I tested supermarket dupes of posh Whispering Angel rosé… flavour-packed winner is as good as original at half the price
WHEN it comes to popular pink wines, Whispering Angel has an A-list reputation.
Fans include Adele, Lady Gaga and the Beckhams.
While this stylish rosé comes with plenty of celebrity backing, it also boasts a VIP price tag of around £20.
But supermarkets have similar styles on their shelves at smaller prices.
This week, Lidl launched its new blush tribute Breath of Paradise at a more palatable £10.99. And there are other more affordable alternatives elsewhere worth shouting about too.
Here, wine expert Helena Nicklin looks at the best bottles to keep you in the pink.
Breath of Paradise
£10.99, Lidl
LIDL says this tipple offers all the taste of Whispering Angel at half the price.
The original’s popularity is partly due to the stunning packaging, as well as the delicious wine.
And while some alternatives are simply good-looking copies, others are decent rosé wines with similar flavour profiles but from different places.
Lidl’s blatant but beautiful Whispering Angel dupe has the vibe of the real thing but also flavour. This fellow Cotes de Provence wine knocks it out of the park as an alternative.
Think ripe white peaches, sliced strawberry and cantaloupe melon, all held in by a slick of saltiness.
Just like the costly celestial sip, but a lot cheaper.
5/5
Sainte Victoire Provence Rosé
£10.99, Aldi
ANOTHER wannabe that is well worth making some noise about.
Sainte Victoire is actually its own, high-quality, designated area in Provence, while Whispering Angel is rosé wine made with a blend from all over the Cotes de Provence.
This makes Aldi’s a particularly high- class dupe – and the price even more notable. Sainte Victoire pinks are especially crisp, lean and mineral with subtle strawberry and peach notes in the background. A classy thirst slaker that is on the leaner, paler, more complex side.
Delicious, and looks beautiful in the glass. A perfect drop to enjoy in the garden on a warm summer day if you can’t make it to the South of France.
4/5
The Best Touraine Rosé
£8.50, Morrisons
FOR this Whispering wannabe, we are stepping away from Provence in the South of France and moving north to the Loire Valley.
But that does not mean you won’t get a similar sip in your glass.
This rosé region offers a lot of what you want from Whispering Angel.
A glass of this gives a blend of juicy Gamay and crunchy Cabernet Franc grapes, so you can expect a pleasing dollop of tangy, red fruit.
There is a zippy acidity and cool mineral character keeping it all balanced. It is excellent value as well.
A new pink pretender that is worth grabbing – so get ahead of the A-list and give it a try.
Tell your friends Touraine is the next big thing.
4/5
Fleur De Lise Rosé
£8.50, M&S
THIS pretty pink, which you can pick up for less than a tenner, packs a super flavour punch without being too sweet or acidic.
Hailing from Saint-Mont in the foothills of the Pyrenees, it is another option that is not from Provence but is still surprisingly elegant when you consider it is made with bold red grapes lsuch as Tannat and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The result is a dry, savoury, textural vino that is crisp, gluggable and lovely with a barbecue.
Have a glass when you are dining alfresco in the sunshine and toast to all the money you will have saved by opting for a less spendy but still seriously enjoyable bottle.
3/5
Bijou Sophie Valrose Coteaux de Beziers
£9.25 (£7.75 Nectar), Sainsbury’s
BIJOU translates from French as jewel and this is definitely a gem of a wine that pays tribute to Sophie Valrose, who challenged the exploitation of women in vineyards in the 19th century.
The bottle is as photogenic and appealing as Whispering Angel, which is not to be overlooked if you are posing for all-important social media pics.
The content takes a sideways step from Provence to the Languedoc region, where you find excellent-value pinks that have a splash more fruit thanks to a slightly warmer climate and different soils.
It is refreshing with some soft, raspberry fruit.
A decent drop at a super-saving price.
3/5
Gérard Bertrand Cote des Rosés
£10, Co-op
ANOTHER Languedoc legend, ex- French rugby pro turned winemaker Gérard Bertrand makes this perfumed pink that punches way above its weight for a tenner.
Made with the same blend often used in neighbouring Provence, it is fuller than some but still elegant and refreshing.
Think beautiful, ripe berry notes from the Grenache and Syrah balancing a crisp tang from the Cinsault grape.
This doesn’t just look appealing, in a beautiful bottle designed to look like a rose bloom, it has won plenty of prizes, too.
Perfect for a party, especially if you have bottles out where guests can see them. A great gift, too.
4/5
La Vieille Ferme Rosé
£8.50, Tesco
THE original Whispering Angel dupe and it is still very worthy.
The famous “Chicken Wine” has won many rosé lovers’ hearts thanks to its pretty packaging, appealing pastel hue and surprisingly pocket-friendly price tag.
It is more than just a copycat, too. This hails from the warmer Rhone Valley and is made by the famous Perrin wine family, with the same grapes as many Provence styles.
The result is a riper, more fruity style but everything is perfectly in balance.
Now enjoying cult status, it is one to ruffle the feathers of the big-name bottle and is a long-time bargain.
3/5
Mare Meua Pinot Noir Rosé
£5.52, Asda
IF it is a poolside party vibe you are after for not much cash, you need to try this.
With an enticing beach scene on the bottle, its label gives off glamorous Cote d’Azur looks. But, in fact, this blush hails from Spain.
And what is inside is very good for the price.
Made with Pinot Noir, it has more of a ripe, raspberry tang but it is pale and refreshing with a touch of sweetness.
It gets a little rough as it warms up, so keep it super-chilled so it is only the holiday feel heating up.
You could throw in ice cubes to enhance the “by the beach” experience and drink it in your cossie in the garden.
3/5
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