Even as a wine critic, nothing makes me happier than saving a few quid on a bottle of wine.

It’s not hard to see why. The never-ending cost-of-living crisis, combined with steep rises in the price of alcohol thanks to hefty duty, tax and VAT on top of spiralling transport costs, packaging and rubbish exchange rates, has changed the way we shop for wine for good.

Wine dupes are the ultimate feel-good booze bargain: a tipple that looks and tastes just as delicious –sometimes more so – than its pricier, more famous counterpart.

Often they’re made just down the road, or use the same method and grapes. Crémant, for instance, has become the nation’s go-to stand-in for Champagne. In other cases a dupe is a brand in its own right with a genuinely similar taste profile.

Increasingly though, it’s a supermarket’s own creation, cooked up purely to rival the big names, complete with cheeky little nods (some subtle, some not) to exactly who they’re copying (yes, Screaming Devil, I’m looking at you.)

Whispering Angel kicked off the last wine dupe frenzy. With its evocative name and pretty-in-pink packaging it does a fine job of justifying that premium price tag. Some copies are excellent; others, frankly, have nothing to do with the flavour profile, the growing region or even the grapes of the original. Call it a dupe if you like, really it’s just a nice vino.

But rather than be led by the packaging and pricing, I did a blind comparison tasting. Here’s my pick of the ten best, tried-and-tested wine dupes on shelves right now. Newsflash: some of them even beat the originals!

Helena Nicklin did a blind comparison tasting. Here’s her pick of the ten best, tried-and-tested wine dupes on shelves right now

The Original: Whispering Angel

A blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Rolle, this is a classic Côtes de Provence pink: dry and textural with peach and strawberry notes. Not as vibrant as it used to be.

Best dupe: Sainte Victoire, Côtes de Provence Rosé

Sainte Victoire is actually a sub-appellation of Côtes de Provence so, in theory, is more boutique than the big brand. This blatant Aldi dupe smashed it out of the park thanks to its authentic Provencal profile – and got extra points for mineral freshness. Sip this as an aperitif or with grilled white fish, seafood or goat’s cheese. This outclasses Whispering Angel in the glass for less than half the cost.

Also try: Screaming Devil

A delicious drop – less fruity but with more crisp freshness.

The Original: Porta 6

With its brooding notes of bramble, wild strawberry and dark chocolate, this showcases what a great value Portuguese wine looks and tastes like.

Best dupe: Animus Douro

Hailing from the home of Port in the Douro rather than the Lisbon region like Porta 6, this is a similar blend but it came out a little richer and more complex with notes of red berries, currants, fruitcake and spice. It’s big but silky with it. Exceptional value and perfect for a barbecue.

Also try: Torre de Ferro Reserva Dão, £7.99, Lidl

Another decent Portuguese red blend made using local grapes. A powerful, rich red for the price, though less silky than the others.

The Original: Jam Shed

There was a time when ‘jammy’ was considered a dirty word in winespeak. Ironic, then, that this sweeter, red style of wines is now so popular. It is sweet and simple.

Best dupe: Casillero del Diablo Jammy Red Devil

Where Jam Shed is a straightforward, sweet Aussie Shiraz, this Chilean version adds a dash of Carmenère to the Shiraz, which gives it a cool leafiness and more drinkability.

Yes, it’s the same price but a cut above in quality, so a better choice. This will love salty cheese or ribs with barbecue sauce. The sweetness will also foil hot spice.

Also try: Busby Estate Jammy the Red, £6.50, Asda

Not as rich as the others but great if you like red sweet, but lighter-bodied.

The original: Bread & Butter Chardonnay

Bold, oaky Chardonnay isn’t for everyone and Bread & Butter goes for broke here, leaning into the most extreme version going – all sweet caramel, cream and vanilla.

Best dupe: Greasy Fingers Big, Buttery Chardonnay

Also unashamedly bold, made to go with fast foods like spicy, fried chicken. More of a classic oaked Chardonnay; fresher, with less cloying sweetness and more savoury, toasty oak than sickly vanilla. A much better all-rounder! Wonderful with a cheese or chicken burger.

Also try: Butter Side Up Chardonnay, £10, Asda

A closer match to Bread & Butter, though more vanilla sweet and synthetic.

The original: 19 Crimes Chardonnay

A cloyingly sweet wine that appeals to some for its simple, candy-like quality. It should be half the price, though.

Best dupe: Andrew Peace White Label

A classic, low-priced Australian Chardonnay that actually tastes of Chardonnay and won’t fur up your teeth with all the sugar. Very lightly oaked, it’s not uber-buttery or sweet but fresh, with notes of white peach, melon and citrus. Lovely with grilled chicken, white fish – or sushi if you’re feeling swish.

Also try: Oxford Landing Estates Chardonnay, £6.50 on offer, Waitrose

Another well-made, lightly oaked Aussie Chard with ripe fruit and decent freshness. Lower alcohol too at 11.5 pc.

The original: Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc

Described as tasting ‘like electricity’ when it first hit shelves, this set the benchmark for the Marlborough style – and it’s still hard to beat.

Best dupe: Luis Felipe Edwards ‘Signature Series’ Sauvignon Blanc

Coastal Chile is producing some cracking, sea- salt-fresh Sauvignons and often for a lot less cash.

This is intense and aromatic with a lovely, tropical fruit note that softens everything up.

Also try: New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Awatere Valley, Lidl, £8.99

An impressive, laser-focused Sauvignon with more leafy herbaceousness than many.

The original: La Vieille Ferme (The Chicken Wine)

The pink Chicken Wine is famously made by a proper winemaking family in the Rhône Valley and is a well-rounded, crowd-pleasing, dry style with subtle fruit.

Best dupe: Le Petit Poulet Rosé

Aldi is the king of dupes and this is another classic, complete with a chicken on the front and the name ‘little chicken’ in French. It doesn’t quite have the smoothness of the original, but for the price it’s a very decent drop. A perfect party pink that needs nothing, though cold cuts and poultry work nicely.

Also try: The Farmyard Rosé, £6.29 Lidl

Yes, it also has chickens on the front and, well-chilled, it’s highly gluggable.

The original: Moët et Chandon Imperial Brut NV

When it comes to big brand Champagne, Moët sets the standard with its house blend led by Pinot and Meunier with some Chardonnay – but it has got very expensive over time.

Best dupe: Graham Beck Brut NV

Made in the same time-consuming traditional method as Champagne and with the same grapes, all Graham Beck South African sparklers offer outstanding value. The Brut is perfect if you prefer fizz with a little more fruitiness too, as Moët tends to be.

Lovely with salty canapés or roast chicken.

Also try: Sainsbury’s Blanc de Noirs Champagne, £14

Made only with black grapes so a bit like Moët but not quite as complex. Ridiculously cheap for real Champers.

The original: Marques de Riscal Rioja Reserva 2021

Rioja can be a little hit and miss but Marques de Riscal is a reliable style, still showcasing that sweet spot between spiced leather notes and ripe bramble fruit.

Best dupe: Monte Plogar Gran Reserva

Made with a different grape to Rioja and from a different Spanish region entirely, this exceptional red is aged to perfection and offers all the spiced leather, wild strawberry-scented goodness you’d want from an expensive Gran Reserva Rioja. One for grilled or roast meats – especially lamb.

Also try: Cepra Lebrel Rioja Crianza, £5.79 Lidl

For a real Rioja with some age, this is excellent for the price. More fruity than leathery-spiced, though.

The original: Casillero del Diablo Merlot

This stalwart of the corner shops has endured because it’s an easy- drinking, affordable and reliable Chilean Merlot with velvety notes of blackcurrant and red fruit.

Best dupe: Estevez Chilean Merlot

Plummy, juicy and velvety smooth, this tastes like Merlot should and massively over-delivers for the price. I don’t know how they make it for so little cash. Wonderful with steak and chips.

Also try: Hardy’s Stamp Merlot, £5.50 Asda

Easy-drinking and soft with simple red berry fruit notes. Pleasant enough for its very low price.