100 AWEsome Wines 2025

White wines under £12

1) ASDA Extra Special Côtes de Gascogne, France (Asda £6)
If you enjoy a vibrant sauvignon blanc then this is for you. I enjoyed this wine from the south west of France very much; it has tasty peach notes and tropical touches of lychee and pineapple. It might not rock the boat in staying power on the palate, but it will bring you a good few happy thoughts around the cash you’ve spent for a lovely little sip. Jane Clare

2) M&S Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, Marche, Italy (Ocado £8, M&S £8)
This beautiful white is packed full of orchard fruits with nuances of nuts and floral characters; a total crowd pleaser. It is an absolute steal at this price and the bottle looks good too! Tor Reynolds

3) The Society’s Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch, South Africa (The Wine Society £8.50)
Hot off the press, as it were, this latest vintage made by Villiera using grapes from old bush vines is a delicious bargain. Juicy stone fruit flavours with a hint of pineapple in a medium weighty style make it easy to drink alone but will work well with a pork and apple roast. Laura Clay

4) Porta 6 Vinho Branco, Lisboa, Portugal (Direct Wine Shipments (Belfast) £9.99)
Many people will be familiar with the popular Porta 6 red but this white is a lovely refreshing surprise. A blend of 40% Fernão Pires, 30% Arinto & 30% Sauvignon. Aromas of citrus and tropical fruits. Round, full-flavoured palate with a refreshing finish. Recommended with grilled fish, seafood, pastas, white meats. Also available in half bottles. Alastair Bell

5) Waitrose Blueprint Gavi DOCG, Gavi, Italy (Waitrose £10.50)
Aromas and flavours of yellow pear, green apples and citrus fruit. Good depth of flavour, crisp acidity with a tinge of steely note on the finish. Great wine for the price, more concentration than more expensive examples. Well done Waitrose. Michelle Cherutti-Kowal MW

6) M&S Cape Cloud Sauvignon Blanc, Durbanville, South Africa (Ocado £11)
Made by the king of Sauvignon Blanc, this will delight your palate! Owner Thys Louw is a Sauvignon Blanc fanatic and this is the 13th different style from Diemersdal in Durbanville. The nose oozes fresh nectarine, pineapple, lemon zest & white flowers, silky and smooth on the palate with a citrus zing on the farewell. A must to whet the appetite! Winifred Bowman

7) Château Thieuley Blanc, Bordeaux, France (The Wine Society £11.25)
I never tire of Bordeaux blanc for its approachable style of white wine to suit any palate. The Courselle family in Entre-Deux-Mers, Bordeaux, are committed to sustainability, using no herbicides or insecticides in their vineyards. This wine is a blend of the classic white grapes Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Sauvignon Gris. Refined and fragrant with citrus and white fruit and a freshness giving the wine perfect balance. Linda Simpson

8) Cramele Recas Solevari Reserve Feteasca Regala, DOC Recaș, Romania (Reserve Wines £12.50 (£11.88 mix six), Bon Coeur Fine Wines £15.10 (£11.62 mix six))
Romania has so many fabulous indigenous grapes and Cramele Recas have been instrumental in getting those wines onto our shelves. So say hello to Feteasca Regala (Regal Princess). This is so aromatic with peach and tropical notes. Mid-weight and textured with a purity of peach and mango and oh so subtle oak, there are light nutty notes too. Carol Brown

Rosé wines under £12

9) Mimo Montinho Alentejo Rosé DOC, Alentejo, Portugal (Aldi £6.99)
A standout wine recently introduced by Aldi, this Portuguese pink is a bit of a revelation. It’s sourced from the Alentejo region. Bone dry, yet fragrant and delicious, with flavours of ripe cherries, raspberries and tropical fruit, it’s intense yet incredibly soft with a fresh finish. Luisa Welch

10) Specially Selected Coteaux Varois En Provence Rosé, Provence, France (Aldi £7.69)
A very pleasing good value Provence rosé, bursting with vibrant pink grapefruit and crisp red berry aromas. It has a lovely refreshing herbal and mineral finish and would be excellent with grilled fish or a cheese and charcuterie board for light summer grazing. John Callow

11) Taste the Difference Bordeaux Rosé, Bordeaux, France (Sainsbury’s £8.75)
Made using Merlot and a bit more extended skin contact to give a slight grip and attractive deep pink colour, this offers slightly sweet, ripe red berry flavours and a crisp acidity that make it an excellent pairing with grilled chicken or a stir fry. John Callow

12) Famille Perrin 'Le Triangle D'or' Rosé, Luberon, France (Majestic £11.99)
The good old Chicken wine La Vieille Ferme rosé is always a favourite for young and old and often on offer and available at most supermarkets. It is not as good as it was, as it is sourced beyond the Luberon now. So worth trading up to this. This is Luberon fruit and has much more mouthfeel. Classic Provencal rosé colour, fresh red fruits and balanced acidity. Carolyn Bosworth-Davies

13) Purato Organic Rosé, Terre Siciliane IGP, Sicily, Italy (Ocado £10.75)
From the extreme west of Sicily is an organic wine made by a producer with the highest sustainability credentials – green in the extreme! Made from Nero d’Avola, delicately pink, lively, crisp, fresh and stylish with red berry fruit flavours. Richard Esling

14) Gérard Bertrand ‘Côtes de Roses’ Rosé AOP Languedoc, Languedoc, France (Majestic £13.99 (£11.99 mix six))
A fresh expression of rosé from the Gérard Bertrand Languedoc vineyards. Very, very pale salmon-coloured, the wine is delicate with strawberries, azaleas and hints of crushed pink roses and tangerine zest. Nearly dry, it’s a light-bodied wine with crisp acidity and an elegant creamy texture. A lovely aperitif, this pretty wine would also work nicely with Louisiana-style crab-meat with just a hint of spice. Patricia Stefanowicz MW

15) Domaine de Castelnau Rosé Osé, IGP, Pays d’Oc, France (WoodWinters £11)
Owned by the Lords of Guers from the 13th century, the Domaine de Castelnau has very ancient origins. This pale pink colour rosé is a blend of 80% Cinsault and 20% Syrah. Made with soft pressing of the grapes, controlled fermentation temperature and aging on fine lees, it benefits from a limited addition of sulfites. On the palate, it shows intense strawberry, red berries, and citrus fruit flavours, followed by a remarkable and pure zesty finish. A smooth, characterful, and captivating rosé wine. Giusy Andreacchio

16) Muga Rosado, Rioja, Spain (The Wine Society £11.50, Majestic £14.99 (£12.99 mix six))
Delicate, pale and refreshing and straight out of the Provence Playbook, Muga's Grenache-based Rosado (with a little Viura for freshness) is great value. It's dry, whistle clean and gentle - delicious on its own but a perfect partner for picnics and tapas too. Pippa Hayward

Red wines under £12

17) Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Abruzzo, Italy (Lidl £5.29)
Just the sort of red that I would like to drink happily and thirstily by the carafe in an Italian trattoria. With lovely purity of crunchy fruit, it is relatively light, super-refreshing and even has a touch of tannin on the finish. Versatile with or without food … and definitely a candidate for serving lightly chilled on a hot day. Richard Bampfield MW

18) Vinchio Vaglio Le Tane Barbera DOC 2023, Piemonte, Italy (Friarwood Wines & Spirits £14.60, The Wine Society £7.95)
The Barbera grape is finally on the rise! ‘Le Tane’ were lairs where the farmers used to store their tools; and they became in time the place for sharing wine and food during their cheerful snack breaks. Cheerful, just like this Barbera from the Vinchio Vaglio co-operative, which shows intense fruitiness, dominated by blackberry and little red fruits. Fresh and round on the palate, it also reveals spicy and grapey notes. Soft, balanced, perfect with all kinds of starters, pizza, lasagne and pasta. Giusy Andreacchio

19) LB7 2022, Vinho Regional Lisboa, Portugal (Majestic £8.99 (£7.99 mix six))
We don’t necessarily associate Lisbon with wine production but there is a recognised region called Vinho Regional Lisboa. The regional status allows for greater flexibility in terms of permitted grape varieties and ageing requirements. As a result, there are great value, easy-drinking reds to be enjoyed. The LB7 is one of these. Rich and juicy red wine packed with spice, black fruit, dark plum and blackberry. A joy to drink with canapes or casserole alike. Linda Simpson

20) Waitrose Loved and Found Piedirosso 2023, Campania, Italy (Waitrose £9)
A lesser known, but trending, ancient grape from Italy’s historic wine region of Campania. Dark, plummy, cherry fruit and dried herbs. Full and smooth with soft tannins but with that essential Italian food matching acidity and grip. The perfect match for pizza and pasta. Nina Cerullo

21) Parcelas Ecológico Monastrell 2022, Yecla, Spain (The Wine Society £9.50)
Organic, 100% Monastrell at a steal of a price. Monastrell (Mourvèdre) is this region’s speciality and this is a great example of a big, bold, full red wine. This grape is often used in a blend to add weight but it’s a punchy delight on its own. Anna Midcalf

22) Esporão Monte Velho Tinto 2022, Alentejo, Portugal (Noble Green Wines £10.90 (mix six £9.90), The Little Fine Wine Company £11.75 (£9.40 special offer))
A distinguished property under the Wine of Alentejo Sustainability Programme (WASP) which is arguably one of the most genuine and pioneering sustainability programmes in the world of wine, set against the backdrop of Europe's most climate challenged wine region. Apart from the distinguished sustainability credentials, the wine is breezy, juicy and elegant, and offers incredible value. Janet Wang

23) La Combe de Grinou, Guy Cuisset & Fils, IGP Périgord 2023, Périgord, France (Corney & Barrow £10.95)
A delicious organic blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from top winemakers in the Bergerac hills. Cherries and spices on the nose, blackberries and a lifting hint of orange on the palate. Trevor Sharot

24) Stellenrust Old Bush Vine Cinsault, Stellenbosch, South Africa (Waitrose Cellar £10.99)
Stellenrust is well-known for stupendous Chenin Blanc, but they also champion other venerable varieties. This is from very old vineyards in Stellenbosch and treated oh so gently by cellarmaster Tertius Boshoff to reveal fresh strawberry, sun-ripened cherry and juicy plums with undertones of exotic spice, hints of oak and a long savoury goodbye. Perfect for pasta dishes and creamy chicken salad. Winifred Bowman

25) Lopez de Haro Selección del Sumiller Crianza, Rioja, Spain (The Wine Society £11.50)
My find of the year - as a Rioja Educator I’m always on the lookout for new Rioja styles to try. This one, from the fabulous team at Lopez de Haro, is a stunner and one of my most enjoyed wines of the year. There's more Garnacha than Tempranillo and the barrel ageing is done with a gentle hand. The result is an elegant, fresh and silky wine with a lovely purity of fruit that just invites the next sip. Drink with a pink rack of lamb or a chunk of Manchego. Pippa Hayward

26) Côtes du Rhône Les Sablières, Domaine des Escaravailles, Rhône, France (The Wine Society £11.95)
In a line-up of Côtes du Rhône reds this voluptuous Grenache/Syrah blend shone out for its easy approachability, balance and incredible value. Hailing from Rasteau, one of the best villages in southern Rhône, it has bright lush sweet raspberry fruits combined with lightly grippy tannins and a vibrant fresh finish. Rose Murray Brown MW

White wines under £25

27) Castellari Bergaglio Gavi Salluvii DOCG 2022, Gavi, Italy (The General Wine Company £12.49)
For Gavi fans this is one of the consistently best value (and tasting) examples that I have had the pleasure of finding (in my fridge). Very refreshing and with enough flavour to stand up to a good powerful tartare sauce with your fish and chip supper. Erica Dent

28) Jurançon Sec Chant des Vignes, Domaine Cauhapé 2021, Jurançon, France (The Wine Society £12.95)
Cauhapé is the property of Henri Ramonteu, the standard bearer of Jurançon in the far south-west of France. It’s so warm here that very ripe fruit and more-or-less sweet wines are the norm, but Henri pioneered dry whites such as this. Full-bodied, unusual but delicious – try it with trout. Trevor Sharot

29) Kleine Zalze Heritage Vineyards Chenin Blanc, South Africa (Waitrose Cellar £13)
This is a very special addition to the Kleine Zalze line up. Proudly displaying the bottle seal of the Old Vines project and made from Chenin Blanc grapes grown in vineyards planted over 35 years ago. A layered treat of stone fruits, citrus and mineral oil notes, it’s full of character with creaminess rounding out the palate and the length of a wine far beyond its price tag. Deborah Zbinden

30) Zephyr 6 Chardonnay 2022, Marlborough, New Zealand (The Wine Society £13.95)
Possibly the best sub £15 Chardonnay I have ever tasted. This has a fine balance of lactic, citrus and tropical flavours, well-integrated oak, subtlety, complexity and length - all the elements of a really good Chardonnay without being overblown. Very impressive winemaking. Christos Ioannou

31) Waitrose No 1 Douro Branco 2023, Douro, Portugal (Waitrose £14)
A fabulous Douro white from the talented team at Quinta de La Rosa - equally famous for their still wines as they are for their elegant Ports. A blend of Viosinho, Rabigato, Arinto and Albarino selected from higher plots for extra freshness, this is intense, balanced and very long. Cool stone fruit flavours carry the palate with a gently creamy mouthfeel all pulled along with ripe acidity. Lip-smacking and lovely. Enjoy with white meat, fishcakes or as an aperitif. Pippa Hayward

32) Susana Balbo ‘Crios’ Torrontes 2022, Mendoza, Argentina (The Great Wine Company £14.36 multibuy)
This white wine from Argentina’s signature white grape has a wonderful nose of lychees,apricot, passionfruit and citrus. These all come though on the palate with a touch of cream and a long lingering finish. This is the benchmark for all Torrontes, perfected by the Queen of Torrontes, Susana Balbo, after many years of working with this grape. Carole Hazlehurst

33) Carlos Lucas Ribeiro Santo Encruzado 2023, Dão, Portugal (The Wine Society £14.50)
This wine was a very pleasant surprise to many of us tasting it recently, such incredible value. Ideal if you like fuller bodied whites with a good amount of fruit and florality. Not too much acidity, it is richer and rounder than many whites, meaning it is delicious with or without food. Erica Dent

34) Chapoutier Combe Pilate Viognier 2022, Rhône, France (N.D. John Wines £15.45, London End Wines £16.50, Moreton Wine Merchants £19.99)
An IGP from the Collines Rhodaniennes, made from 100% Viognier. Full bodied and aromatic, with aromas and flavours of peach, apricot and honey. Some minerality on the palate with a savoury finish. Outstanding value. Available from iIndependent merchants around the country from £15-£19. Biodynamic, with a very modern and distinctive label. Richard Esling

35) Montauto Vermentino 2023, Maremma, Italy (Davys Wine Merchants £16.95)
Maremma, like most of Tuscany, is red wine territory, but this producer focuses on the local Italian coastal white indigenous grape. Their approach is organic, and this Vermentino, or Rolle as it is known in France, is super concentrated and pairs well with most vegetarian dishes and fish or seafood. It is a classy and beautiful example of Vermentino with classic herbal notes and hints of minerality. Quite full and smoothly textured and also elegant with some complexity and a crisp acidity. The seaside in a glass! Carolyn Bosworth-Davies

36) Camel Valley Bacchus 2022, Cornwall, England (Waitrose £17.75)
Apples, crisp lemon, grapefruit and English hedgerows; this is a light, easy-to-drink wine that would go well with shellfish. This will age well, developing more honeyed notes. Maybe not the cheapest white on the shelf but well worth it. Carole Hazlehurst

37) Picpoul de Pinet Florensac 'Patience' 2021, Languedoc, France (Wickhams Wine Merchant £18.50)
Building on the phenomenal success of Picpoul de Pinet, some producers have started making an aged (and ageworthy) version, called Patience. You’ll recognise it by the brown (instead of green) bottle – and the price tag. These wines are from older vines, with lower yields and a longer period of ageing, resulting in a more gastronomic, complex style. That much is new, but you’ll also find the trademark crisp acidity, gentle herbal flavours and an unmistakable tang of the sea. Heather Dougherty

38) Tselepos Mantinia Classic 2023, Peloponnese, Greece (Cava Spiliadis £19.25)
Lovely, perfumed expression of Moschofilero – from what many regard as the best region for this charismatic Greek grape. An excellent example of how indigenous grapes can provide added protection against climate change – this is relatively low in alcohol, crisp, dry and just delicious. No signs of global warming here. Richard Bampfield MW

39) El Pacto Blanco, Rioja 2022, Rioja, Spain (The Wine Society £19.50)
Proper old school white Rioja. Rich, savoury and complex, but with enough acidity to hold it all together. This goes with everything, but don’t serve it too cold. Malcolm Venter

40) Brenley Bacchus 2020, Kent, England (Corkk Wine Shop £19.50)
We first tried this wine as an aperitif on Christmas Day, and loved the clean and crisp fruit, with notes of elderflower, lime peel and melon. Some great refreshing minerality on the finish. Sue Eames

41) Domaine Louis Moreau Chablis 2022, Chablis, France (Waitrose Cellar £20)
Classic wine from a reliable Chablis producer. Textbook Chablis with lemons, grapefruit and a chalky texture. Acidity is tight, the body lean, but a hint of stone fruit on the mouth reflects the vintage. Michelle Cherutti-Kowal MW

42) Pivnica Brhlovce Pinot Blanc 2021, Nitra, Slovakia (Howard Ripley Wines £20.39)
This small artisan winery, run by photographer-turned-winemaker Jan Zaborsky, grows its grapes on the slopes of a caldera formed by the once mighty Sitno stratovolcano in southwest Slovakia. Their Pinot Blanc is surprisingly complex with layers of flavour and white pepper notes; its distinctive texture derives from seven-day skin contact, part oak and agate wood maturation. Rose Murray Brown MW

43) Pinot Blanc Auxerrois 2019, Alsace, France (Terra Wines £21)
The absolutely perfect gastronomic white wine. Superb terroir and brilliant winemaking has produced a wine with green apples, citrus and ripe pear enhanced by a beautiful mouthfeel and balanced by refreshing minerally acidity. A sommelier's dream! Nina Cerullo

44) Château Rochemorin Pessac-Léognan 2021, Bordeaux, France (Waitrose £22.99)
2021 was a top year for white Bordeaux especially in this appellation, with the wines showing a brightness, vibrancy and purity of fruit. This 100% Sauvignon Blanc has a racy acidity which will help it to age for a good many years to come. But why wait when you can enjoy its lime and dried fruit character now with seafood, hard cheeses and poultry? Laura Clay

45) Carl Loewen Riesling Alte Reben 2022, Mosel, Germany (Naked Wines £22.99)
I had this wine with friends and we loved the flinty, slatey character that accompanied the zesty citrus, showing its old vine and low yield characteristics. Wonderful with white fish or seafood. Sue Eames

46) Cerro Del Toro Albariño Sobre Lias 2021, Uruguay (Wines of Uruguay £22.99)
Mention Albariño and people usually think of northwest Spain, but it’s rapidly becoming Uruguay’s signature white variety. Here, lees ageing adds body and depth to Albariño’s classic stone fruit and floral aromatics, all balanced by mouth-watering acidity, making this very food-friendly. Look out for their oak-aged version too. Tim Andrews

47) Montonale Turbiana Montunal, Lugana DOC, Italy (The Wine Reserve £27.49 (£24.49 mix six))
Beautiful expression of the pureness of this native grape variety - Turbiana - which the proud wine producers of Lugana insist upon for its distinctiveness. Nose of white stone fruits and yuzu, with hints of dried kitchen herbs and mineral impressions. It is the ultimate zesty, fresh and mineral white wine that immediately transports you to a gorgeous summer’s day by Lake Garda. Janet Wang

48) Tamburlaine Orange Riesling Reserve, Orange, Australia (Hard to Find Wines £25)
Not “orange wine” but wine from the up-and-coming Orange region north of Sydney - and with plenty of bottle age. Good Rieslings seem never to grow old, but add interest with the years without ever losing their racy, limey character. Trevor Sharot

Orange wines under £25

49) Bizarra Extravaganza Orange Wine 2021, Uruguay (Wines of Uruguay £16.99)
The name and the label give you a hint of what to expect from this “vino natural”. It’s a blend of Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng, and after prolonged skin contact the colour is deeper than a regular white wine. There’s exuberant apple and mango fruit, with pink grapefruit acidity and a hint of “chew” from the skins. It’s seriously good fun. Heather Dougherty

50) Gerard Bertrand Organic Orange Gold Languedoc, Languedoc, France (Ocado £19.50, Majestic £17.99 (mix six £14.99))
This wine comes from the Bertrand stable, one of Languedoc's best-known winemakers. It's a silky wow of a wine, from six varieties, with chardonnay and grenache blanc the main players. The colour is golden and it tastes of bruised apples, pear, honey and apricots. Jane Clare

51) Litmus Orange Bacchus 2022, Surrey, England (Grape Britannia £19.99, Litmus English Wine £20, Virgin Wines £21.50)
Bacchus has been truly embraced as the English Sauvignon Blanc; try this wonderful example which has had six weeks of skin contact which brings an added complexity and structure with a long finish. Great with cheese and charcuterie. Anna Midcalf

Rosé wines under £25

52) Tavel Cuvée Prima Donna Rosé, Domaine Maby 2023, Rhône, France (The Wine Society £14.95)
I am on a one-woman crusade to get more people drinking this unique, deep-coloured style of rosé from the southern Rhône. Tavel is an appellation dedicated purely to rosé and is one of the wine world’s classics. This is a bright ruby-pink colour and fully dry, with a winning combination of juicy, intense berry fruits and a wisp of savouriness – then a little white pepper spice on the finish. Drink it chilled with barbecues in the summer, but it’s a wonderful winter rosé too. I always have some on hand at Christmas for Boxing Day cold meats and salads. Heather Dougherty

53) Château Lestrille, Bordeaux Rosé 2023, Bordeaux, France (Findlays Wine £18.99 (£14.99 mix six), Strictly Wine £15.11, The Fine Wine Company £13.74 (£162.95 a case))
One of my favourite wines from one of my favourite Bordeaux winemakers in the too-often overlooked Entre deux Mers. Organic Merlot with a touch of Cabernet Franc. Bright fresh fruit, but crisp dry and refreshing with a label that illustrates the winemaker Estelle’s commitment to her vineyard environment. Wendy Narby

54) Vino Lauria Rosé di Frappato 2023, Sicily, Italy (WoodWinters £17)
An organic rosé made from 100% Frappato by Vito Lauria, a winemaker who only focuses on noble local varieties. Fermented in stainless steel with a few hours of skin contact, this rosé reveals the ripe but well-balanced red fruit flavours of the Frappato grape. Wild strawberry, wildflower, cherry aromas with an herbaceous touch on the finish and mineral notes. A perfect summer rosé but also a great wine to warm you up in the coldest winter days! Giusy Andreacchio

Red wines under £25

55) Piccini Collezione Privata Toscana IGT, Tuscany, Italy (Morrisons £12.75)
Founded in 1882, the historic Tuscan winery Piccini in the heart of the Chianti Classico area has long been associated with quality wines at affordable prices. New from Mario Piccini, now heading the winery, is a wine called Collezione Privata, expertly blended from Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah grapes from the winery’s four estates. At 13.5% abv, it's the perfect accompaniment to roasts and cheeses. Luisa Welch

56) Alo Jais Noir Carignan IGP Côtes Catalanes 2023, Roussillon, France (Great Grog £13.45, Harrogate Wines £12.50)
This low intervention red from the “need to explore more” region of Roussillon in the South of France is a fruit-forward expression of 100% Carignan. Grapes are grown on low-yielding bush vines. With dark berry, blueberry and spice scents, there is a savoury, earthy side. Full-bodied with juicy fruits of the forest and spice there is a lift of fresh acidity, a mineral hint and finely tuned tannins. Carol Brown

57) Villa Antinori Toscana IGT 2022, Tuscany, Italy (Costco £13.99)
Absolutely deliciously fruity and still young. So vibrantly fresh. Dark blackberries, black plums and sweet ripe blackcurrants. Pretty rounded and velvety smooth tannins though in my humble opinion could keep a year or two more. Marie Cheong-Thong

58) Baron de Ley Club Privado Rioja Reserva 2019, Rioja, Spain (Waitrose £14)
Sadly I do find much Reserva level Rioja rather disappointing value, but not from this family-owned estate of 600 ha. This is a modern, fruit-forward expression, rich in savoury dark fruits, a swish of dark chocolate, all harmoniously supported by 20 months’ oak maturation. Lovely balance, super food-friendly, you will always want another glass. Patty Green

59) Errazuriz Max Carmenère 150, 2022, Aconcagua Valley, Chile (Tesco £14, Ocado £15)
This is a textbook example of the signature black grape of Chile, Carmenère, a variety which has its origins in Bordeaux. Vibrant summer pudding scents with cinnamon, spice and blueberry, it's a glassful of dark berries to taste with black cherry, savoury oak (from 12 months French oak aging), soft tannins and a little smokiness. Carol Brown

60) Château Tour des Gendres La Gloire de Mon Père 2021, Bergerac, France (The Wine Society £14.50)
A very elegant yet fruity and full-bodied red wine made from Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with a very light touch of oak, and very rounded mouthfeel. We first visited this vineyard in 2012 and the wines have remained consistently good. Perfect with duck confit or Reblochon cheese. Sue Eames

61) Capaia One, Tygerberg, South Africa (Majestic £15.99 (mix six £14.49))
The Capaia Estate Winery in Philadelphia, about 30 km from Cape Town was created in 1997 by Alexander Baron von Essen and his wife Ingrid Baroness von Essen. Capaia One is a dark ruby-red Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Syrah, that spends 18 months in French oak. This is an intensely flavoured, powerful wine with blackberry, spice, prune, dried fruit, and lengthy finish. It's perfect for matching winter game, venison, grilled steak – maybe Christmas fayre!! Rosie Bainbridge

62) Masi Campofiorin Rosso Veronese 2020/21, Veneto, Italy (Majestic £15.99 (mix six £13.99), Waitrose Cellar £14.99)
An Italian stylish classic red wine which has tremendous versatility. Suitable for ageing at least 10 years, it is very enjoyable much younger. The 2020 vintage is an intense ruby red, with soft, velvety tannins, rich red berry and cherry fruit and a full bodied, underlying power. A refined and versatile wine, pairing well with roast meats, rich pasta dishes and lightly spiced cuisine. Fabulous Italian red punching well above its weight. Richard Esling

63) Wirra Wirra Church Block 2022, McLaren Vale, Australia (Waitrose Cellar £14.99, Sainsbury’s £15.75)
Church Block is a classic and classy blend that has been produced for over 50 years. Cabernet Sauvignon dominates (plus Shiraz and Merlot), matured in mostly French oak casks for 18 months. Powerful and muscular with intense spicy dark fruits and a succulent finish that lingers. It definitely has cellar potential if you are inclined, and limitless gastronomic appeal. Patty Green

64) Cherubino Ad Hoc Cruel Mistress Pinot Noir, Great Southern, Australia (Noble Green Wines £14.90 (£13.90 mix six), Cambridge Wine Merchants £15, Cheers Wine Merchants £16.95)
A dark but juicy take on this fickle boss of a grape. Black cherries lead the way with bramble berries, a dash of spice and a grounding earthiness. Fresh acidity and a soft texture make it a plush example of this ever tricky grape. Deborah Zbinden

65) Domaine Bousquet Malbec Reserve 2022, Mendoza, Argentina (Vintage Roots £15.50, Davys Wine Merchants £15.45)
Pure, elegant Malbec with great typicity. Delicious plums and black fruit flavours with hints of spice and dried prunes. Added depth and complexity from 10 months ageing in French oak gives an elegant and satisfyingly long finish. Richard Esling

66) Vesevo Beneventano Aglianico 2022, Campania, Italy (Hay Wines £15.49)
Here Aglianico is grown on volcanic, high altitude terrain. This grape has been around for thousands of years and has a reputation for needing to be aged, but modern winemaking expertise has produced a wine which has ripe supple tannins and rich, chocolatey fruit. Superb with a beautiful meat dish. Nina Cerullo

67) El Pacto Ojo Gallo 2022, Rioja, Spain (The Wine Society £16)
Rioja, but not as you know it, reviving the old ways of winemaking, blending red and white grapes which grow side-by-side in the same vineyard. The name “rooster eye” references the lighter, almost pink, colour. Minimal intervention and a light touch of oak means the gentle floral and red fruit flavours shine through. Tim Andrews

68) Beronia Reserva 2019, Rioja, Spain (Waitrose £17, Sainsbury’s £16.50, Majestic £18.99 (£16.99 mix six))
Always reliable, 20 months ageing in oak creates a delicious, velvety red. It's rich, ripe and full of red and black berry fruits. The oak-ageing adds toasty notes of coconut and vanilla, rounded off with spice and smooth tannins. An ideal bottle for your Sunday roast. Christos Ioannou

69) The Society's Exhibition Rioja Reserva 2020, Rioja, Spain (The Wine Society £17)
Really classy traditional red Rioja here, gorgeous red fruits and spice set against sweet oak; beautifully balanced and just a textbook example in this category. Richard Lane

70) Domaine of the Bee The Bee-Side Grenache 2022, Côtes du Roussillon, France (JN Wines £17, Hic Wine Merchants £23.75, All About Wine £20.49)
A nose of herbal, fragrant red fruit - wild strawberries and red cherries. Deliciously drinkable and juicy - a joyous young Grenache with a riot of succulent, crunchy cranberry fruit and a savoury freshness. The Bee-Side is Domaine of the Bee's second label wine, made from 100% Grenache. Much of the fruit now comes from Jean-Marc Lafage’s Grenache vines, blended with a barrel or two of our oak-aged 'pale red' from the Domaine of the Bee vines. The result is a bright, juicy, 'smashable' wine ideally served lightly chilled. A very easy-going red that can be drunk on its own, but try it with white fish, or tomato dishes. Alastair Bell

71) Christophe Bauer Zweigelt 2022, Austria (Swig £17.95)
Classic Zweigelt: a deep purple colour with dark fruit notes and a dash of black pepper. The sour cherry tang and warming notes of balsamic vinegar express Zweigelt’s signature acidity (which makes it such a food-friendly wine). Zweigelt is increasingly common on shelves but the weight and complexity set this apart. Tim Andrews

72) Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore Capitel San Rocco, Tedeschi 2021, Valpolicella, Italy (The Wine Society £18.50)
Juicy red berries with a hint of pepper, dried herbs and sweet spice. Mouth-filling fruit with soft tannins and fresh acidity. The kind of wine that suits most meals and most palates. Michelle Cherutti-Kowal MW

73) Château Beaumont, Haut-Médoc 2022 Cru Bourgeois Supérieur, Bordeaux, France (Co-op £19.50)
A classic and justifiably popular Bordeaux, Château Beaumont consistently delivers well on quality versus price. In 2022, to maintain the required quality a strict selection process in the vineyard was needed and meant that the yield was half what it usually is. This has ensured a wine of intense Cabernet fruit flavours of cassis sitting comfortably with the smooth oak balance. A wine for a few years’ time if you can bear to keep it for a bit. If not, enjoy it with a rich meaty dish. Laura Clay

74) Teleda, Orgo Saperavi 2022, Kakheti, Georgia (Hedonism £22.20)
Gogi Dakishvili is widely renowned as the most skilled and influential winemaker in Georgia. He consults on countless projects including large producers like Schuchmann and the award-winning Mildiani Family Winery. Teleda is his own family winery where he makes traditional Qvevri fermented and aged wines. This wine is made from 80-year old Saperavi vines, yielding an incredibly complex compote of black fruit, earthy spice and aniseed. Superb richness and refined tannins. Absolutely delicious. Victoria Daskal

75) Karl H. Johner Enselberg Pinot Noir 2020, Baden, Germany (Waitrose Cellar £24.99)
I always stock up on this whenever Waitrose is running one of their 25% off deals. The fruit is ripe but not in any way jammy with a good acid backbone giving the wine structure. Wonderfully savoury, it is delicious when paired with roast chicken or duck, but equally lovely all by itself. Malcolm Venter

Sweet/Fortified wines

76) Tesco Finest Dessert Semillon, Australia (Tesco £7 (37.5cl))
In my opinion this is one of the best value sweet wines in the UK. Made from Semillon from the wonderful De Bortoli family in the same botrytised method as the famous Noble One. It has beautiful complexity and is totally moreish! Tor Reynolds

77) Monbazillac, Château Pech La Calevie, France (The Wine Society £14.95 (75cl))
Fabulous sweet wine from the Dordogne, stone and tropical fruit on an unctuous palate, with some zesty acidity keeping things fresh. OK it’s not quite Sauternes, but it’s darn good, like favouring an excellent crémant over champagne. Richard Lane

78) De Bortoli Wines Show Liqueur Muscat, Riverina, Australia (Cambridge Wine Merchants £19, N.D. John Wines £17.95, Sandhams Wines £16.39 (50cl))
Started in 1928, De Bortoli is now owned and operated by the third and fourth generations. From their Rutherglen winery comes this stunning example of Riverina’s renowned Liqueur Muscat. Tawny- brown in hue with green hints on the rim, the wine has ultra-ripe fruit (raisins, dates and muscat grapeyness) accented by vanilla oak and roasted nuts. Very sweet, the palate is balanced by fresh acidity. Layered and beautifully-textured, richly-flavoured and lingering, the wine will match Black Forest Gateau or Madagascar vanilla ice cream. 18% abv. Patricia Stefanowicz MW

79) Zuccardi Malamado Fortified Malbec NV, Valle de Uco, Argentina (Alteus Wines £20.95 (75cl), N.D. John Wines £19.95 (£17.50 special offer) (75cl))
If you're a fan of port then give this a go as it's got loads of juicy, brambly sweetness but it's a little bit different. A fantastic alternative to accompany cheese and chocolate desserts. It's a perfect after dinner drink which will have wide appeal. Anna Midcalf

80) Ulysse Cazabonne Sauternes, third release, Bordeaux, France (The Wine Society £21 (75cl))
Incredible value for money! A company which is buying wine from a top level source which cannot be revealed. Intensely sweet with beautiful toffee and peach flavour but balanced by a vibrant freshness which makes this wine pure pleasure as an aperitif or as a fine after dinner dessert wine. Nina Cerullo

81) Barao de Vilar 10 year old White Port, Portugal (The Good Wine Shop £25.25 (50cl))
If the mere thought of Port means 'headache' to you then White Port is a great option - and it's currently enjoying a comeback. Made from white grapes, this style can be drunk young with tonic water and lemon or, as with this style which is aged for 10 years in large old casks, at the end of a meal with both cheeses and some desserts. It has a rich, complex, oxidative character - think dried fruit and toasted nuts - and is drier than other Ports, with a fresh acidity that just asks for another sip. Enjoy well chilled with cheeses, mince pies and more. Pippa Hayward

Sparkling wines

82) Waitrose No1 Cava Castillo Perelada, Spain (Waitrose £11.99)
Cava is a much underrated sparkling wine category in the UK. This offering under Waitrose’s own No1 label, in partnership with producer Castillo Perelada, offers exceptional flavour intensity of citrus and toasted nuts. A refreshing palate with a long finish, making it a perfect aperitivo or pairing with most white meats and fish. Abbie Bennington

83) Cave de Lugny Crémant de Bourgogne Blanc de Blancs NV, Bourgogne, France (Majestic £17 (mix six £14), Waitrose Cellar £16.99)
When you love a wine, and then a show of 30-plus hands indicates that other people love it too, then that's a box ticked! This crémant is 100% Chardonnay (that's where the blanc de blancs term comes in) and is made by Cave de Lugny, one of Bourgogne's best-known cooperatives.
The wine has defined crisp green apple notes with a buttery touch of toast and nuts; and a group of festive wine tasters loved it. Jane Clare

84) Jean-Marc Gilet Vouvray Methode Traditionelle Brut NV, Vouvray, France (Direct Wine Shipments (Belfast) £18.99, Portal Dingwall Norris £17.40)
100% Chenin Blanc - with a long and persistent string of (very fine) bubbles, this is a fine alternative to Champagne. Mineral with flinty aromas, supported by notes of sweet apples and toasted almonds. When aired, the nose evolves onto buttered and lemony notes. The palate is smooth, with spicy flavours of pepper and citrus. The finish is quite long with a supple structure. Food Pairing: Puff pastry with roasted Loire asparagus and mousseline sauce, but also simply as an aperitif. Alastair Bell

85) Klein Constantia Cap Classique 2019, South Africa (Drinks Direct £19.79, Divine Fine Wines £18.50, The Champagne Company £20.75)
A top-quality 100% Chardonnay Cap Classique aged for 33 months on the lees before disgorging, resulting in a complex wine style. An intense nose of stone fruit and citrus blossom, with a touch of brioche. On the palate, fine bubbles with fresh citrus flavours and a crisp finish. Can be enjoyed now or kept for a few years in the bottle to add complexity. Christos Ioannou

86) Juliet Victor, Sparkling Furmint, Brut Nature 2021, Tokaj, Hungary (The Wine Society £21)
This is the first release of a Traditional Method Sparkling Wine made from the Furmint grape. This wine is bone dry with a delicious crisp fresh lemon flavour and a hint of creaminess due to 3 years on its lees. Delicious on its own, perfect for an aperitif. Vivienne Franks

87) Domaine La Taille aux Loups Triple Zéro NV, Montlouis sur Loire, France (Lay and Wheeler £24.21)
Zero chaptalisation, zero liqueur de tirage, and zero dosage. Fabulous bone dry bubbly. The Chenin Blanc used to make this is harvested quite ripe, so there is a richness to this that you would not expect from a sparkling wine with zero dosage. Complex and persistent, this is a very smart fizz for a bargain price. Malcolm Venter

88) Huxbear Classic Sparkling 2018, Devon, England (Wickhams Wine Merchant £24.75)
From a small, fully sustainable vineyard in the beautiful Teign Valley, Devon. Just 6 hectares of vines tended by Ben and Lucy Holland who are producing seriously good value methode traditionelle sparkling wine. Dry with plenty of fresh green apple and a touch of bisuitiness. 2 years on its lees adds depth and creaminess. Enjoy at any celebration. Linda Simpson

Prestige wines

89) Fei Tswei Winery Cellared Marselan 2019, Ningxia, China (Wines of China UK £25)
Marselan is a grape variety that is finding a new lease of life in a warming climate and among emerging wine regions. It is even becoming China's signature grape! If you want to try a reliable Chinese wine, which is both indicative of the high quality wine making that is emerging from China, and a championed grape variety finding new favour and fame far away from its birth place, then look no further than this wine. Hailing from one of the premium wine estates in China, the wine gives a generous nose of black berries, accompanied by aromas of chocolate, coffee, vanilla and black pepper. On the palate it is smooth, generous, round with rich tannins. It is a full-bodied, strongly structured wine. Janet Wang

90) JJ Prüm, Graacher Himmelreich Auslese, Mosel, Germany (Shelved Wines £25.99)
A mouth-watering, so very moreish Riesling from the ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ vineyard. You will regret buying this – if you only buy one bottle! But however many you buy, you will find it is impossible to open them infrequently enough to allow time for this wine to reach the peak of development. Trevor Sharot

91) Creu Celta 2021 Priorat, Priorat, Spain (Direct Wine Shipments (Belfast) £25.99, KWM £26.73)
From the merchant’s own vineyards and at a fabulous price for such a prestige wine. Hot on the heels of a gold medal in the Global Grenache Masters for the 2020 vintage - this new 2021 vintage is an even better wine in the opinion of winemaker Silvia Puig, with more freshness, body and fruit. Made from 95% Grenache and 5% Carinena, the wine displays notes of dark chocolate, pepper, cherry, raspberry, pine and a savoury minerality. Full, long with a rich finish. Alastair Bell

92) Giovanni Sordo Verduno Pelaverga, Italy (WoodWinters £26)
Pelaverga is an almost extinct variety today brought back to life thanks to the exhaustive efforts of some producers in Piedmont. The DOC is one of the smallest in Italy. The Sordo Pelaverga is specifically made from Pelaverga Piccolo (‘small’) grapes grown exclusively in the Verduno area, on Tortonian soil made of fine and light marls, from 30 year old vines in the winery’s 18ha of vineyard. The wine is made in stainless steel, where it stays for around 6 months before bottling. A ruby red colour wine, with fragrant and intense red fruit aromas, especially cherries. On the palate, it is dry, with medium acidity, moderate tannins, flavours of red fruits and a remarkable spicy element which goes on until the end. It matches well with local pasta dishes and cheeses. Giusy Andreacchio

93) The High Road Classique 2019, Stellenbosch, South Africa (RAKQ £26.10)
'Always take the High Road' is the motto of boutique winery owner Les Sweidan. This Bordeaux-style red blend from Cabernet, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec bursts with fresh plums, cassis, milk chocolate and vanilla notes. Well structured and aged in new and older barrels for the perfect balance, complexity and unflagging savoury finish. A Stellenbosch classic and from the stellar 2019 vintage. The Classique is just getting better and better and will delight the tastebuds and accompany grilled meats and vegetables. Winifred Bowman

94) Domaine Jean-Paul & Charly Thevenet Morgon 'Vieilles Vignes', Beaujolais, France (The Sourcing Table £29.80)
One of the old school ‘Gang of Four’ Beaujolais producers (a term coined by Kermit Lynch), Jean-Paul Thevenet and his son Charly continue to make outstanding wines that prove what a promising and exciting region Beaujolais has become. Haunting perfume of lilac and lavender, crushed berries and dried thyme. Quite savoury on the palate, almost meaty. Marvelous fruit intensity, perfectly balanced, smooth and long. Victoria Daskal

International stockists

These wines are available in a variety of retail outlets in the US - and elsewhere where noted. Please see Wine-Searcher.com for details

95) Braai, Pinotage, South Africa (US $18)
Classic tobacco with briar berry notes layered over pie fruit which is balanced with fresh acidity and structured tannins. Pinotage can be austere, but this one is begging to be invited to dinner. Pair with a hamburger topped with all the fixings. Michele Padberg

96) Domaine Wunsch et Mann, Pinot Blanc, Alsace, France (US $20, Vins sur 20 in France €9.90)
Plump yellow pear and chamomile notes with a touch of parmesan cheese lure you into the glass. The crisp acidity is the perfect match with just a dash of minerality to craft a perfect Pinot Blanc. Pair with dried apricots, goat cheese and a drizzle of honey. Michele Padberg

97) Viticoltore Mauro Molino, Nebbiolo, DOC Langhe, Italy (US $22)
Showing ripe red berry with bright acidity, firm tannin and a touch of minerality on the finish, this wine is graceful and elegant. The USA is full of the bold Borolo or Barbaresco versions, but the Langhe form of this food friendly grape is my favorite. Pair with grilled lamb chops in a cherry demi glace. Michele Padberg

No and Low Alcohol

98) Not Guilty Sparkling Rosé NV, Southeastern Australia, Australia (Morrisons £5, Tesco £5, The Alcohol Free Company £6.99)
Made by Zero Crew winemaker Jamie Saint from Glera, Colombard, Semillon and Shiraz, the wine has a medium salmon-pink colour and is medium-sweet (42g/l r.s.) with plenty of red berry fruit and quite high acidity balancing the sweetness. Light-bodied with a brittle mousse texture, this is an easy-drinking, crowd-pleasing aperitif that works very nicely with smoked salmon canapés or creamy smoked mackerel paté. 0.05% abv. Patricia Stefanowicz MW

99) Stanlake Park Pinot Low, Berkshire, England (Stanlake Park £10.99)
Coming in at a low 5.5 %, this Pinot Noir rosé from Berkshire winery Stanlake Park offers a great alternative for those wanting to reduce their alcohol intake. Pretty in pink, this wine is very delicate on both the nose and palate with bright floral aromatics of rose and acacia blossom. The palate is more citric in nature with pink grapefruit notes dominating the finish. An elegant and refined wine that deserves its recent medal at the Global No and Low Masters. Abbie Bennington

100) Saicho Sparkling Tea Darjeeling (Saicho Drinks £17.99)
When I’m looking for a non-alcoholic drink to have in place of wine, sparkling tea is where I tend to look. It feels grown up, is pretty much dry, has a pleasing complexity and is a treat, not a trial. This is not cheap, but, if you wouldn’t settle for the cheapest wine on offer, why restrict yourself to the cheapest non-alcoholic alternative? This Darjeeling is fragrant and a good all-rounder that makes for a sophisticated aperitif. There’s also a perfumed off-dry jasmine version (good with fragrant Thai cooking), plus a smoky, umami hojicha, which would probably stand up to the most savoury of dishes. Heather Dougherty