If you love experimenting with premium wine brands but can’t always justify the high price tag, there’s a little-known way to get more for your money: cleanskin wine.
The term refers to wine sold without a producer’s usual branding or label, often when a winery has surplus stock it wants to shift. Because the wine doesn’t carry a recognisable name, retailers can buy it at a lower price and pass those savings on to shoppers.
There is one downside: the producer may remain a mystery. Rather than choosing a bottle based on a name you recognise, you’ll need to look at clues such as the grape, region and vintage to work out whether it’s likely to suit your taste.
If you’re tempted to give cleanskin wine a try, Laithwaites has a range to browse, covering everything from reds, whites and sparkling varieties. I’ve rounded up some of the options currently available below, so you can see what’s on offer and perhaps discover a new favourite along the way.
Read more: Best wine at Waitrose, according to experts
Cleanskin South Australia shiraz cabernet 2022
open image in galleryThis is a full-bodied Australian red made from a blend of cabernet sauvignon and shiraz. It’s said to boast flavours of ripe dark fruit and spice, with savoury notes and a touch of oak. The wine is 14.4 per cent ABV and suitable for vegans.
Margaret River sauvignon blanc sémillon 2025
open image in galleryThis 11.5 per cent ABV dry Australian white is made from sauvignon blanc and sémillon grapes. It’s touted as having a fresh, citrus-led flavour with notes of tropical fruit, melon and guava, plus a hint of fennel, so it should be ideal for summer sipping.
Limited release English sparkling brut NV
open image in galleryA dry English sparkling wine made from a chardonnay-based blend, this vino is described as having a creamy, toasty flavour with notes of ripe orchard fruit and a fresh minerality. It’s 12.2 per cent ABV and suitable for vegetarians.
Limited release English sparkling rosé NV
open image in galleryIf you enjoy your rosé sparkling, this bottle is for you. It’s made from a chardonnay-based blend that is said to boast strawberry and raspberry flavours, with a biscuity note on the finish. It has fine bubbles, is 12.2 per cent ABV and it is suitable for vegetarians.
Limited release cabernet sauvignon 2023
open image in galleryThis cabernet sauvignon comes from South Africa and is made by award-winning winemaker Gerhard Swart. It’s a rich, medium to full-bodied red with plenty of ripe cassis, black plum and blueberry, balanced with a touch of wild herbs, cedar and oak spice. It’s a good match for warm, hearty dishes such as roast beef or a rich stew.
Illustrious Napa Valley sauvignon blanc 2024
open image in galleryCalifornia’s Napa Valley needs no introduction when it comes to wine. This 12.5 per cent ABV sauvignon blanc hails from the region, and is described as having vibrant lime and grapefruit flavours, with subtle stone fruit in the mix. It is said to have a crisp, refreshing finish and it’s suitable for vegetarians.
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