This £5 supermarket Malbec has been named the world’s best red wine
It looks like it's officially time to embrace supermarket plonk, after Asda rode to a surprise victory with one of the world's best red wines at the Decanter World Wine Awards.
The supermarket toasted the success this weekend of its Chilean La Moneda Reserva Malbec after it won the top prize in the single-varietal red under £15 category at the awards, which are judged by wine experts and sommeliers.
The wine, which usually retails at £5.75 but is on offer at £4.37, won esteem for its "freshly crushed black fruit, creamy vanilla yoghurt and pepper spice" flavours.
Read more: The English wine industry uncorked another bumper year in 2015
Asda's wine buying manager, Ed Betts, described the wine as a "perfect match" for barbecued meats and said it was a "perfect example" of how the supermarket aims to offer exceptional quality at affordable prices. Perfect.
Supermarkets have uncorked multiple victories at other wine awards this year. At the 2016 International Wine Challenge (IWC) in May, Asda won a gold medal for its Extra Special El Meson Gran Reserva 2010 (a rioja) while fellow budget grocer Aldi won four gold medals.
Sainsbury's, Tesco, Waitrose, Morrisons and The Co-Op also won golds at the IWC, though Marks & Spencer topped the medal chart with a total 117 awards spanning the gold, silver and bronze categories.
As well as Asda's prize-winning fare, here are three other wines that have won big at awards ceremonies this year:
Morrison's Signature Oloroso Dry
This dry sherry retails for a thrifty £6.
Aldi's Exquisite Collection Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
A bargain white offering from Aldi at £7.99.
And finally, the aforementioned Asda Grand Rioja
Another bargain at £9.98.
