Looking at what’s new on Waitrose Cellar and you’ll discover a plethora of new rosé wines. There’s also some brand new No. 1 Waitrose own label wines. If you’re after something different, which bottle should you pick next?

Earlier this year, we took our first dive into Waitrose Cellar’s ‘New’ section to see what was fresh to the range. Now Spring’s finally here, we’ve taken another look and it seems to be drink pink season. Here’s what’s in my next shopping basket (and what won’t be).

I’m most excited for…

2024 Waitrose Loved & Found Nero di Troia IGP

This Loved and Found label is excellent value (£9.50, Waitrose Cellar). I first discovered the Italian indigenous grap Nero di Troia when we were out blending the first rosato wines for our organic label at Canned Wine Group in 2023. This grape variety is from Puglia, the heel of Italy in the south-east, and it was something new and exciting to try. Whereas Puglia’s rosato wines tend to focus of the Primitivo variety, making for a plummy, bold and often sweet rosé, the Nero di Troia variety does something different. Aromatically it’s floral with notes of cherry blossom and rose. On the palate it has a sour cranberry-like tang, softened by notes of strawberry. It makes for very good rosé, but also something different to the Provence stuff we’re all used to. One for the sunshine! How likely I am to buy it? 8/10. Waitrose says: “A rosé that tastes as good as it looks”.

Other new arrivals…

There appears to be a lot of rosé joining the Cellar list. Personally I’d steer clear of the pricey 2025 By.Ott Côtes de Provence Rosé (£26.50, Waitrose Cellar) and even their often reliable own label 2025 No.1 Côteaux d’Aix-en-Provence Rosé  (£15.00, Waitrose Cellar). It’s not that these wines won’t be perfectly good. The No.1 especially will be. But I find the rosé streaming out of Provence in a fresh faced vintage is unapologetically dull. If you want a rosé with a twist that makes it exciting, save some money and opt for the Nero di Troia. Or go for Cellar’s new pink bubbles: the NV Waitrose Loved & Found Vermentinu Sparkling Rosé Brut (£9.50, Waitrose Cellar). A Vermentino Nielluccio blend, the former brings you that floral white wine freshness and the latter brings you cranberry and cherry in Chianti-esque hues. It’s very dry and exceptional value. Fizz like this should be served with your favourite sharing crisps and a proper good chat with your best friend. Simple.

There’s one more new arrival I want to point you towards: 2025 No.1 Vouvray (£13.00, Waitrose Cellar). I love good Chenin Blanc and while the best examples of this French grape are today found in South Africa, the Loire Valley still produces the most moreish example of them all: Vouvray. This appellation has become known for its expertise in handling off-dry styles of Chenin Blanc, which paired with their northern French piercing acidity and Chenin’s natural honey-like ageability, makes for some delicious drinking. Serve it chilled and that burst of fruit with a little tease of sugar is one of the most delightful sensations in wine. This new arrival from Waitrose’s very reliable No.1 range is an exciting bottle for your shopping basket.