Co-op’s wine range has won recognition for the breadth of its Fairtrade selection but its rosé offering is also noteworthy, with many of the best Co-op wines coming in various shades of pink. One of the most familiar names on the high street, Co-op has pivoted in recent years to become a convenience chain, with a relatively small average branch size as a result. The space constraints are significant, so it’s impressive that the wine offer remains compelling.
The presence of quality rosé in the range is obvious, with styles to suit different tastes and budgets. That includes premium Provence pinks from some great names such as Château Léoube, Mirabeau and Château du Rouët. Celebrating a rosé sales surge of 7% over the past year, commercial buying manager for wine and spirits, Joe Turner, told me he sees ‘no signs’ of rosé sales slowing, ‘with demand now very much a year-round thing.’
The presence of quality rosé in the range is obvious, with styles to suit different tastes and budgets
Co-op, which also acts as a wholesaler for a number of smaller co-operative societies, as well as the Nisa group of independent retailers, is the world’s biggest seller of Fairtrade wines, celebrating the twentieth anniversary of this range in 2024. Many customers are also members of the society, giving its buying team valuable data on their purchasing habits. This year, Co-op has seen customers switch to its own-label range of 25 ‘Irresistible’ wines, with sales of white up 18.3% and red increasing by 5.7%, but it has also made some smart picks from the Burgundian big guns. Sustainability has been a focus, with the average bottle weight in its own range reduced to help shrink the carbon footprint of its drinks category by a total of 34%. Read on for eight of the best Co-op wines currently available.
What are the IWSC Drinks Supermarket of the Year Awards?
The IWSC Drinks Supermarket of the Year Awards were introduced to provide consumers with an in-depth evaluation of supermarkets’ alcoholic beverage offerings, inclusive of non-alcoholic alternatives. A panel of judges spend months evaluating the biggest UK retailers. Attending supermarket tastings forms part of this process, offering judges the chance to taste many of the wines available in-store and see how buyers are responding to trends and consumer demand.
More from Club Oenologique
Club O is a premium lifestyle publication for curious and discerning wine and spirits lovers. Renowned for inspiring stories and trusted expertise, we connect people to the joys of the world, through the lens of wine, spirits and other interesting drinks. Based in London, our team of expert writers seek out thoughtful stories that introduce our readers to new people, places, drinking discoveries and insights, as well as exploring fresh perspectives on familiar themes. Membership to The Collection offers exclusive access to leading critics’ tasting reports, scores, tastings and events, especially tailored to collectors and investors. Our flagship Club Oenologique magazine offers even more insights for enthusiasts and collectors.
Eight of the best wines at Co-op in 2024
