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Daily Mail
10-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Want to wow with your wines at your summer gatherings? Whatever your taste, we round up some high quality, award-winning bottles that are sure to impress your guests (and these options are all UNDER £15!)
From garden BBQs and dinner parties to picnics in the park, summer is the perfect time for a gathering. And when it's your turn to host, it's nice to be able to pull out a great bottle of wine... Asda is the UK's most awarded supermarket for wine across three of the most prestigious industry awards: the International Wine Challenge (IWC), the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC), and the Decanter World Wine Awards. In fact, across the three major wine competitions, Asda has received more awards than Tesco, M&S, Sainsbury's, Aldi and Waitrose. Below, we delve into their range to reveal some of our favourite award-winning bottles. And to help keep things affordable, all the ones we've picked are under £15! There's an option for every taste, from a classic Burgundy and an outstanding Aussie shiraz to one absolutely mouthwatering Rioja. Cheers! Exceptional White Burgundy 2023 Price: £11.13 Chardonnay grapes thrive in the chalky, limestone soils of Burgundy, which in turn influence the unique taste and character of local wines. In this case, the result is a wine that combines hints of citrus and apple tart with the subtle aroma of toasted almonds. Crisp and moreish, it's delicious served chilled at any summer gathering, and like other whites will work well with delicate flavours, like white fish. The wine received a silver medal from the IWSC and Decanter judges. Clive Donaldson, Asda's Senior Manager for Wine Sourcing, said the plaudits were evidence of the supermarket's 'quality of suppliers and breadth of knowledge' in the region of Burgundy. Add it to your Asda basket HERE. Exceptional Great Western Shiraz 2022 Price: £7.98 Despite originating in France, the shiraz grape has found a hospitable climate in the cooler vineyards of western Victoria in Australia. This graces wines with a full-bodied, lively character that makes them a delightful companion to rich, highly flavoured foods like dry-aged steak, aged cheese or roast duck. The Exceptional Great Western Shiraz 2022 - obtained exclusively for Asda - marries fruity blueberry and blackberry flavours with a hint of sweet spice. And as yet another gold medal winner for the supermarket at the IWC 2025, it comes with a ringing endorsement from some of the world's most respected wine experts. Add it to your Asda basket HERE. Exceptional Gavi di Gavi 2024 Price: £10.27 Another gold medal winner exclusive to Asda, this bottle hails from southern Piedmont, a picturesque region of Italy known for its rolling hills, historic villages. And of course, it's absolutely spectacular wines! The wine is made using the cortese grape, which is known for its light flavour and moderate acidity. The result is a dry white incorporating lemony and floral notes with the expressive aromas of pear and peach fruit - followed up by a crisp, nutty finish. It's well worth keeping a bottle or two in the fridge for your next garden gathering or dinner party. Add it to your Asda basket HERE. Asda Extra Special Marques del Norte Rioja Reserva 2019 Price: £8.07 Named by the Decanter World Wine Awards 2025 as one of its Top 30 Value Golds, this wine was awarded 95 points out of a possible 100. Judges were blown away by the taste, which they described as combining 'plump red cherry, cranberry and redcurrant with a moreish espresso, dark chocolate edge'. They also noted its 'mouth-watering fruit driven length' - a term that refers to the way a wine's aromas linger on the palate. Hailing from the famous Rioja region of Spain, it's perfect for pairing with roast lamb or Mexican dishes - so start rolling up those tortillas! Add it to your Asda basket HERE. Lugana 2024 Price: £11.42 (currently on Rollback at £9.96 until July 2, 2025) The Lugana 2024 is an Italian white made from grapes grown around the southern shores of Lake Garda. This particular bottle is produced exclusively for Asda by a small artisanal producer who uses a local grape variety known as Turbiana. The result is a satisfying palate combining refreshing green apple, pear and pineapple flavours with a twist of Italian herbs. Expect a crisp clean white wine that pairs brilliantly with lighter Italian flavours – basil, mozzarella, tomatoes and pesto. It's no surprise this is yet another gold medal winner for Asda! Add it to your Asda basket HERE. With 395 awards across the International Wine Challenge Awards 2025, The International Wine and Spirit Challenge Awards 2025 and the Decanter World Wine awards 2025. For verification visit All results available to see on Includes Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl, Co-op, Waitrose, Marks & Spencer. Selected stores and lines. Subject to availability. If you look under 25 and want to buy alcohol you will need to prove your age. Challenge 25. No I.D. No sale. You must be 18 or over to purchase alcohol. Alcohol available to purchase from 10am in Scotland. Wines featured: Exceptional Gavi di Gavi 2024 £10.27 per 75cl. Awarded Gold at the International Wine Challenge 2025 Awards (IWC), Awarded Silver at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2025. Asda Extra Special Marques del Norte Rioja Reserva £8.07 per 75cl . Awarded Sliver at the International Wine Challenge 2025 Awards (IWC), Awarded Silver at the International Wine and Spirit Competition Awards 2025 (IWSC), Awarded Gold and the top value award at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2025. Lugana 2024 £11.42 per 75cl. Awarded Sliver at the International Wine Challenge 2025 Awards (IWC), Awarded Bronze at the International Wine and Spirit Competition 2025 (IWSC), Awarded Gold at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2025. Exceptional Great Western Shiraz 2022 £7.98 per 75cl. Awarded Gold at the International Wine Challenge 2025 Awards (IWC), Awarded Silver at the International Wine and Spirit Competition Awards 2025 (IWSC). Awarded Bronze at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2025. Exceptional White Burgundy 2023 £11.13 per 75cl. Awarded Bronze at the International Wine Challenge 2025 Awards. Awarded Silver at the International Wine and Spirit Competition Awards 2025. Awarded Silver at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2025. May exclude Asda Express and Small Stores, see stores.
CNN
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
This country has the best wines in the world for 2025
How's your tuxedo looking? Our travel news roundup this week is an award show spectacular. Read on to find out the winners of the world's most liveable city, the best airline for 2025, the world's best restaurant and the country with the finest wines. Knives out, everybody, it's foodie award season and only the very best will get their just deserts. First, an aperitif before dinner. The winners of the Decanter World Wine Awards 2025 were revealed Wednesday and one country triumphed as the grape GOAT. France took home 3,200 medals in total (1,000 more than its closest competitor) and 14 Best in Shows, which is surely worth celebrating with a glass of Champagne. (The famous sparkling wine won 27 honors alone.) Italy won 2,204 awards and six Best in Shows, improving its position with 31 more top-tier honors than in 2024. Spain fortuitously won 2,025 medals in 2025, including five Best in Shows. International wine-lovers should consider a trip to the Rioja region: Not only did it win three platinum medals and 21 gold, it's the least visited area of Spain. It's a great way to avoid the high-season crowds in Andalusia and Catalonia. The rest of the top 10 medal-winning countries were (in descending order): Australia, Portugal, South Africa, Argentina, Croatia, Canada and Chile. Canadian wine, you say? Yes, their ice wine can go for up to $250,000 a bottle. Prev Next The pisco sours will be flowing in Lima this weekend as the Peruvian capital celebrates two of its restaurants being named among the world's top 10 on Thursday. Maido, owned and run by chef Mitsuharu 'Micha' Tsumura, was crowned the best on the planet on the 2025 list of the 'World's 50 Best Restaurants.' It serves Japanese-Peruvian fusion food known as Nikkei cuisine. US restaurants were honored Monday night at the 2025 James Beard Awards, with a Boulder eatery being named Outstanding Restaurant and a Minneapolis spot making waves as Best New Restaurant. To round things off, June 21 is World Martini Day (let's hope you've recovered by now from National Martini Day on June 19). Espresso martinis — vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur and sugar — aren't technically true martinis, but they are, however, a lip-smacking delight. Our partners at CNN Underscored, a product reviews and recommendations guide owned by CNN, have this guide to everything you need to make espresso martinis at home, according to top bartenders. The upcoming nuptials of billionaire Jeff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sanchez are proving to be the final straw for many Venetians who are tired of their city being a tourist playground. Protesters against the wedding this month have threatened that they'll 'block the canals,' but others in the city welcome the 'cash influx' that the event will bring. Rising waters and overtourism are killing Venice, critics say, a city where the 30 million tourists annually dwarf the local population of fewer than 50,000. 'There's not going to be another Venice,' said one local businessman. 'Once you have helped change this place forever, it's not coming back.' There were anti-tourism protests across southern Europe last weekend, with Barcelona being the epicenter of the unrest, where water pistols are the weapon of choice for spraying unwelcome visitors. Cities are being 'turned into theme parks,' complained a Spanish government minister last month, addressing the housing deficit exacerbated by the rise of Airbnb and vacation rentals. Time to book that Rioja trip instead. Northern border-hugging US states such as Vermont and New York have long enjoyed an annual surge of Canadian tourists, but travel has dipped amid international tensions. Now US businesses are trying to woo their northern neighbors with 'Canadians only' deals, with perks ranging from cheaper stays to free activities. 'We wanted to make a meaningful gesture that says, 'We see you, we value you and we want you here,'' said one Vermonter. With many Canadians boycotting the States, some American travelers are worried about the reception they might face in the land of the maple leaf. Canadian tourism boards have launched campaigns to reassure Americans of a warm welcome, but how do everyday Canadians feel? CNN Travel investigated. North America is by no means the only place where escalating disputes are harming international travel. The air map of the world is currently filling up with no-fly zones and airlines are scrambling to reroute amid increasing global conflict. Nonstop flights between Hong Kong and London are now two hours longer, for example, and short-haul flights between Central Asia and the Persian Gulf are particularly affected. Three-year-old Australian girl Kinga might not speak Japanese, but she's loving her time in southern Japan's Wakayama Prefecture. Her family joined a preschool exchange that's giving them a kid-first window into Japanese culture. A viral video has prompted a mass cleanup of caves near China's famed 'Avatar' mountains. The astounding footage shows a decade of garbage buildup. An 80-year-old man drove down Rome's Spanish Steps and got stuck. He told police he'd taken a wrong turn. And there are more international awards that people have been going crazy for. The world's best airline for 2025 was named by Skytrax. Lastly, a European capital stole Vienna's crown as the world's most liveable city for 2025.
Local Spain
14-06-2025
- Local Spain
Inside Spain: Fake wine and the bad side of living on the coast
It may sound strange to talk about counterfeit food and drink, but it exists and it's a problem. The latest report by the EU's Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) reveals that fraudulent booze is hitting the alcohol industry hard, costing it billions of euros in sales, and Spain is the worst affected country. The Spanish economy loses €380 million in sales every year to this illicit practice, which also leads to the average loss of 1,100 jobs in Spain annually. Drink counterfeiters' preferred forgery is that of wine, which they pass off as Spanish when it isn't. EUIPO notes that the rise of online commerce "has opened up new avenues" for the sale of these fraudulent tipples. Customers hardly stand a chance as they only see the products when they've paid and been delivered to them. "Criminal networks use particularly "sophisticated methods" when it comes to circumventing alcohol quality controls, which include reusing original bottles and printing fake labels. And where are these phoney Spanish drinks being produced and packaged, you may wonder. Turkey and China stand out as the two main countries of origin of forged food and drink seized by EU authorities. During the latest annual joint operation carried out by Europol and Interpol against this type of crime, dubbed Opson, counterfeit food products worth €91 million were seized. The operation spanned 29 countries and resulted in the seizure of 22,000 tonnes of food and 850,000 litres of beverages, primarily counterfeit olive oil and wines labelled as Protected Designation of Origin (think Rioja and Ribera del Duero wines, Cava, Sherry etc). Specifically, Spain has a total of 388 food and drink products covered by Protected Geographical Indications, only behind Italy with 888 and France with 771. Our advice to avoid getting ripped off is to simply buy food and drinks from trusted Spanish stores and supermarkets in person, but there are expert fake wine catchers such as Maureen Downey that can give you tips if you want to carry out your own investigation. Beachside homes in Spain are not for everyone, especially if you don't like crowds. (Photo by José Jordan / AFP) Now onto something completely different. Beachside properties in Spain, or any real estate close to the coast for that matter, certainly come with a heftier price tag, even though the return on investment will almost certainly pay off. But if you intend to enjoy that casa cerca de la playa (house close to the beach) during the summer months, there's a big chance you will be competing for space with hoards of holidaymakers. Mallorca, Alicante, the Canaries, the Costa Brava, Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol, the list goes on. If your municipality has beaches, there's every chance that you, other residents and tourists will be vying for parking spots, room on the promenade and sand in which to lay down your beach towel. In 2024, Andalusian daily El Correo de Andalusia reported that coastal municipalities in the southern region tripled their population during the summer. Quiet towns go from having 30,000 to 100,000 inhabitants, placing huge pressure on public services. It's become common for there to be traffic lights on the roads leading to beaches that prevent beachgoers from approaching already packed locations, and in some cases there are actual traffic lights at the beach to control pedestrian access to the sand. Some town halls have had to hire private companies to monitor the flow of tourists, as in the case of Xàbia in Alicante. But such is the challenge of ensuring that beaches such as Granadella or el Portitxol don't succumb to complete gridlock (even when charging people for parking) that this year no company has taken interest in the tender. With tourism numbers up every year in Spain (this year the country may hit the milestone of 100 million international visitors), the problem isn't going to get any better. Therefore, if you're considering buying a coastal property in Spain but you're doing it part to enjoy the lifestyle and peace and quiet, keep in mind that for several months of the year, there's a good chance you won't get that. Factor in as well that properties in the mountains - where you could have a swimming pool built - are on average 35 percent cheaper in Spain than coastal homes.
Glasgow Times
11-06-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Award-winning Aldi, Co-op, Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco wines
From a £7 Portuguese red to a £22 vintage Champagne, UK supermarkets picked up dozens of top medals for their own-brand bottles, with wines from Aldi, Tesco, Sainsbury's, M&S, Co-op, Asda and Waitrose going head-to-head with fine wine producers from around the globe. In one of the most competitive judging seasons yet, wines from major UK grocers earned Gold, Silver and Bronze medals across every style, from English sparkling to Barolo, Rioja, and Sauternes – many at everyday prices. Top medal winners from the IWSC 2025 Pop these award-winners in your trolley this weekend Aldi Animus Douro Reserva 2022 – Silver (94 points), £6.99 A full-bodied Portuguese red, praised for its richness and structure. One of the best-value medallists of the year. Asda Extra Special Rioja Reserva 2019 – Silver (94 points), £8 Classic vanilla, spice, and red fruit Rioja profile, praised for structure and ageing potential. M&S Collection Picpoul de Pinet 2023 – Silver (91 points), £9 A crisp, coastal white from the Languedoc – ideal summer drinking. Sainsbury's Taste the Difference English Bacchus 2023 – Silver (92 points), £9.50 A fresh, zesty white made in England, earning high praise in a competitive aromatic white category. Tesco Finest Sauternes (37.5cl) – Gold (92 points), £12 A classic French dessert wine, offering luscious, honeyed fruit for under half the price of château equivalents. Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Barolo 2019 – Silver (90 points), £14 An accessible expression of Italy's king of wines, delivering dark cherry and rose petal notes. Co-op Les Pionniers Vintage Champagne 2013 – Gold (95 points), £22 The only supermarket Champagne to win Gold. A standout vintage with complex brioche and citrus notes. Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022 – Gold (95 points), £16 A bold southern Rhône red made in partnership with top estates, described by judges as 'impressively elegant.' M&S Collection Saint Gall Premier Cru Champagne NV – Gold (95 points), £28 Elegant, chalky, and finely textured – made in partnership with a historic grower in Épernay. Waitrose No.1 English Sparkling Brut NV – Silver (91 points), £22.99 One of the UK's most awarded sparkling wines, holding its own against Champagne. David Kermode, IWSC judge and broadcaster, says: "These results are a wake-up call for anyone who still associates great wine with high prices. "The best supermarket own-label ranges are now being made by some of the most respected producers in the world and the blind tasting at IWSC proves just how well they perform." Christelle Guibert, CEO of the IWSC, added: "At the IWSC, every wine is judged blind by a panel of experts from across the globe. What makes this year especially exciting is the number of affordable supermarket wines standing out alongside premium bottles. It's proof that great winemaking doesn't have to come with a luxury price tag." Recommended reading: The International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) is widely regarded as the gold standard for wine and spirit quality. With entries judged blind by Masters of Wine, sommeliers, buyers and producers, its rigorous methodology ensures medals are awarded purely on taste and quality – with judges never seeing the bottle or label, eliminating all bias or visual influence. Celebrated globally for its integrity and expertise, the IWSC remains one of the most respected and trusted competitions in the drinks industry.
Powys County Times
11-06-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Award-winning Aldi, Co-op, Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco wines
Shoppers can find some of the world's best wines in their local supermarket, according to the results of the 2025 International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC). From a £7 Portuguese red to a £22 vintage Champagne, UK supermarkets picked up dozens of top medals for their own-brand bottles, with wines from Aldi, Tesco, Sainsbury's, M&S, Co-op, Asda and Waitrose going head-to-head with fine wine producers from around the globe. In one of the most competitive judging seasons yet, wines from major UK grocers earned Gold, Silver and Bronze medals across every style, from English sparkling to Barolo, Rioja, and Sauternes – many at everyday prices. @uktoday_ Are there benefits to drinking red wine? I happily found out. 🍷 #uknews #redwine #winetimе #uknewsheadlines ♬ original sound - UKToday 🇬🇧 Newsquest Top medal winners from the IWSC 2025 Pop these award-winners in your trolley this weekend Aldi Animus Douro Reserva 2022 – Silver (94 points), £6.99 A full-bodied Portuguese red, praised for its richness and structure. One of the best-value medallists of the year. Asda Extra Special Rioja Reserva 2019 – Silver (94 points), £8 Classic vanilla, spice, and red fruit Rioja profile, praised for structure and ageing potential. M&S Collection Picpoul de Pinet 2023 – Silver (91 points), £9 A crisp, coastal white from the Languedoc – ideal summer drinking. Sainsbury's Taste the Difference English Bacchus 2023 – Silver (92 points), £9.50 A fresh, zesty white made in England, earning high praise in a competitive aromatic white category. Tesco Finest Sauternes (37.5cl) – Gold (92 points), £12 A classic French dessert wine, offering luscious, honeyed fruit for under half the price of château equivalents. Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Barolo 2019 – Silver (90 points), £14 An accessible expression of Italy's king of wines, delivering dark cherry and rose petal notes. Co-op Les Pionniers Vintage Champagne 2013 – Gold (95 points), £22 The only supermarket Champagne to win Gold. A standout vintage with complex brioche and citrus notes. Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022 – Gold (95 points), £16 A bold southern Rhône red made in partnership with top estates, described by judges as 'impressively elegant.' M&S Collection Saint Gall Premier Cru Champagne NV – Gold (95 points), £28 Elegant, chalky, and finely textured – made in partnership with a historic grower in Épernay. Waitrose No.1 English Sparkling Brut NV – Silver (91 points), £22.99 One of the UK's most awarded sparkling wines, holding its own against Champagne. David Kermode, IWSC judge and broadcaster, says: "These results are a wake-up call for anyone who still associates great wine with high prices. "The best supermarket own-label ranges are now being made by some of the most respected producers in the world and the blind tasting at IWSC proves just how well they perform." Christelle Guibert, CEO of the IWSC, added: "At the IWSC, every wine is judged blind by a panel of experts from across the globe. What makes this year especially exciting is the number of affordable supermarket wines standing out alongside premium bottles. It's proof that great winemaking doesn't have to come with a luxury price tag." The International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) is widely regarded as the gold standard for wine and spirit quality. With entries judged blind by Masters of Wine, sommeliers, buyers and producers, its rigorous methodology ensures medals are awarded purely on taste and quality – with judges never seeing the bottle or label, eliminating all bias or visual influence.
