Our Taste the difference wines are a specially selected range of wines from both the Old and New World. Many are made by family-owned or small co-operative wineries, which we've sought out across the world. We've selected them as being the best examples of their style at excellent prices! Selecting a wine can be daunting, especially when choosing a wine over £5 so this range helps you choose a wine that will be of top quality and great value for money.
Robust reds
Sainsbury’s Taste the difference Chateuneuf-du-Pape (PRESS RECOMMENDED)
Taste it: A Typically rich Chateauneuf-du Pape, with complex aromas of plums, truffles and spice.
Discover it: Made by respected Rhone Valley producer Caves Saint-Pierre this is a fine example of the full-bodied red wines Chateuneuf-du-pape is famous for. The secret lies in the regions stony soil which retains daytime heat to help ripen the grapes by night.
Grape: Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvedre
Style: Rich & Complex
Great with: Taste the difference Large roasting beef joint.
Sainsbury’s Taste the difference Medoc
Taste it: This full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon biend has rich blackcurrant and cedar aromas, a generous, concentrated palate and soft. Velvety tannins.
Discover it: Medoc lies on the left bank of the Gironde estuary and is perhaps the most famous appellation of Bordeaux. Its wines are made predominantly with Cabernet sauvignon and this classic example if from Dourthe, one of Bordeaux’s foremost producers.
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
Style: Rich and complex.
Great with: Taste the difference 21 day matured fillet steak or our Taste the difference West Country Farmhouse Mature Cheddar.
Sainsbury’s Taste the difference Beaujolais-Villages
Taste it: This medium-bodied red is typical of the unique Beaujolais style: Full of fresh, lively cherry and strawberry fruit, with intriguing hints of banana.
Discover it: The Beaujolais region, just South of Burgundy is renowned for its soft red wines made from the Gamay grape Leading Beaujolais winemaker Georges Duboeuf has selected grapes form the regions best vineyards to produce a wine great character.
Grape: 100% Gamay
Style: Smooth & Mellow
Great with: Taste the difference slow cooked beef in ale with dumplings.
Sainsbury’s Taste the difference Chianti Classico
Taste it: This red wine is rich & full bodied, with fresh cherry notes.
Discover it: This delicious Chianti Classico is produced by family wineaery cerchi , one of the leading producers in Tuscany. The 187 acre Villa Cerna Estate is located in the heart of the Chianti Classico zone between Florence and Siena, producing wines of finesse and elegance such as this fine example. Closed using a cork for exceptional taste
Grape: Sangiovese, Canaiolo & Colorino
Style: Ripe Juicy Reds
Great with: Cheese & red meats. Try our Taste the difference Isle of Bute Mature Cheddar, matured for around 14 months to develop its rich savoury flavour.
Sainsbury’s Taste the difference Douro - Award Winning 2007 “Quality drink Awards”
Taste it: This wine is full bodied, rich and dark with intense berry fruit flavours, vanilla and spice.
Discover it: Sourced from renowned producers Quinta do Crasto, who have won international acclaim for there wines. The Douro, famous for port production, is earning an increasing high reputation for its table wine and particularly the red wine made from the same grapes used in port.
Grape: A traditional blend of Douro grapes.
Style: Big Bold Reds
Great with: Taste the difference roast beef.
Wonderful Whites
Taste the difference Vouvray (PRESS RECOMMENDED)
Taste it: This is a fruity medium wine with fresh acidity. It has a honeyed nose with notes of ripe pear and quince.
Discover it: The chalky hills of Vouvray are famous for producing high-quality wines from Chenin Blanc grapes.
Grape: Chenin Blanc
Style: Soft & Fruity.
Great with: Taste the difference chicken tikka masala and coriander rice.
Taste the difference Sancerre
Taste it: A crisp elegant wine. Ripe yet restrained with gooseberry flavours and the subtle mineral quality typical of classic Sancerre.
Discover it: The Sancerre region of the Loire Valley is noted for its elegant white wines. Made solely with Sauvignon Blanc grapes they have a characteristic crisp minerality derived from the local limestone-rich soil. This aromatic example is produced by Moilet a small, family run winery.
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Style: Complex & Elegant
Great with: Taste the difference ultimate Salmon.
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Pinot Grigio (PRESS RECOMMENDED)
Taste it: Acitrusy floral wine with hints of green plums and almondy peaches. Closed with a synthetic stopper for quality and consistency.
Discover it: Sainsbury’s Taste the difference Pinot Grigio is sourced from vineyards planted near Lake Garda in the picturesque Veneto region of Northern Italy. The Long summer days produce aromatic white wines of great clarity and intensity
Grape: Pinot Grigio
Style: Dry, Fruity
Great with: Barbeque foods. Try our Taste the difference ultimate burger.
Sainsbury’s Taste the difference Sauvignon Blanc
Taste it: The wine is concentrated and balanced with good juicy gooseberry fruit character. Closed with a synthetic stopper for quality and consistency.
Discover it: Sauvignon Blanc grapes benefit from South Africa's sunny climate moderated by cooling sea breezes. This wine has been specially made for Sainsbury’s by one of South Africa's leading winemakers.
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Style: Dry and intensely fruity
Great with: Asparagus in Hollandaise sauce, try our Taste the difference Steamed Asparagus In Butter.
Sainsbury's Taste the difference Chablis Burgundy (Award winning)
Taste it: It's a crisp, dry wine but with full, rich, melony fruit and hints of minerality - all very characteristic of great Chablis.
Discover it: Chablis comes from the northernmost part of Burgundy in eastern France. It is made from chardonnay grapes grown on the famous limestone and kimmeridgian clay soils that cover the steep slopes overlooking the Serein River. Located in Prehy, the Brocard family's winery has supplied these hand-crafted Chablis wines to Sainsbury's since the late 80's
Grape: Chardonnay
Style: Crisp Dry Whites
Great with: Taste the difference Ultimate Salmon Fillet.
