Brief
Wine expert Tom Gilbey picks supermarket bottles for each Sunday roast
The Independent consulted wine maker Tom Gilbey on the best value supermarket wines for classic roast dishes.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Wine maker and Instagram influencer Tom Gilbey told The Independent which supermarket wines he considers the best matches for the five main Sunday‑roast options.
What happened
Gilbey evaluated a range of wines sold at Sainsbury’s and one from Santodeno, matching each to a roast type – beef, chicken, pork, lamb and a vegetarian nut roast. He described the flavour profile of each wine and why it complements the meat or plant‑based dish.
What the reports add
The article lists the specific bottles: Sainsbury’s Valpolicella Ripasso for roast beef, Sainsbury’s Brouilly (Château de Pierreux) for roast chicken, Sainsbury’s Barbera d’Asti for roast pork, Sainsbury’s Maipo Valley Cabernet Sauvignon for roast lamb, and Santodeno’s Sangiovese Appassimento for a vegetarian roast. Gilbey’s comments on each wine’s fruit, tannin and spice levels are included.
What was said
"Beef loves a red with a bit of grunt, and this Valpolicella Ripasso has just the right combination of ripe dark, juicy fruit coupled with a lick of spice," Gilbey said about the beef pairing. Regarding chicken, he noted, "Roast chicken is a wonderfully forgiving dish… it’s fruity, soft and light with smooth, velvety tannin." For pork he added, "Barbera brings plenty of character without drowning out the meat." On lamb he explained, "The wine’s generous red fruit and savoury depth work beautifully with the richness of roast lamb." Finally, on the vegetarian option he said, "This sangiovese appassimento’s bright black plum fruit and ripe juicy notes make it a natural partner for roasted mushrooms, lentils, aubergine, nut roast and all those lovely caramelised vegetables."
How it came about
Gilbey, a former wine maker turned social‑media personality, was approached by The Independent to provide guidance for home cooks seeking affordable yet suitable wine choices for a traditional Sunday meal.
Key facts
- Tom Gilbey recommends Sainsbury’s Valpolicella Ripasso for roast beef (independent.co.uk)
- He suggests Sainsbury’s Brouilly (Château de Pierreux) for roast chicken (independent.co.uk)
- Barbera d’Asti from Sainsbury’s is his pick for roast pork (independent.co.uk)
- Maipo Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from Sainsbury’s pairs with roast lamb (independent.co.uk)
- Santodeno Sangiovese Appassimento is recommended for vegetarian roasts (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “The best supermarket wine to pair with your Sunday roast, chosen by an expert”
