There was a time in my life when Campo Viejo Tempranillo was as essential as milk or bread; my flatmates and I designated it our “house wine”. The year was 2011, we wore a lot of elasticated statement belts and lived opposite a corner shop by Brixton prison. Like us, the wine was young, fruity and there for a good time.
The Appeal of Corner Shop Wines
Corner shop wines, whether from mini supermarkets or local stores with limited selections, often offer trusted, dependable bottles. They are perfect for last-minute panic buys or when you simply can't be bothered to stray far from home.
Red Wine Recommendations
Campo Viejo remains an obvious choice for a last-minute bottle of red. Even better is Muriel Tempranillo Rioja at the Co-op, which has all the dark red fruit and vanilla you might expect from young rioja. These days, I’d freshen up either of them with a blast in the fridge, or mix with lemonade for that emblematic Spanish summer cocktail, tinto de verano.
Fizz and Prosecco
If it’s fizz that you’re after, prosecco is a staple. If you struggle with the sherbetiness of commercial prosecco, amaros such as Aperol are widely available and pair well with the melony, moussey notes of prosecco. Champagne is trickier, often stored in warm, light conditions behind the till. If you’re set on champagne, try an affordable own-label blend at around £25.
White Wines and Rosés
Corner shops tend to be dominated by big brands, which are stronger on reds than whites. I avoid white wines in brightly labelled, clear glass bottles. However, pale French rosés are a different matter. The “chicken wine” southern French rosé or Studio by Miraval’s “Mediterranean rosé” offer good, inoffensive fun.
For whites, France is the safest bet. Picpoul de Pinet is always good value, and Louis Jadot’s Mâcon Villages offers good bang for your buck at about £13. Lesser-known grapes like carricante from Sicily or Romania’s fetească regală are food-friendly and gaining popularity.
Five Corner Shop Dependables
- Muriel Tempranillo Rioja £9.75 Co-op, 13%. Classic, fruity, sweet, spiced, young rioja – no drama.
- Studio by Miraval £12.50 Sainsbury’s, 12.5%. Easy-drinking light rosé to fuel you through the summer.
- Waitrose Loved & Found Carricante £9.50, 12%. Mineral and food-versatile.
- The Wine Atlas Fetească Regală £7 Asda, 11.5%. Great with a curry.
- M&S Delacourt Champagne Brut £25 Ocado, 12.5%. Never a bad choice if your corner shop is an M&S Simply Food.
