Buying Wine at the Supermarket: A Love Story
Our First Wine Run in Valencia
When we first moved to Valencia, I thought I'd miss our Seattle wine shop with its wood shelves, tasting notes, and $22 bottles that felt like splurges. But then I walked into a Mercadona and had what can only be described as a romantic moment. There were entire shelves of Spanish wines under €5—some under €3! I stared, unsure if it was real. Cory whispered, “Grab six.”That night, we had roasted chicken, a warm loaf of bread, and a bottle of Caperucita Tinta Roja (€2.20). It was delicious. Not delicious-for-the-price. Just delicious. This, I realized, is the beginning of a long and joyful love story with supermarket wine in Spain.
Mercadona vs. Carrefour: The Everyday Wine Showdown
Mercadona Favorites
Caperucita Tinta Roja – A smooth, drinkable red table wine with cheeky packaging and a €2.20 price tag. We grab this weekly.
Castelo do Rei Tinto – A balanced red blend from Galicia that pairs beautifully with pasta. €2.75 at last check.
Verdejo White – Crisp, refreshing, and perfect with grilled fish or a tortilla de patata. €3.50.
Carrefour Gems
Ramón Bilbao Crianza – A well-known Rioja, aged beautifully, available at Carrefour for €5.95. We saw it online in the U.S. for $15.99!
Marqués de Cáceres – A classic Spanish brand with dependable reds and rosés. Around €6–€8 depending on the bottle.
Carrefour Organic Red – Their store label wine surprised us—smooth, earthy, and under €4.
Mercadona wins on affordability and grab-and-go ease. Carrefour wins if you're after variety, organic options, or a slightly fancier dinner pairing.
Can You Even Compare? Wine Prices in Spain vs. the U.S.
Back in Seattle, I used to love getting a bottle of Cune Rioja Crianza for around $15. Definitely a splurge in the USfor a delicious Spanish red. Now? The current vintage of the same wine costs me about €7 here. Or, let’s take Ramón Bilbao Crianza again—€5.95 in Spain, $15.99 in the U.S. on Total Wine. Another one: Caperucita Tinta Roja, Mercadona’s cute little table wine. We paid €2. I don’t think it is available retail in the U.S.—but wines of that caliber go for $8–$12 easily. Verdejo white wines from Mercadona? Around €3.50. Comparable Rueda varietals in the U.S.? $13 and up. Basically: if you're used to American wine pricing, Valencia feels like a fairytale. Don’t even get me started about going out to dinner with the family and ordering a bottle with dinner. When our bill comes it’s almost like the wine was free, when compared to a US dining experience.
Amanda’s Pairing Tips for Real Life
Thursday dinner: Spaghetti Bolegnese + Castelo do Rei
Date night at home: Marqués de Cáceres + jamón + 90s playlist
Sunday beach picnic: Verdejo + olives + bocadillos
Fallas fireworks party: Caperucita Roja + anything fried
Wine Shopping Etiquette for Expats
No one will card you. This still feels surreal.
It’s normal to buy 4–6 bottles at once. People don’t blink.
Bring your own bag(s). Bagging is DIY, and wine bottles clink loudly if you forget.
Ask store staff for recs, or just try things. Most Spanish folks go by region or grape (Tempranillo, Verdejo) rather than brand.
Amanda’s Final Thoughts
Supermarket wine in Spain is one of those everyday joys that still hasn’t worn off. It’s not about finding the perfect bottle. It’s about knowing that good wine is part of regular life here. It’s woven into picnics, date nights, and impromptu dinners with neighbors. We still explore local wine shops and specialty stores for new bottles, but the grocery store buys are so fun, sometimes guided by a pretty label or a stranger’s recommendation in the checkout line. And every time we crack one open, it feels like a tiny celebration of the life we chose when we moved to Valencia. And to the €2 bottle that made me believe in everyday magic—thank you. This love story is just getting started.
Tags: Valencia grocery shopping, Spanish wine, expat life, Mercadona, Carrefour, wine in Spain