I tried 70 wines from Co-op —  a £7.35 bottle was the best

The retailer has upped its wine game (Picture: Getty Images/fStop)

I rarely ever buy wine from Co-op. Sandwiches, sure. Emergency compostable bin bags, absolutely. A bag of spuds when I inevitably realise we’ve run out at 6:43pm on a Sunday, heck yes. But wine? Not the first place I’d look… until recently.   

I’ll preface this by saying I love Co-op – it’s one of the supermarkets that feels like it genuinely cares. It’s democratic, community-minded and engages with local causes. It was championing Fairtrade before it was trendy to pay your staff and suppliers fairly and it now sells over 100 Fairtrade wines – more than any other retailer.

But, maybe that was the problem for me when it came to its wine.

Because if I’m honest, for as long as I can remember the Co-op wine aisle has given me functional, but not exciting. More than that, there was a earnestness and ‘pick me, I’m Fairtrade’ vibe that was putting me off. (Plus, the wine labels were always a little practical-looking and I’m superficial, so those two factors were never going to align.)  

Then I tasted Muriel Tempranillo Vendimia Seleccionada Rioja and it was good, like really good.

This wine has changed everything I thought I knew about Co-op (Picture: Rob Buckhaven)

I’d love to say that my eyes locked onto it whilst I was in store looking for cat litter and oat milk – although I actually have a dog and I drink cow’s milk – but, no. It was at the Co-op wine tasting that I tried this bottle, along with 70 other of their spring/summer wines.

This Rioja is currently down to £7.35 making it head spinning value for money and is basically the definition of a barbecue red. It’s the real deal, pure ‘Riojan roll’, aged for seven months in French and American oak, so you get a suggestion of wood influence without feeling like you’re running your tongue along a barn door.

It’s made by one of the oldest wineries in Rioja Alavesa, the northernmost and arguably most refined of Rioja’s winemaking subregions. Bodegas Muriel has been going since 1926, but is now producing a modern, fruit-driven style. This is made from 100% Tempranillo, the classic Rioja grape, We’re talking flavours of blackcurrant, black cherry, damson, and dried mint flavours with a touch of baking spice. It’ll work best with roast lamb in front of a Netflix documentary about exes from hell.

So, while I was busy side-eyeing its Fairtrade Sauvignon, it seems Co-op has been quietly levelling up its wine game. Still making ethical, mindful choices, only now with much better wine and a ramped up sense of style.

Here are six other bottles that caught my attention and should be front and centre on your shopping list…

Co-op’s best Sparkling Wine for summer

Codorniu Gran Crémant Cava Brut Organic, Spain, £10.25 (in store, £11 delivered)

Dry, peachy, tingly and saline (Picture: Co-op)

I’ll bang on about Cava’s indecently good value for money forever if you’re not careful. Start drinking it so I don’t have to. It’s made in the same way as Champagne, for goodness sake, yet this is only just over a tenner. Plus, it’s organic and we all know what an expensive process that is. But, why is it using the French term ‘Crémant’? Probably piggybacking on the success of the Crémant category, and why not. You’ve got to try this bottle, it’s dry, peachy, tingly and saline.  

Co-op’s best White Wine for summer

Co-op Soave, Italy, £5.65

You can’t really go wrong with this one (Picture: Co-op)

Italian whites are massively up in quality across the supermarkets. Here’s a great case in point, given Soave can taste like mediocre dish water if it’s not made well. The flavours are barely-there, it has to be said, but for the price this has some citrussy minerality and almond flavours going on, giving you lime sherbet happy ending. You really can’t go wrong, then you can trade up to the ‘Classico’ version which sits at £8.25.  

Co-op Orvieto Classico, Italy, £6.85

A crisp summer white wine (Picture: Co-op)

This is the crisp summer white you’ve probably never heard of. If you’re Grigio devotee or you like sipping Soave, this should be on your drinking rotation, stat. Orvieto is from the Umbrian hills of central Italy, and for under £7 you get a decent amount of dry lemon sherbet and macadamia nut flavours in your glass. Sometimes, keeping it simple tastes pretty good.  

Co-op’s best Rosé wine for summer

Welmoed Rosé, South Africa, £7.95

A great choice for al fresco frolics (Picture: Co-op)

South Africa seems to be the epicentre of good value rosé at Co-op. This coral-coloured Fairtrade example is all blood orange and cantaloupe melon in the mouth, with a dry and spicy finish. It’s lovely. No wonder it has a piquancy about it, it made from 100% Shiraz. A great choice for all the al fresco frolics and shenanigans we’re inevitably going to be having over the summer.

Co-op’s best Red wine for summer

Muriel Tempranillo Vendimia Seleccionada Rioja, Spain, £7.35 (save £1.50 until 3rd June)

An incredible bargain (Picture: Co-op)

Now for the main event, and what can I say that I’ve not already said? Run, don’t walk to grab some while it’s still on deal. Even off promo, it’s still an incredible bargain. This is classic elegance of Rioja meets the new movement from younger winemakers bringing the region up to date with the modern palate. Off you go…

Al Fresco Red, Spain, £8.50

The winemaker of this fun little number is a friend of mine, Ray O’Connor MW. He’s crafted a summer glugging wine for Co-op, mid-way between a rosé and a red in colour and style, would that be a redé or a rosed? Either way, it’s innovative, and thankfully it tastes good, because that could have been an awkward conversation. It’s made 100% from the juicy Garnacha grape, so think pomegranate and dragon fruit in flavour, light in texture and very, very morish. Must be chilled before sipping, it’s the law.

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