Jenny Mackenzie on the Co-op's 'eclectic' wine range

At the Co-operative Food's wine press tasting at the ICA in London this month and just six weeks into his new role as the Co-operative's wine category trading manager, Simon Cairns described the supermarket's wine range as "eclectic".

Cairns explained that he thought the Co-operative's "opportunity lay with making the range easier to navigate and more accessible". Currently, wines are displayed on the shelf in a "by country format, left to right in ascending price".

Cairns added that the Co-operative "overtrades in wine at 9.3% of the UK market [from its 448 lines], compared with its 6.4% grocery share" and boasts a higher than UK average spend per bottle "at £5.15". Therefore, his plans were "not to make radical changes" nor to "dumb down the range".

The Co-operative's best-selling line is Californian rosé under its Big Chill label. Fourteen out of 20 of its top-selling wines are own label which, explained Cairns, "makes it easier to manage quality".

With over 2,800 stores nationwide, including one in every postal area, the Co-operative calls itself "primarily a convenience retailer". The wines at the tasting ranged from its Fairtrade labels at £4.99 to own-label vintage Champagne at £26.99.

Six top picks from the many excellent wines at the tasting were:

The Co-operative Les Pionniers Champagne NV, £19.99 (promo £16.99 until 16/07/13). An exclusive line. Ben Cahill, wine buyer explained the Pinot-dominated choice as "confident, plus it shows and ages well". By award winning Régis Camus, it was sophisticated and likeable.

The Co-operative Fairtrade Torrontés/Chardonnay 2012, £4.99. An exclusive line. The Co-operative has 17 Fairtrade wines offering exceptional value and improved quality. This white by La Riojana co-op from Fatima Valley, Argentina, was full, floral and fresh - a successful blend.

Jour de Nuit Chardonnay/Viognier 2012, £9.99. An exclusive line. The standout producer at the tasting was "jazz loving" winemaker Xavier-Luc Linglin, aka X-L. All his Languedoc-Roussillon wines, both reds and whites, were very well put together, with this white blend leaping out of the crowd - soft, ripe and generous yet retaining an attractive, fresh, lemony zing.

Henri Clerc Pouilly Fuissé 2010, £13.99. A new, exclusive line, in store July. The dinner party pound is well catered for at the Co-operative, with plenty of special-occasion wines. A well-made, bright, fresh Chardonnay that should please newbies, ABC sceptics and Burgundy lovers alike.

Coeur de Cardeline Rosé 2012, £8.99. An exclusive line. Provence rosé is firmly on the UK radar these days. Quality varies, with this being one of the better, sub-£10 examples on the market.

Tawhiri Sauvignon Blanc 2012, £9.99. Made by award-winning winemaker Tamra Washington of Yealands Estate in Marlborough, this was a lighter Kiwi Sauvignon - harmonious and elegant. Edward Robinson, wine buyer said using top winemakers allowed wine styles to "gain momentum". It should certainly catch the eye of wine experts looking for value for money.

See earlybirdwinenews.com for more.

• Sommeliers
• Emily Kearns