Over the years, the best wines at M&S have built the brand a reputation for quality, consistency and a focus on innovation but does its current range reflect these principles? The answer, of course, is that it depends. The UK wine and grocery markets demand value, leaving M&S in the tricky position of trying to layer price reductions over expectations of excellence and creativity. On the whole, it performs this balancing act with some dexterity. M&S has always been a bit different, for years eschewing advertising and refusing to accept credit cards, but these days a near-total reliance on its own-label products remains its unique selling point. This guide highlights some of best wines at M&S in 2025 – wines that reflect various consumer needs and occasions.
M&S has ridden a retail rollercoaster in recent decades on the clothing side of the business but food has performed much more strongly, with like-for-like sales increasing 8.9% in the final quarter of last year. The company’s investment in online retailer, Ocado, means that M&S wines are available online these days, albeit sometimes at a slightly different price to what you’ll find in one of its own physical shops.
M&S is keen to burnish its ‘buy British’ credentials, with a higher than average number of English wines
M&S is keen to burnish its ‘buy British’ credentials, with a higher than average number of English wines, including a duo of delicious premium sparklers produced by a rising star, Roebuck Estates, and an orange amphora wine from Kent.
Further afield, M&S is also very proud of its Clocktower range, which it predicts will become the biggest premium New Zealand wine brand in the UK, overtaking Cloudy Bay. M&S has never been cheap but it is certainly price sensitive, cleverly using its ‘Found’ range to introduce unusual and often inexpensive wines, made from often-unfamiliar grape varieties, while its sparkling and rosé ranges are broad and diverse, catering well for all budgets. For those looking to trade up, the ‘Collection’ range delivers excellent value even though the wines are more expensive; the quality justifies the cost. At the value end, however, both whites and reds are a little disappointing, undoubtedly reflecting the challenge of navigating the duty changes introduced in February.
In summary, the M&S wine range is impressively broad and diverse. If you’re popping in on your way home, a good general rule is to look to one of the three named sub-ranges (Found, Classics or Collection) for the most reliable drinking experiences. However, if you’re looking for something specific to pique your interest, here are 10 of the best wines at M&S today.
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.
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10 of the best wines at M&S in 2025
