Over the last few years, rosé has enjoyed a transformation from a summer staple to a year-round vino. Driven in part by celebrity brands (think Brad Pitt’s Miravel or Kylie Minogue Wines), the Provençal giant Whispering Angel has been cited as boosting the worldwide rosé market.
The wine has a loyal legion of sippers, thanks to attractive marketing, subtle flavouring and A-lister approval – Adele told US Vogue: “Whispering Angel turned me into a barking dog. It did not make me whisper.” A blend of cinsault, grenache and vermentino grapes, the wine is loved for being very pale and very dry, with subtle flavours of orange, red fruits and a little dried herbs and spice.
But with a price tag of £25, it’s little surprise supermarkets have rushed to offer more affordable alternatives. Aldi and Asda, in particular, have leaned heavily into the trend, producing bottles that don’t just take inspiration from the original but are near-identical – right down to design cues and playful naming (see Asda’s Screaming Devil).
“Yes, the classic pale Provençal styles are still everywhere – light, easy, and made for sunny afternoons – but there’s also a more interesting mix creeping in,” Candace Bugden, expert wine taster and TikToker, says. “Think rosés with a bit more flavour, a bit more texture... darker in colour, deeper in texture and complexity. Interesting and versatile.”
Be it a £14 Nerello Mascalese grown on Mount Etna’s slopes in Sicily or a rich Arbousset Tavel £13 plonk from Tesco, “these are bottles you can happily drink in the garden but also take to the table with food and not feel like you’re compromising,” Bugden says.
Read more: Wine expert says this £10 Aldi bottle is like something you’d find in a wine bar
Supermarket shelves are now filled with convincing rivals to rosé’s like Whispering Angel, with sommeliers often highlighting bottles such as Leoube, which costs less than £18. Meanwhile, wine enthusiasts on TikTok love M&S’s la balconne and Lidl's breath of paradise bottle.
“Whispering Angel is a great wine, as is its more refined offering,” says wine writer Katie Brook. “But are we paying for quality or a name?” In a bid to help you keep costs down ahead of your next springtime soirée, I asked experts to share their favourite supermarket rosé and affordable Whispering Angel alternatives.
Read more: Best rosé wines for every palate, tasted-tested
What to look for in a supermarket rosé
"I always recommend looking to the regions in and around Whispering Angel’s home, the southern French Mediterranean region of Provence – so look for labels that say Languedoc, Pays D'Oc, IGP Méditerranée or Corsica,” says The Independent's wine columnist, Rosamund Hall.
By looking in these regions, “you'll find wines made using similar grapes. They'll have a familiar appearance and taste: delicate pale dusty-pinks with aromas of fresh summer berried fruits, hints of orange zest, and of course a beautiful, uplifting acidity”, she explains.
Lucy Hitchcock, the wine enthusiast behind the @Partnerinwineuk social media account, explains: “The peculiar thing is, a lot of the Whispering Angel ‘dupes’ that are popping up now, are actually Sainte Victoire Cotes du Provence rosés.” This region has recently become the first ‘cru’ of Côtes de Provence, noted for its distinctive terroir. “Sainte Victoire is a very specific quality area of Côtes de Provence, with a specific microclimate producing beautifully balanced grapes,” Hitchcock adds.
For those looking for a swap-out Provencial rosé, Emilee Tombs, wine writer and assistant travel editor at The Independent, suggests the Loire Valley. “While it might not offer better value, rosé wines from this area of northwest France have a similar dry, crisp style with red fruit and citrus notes.”
Meet the experts
Katie Brook is a journalist with a specialism in wine and a decade of experience as a wine reviewer. She is the founder of Run To Wine, a London- and Surrey-based running club that ends its sessions with a wine tasting.
Candace Bugden, otherwise known as @this.wine.woman, is a TikToker with more than 50,000 followers. As well as sharing excellent bottles of wine online, she is assistant manager of tours and tastings at the Wiston Estate in West Sussex.
@partnerinwineuk This one’s going to be a sell out 🤌🏻💗🍷 #partnerinwine #roséseason #rosédupe #roséallday #rosélover #aldifinds #aldiwine #aldidupe #whisperingangeldupe #whisperingangel #whisperingangelrosé #winelover #roséseason #winedupe #rosédupe
♬ original sound - Partner in Wine
Lucy Hitchcock is the wine enthusiast behind the @Partnerinwineuk social media account. She has nearly 100k on Instagram and 65k on TikTok, with her reviews of Aldi or M&S bottles regularly going viral.
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Emilee Tombs is assistant travel editor at The Independent and holds a WSET Level 3 Award in Wines from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust. She has written for a number of wine publications, from Noble Rot to Ocado Life magazine.
Rosamund Hall is a writer, presenter and columnist specialising in wine and spirits. She is The Independent's weekly wine columnist with 'The Wine Down' and writer of the best rosé wines.
Tom Gilbey started winemaking at age 23, then became an importer, wine merchant, and advisor. He shares his recommendations on his website, as well as to his 666k followers on Instagram and 218k on TikTok, aiming to demystify the world of wine.
Studio by Miraval rosé
ABV: 12.5%
Region: Provence, France
Vintage: 2024
Grapes: Cinsault, grenache, rolle, tibouren
“My favourite is the Studio by Miraval rosé,” says Tom Gilbey. He’s not alone in his adoration, with the tipple securing the top spot in Rosamund Hall’s guide to the best rosés. “I tasted this blind alongside a number of Provençal rosés and was impressed by the quality-to-price ratio,” she said.
“This beautiful blend of cinsault, grenache, rolle and tibouren displays subtle apricot and nectarine aromas alongside soft raspberries and delicate floral notes,” Hall added. Somewhat surprisingly, Château Miraval is owned by Brad Pitt.
Buy now £12.5, Sainsburys.co.uk
Screaming Devil Côtes de Provence rosé
ABV: 13.5%
Region: Côtes de Provence, France
Vintage: Not specified
Grapes: Grenache, cinsault, syrah
“I think this wine punches above its £12.95 price tag,” says Emilee Tombs. “It’s fuller and creamier than a lot of Provence rosé tends to be, yet retains a freshness and salinity; and these are all hallmarks of Whispering Angel.” It’s “more tropical on the nose, with a touch of ripe mango complementing tart red fruits (raspberry, rhubarb) and sweet peach notes, indicating that the grapes were perhaps grown in an area of the region that gets a good deal of sun exposure to the vines.”
Though she notes that it’s not the perfect alternative. “It’s made using grenache, cinsault and syrah, so it’s lacking the vermentino floral notes that Whispering Angel is famous for, but it’s not a bad attempt at all.”
As for pairings, Tombs says it will go “down very well at a barbecue alongside watermelon and feta salad or grilled fish and vegetables.” Adding the final flourish, “it is the colour of a rose petal, so it looks the part in your glass, too.”
Buy now £13, Asda.com
M&S Etna Rosato
“Etna Rosato from M&S is a striking expression of Nerello Mascalese, grown on Sicily’s volcanic slopes,” Bugden says. “It’s a wine of tension and character: mineral and faintly smoky, laced with rosehip, redcurrant and a flicker of pink peppercorn.” As for tasting notes, “on the palate, it’s crisp, tart and satisfyingly savoury – rosé with structure.”
Buy now £14, Marksandspencer.com
Maison Mariselle Sainte-Victoire rosé
ABV: 13%
Region: Sainte-Victoire, Côtes de Provence, France
Vintage: 2024
Grapes: Grenache
“The difference between Whispering Angel and Majestic's Maison Mariselle comes down to the grapes – Whispering Angel uses grenache, cinsault and rolle (vermentino), whereas Maison Mariselle uses just grenache – and the area of Provence where the grapes are grown,” explains Katie Brook. “It’s round and elegant, with intense red fruits, florals, and white peach flavours. The flavour is long-lasting too – a sign of a good wine.”
This rosé is also a favourite of Lucy Hitchcock. “It's deliciously dry with a lovely combination of fresh acidity and smooth body”, she says. Hailing from the Sainte-Victoire region, “you do get a bit more of that purity and minerality (fresh rain/wet stone) and I love how that works against the classic notes of fresh raspberry, pink grapefruit, crunchy white peach and cool green melon”. There is “even an aromatic dried herb note in the background”.
Buy now £18, Majestic.co.uk
Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Île-de-Beauté rosé
ABV: 11%
Region: Corsica
Vintage: 2024
Grapes: Grenache, sciaccarellu, syrah, vermentinu, niellucciu
“Take a short boat ride across the Mediterranean to the paradise island of Corsica and pour yourself a glass of this Île-de-Beauté,” Hall suggests. “While the nose may be a little restrained, there's an abundance of flavour and excitement on the palate in this dry, delicate rosé.”
Those trying it out for themselves can expect “ripe redcurrants and cherries, a twist of grapefruit and a faint note of wild herbs redolent of the island's landscape.” I’m sold, particularly given the £10 price point.
Buy now £10.5, Sainsburys.co.uk
Arbousset Tavel
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“Arbousset Tavel from the Southern Rhône at Tesco leans into a richer, more robust style,” Bugden explains “This is rosé unafraid of colour or flavour, blending grenache, cinsault and syrah into a deeply hued glass of raspberry, pink grapefruit and gentle spice.” When it comes to pairings, she says that the wine is “tailor-made for food – think grilled meats or halloumi – and at £13, it sings.”
Buy now £13, Tesco.com
M&S La Balconne organic Provence rose
ABV: 12.5%
Region: Provence, France
Vintage: 2024
Grapes: Grenach, cinsault, ,ourvèdre, carignan, caladoc, syrah, rolle
“I had high hopes for this wine made from seven different grapes in Provence. However, I didn’t get even the faintest hint of dried herbs that was offered in the tasting notes, and on the palate, I mainly tasted sharp raspberry and underripe strawberry,” Tombs explains. “I normally love to champion organic growers, and in Provence it should be straightforward to produce quality examples as the weather is usually good enough not to use pesticides.”
Instead, the trending M&S wine has a sharp taste. “The colour – although a pleasing shade of ‘oeil de perdrix’ or ‘eye of the partridge’, might also put Whispering Angel purists off, as it’s darker than the now iconic rosé, and some people (incorrectly) assume that all darker rosés are sweet.” If you prefer a more fruity wine, you could do a lot worse than the M&S bottle – but those seeking Whispering Angel similarities might be disappointed.
Buy now £16, Ocado.com
Love by Leoube
ABV: 13%
Region: Provence
Vintage: 2023
Grapes: Grenache, cinsault
Recommended by both Gilbey and Hall, Love by Leoube is a popular choice among Whispering Angel fans. Naturally, it earned a spot in Hall’s round-up of the best rosés, where she described it as “the wine of Provençal dreams.” A half-and-half blend of grenache, “the nose is delicate, with aromas of soft white peaches, alpine strawberries and a hint of wild oregano.”
As for pairings, Hall says that the wine goes perfectly with a simple grilled rotisserie chicken and a generous serving of feta-laced fresh green salad.
Buy now £17.5, Ocado.com
Gérard Bertrand côte des roses rosé
ABV: 13.5%
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Vintage: 2023/2024
Grapes: Grenache, syrah, cinsault
Hall describes this Gérard Bertrand bottle as a “stunning rosé which consistently delivers year in year out, and punches well above its modest price point”.
“An elegant blend of syrah and cinsault, you'll be charmed by the aromas of soft strawberries and peaches alongside fresh, zingy raspberries and a poised floral finish,” Hall says. Better yet, “the bottle looks like a work of art”.
Buy now £12, Majestic.co.uk
Costa Toscana
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According to Bugden, Aldi’s organic Costa Toscana “offers a lighter, more playful take.” Blending sangiovese, merlot and syrah, “it delivers delicate strawberry fruit with a soft Mediterranean charm.” Setting you back just £7.99 in store, the value is combined with excellent flavour. “Provence in spirit, but with a distinctly Italian accent, and all the more appealing for it,” Bugden says.
Buy now £7.99, Aldi.co.uk
What is the best Whispering Angel alternative and supermarket rosé?
Whether you’re looking for a more affordable substitute to the cult rosé, want to delve deeper into the Provençal wine-making region or stray further afield for similar tasting notes, there’s plenty of choice when it comes to Whispering Angel alternatives.
Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Île-de-Beauté rosé is a favourite for its dry, delicate palette. Elsewhere, Screaming Devil surprised our resident sommelier and Studio by Miraval rosé lives up to its viral fame.
Discover more of the best wines for suppertime sipping with this sommelier-led supermarket guide
