Sainsbury’s is one of the UK’s Big Four supermarkets, and it has an admirable range of wines. Here are just a few picks of the retailer’s top performers from this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards.
With over 1,400 supermarkets and convenience stores, shoppers can expect plenty of choice from Sainsbury’s.
One of the most popular of those choices from this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) has to be the Silver-winning Taste the Difference Riesling, Austria 2023. Bursting with youthful candied fruits, ripe apricot, pear and peach flavours, this lip-smacking Riesling thoroughly deserves its 94 points.
Two red Silver-medal winners are worth noting from Bordeaux in France and South Africa. Awarded 9o points, Sainsbury’s, Taste the Difference St-Emilion 2022 displays great typicity with its cedary, graphite aromas and generous frame of tannins. From South Africa, judges awarded 90 points to Taste the Difference Fairtrade Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot 2022 for its hints of dark chocolate, minty red fruit and juicy acidity. It’s also great value at just £8.50.
Scroll down to see our Sainsbury’s Shopper’s Guide for DWWA-winning wines
Another Silver-awarded wine worth seeking out is the supermarket’s Taste the Difference Cava Brut NV. This easy drinking sparkler scored 90 points for its lovely toasty aromatics and bright acidity. It’s an absolute steal at £8.75 too!
Of the 47 Bronze medal winners you can find at Sainsbury’s, there’s choice for everyone with awarded sparkling, white, rosé, red and fortified styles to enjoy.
The verstility of the supermarkets’ range is especially demonstrated in the red category, with the striking Taste the Difference Pinot Noir, Rheinhessen, Germany 2022 securing 88 points for its varietal raspberry and strawberry fruit with a touch of red liquorice and the Taste the Difference Marzemino, Trentino, Italy 2022 achieving 88 points for its Morello cherry and blackcurrant flavours enveloped in supple tannins.
For rosé lovers, keep an eye out for Taste the Difference Ile de Beauté Rosé 2023 from Corsica, France. Awarded 89 points, judges were impressed by its subtle strawberry and cream aroma and silky mouthfeel.
Whether you shop in-store or shop online, there’s plenty of award-winning wines to select from. Find a selection of Sainsbury’s winning highlights at this year’s DWWA below.
DWWA Shoppers’ Guide: Sainsbury’s
Silver
Sainsbury’s, Taste the Difference Riesling, Austria 2023
Silver, 94 points
£11
Youthful candied fruit notes, lemon drop, pear, ripe apricots and peaches. Harmonious and well structured, with a piercing acidity. Alcohol 12.5%
Sainsbury’s, Taste the Difference Sauvignon Blanc, Western Australia 2022
Silver, 91 points
£9
Aromatic and straight forward with lovely melon and grapefruit notes and lots of perfume. Limey on the palate, very light and fresh, showing finesse. Alc 12.5%
Sainsbury’s, Taste the Difference Cava Brut, Spain NV
Silver, 90 points
£8.75
Fruit driven with modest autolytic toasty nuances on the nose. Bright acidity, a very easy drinking style. Alc 11%
Sainsbury’s, Taste the Difference Central Coast Chardonnay, California, USA 2022
Silver, 90 points
£12
Bright orchard fruit, peach and pineapple nose, floral palate of citrus, stone fruit, apple, pear and melon. Alc 14%
Sainsbury’s, Taste the Difference Mid-Strength Blanc, Loire, France 2023
Silver, 90 points
£7.50
Appealing and fresh, with aromas of red currant and bright pear drop; lively primary fruit on the palate. Alc 8.5%
Sainsbury’s, Taste the Difference Petit Chablis, Burgundy, France 2022
Silver, 90 points
£15
Light lemon and apple flavours with a vibrant crystalline structure and lingering finish. Really good value. Alc 12.5%
Sainsbury’s, Taste the Difference Fairtrade Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, South Africa 2022
Silver, 90 points
£8.50
Sweet bell peppers, blackberry compote and hints of dark chocolate. Fine tannin management with minty red fruits and juicy acidity. Alc 14%
Sainsbury’s, Taste the Difference St-Emilion, Bordeaux, France 2022
Silver, 90 points
£14
Cedary nose with aromas of graphite, blackberry preserve and sweet oak spices. Expansive and broad, with well framed tannins. Alc 14%
Bronze
Sainsbury’s, Taste the Difference Jurançon Sec, South West France 2023
Bronze, 89 points
£9
Pineapple and fennel notes on the nose with touches of lemon and red apple. Pleasant texture. Alc 12.5%
Sainsbury’s, Taste the Difference Ile de Beauté Rosé, Corsica, France 2023
Bronze, 89 points
£10.50
Pretty light pink in colour with a subtle strawberry and cream aroma and a silky mouthfeel on the palate. Alc 11%
Sainsbury’s, Taste the Difference Barbera d’Asti, Piedmont, Italy 2020
Bronze, 89 points
£8.75
Lean and fresh, with juicy fruit, oak and yeasty characteristics on the nose and palate, with a pungent finish. Alc 14.5%
Sainsbury’s, Taste the Difference Fairtrade Chenin Blanc, South Africa 2023
Bronze, 88 points
£8.50
Melon, kiwi and baked apple aromas. Mineral notes evolve around peaches and apples with an oily complexion. Resolved and focused. Alc 13.5%
Sainsbury’s, Taste the Difference Vieilles Vignes Chablis, Burgundy, France 2020
Bronze, 88 points
£17
Quite rich and stone fruit focused, with some attractive nuttiness and creamy miso and lemon notes. Alc 12.5%
Sainsbury’s, Taste the Difference Marzemino, Trentino, Italy 2022
Bronze, 88 points
£9.75
Pretty nose of wild flower and forest floor; Morello cherry, blackcurrant and supple tannins on the palate. Alc 12.5%
Sainsbury’s, Taste the Difference Pinot Noir, Rheinhessen, Germany 2022
Bronze, 88 points
£8.75
Pleasing raspberry and strawberry fruit with a touch of red liquorice. Soft, supple and nicely varietal. Alc 12.5%
Sainsbury’s, Taste the Difference Chardonnay, Trentino, Italy 2022
Bronze, 87 points
£9.25
Inviting aromas of oak and baked fruit on the nose, with clean, light white fruit on the palate. Alc 12.5%
Sainsbury’s, Taste the Difference Malbec, Cahors, South West France 2020
Bronze, 87 points
£13.50
Ripe aromas of black fruit showing in the nose. Dry on the palate, with a nice tannic structure. Alc 13.5%
Sainsbury’s, Taste the Difference Morador Fairtrade Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina 2023
Bronze, 87 points
£9.75
Very ripe character with candied fruit tones on the nose. Spicy palate, compact and powerful, firm. Alc 13%
Sainsbury’s, Taste the Difference Shiraz, Western Australia 2021
Bronze, 87 points
£9
Plush dark fruit and herbal notes on the nose; red cherry and strawberry on the palate. Alc 14%
Sainsbury’s, Taste the Difference Ventoux, Rhône, France 2021
Bronze, 87 points
£10.50
Red fruit, bell pepper and green herb nose. The palate is fresh, with red cherry, dark plum, tobacco and smoky flavours and some length. Alc 14.5%
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