I tried supermarket rosé sparkling wines for under £10 – winner is a gorgeous glugger at a cork-popping price

The Sun

2 days ago

PINK fizz is the drink to sip this summer, with fans going mad for bottles of pastel bubbly.
Sales of rosé sparkling wines have shot up by 11 per cent this year, showing we have a real thirst for necking the blush ­bubbles.
10
Popping a cork on a big-name froth won't come cheap.
But luckily there are plenty of bargains to be had in the supermarkets.
Here, wine expert Helena Nicklin rates a selection of fab fizzes costing £10 or less.
11%, £7.99, Aldi
A STEP up in flavour and general pizzazz but still at a cork-popping price is this shopper favourite Italian pink froth from Castellore.
The bottle is bold and beautiful so it makes a lovely present.
The wine in the glass is a ravishing rose petal pink and it feels like a bonus that it is made with organic grapes, especially for what you are paying.
Classed as an extra dry prosecco, it has a hint of sweetness (yes, the labelling is confusing so don't get me started on the terminology) but this comes across as ripe cherry and raspberry fruit rather than a whack of sugar.
A truly gorgeous glugger, perfect for any number of occasions.
RATING: 5/5
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Sainsbury's Rosé Cava
11% , £7, Sainsbury's
THIS pretty, medium-pink tipple is one of Sainsbury's long-term successes and it's clear to see why this sparkling sip has turned into such a stalwart for the chain.
It is a more classic example of the Spanish pink cava and to drink it's dry, subtly complex and refreshing, with yummy notes of raspberry and smoky strawberry.
A great one for pouring at parties.
This can be sipped alone or alongside most savoury food, so it is a very useful bottle to keep ready for any time you might want to pop a cork without spending a fortune.
A great example of what brilliant value cava can be.
Morrisons The Best Prosecco DOC Rosé
10.5%, £8.50, Morrisons
FUN, fruity and frothy, this slightly lower-alcohol rosé fizz from Morrisons is a decent enough drop for the cash.
Very well priced, considering there is nothing to complain about with this bang-on-the-money Italian prosecco.
Sip a flute and you'll find everything is in balance, from its splash of red fruit to the simple sweetness.
It's not going to set the world on fire, but it's also not going to turn people off with any sickly, synthetic notes.
A reliable, people-pleasing prosecco that is perfect for any occasion when you need a sparkling something in your glass.
Casa Luis Cava Rosé Extra Dry
11%, £6.33, Asda
WHILE not a bad price – the cheapest of the bunch – be warned that this Spanish pink sipper is not for the faint hearted as it packs a real flavour punch.
Deep red, slightly sweet (yes, another confusing label as it says 'extra dry'!) and very rustic to glug, this juicy fizz has all the hallmarks of a ­classic, savoury cava with a whack of jammy fruitiness.
When very cold, it's remarkably moreish, however.
The sweetness will temper some of the spice and it will be banging with ­barbecued meat and sweeter ­sauces.
A bit ­different and well worth a go at this super price.
RATING: 2/5
Etoile de Timberlay Crémant Brut Rosé NV
12%, £10, M&S
10
MADE with 100 per cent merlot, this M&S French fizz marvel is as pretty as a picture and it doesn't just look the part – it's a reliable drop to drink, too.
Well-priced and nicely presented, this pale pink, classy cremant – a type of sparkling wine from across the Channel that's very close to 'real' champagne but made in a different region – offers notes of wild strawberry and a whiff of vine tomato.
There's some decent texture too, so it's super to enjoy with food, perhaps cheese and picky bits.
At 12% it's still nicely light on booze for a traditional method fizz, though you'd never tell in the glass. All in all, very refreshing.
Costellore Italian Sparkling Rosé
11%, £7.25, Aldi
HERE is a terrific tipple to try if you like the vibrant, Italian vibe of a flute of pink prosecco but perhaps want something a little drier to sip.
This simple, subtle sparkler hasn't got a huge amount going on but that's not always a bad thing if you're serving it as a starter to proceedings.
Crisp and dry with a gentle waft of something ­berry-like, this is fine alone so it would make a great aperitif or just a bottle to enjoy at the ­weekend.
But I think it would also make a great base for a wine cocktail freshened up at this time of year with a fruity strawberry garnish for some true glass appeal.
Crémant de Loire Rosé
12%, £8.99 Lidl
THIS lively little drop from Lidl is a pretty pukka pink froth for the price, and I'd say it's worth every penny.
Sleek and elegant on the inside as well as the outside, this fabulous tinted fizz is made using the same traditional method as champagne but produced in a neighbouring French region, so sipping it gives a little bit of brioche among the bright, berry fruit.
Great for any gathering when you don't want to splurge but ­perhaps want to up your wine game from a ­standard prosecco.
A good one to stock up on for any celebration.
Full marks for this class in a glass!
Louis Couturier Crémant Brut Rose
11.5%, £10 Tesco
THIS bubbly from Bordeaux, France is a bit different as it uses the heavier ­merlot and cabernet Franc grapes rather than the lighter-skinned pinot noir grape seen in many other ­cremants.
This means that despite its delicate pink colour, the contents in the glass has more grip and dark fruit than the ­others.
The sweetness stands out a little too, so it's ideal for those who prefer this in their ­bubbles. If you ­normally lean towards dry, don't be fearful.
If you serve it chilled, this gives you an epic foodie wine that will love cold meats and salty cheese – so ideal for a sunny picnic.