I tested best wines under £5, from knockout reds to crisp whites – a Chardonnay tasted better than a £10 bottle
I tested best wines under £5, from knockout reds to crisp whites – a Chardonnay tasted better than a £10 bottle
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A GLASS or two of wine does not have to cost a bundle. But how can you make sure you get a corker for your money, rather than a cheap tipple that falls flat?. To help you make the right choice, drinks expert Helena Nicklin selects some of the best bottles of reds, whites and rosés – all costing less than a fiver – and selects the winners for each category.
![[Woman holding a glass of red wine.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/25-nov-2022-778664621_deeb67.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
IT is a perk of my job that I get my pick of many pricey wines to try. So I’ll confess that while I’m no vino snob, it is not often I actually choose to drink wine as cheap as this. However, this gem from Lidl was so impressive I really did open it for myself.
![[Bottle of Chevalier De Fauvert Pays d'Oc Chardonnay wine.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/glass-grapes-doesn-t-cost-967103257_a3270e.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
A great example of Southern French Chardonnay with its “just right” melon and peach notes plus a kiss of savoury oak for backbone. Not remotely sickly or sweet, this is better than many wines that are double the price. Fabulous for a under a fiver. Rating: 5/5.
![[Bottle of Cape Kyala Chenin Blanc wine from the Western Cape.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/glass-grapes-doesn-t-cost-967103195.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
I WLL admit that as white wines go, cheap Chenin Blanc rarely fares very well, especially at this “loss-leading” price point. But this one, which incredibly comes in at less than £4, is definitely drinkable. It is produced in South Africa and is zingy on the acidity – and super-dry.
![[Bottle of Wollemi Shiraz wine.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/glass-grapes-doesn-t-cost-967103228_454f8b.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Although there is not too much going flavour-wise, when you take a sip it is crisp and refreshing. Drink it very well-chilled and spend the extra quid on some salty snacks to nibble alongside. Rating: 3/5. ANOTHER 11 per cent ABV wonder, this South-East Australian vineyard wine used to pack more of a boozy punch.
![[Bottle of Nice Drop Tempranillo wine.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/glass-grapes-doesn-t-cost-967103041_357cdb.jpg?strip=all&w=864)
