Jump directly to the content

CAN you really taste the difference in your glass after paying more for a popular name on your wine bottle?

This summer, rosé drinkers have been going wild for a “dupe” of well-known Whispering Angel.

Drinks expert Helena Nicklin picks eight of her favourite cost-saving swaps
13
Drinks expert Helena Nicklin picks eight of her favourite cost-saving swaps

The £8 Bardolino Chiaretto Rosé La Fioritura from M&S is a dead ringer for the spendier French angelic grapes.

And it is not the only similar-to-sip alternative.

Drinks expert Helena Nicklin picks six of her favourite cost-saving swaps.

Bollinger Champagne

75cl, £58, from Tesco

READ MORE ON WINE

Bollinger Champagne is still famous among many fizz fans for being the Ab Fab bubbles of choice
13
Bollinger Champagne is still famous among many fizz fans for being the Ab Fab bubbles of choiceCredit: Alamy

Veuve Monsigny  Brut NV

75cl, £14.99, Aldi

Veuve Monsigny stands as a decent dupe for the expensive bubbly
13
Veuve Monsigny stands as a decent dupe for the expensive bubblyCredit: Aldi

THIS luxury bottle is still famous among many fizz fans for being the Ab Fab bubbles of choice.

A flute of this fine French Champagne is always a treat.

Meanwhile, at over £40 less a bottle Veuve Monsigny stands as a decent dupe for the bubbly.

It is the vino that got even posh shoppers buying their wine at Aldi in the first place.

You could even throw a couple of quid more at their vintage version to get even closer to the real thing – and it would still be more than 50 per cent cheaper.

Whispering Angel

75cl, £17.99, Waitrose

Whispering Angel is a salmon sip from a Provencal vineyard across the Channel
13
Whispering Angel is a salmon sip from a Provencal vineyard across the ChannelCredit: PA

M&S Bardolino Chiaretto Rose La Fioritura

£8, Ocado/M&S  

This is a really lovely rosé that knocks it out the park for taste to price ratio
13
This is a really lovely rosé that knocks it out the park for taste to price ratioCredit: Ocado

WHILE it has gone viral on social media, this alternative salmon sip is not actually a proper dupe in any way, given that it is Italian rather than from a Provencal vineyard across the Channel.

It uses totally different grape varieties. But it is a really lovely rosé that knocks it out the park for taste to price ratio, with a similar pastel hue to Whispering Angel for posing with in your summer pics.

Seeing as you will be saving so much money, the drinking experience will certainly still be delicious.

Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc

75cl, £26.99, Majestic   

This white wine put Kiwi Sauvignon Blancs on the map
13
This white wine put Kiwi Sauvignon Blancs on the mapCredit: Majestic.co.uk

Yealands Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

£8.75, Iceland

Yealands is a classy producer that makes fabulous, crisp and classic Kiwi Savvy B
13
Yealands is a classy producer that makes fabulous, crisp and classic Kiwi Savvy BCredit: Iceland

THIS big-name white wine put Kiwi Sauvignon Blancs on the map for drinkers who love a grassy, fresh and crisp glug in their glass.

For an alternative sip, head to Iceland for the dupe that will save you almost £20 a bottle.

Yealands is a classy producer that makes fabulous, crisp and classic Kiwi Savvy B that comes from the same region.

I can say that the cheaper alternative is every bit as good as Cloudy Bay.

Penfolds Shiraz Bin 28

75cl, £36, Harvey Nichols  

The Bin 28 is matured in American oak and was first made in 1959
13
The Bin 28 is matured in American oak and was first made in 1959

M&S Classics Barossa Shiraz

M&S, £10

This M&S wine gives an incredible, licoricey scented bang for your buck
13
This M&S wine gives an incredible, licoricey scented bang for your buckCredit: Ocado

THERE is nothing quite like the bold, velvety and peppery Shiraz that comes out of Australia.

The Bin 28 is matured in American oak and was first made in 1959.

It has a long-standing and well-deserved reputation.

For a pound-saving, just as sipable red vino nip down to M&S instead.

Its classic Barossa Shiraz is a decent dupe and does a good “in the style of” job in the glass.

It gives an incredible, licoricey scented bang for your buck.

Sancerre Domaine Chevreau

75cl, £20, Ocado

Sancerre Domaine Chevreau is delightful and extremely drinkable
13
Sancerre Domaine Chevreau is delightful and extremely drinkableCredit: Ocado

Sauvignon Blanc Val de Loire

£7.49, Lidl

Sauvignon Blanc Val de Loire can be served up at parties to your savviest white wine-loving mates
13
Sauvignon Blanc Val de Loire can be served up at parties to your savviest white wine-loving matesCredit: Lidl

WINE lovers know this vino to be delightful and extremely drinkable – but you will pay more for what is in the bottle and on the label.

For a great alternative, this perky little Savvy B from the discount supermarket has a similar, gentle, green nettle and mineral vibe to decent Sancerre – but without the premium price tag.

This is because it comes from a different region of France rather than Sancerre. Serve this up at parties to your savviest white wine-loving mates.

UP Ultimate Rose

75cl, £19.99, Waitrose 

UP Ultimate Rose is a posh Provence pink that's all about the packaging
13
UP Ultimate Rose is a posh Provence pink that's all about the packagingCredit: Waitrose

Specially  Selected Organico Costa Toscana

£8.49, Aldi 

Specially Selected Organico Costa Toscana won’t win any awards but your wallet will thank you for it
13
Specially Selected Organico Costa Toscana won’t win any awards but your wallet will thank you for itCredit: Aldi

WITH its distinctive flashy, glass bottle, this posh Provence pink is all about the packaging.

It wins the award for the prettiest-looking rosé bottle that is perfect for sipping and showing off. And what is inside is dry and decent too.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

If you are after a similar, savoury and subtly complex vibe, with a bottle you will want to hang on to, then this little Tuscan treasure from the discount supermarket will be right up your street.

The bottle won’t win any awards but your wallet will thank you for it.

Topics