Our wine connoisseur tasted 1,400 summer wines from the supermarket and selected the 10 very best (and the price will surprise you)

Désir de Rosé 2023, Côtes-de-Thau Cap d’Agde, France

Look at the bottle and you immediately imagine yourself in a summer atmosphere. The previous vintage was already discussed during the spring wine festivals and then we wrote: “we are curious what 2023 has to offer.” A direct hit! Immediately ‘super ten’. Very summery and yet complex, very light colored, floral nose, orange blossom and lilacs, white and red fruit in the mouth, playful, light-footed and yet filled, freshness of gooseberry at the end.

Tip perfect salad wine.

12.5% ​​vol., at Delhaize, 6.99 euros

Octavina 2023, Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire, France

New at Delhaize, this Provence rosé from the foot of the Sainte-Victoire Mountains. Kudos to the buyer because simply subtle, even refined. Not a powerhouse but elegant, fresh and yet sufficiently filled, rather discreet in the nose, slightly floral but beautiful purity of the fruit in the mouth, both white and small red fruit, pleasant acidity and juicy clementine at the end.

Tip with a southern ratatouille.

12.5% ​​vol., at Delhaize, 9.99 euros

Callisto Bianco 2023, Puglia, Italy

Double win for this producer who is also in red in our selection. And we rate this white version just a little higher. Because of the almost addictive freshness and the crispy fruit despite the sweltering region. Floral, pink grapefruit, citrus but also melon and nectarine, covered with fresh acidity, surprisingly long, playful from start to finish. A lot of wine for this price.

Tip excellent with spaghetti al vongole.

12% vol., at Aldi, 5.99 euros

La Capitainerie 2023, Réserve de l’Amiral, Pays d’Oc, France

Beautiful bottle that looks a lot like a fancy perfume bottle. And what it contains also has a summery feel: viognier and roll grapes from the deep French south, floral and ripe citrus in the nose, fresh yet well-filled in the mouth, more yellow fruit, even some mandarin and ripe peach, good length and a bit spicy at the end.

Tip with a summer salad with mango or a grilled chicken skewer with pineapple.

12.5% ​​vol., at Colruyt, 6.70 euros

La Grande Olivette 2023, La Baume, Côtes-de-Thau, France

Spring in the glass, this blend of piquepoul and sauvignon. First blossoms, then citrus and green apple, seductive and charming, minerally fresh from the start, apricot, peach and white plum, juicy from head to tail but laced with refined acidity. The essence of fresh spring wine.

Tip with a salad with goat cheese and fried bacon.

12% vol., at Okay, 6.99 euros

Commanderie de la Bargemone 2023, Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, France

Provence was already primus in rosé and is now also making waves in white. No doubt about it: a “super ten” for this organic grape, dominated by the rolled grape, from the Aix region. Complete and charming, spring blossoms in the nose, just like ripe citrus and passion fruit, more white fruit in the mouth, very juicy but especially countered by fresh acidity from start to finish. Balanced, complete and lots of length.

Tip Nice wine to go with grilled monkfish in a salt crust.

13% vol., at Corawine.be, 9.49 euros

Quintana malbec 2022, Mendoza, Argentina

Instant drinking pleasure, bottled in an equally playful bottle. Round and easily accessible malbec that you hardly have to think about. Smells of blackberry and blue plum. Soft and smooth in the nose, same impressions in the mouth, juicy dark fruit, some cinnamon and truffle, soft tannins and mocha at the end.

Tip Ideal on a warm summer evening in the company of a cheeseburger.

13% vol., at Carrefour Hyper and Market, 5.99 euros

Léon Perdigal Lirac 2022, Rhône, France

We have already tasted the excellent entry-level wine from the new Rhône range at Delhaize, and this cru also proves itself without any problems. Structured and full, but above all elegant and charming. Cassis, toast and black pepper on the nose, more candied fruit on the palate. Beautifully integrated tannins and slightly toasted bread at the end.

Tip Complete wine for a tournedos with pepper cream sauce.

14.5% vol., at Delhaize, 8.69 euros

Cairanne Cuvée Sophie B. 2021, Domaine Brusset, Rhône, France

Excellent wine-growing family that has been working since 1947 and, even in a more difficult year, manages to make a particularly beautiful southern Rhône wine. Blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, harvested manually and at low yields (35 hl/ha). Accented on the ripe fruit, discreet wood notes, thyme and laurel, voluminous and yet fresh. Good length covered with al dente tannins.

Tip Complete wine for a grilled côte à l’os.

13.5% vol., at Colruyt, 8.89 euros

Crémant d’Alsace brut, Bestheim, France

Charming organic crémant from Alsace. Fruity and minerally fresh, distinguished yet powerful, everything neatly aligned or “cousu main” as the French say. Discreet nose, white flowers, notes of lime, tight and well dry. White fruit and currant, juicy and tasty fruit, round and beautifully dosed (8 grams of sugar). Widely applicable, from aperitif to dessert.

12% vol., at Bioplanet, 11.99 euros