WITH summer finally here and our purses feeling tighter than ever before, if you’re eager to find a rosé wine that’s perfect for warm days and super affordable, you’ve come to the right place.
When it comes to rosé, there’s no doubt that Whispering Angel has secured itself an A-list reputation.
Here, Abby Wilson tests six of the most popular supermarket Whispering Angel dupes[/caption]
While Lidl’s left her extremely disappointed, she reveals the affordable winner you’ll need to nab[/caption]
The popular rosé comes with plenty of celebrity backing, with Adele, Lady Gaga and the Beckhams pronounced as big fans of the tasty tipple.
But unfortunately for those on a budget, it also boasts a VIP price tag of around £22.50 a bottle.
However, luckily for those looking to cut costs on their alcohol stash, supermarkets have released a variety of similar styles that are much more cost-effective.
So, with the weather heating up and picnic season in full swing, here, Fabulous’ Senior Writer and self-proclaimed wine fanatic, Abby Wilson, tests out six of the high-street’s best bottles.
Breath of Paradise
£10.99, Lidl
Lidl’s offering scored a poor rating of 1 out of five[/caption]
I was excited to try the latest Whispering Angel dupe that hit Lidl shelves only recently, and while it looks practically the same, I have to say, I was thoroughly disappointed.
Yes, it’s a nice bottle, but this good-looking blush tribute is not getting a thumbs up from me.
This Whispering wannabe might have the vibe of the real thing but unfortunately, it lacks the flavour.
If you like wine that’s bitter and vinegary, this Provençal tipple could be for you.
Yes, it will keep your bank account in the pink, but it lacks depth and to be totally honest, has a nasty acidic taste that quite frankly, tastes cheap.
For me, Lidl normally smash it out the park with their dupes, but in my opinion, this is simply style over substance.
Unfortunately, it’s not giving me a ‘Breath of Paradise’. The only thing I’m noticing is a sigh of disappointment.
There’s not much of a fruity flavour and it definitely needs a bit of lemonade to sweeten it up.
While aesthetically it looks the best of the bunch, the taste makes it the biggest loser in my books.
Ranking: 1/5
Tesco Finest Provence Rosé
£10, Tesco
The Tesco Finest dupe wasn’t much better[/caption]
With the cost of our weekly grocery shop rising, there’s no doubt that many of our wallets are feeling the pinch.
But if you’re wanting to scrimp on rosé, the Tesco Finest Provence Rosé may, or may not, be one to try.
Where my taste buds are concerned, it’s dry, weak and watery, with a somewhat tangy aftertaste.
Yes, it’s light, but that’s about it.
5 delicious supermarket wines under £10
Fizz for popping!
Corte Molino Prosecco Extra Dry NV (11% abv), Italy, Co-op, £9.50
Prosecco is always a winner, but not all Proseccos are created equal…the Corte Molino Prosecco Extra Dry NV is an example of the easy-drinking Italian fizz. With its sensational Tiffany-blue label, this delicious sparkler is floral on the nose and delicately fruity on the palate. It’s also suitable for vegans. Cheers!
Great value red for all your date-night faves
CAMPANEO OLD VINES TEMPRANILLO 2023 (13.5% ABV), Spain, Morrison’s stores & online from £5.45
A smooth, well-structured red wine with ripe raspberry and cherry flavours complemented by a touch of spice, this gorgeous Tempranillo is a great value alternative to pricier Spanish reds. It goes with Tapas, stews and casseroles and roast lamb, too.
Great value white that will go with anything!
Andrew Peace Signature Black Label Chardonnay 2024 (11% abv), Australia, Morrisons, £5.50
Making roast chicken, mac and cheese, prawn stir fry, or fish and chips? Or do you need something to go with a decadent dessert? The incredible value Andrew Peace Signature Black Label Chardonnay from Morrisons is hugely versatile. What’s more, it’s celebrated by critics and is only £5.50 a bottle making it instantly affordable.
Eco friendly vegan wine for the planet lover
Hidden Sea Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 (14.5% abv), Australia, Co-op, £10
Did you know there’s a wine brand that actually saves the sea?
Lush, black fruit with a touch of spicy oak, this ripe, dark berry-fruit Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon by Hidden Sea boasts supple tannins that add elegance and complexity. And buying this wine removes the equivalent of 10 plastic bottles from the ocean.
Rose for your sweetheart
Baron De Ley Rosado de Lágrima Rioja 2023 (13% abv), Spain Asda, £8 (when on promotion)
This gorgeous pale pink wine has white blossom aromas enhanced by hints of ripe red fruits. The palate is luscious and fresh, all perfectly balanced. Serve this Provence-style wine chilled as an excellent apéritif and also alongside grilled fish. It’s perfect for gifting, too, as the bottle is a beaut!
*Note, prices of wine are subject to promotion. Prices correct as of January 27.
I’m normally a huge fan of the Tesco Finest range and can’t get enough of their epic microwave meals that are perfect for lazy nights, but this own-brand buy hasn’t cut the mustard for me.
It’s said to emit “delicious stone fruit flavours” and has been hailed as “crisp and delicate”, but I’m not getting any of that with this beverage.
The only upside is that it’s cheap. You’ll be able to enjoy a summer BBQ and toast to all the cash you’ve cashed with this, so I suppose if I had to, I could force it down if it meant saving a few pounds.
Ranking: 3/5
Château Roquefeuille Côtes de Provence St Victoire
£14, Tesco
Things looked up with this Château Roquefeuille[/caption]
If you’re after a full body rosé wine, this bottle of Château Roquefeuille Côtes de Provence St Victoire should be one to add to your shopping list.
It’s got good depth and a nice sweetness, with a fruity flavour of fresh nectarine.
You’ll now be able to nab it for just £12, making it over a tenner cheaper than the real deal
Abby Wilson
As well as having soaring character, with an intense, lasting taste, the expensive-looking bottle is sure to impress your dinner party guests.
It’s a gem of a wine that’s spot on when paired with a summer salad or a creamy pasta for an alfresco meal on a balmy night.
At £14, it’s not the cheapest of the bunch – but if you’ve got a Clubcard, you’ll need to move quickly, as you’ll now be able to nab it for just £12, making it over a tenner cheaper than the real deal.
Ranking: 3.5/5
Les Sarrins Côtes de Provence Rosé
£15, Tesco
Another Tesco buy, Les Sarrins has a sharp but round flavour[/caption]
For those after a wonder-wine that screams liquid sunshine, look no further.
Wine enthusiasts will need to get their hands on a bottle of Les Sarrins Côtes de Provence Rosé, which has a sharp but round flavour.
It’s more than just a copycat – its deep flavour almost gave me goosebumps (in a good way).
It covers all bases – it’s a brilliant all-rounder wine that is sure to be liked by many at your next outdoor function.
It’ll get you ahead of the A-list but that’s not all, as it’s also a lovely bottle that’s perfect for picnics and pre-drinks in the garden.
Yes, it’s not a mega bargain, but it’s refreshing, elegant and gluggable, making it brilliant for those looking for a luxury pale pink wine that will dance on your tastebuds.
Ranking: 4/5
La Balconne Organic Provence Rosé
£18, M&S
M&S scored highly with 4.5 out of five[/caption]
If you can’t afford to splash the cash on Whispering Angel, here’s a wannabe that is well worth raving about.
The La Balconne Organic Provence Rosé has been hailed by M&S bosses as “elegant” and “charming”, and I have to say, I agree. It reaches near the top of the dupe test with flying colours.
It has a light but luscious flavour, with a nice tang that had me reaching for more.
It’s floral and fruity, with mouth-watering tastes of berries and wild herbs.
Celebrities with their own wine brands
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie – Château Miraval (Côtes de Provence)
Cameron Diaz – Avaline (Low-intervention, made of organic grapes)
Sarah Jessica Parker – Invivo X (Collaboration with a New Zealand winery)
John Malkovich – Les Quelles de la Coste Rosé IGP Vaucluse (Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir blend)
Drew Barrymore – Carmel Road
Julianne Hough and Nina Dobrev – Fresh Vine Wine Rosé (Low-sugar blend of Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir)
Jon Bon Jovi (with his son Jesse and French wine-maker Gérard Bertrand) – Hampton Water Rosé
Kylie Minogue – Kylie Rosé
Post Malone – Maison No. 9
Danica Patrick – Danica Rosé
Gordon Ramsay – Elegante Rosato
Lisa Vanderpump – Vanderpump Rosé
Graham Norton – Graham Norton’s Rosé (Blend of Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc)
Sting and Trudie Styler – Tenuta Il Palagio Beppe Rosato Toscana IGT
Ridley Scott – Mas des Infermières Rosé
Nicki Minaj – MYX Light Rosé
Mary J. Blige – Sun Goddess
John Legend – Legend Vineyard Exclusives (LVE) Rosé
Jay-Z – Ace of Spades Rosé (Sparkling)
Paul Oakenfold (Spokesperson) – Domaine Bertaud Belieu
Snoop Dogg – 19 Crimes Rosé
It’s been described as “delicate yet complex” and for me, that’s spot on.
Yes, it’s the most expensive of the bunch and isn’t that much cheaper than the OG, but it’s definitely worth it if you want something that’s similar to Whispering Angel but not quite as pricey.
Not only does it taste great and is suitable for vegetarians and vegans, but to top things off, it’s also a gorgeous bottle too.
Ranking: 4.5/5
Screaming Devil
£12.97, Asda
But it was Asda’s high-class rosé that took the top spot[/caption]
But if you’re eager to nab a rosé that’s bold but not too sharp, with a strong flavour that hits you straight away, look no further.
This Screaming Devil Côtes de Provence not only has a great name, but is of great value too.
It’s just like the costly celestial sip, but thankfully, a lot cheaper.
This high-class bottle will save you an impressive £9.53 and not only that, it’s also sure to make summer picnics in the park much more straightforward too.
This thirst slacker from Asda is sure to ruffle the feathers of the big-name bottle
Abby Wilson
Thanks to the handy glass stopper, there’s no need for a corkscrew, so you’ll never find yourself desperately Googling hacks to remove a cork again – phew.
It’s a lovely, modern bottle and has a sweet and refreshing flavour of white peach.
As well as being vibrant, this thirst slacker from Asda is sure to ruffle the feathers of the big-name bottle, and has a tasty zest that left me pouring a second (and third) glass within a matter of minutes.
So if you can’t make it to the South of France this summer, this dupe-tastic buy is a real winner and one that you’ll definitely want to stock up on this season.
Ranking: 5/5
Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club
Asda’s dupe-tastic buy has a delicious, tasty zest[/caption]
Screaming Devil will save you an impressive £9.53 compared to a bottle of Whispering Angel[/caption]
But you’ll need to move fast to nab these affordable wines[/caption]
