohol, winter warmer
Extra Special Chilean Pinot Noir (Chi) £7.48 /89
Black pepper and black currant, light body but good depth of flavour and light tannins
Exceptional Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon £6.98 /89
Black cherry and black currant nose, beautifully structured, fruit driven hint of tobacco
Burdizzo Chianti £7.07 /87
Herbal nose, hint of tobacco leaf, black cherry toward chocolate palate, lovely wine
La Moneda Premium Collection Merlot £5.97 /88
Big easy fruit, very straightforward wine, soft and easy drinking, very well priced
Via Vincini Gran Rosso £7.47 /90
Pepper, spice and leather on nose, powerful, full ripe black fruit and oak, classy
Bodacious Tejo (Por) £6.74 /90
Open eucalyptus nose, vanilla spice, red cherry and plum, lots of wine fro the money
Extra Special Fleurie £9.98 /89
Light easy violet nose, firm red fruit palate, easy tannins - could drink chilled
Castillo Montanez Reserva £6.97 /90
Rioja wannabe, oak and tempranillo character, looks like Rioja, tastes like Rioja!
Extra Special Malbec Rosé (Fra) £7.97 /90
Perfectly acceptable pink, easy drinking with a gentle touch of malbec tannin
Wine Ile de Beaute Rosé £6.97 /89
Floralpear drop and banana nose, strawberry palate, dry fresh and interesting
Extra Special Pinot Grigio Rosé (Fra) £6.97 /90
A bit of a cut above - a really lovely light crushed raspberry aroma, dry, fresh and refreshing
Fillipo Sansovino Pinot Grigio Rosé (Ita) £5.52/ 89
Well made, fresh, dry rose, red berries, easy drinking, great for a summer party
Extra Special Cotes du Provence Rosé (Fra) £8.94 /88
Beautiful light pink, lovely blood orange feel, red berry palate, fresh and bright
Extra Special Valdobiadene Prosecco £9.43 /89
Stone fruit nose, pleasingly soft in mouth, fresh white peach, great value
Extra Special Asti Spumante £5.52 /89
Wonderful floral notes, old lady's handbag, beautiful freshness and light sweetness in balance
Fillipo Millesimato Sansovino Prosecco £8.48 /88
Lovely looking bottle, soft ripe green apple, touch of blossom, lovely
Extra Special Mas Miralda Cava £7.48 /90
Cava's back! Bramley apple and brioche nose, fresh, dry, a real bargain
Fillipo Sansovino Prosecco (Ita) £7.47/88
Gorgeous peach and pear notes, light, easy fresh and affordable
Fillipo Sansovino Prosecco Rosé (Ita) £6.47/88
Well made, simple but lovely and very pretty pink party Prosecco
Over £10
The Ned Pinot Grigio £10.42 /89
Floral and tropical notes (not 100% pinot grigio), good lime and topical palate
Extra Special Gavi di Gavi (Ita) £10.27 /89
Great value honest wine, good fresh zesty fruit, green apple and lime
Asda Lugana (Ita) £11.42 /89
Wonderful freshness supported by a good fruity backbone, all I could ask for
Extra Special Chablis £14.97 /89
Great value honest wine, good green apple and lime, buttery creamy finish
Extra Special Pouilly Fume £15.22 /89
Lime nose, blossom, and a little touch tropical, first class
Brocard Chablis (Fra) £15.52 /92
Outstanding wine, Chablis as it should be apple and white pepper, some minerality, first class
Extra Special Sancerre £16.63/ 90
Lemon.grapefruit, minerality, everything you'd want from a decent Sancerre
Exceptional White Burgundy £11.13/89
Apple and pear nose, hint of citrus fresheness on palate, lovely stuff, interesting
Extra Special Chateauneuf du Pape £19.77 /90
Black cherry and tar nose, forward fruit, well structured, powerful and elegant
Extra Special Marques del Norte Rioja Gran Reserva £12.18 /90
Smashing, juicy, oaky Rioja, deep and concentrated, spice and vanilla
Extra Special Cotes du Beaune £14.18 / 90
Extra special indeed, cherry and tobacco aroma and summer pudding palate, classy
Exceptional by Asda North Canterbury Pinot Noir £11.25 /91
Pale, beautiful looking, red cherry and smoke, warming black pepper spice
Malbado Malbec (Arg) £14.97 /92
Wonderful looking bottle, special occasion wine, cinnamon spiced cherry pie, lengthy finish
Screaming Devil Cotes du Provence Rosé £12.97 /90
Very pink looking wine, dry but strawberry dominant, floral notes, lovely
Exceptional Vintage Champagne Louis Bernard £27.98 /92
Brioche nose, rich, buttery and velvety, very classy wine, layers of flavour, vanilla, fruit, bread
Asquith Gardens English Sparkling £17.97 /90
Very classy wine, lovely yeast and green apple nose, becoming ripe red apple on palate, superb
Cave de Lugny Cremant de Bourgogne £11.98 /89
Not as fusty as Champagne, not as aggressive as Cava not as dull as Prosecco
SUMMARY
A really good showing in the up to £7 to £10 category so the ASDA buyers have done a fantastic job with some top value stuff, also very high quality Italian reds and really well chosen French wines. If in doubt plump for any bottle with the words 'Extra Special' on it, they're all reassuringly good, however do note that many of the 'Extra Special' wines are being re-branded/upgraded to 'Exceptional'.
They've recently introduced a new range labeled the Wine Atlas selection encouraging wine lovers to begin exploring the world of wine.
Prices subject to change.
KEY
The reds are written up in this colour
The whites in this colour
Pink in this colour
The fizz in this colour
WINE PRICE/DRINKER RATING
Manoir du Baron Viognier £5.14 /88
Nectarine and peach, easy going, simple light party wine, but interesting enough
Espartero Rioja Blanco £5.50 /89
Easy drinking house white, fresh and floral with a hint of citrus
Wine Atlas Feteasca Regala (Ita) £6.08 /89
Floral, aromatic wine, dry, fresh acidity, touch of passionfruit and citrus
Alvarinho Azul Marino £8.42 /89
The Octopus Wine! Youthful, fresh, light, peach and melon, herbal finish
Wine Atlas Carricante (Ita) £6.98 /89
Orange blossom nose, Sicilian lemon palate, wonderful mineral notes too
Extra Special Rueda Palacio de Vivero £6.42 /90
Lime zest and orange blossom, fresh and fruit driven, well made
Extra Special Vin de France Viognier £7.74 /89
Little touch of coconut husk on the nose, lemon and citrus dominate, beautifully poised
Extra Special Cotes du Gascogne £6.97 /90
Very special Extra Special, peach, lime and pineapple, super stuff
Extra Special Pinot Grigio £6.97 /88
Decent apple and peach nose, good hit of citrus on the palate, well made, balanced and affordable
Exceptional Western Cape Chardonnay (SA) £6.57 /90
Fresh crisp apple and lime zest, good mouthwatering acidity, lovely wine at the price
La Corriente Sauvignon Blanc £7.82 /90
Big, expressive passionfruit character, modern new world Sauvignon
Santodeno Grillo £6.97 /90
Lemon and white blossom nose, aromatic citrus and apple palate, classy and affordable
Cune Rioja Blanco (Spa) £9.32 /90
Wonderful orchard fruit aromas, body and depth, silky oak spices
Aupouri Pinot Grigio (NZ) £7.43 /88
Honey and honeysuckle, floral and citrus, tropical fruit, lots of character
Torre de Lapela Vinho Verde £5.50 /89
Light, elegant wine (only 10%) fresh spritz, lime peel easiness - breakfast wine
Kakapo Riesling/Sauvignon/Chadronnay (NZ) £6.50 /91
Pretty label, pretty wine, green lime, tropical fruit, classy, long pleasing finish
Tuki Tuki Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc £8.06 /89
Really precise Marlborough sauvignon, jsut as it should be, expressive, floral, tropical
Roversi Pecorino Terre di Chieti £9.74 /89
Greengage and lime on nose. Good zesty wine, easy drinker, uncomplex but sound
Dark Horse Chardonnay £9.47 /89
Big full bodied and oaky, old fashioned US Chardonnay, classic of the style
Dr L Riesling £6.50 / 90
Rather unfashionable medium riesling, but fabulous acidity and floral aromatics
Extra Special Ataware Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc £9.43 /89
Lovely tropical nose, lychee and peach, green grass and passionfruit palate, amazing wine
Exceptional Grillo £6.92 /89
Apple blossom nose, green grass and vanilla, well made commercial chardonnay - party wine
Nice Drop Pinotage £4.25 /88
Plum and black currant nose, soft and full, mouthwatering party wine
Espartero Rioja Joven £5.52 /88
Primary red and black fruit, light easy drinking young Rioja
Carne Rojo Malbec £5.47 /89
Red cherry and damson, proper BBQ wine, really well priced, super stuff
Extra Special Uco Valley Malbec £9.24 /87
Hint of pipe tobacco, forward fruit, ripe and intense, proper 'Drinker'
Exceptional Barossa Shiraz £8.97 /88
Distant hint of menthol on the nose, full ripe intense black fruit, long hot finish
Extra Special Primitivo £6.47 /90
Rock solid primitivo, ripe black fruit, bramble and black currant, big oak, black cherry, bargain
Extra Special Carmenere £6.98 /89
Dark and brooding, touch of burnt rubber, intense black cherry and spicy redcurrant
Extra Special Douro £6.97 /87
Concentrated blackcurrant, intense and rich, blackberry, prunes, cassis and vanilla
Extra Special Sicillian Reserva £8.47 /90
Black cherry, plum and damson, full on fruit, lovely structure, well made
Extra Special Chilean Merlot £6.98 /87
Big menthol noes, green stalkiness (in a good way), herbal and blackberry to finish
Extra Special Garnacha £6.17 /87
Intense summer pudding vibe, red currant and raspberry, balanced tannin, look at the price!
Extra Special Rioja Reserva £8.75 /90
Herbal tobacco, spice, cedar, pepper, red berries, lovely stuff, exactly what it should be
Exceptional Zinfandel £6.98 /89
Blackcurrant leaf, vanilla - a bit jammy, powerful stuff 14.5% alcohol, winter warmer
Extra Special Chilean Pinot Noir (Chi) £7.48 /89
Black pepper and black currant, light body but good depth of flavour and light tannins
Exceptional Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon £6.98 /89
Black cherry and black currant nose, beautifully structured, fruit driven hint of tobacco
Burdizzo Chianti £7.07 /87
Herbal nose, hint of tobacco leaf, black cherry toward chocolate palate, lovely wine
La Moneda Premium Collection Merlot £5.97 /88
Big easy fruit, very straightforward wine, soft and easy drinking, very well priced
Via Vincini Gran Rosso £7.47 /90
Pepper, spice and leather on nose, powerful, full ripe black fruit and oak, classy
Bodacious Tejo (Por) £6.74 /90
Open eucalyptus nose, vanilla spice, red cherry and plum, lots of wine fro the money
Extra Special Fleurie £9.98 /89
Light easy violet nose, firm red fruit palate, easy tannins - could drink chilled
Castillo Montanez Reserva £6.97 /90
Rioja wannabe, oak and tempranillo character, looks like Rioja, tastes like Rioja!
Extra Special Malbec Rosé (Fra) £7.97 /90
Perfectly acceptable pink, easy drinking with a gentle touch of malbec tannin
Wine Ile de Beaute Rosé £6.97 /89
Floralpear drop and banana nose, strawberry palate, dry fresh and interesting
Extra Special Pinot Grigio Rosé (Fra) £6.97 /90
A bit of a cut above - a really lovely light crushed raspberry aroma, dry, fresh and refreshing
Fillipo Sansovino Pinot Grigio Rosé (Ita) £5.52/ 89
Well made, fresh, dry rose, red berries, easy drinking, great for a summer party
Extra Special Cotes du Provence Rosé (Fra) £8.94 /88
Beautiful light pink, lovely blood orange feel, red berry palate, fresh and bright
Extra Special Valdobiadene Prosecco £9.43 /89
Stone fruit nose, pleasingly soft in mouth, fresh white peach, great value
Extra Special Asti Spumante £5.52 /89
Wonderful floral notes, old lady's handbag, beautiful freshness and light sweetness in balance
Fillipo Millesimato Sansovino Prosecco £8.48 /88
Lovely looking bottle, soft ripe green apple, touch of blossom, lovely
Extra Special Mas Miralda Cava £7.48 /90
Cava's back! Bramley apple and brioche nose, fresh, dry, a real bargain
Fillipo Sansovino Prosecco (Ita) £7.47/88
Gorgeous peach and pear notes, light, easy fresh and affordable
Fillipo Sansovino Prosecco Rosé (Ita) £6.47/88
Well made, simple but lovely and very pretty pink party Prosecco
Over £10
The Ned Pinot Grigio £10.42 /89
Floral and tropical notes (not 100% pinot grigio), good lime and topical palate
Extra Special Gavi di Gavi (Ita) £10.27 /89
Great value honest wine, good fresh zesty fruit, green apple and lime
Asda Lugana (Ita) £11.42 /89
Wonderful freshness supported by a good fruity backbone, all I could ask for
Extra Special Chablis £14.97 /89
Great value honest wine, good green apple and lime, buttery creamy finish
Extra Special Pouilly Fume £15.22 /89
Lime nose, blossom, and a little touch tropical, first class
Brocard Chablis (Fra) £15.52 /92
Outstanding wine, Chablis as it should be apple and white pepper, some minerality, first class
Extra Special Sancerre £16.63/ 90
Lemon.grapefruit, minerality, everything you'd want from a decent Sancerre
Exceptional White Burgundy £11.13/89
Apple and pear nose, hint of citrus fresheness on palate, lovely stuff, interesting
Extra Special Chateauneuf du Pape £19.77 /90
Black cherry and tar nose, forward fruit, well structured, powerful and elegant
Extra Special Marques del Norte Rioja Gran Reserva £12.18 /90
Smashing, juicy, oaky Rioja, deep and concentrated, spice and vanilla
Extra Special Cotes du Beaune £14.18 / 90
Extra special indeed, cherry and tobacco aroma and summer pudding palate, classy
Exceptional by Asda North Canterbury Pinot Noir £11.25 /91
Pale, beautiful looking, red cherry and smoke, warming black pepper spice
Malbado Malbec (Arg) £14.97 /92
Wonderful looking bottle, special occasion wine, cinnamon spiced cherry pie, lengthy finish
Screaming Devil Cotes du Provence Rosé £12.97 /90
Very pink looking wine, dry but strawberry dominant, floral notes, lovely
Exceptional Vintage Champagne Louis Bernard £27.98 /92
Brioche nose, rich, buttery and velvety, very classy wine, layers of flavour, vanilla, fruit, bread
Asquith Gardens English Sparkling £17.97 /90
Very classy wine, lovely yeast and green apple nose, becoming ripe red apple on palate, superb
Cave de Lugny Cremant de Bourgogne £11.98 /89
Not as fusty as Champagne, not as aggressive as Cava not as dull as Prosecco
THE DRINKER
EAT - DRINK - BE MERRY