Why Waitrose own label wines are such good value

By Master of Wine, Christopher Burr

14/06/2021 - Updated 12/03/2026

Waitrose Cellar have two Own Label Ranges of note: ‘No.1’ and ‘Blueprint’.

The No. 1 range is a more ‘up market’ selection of over 20 wines, where the wine buyers have collaborated with some renowned producers to create an exclusive range.

I know most of the producers that Waitrose have partnered with in their No. 1 wine range, indeed I have worked with some of them, Joseph Drouhin in Burgundy, Symington's in Port and Lustau in Sherry. These are all excellent wines, classic, with good class, not cheap, but very good value for money for what they are.

But the range I wish to focus on now is the Blueprint range, which is a selection of thirty eight wines, all selected for being good examples and classic of what they should represent.

These wines focus on the most popular, mass market wines in the British Market, from Prosecco to Pinot Grigio, Rioja, Argentinian Malbec, Chianti, White Burgundy, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Claret, Cotes du Rhone and Provence Rose. It also feature Port, Sherry, English white wine, Soave, German Riesling and Albarino.

The prices range from £7 for an Aussie Shiraz, to £12.50 for a White Burgundy. Most of the range fall into the £7 to £9 price point.

How good are they? Well, they certainly do what they promise - they taste like good examples of each production area, and moreover, they represent good value for each wine.

For me, there are a number of stars. The Cotes du Rhone is very typical, a juicy complex blend of the local grape varietals, and probably the best value for Cotes du Rhone on the market. Typical young wine, with some good complexity and nice, lifted fruit.

Shop Blueprint Cotes du Rhone

Where do you find a half decent red Bordeaux Claret for under £10? The Blueprint Reserve Claret is young, fresh with typical complexity and a nice bite of leathery tannin on the finish. Ideal to clean the palate with grilled or roasted meats.

Shop Blueprint Reserve Claret

Bravo Waitrose, your customers should be most appreciative of a good selection of everyday wines, well made and typical, and all good value. There are of course many more wines to try and the team at WinesDirect can attest to a few of the others, in particular the Waitrose Blueprint English Dry White, Waitrose Blueprint Gavi and Waitrose Blueprint Chianti.

Overall, this is a range well worth exploring, whether you need dependable wines for an occasion or are looking to explore the quintessential style of a new region or grape. They have a few mixed cases available to really get to grips with the range too.