The recent move towards lighter, fresher styles of wine has paved the way for a surge in supermarket sales of reds that can be enjoyed chilled. That was one of the significant trends to emerge from interviews with leading members of buying teams from the major UK drinks retailers, conducted as part of this year’s IWSC National Drinks Retail Awards.
The Co-op was one of the retailers reporting strong sales of chillable reds last summer as drinkers opted for fruity wines with the acidity and aromatics to be enhanced by time spent in the fridge. Wines made from grapes such as Pinot Noir, Gamay, Grenache, Frappato and Corvina have proved popular for the ability of certain styles to refresh in warmer weather. While the trend is a sales boost for retailers during a season in which red wine sales traditionally tail off, it’s also been heralded as one that welcomes a younger generation into wine and starts them on their ‘journey’ in the category as a whole.
In addition to the continued rise in more adventurous wines, showing itself as an increasing number of bottles on the shelves from both lesser-known regions and unfamiliar grape varieties, other developments over the last year include an explosion in demand for innovative ready-to-drink cocktails, including Spritzes beyond the usual Aperol variety. M&S has catered to the trend with alternative takes such as the Hugo Spritz and Limoncello Spritz, both of which have outsold the brand’s conventional canned G&T. Waitrose has reported a similar surge in canned Martini sales; its Espresso and Vesper Martinis are proving a big hit.
Moderation is a trend that may well become a permanent theme in the supermarket alcohol aisles, with no-and-low ranges expanding rapidly alongside their traditional counterparts. Asda nearly doubled its no-and-low alcohol range in 2025; other retailers are seeing sales of 0% ABV canned cocktails increase along with the alcoholic versions mentioned above. M&S has introduced alcohol-free Piña Colada and ‘Aperitivo’ Spritz canned cocktails, sales of which have outperformed targets by almost 100%, while buyers at Ocado and Waitrose report that non-alcoholic aperitifs Mother Root and Botivo are captivating shoppers. Their success demonstrates one of the ways in which the no-and-low space is evolving, expanding to include original creations designed to deliver their own unique flavours in addition to non-alcoholic alternatives that mimic existing alcoholic drinks.
Read on for all the winners at last night’s awards, plus a selection of the best chillable reds currently available on UK supermarket shelves…
IWSC National Drinks Retail awards: The winners
- Classic Supermarket Trophy: Waitrose
- Convenience Supermarket Trophy: M&S
- Discounter Supermarket Trophy: Aldi
- Online Supermarket Trophy: Waitrose
- Sustainable Supermarket Trophy: Waitrose
- Outstanding Supermarket Wine Range Trophy: Tesco
- Outstanding Supermarket Spirits Range Trophy: Sainsbury’s
- Large Online Wine Specialist Trophy: The Wine Society
- Outstanding Large Online Wine Specialist Range Trophy: Laithwaites
- Sustainable Large Online Wine Specialist Trophy: The Wine Society
Five top chillable reds at the supermarkets
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Gamay 2024
Awarded 91 points by a panel of IWSC judges, this energetic, fresh Gamay offers incredible value for money, with its rose-tinted nose, juicy sour cherry and blackberry, fine tannins and refreshing cranberry acidity. A crunchy wine that is all the better for a short spell in the fridge.
£9, Sainsbury’s
Asda Wine Atlas Cinsault
Awarded a silver at the IWSC last year, a fresh, perfumed red that offers outstanding value for a medal winner. The nose entices with rose petals, strawberries and a hints of dried herb, while the palate is silky and juicy with a cranberry tang to the acidity. There’s some gentle earthiness, but it’s all about freshness and finesse. Serve chilled with cheese or charcuterie.
£7, Asda
CVNE Maruxa Mencía 2023
Mencía is a wonderful, bright and vibrant grape from the slate-rich slopes of inland Galicia in northwest Spain. Produced by CVNE of Rioja fame, this is a chillable, lighter style of wine that still has plenty of concentration.
£13, Tesco
Albert Glas Pinot Noir 2023
Germany is almost unbeatable for well priced, fresh and fruity Pinot Noir, and this example from Pfalz is perfect for a gentle chill. There’s crunchy cranberry and raspberry, with a dash of herbal complexity and a subtle hint of spice.
£9.50, Co-op
The Best Block Series 019 Saumur Champigny 2024
A bright, fresh Loire red offering a lifted nose of raspberry, red cherry and fresh mint, the herbal theme continuing through the palate, which offers bags of crunchy red fruit charm, lithe cranberry acidity and gentle tannins. A versatile wine that tastes great chilled.
£15, Morrisons
