Summer evenings get a twist with Marks & Spencer's Red Strawberry Royale

Reviewed: ad hoc news B2B & Pro desk. Edited and checked on 2026-06-20, 07:20. Details in the imprint.

Red Strawberry Royale from Marks & Spencer is the kind of bottle that already feels like summer when you pull it out of the fridge. Deep ruby fizz, a rush of strawberry aroma when the cork pops, and a fine, persistent mousse that looks almost too pretty to drink.

What makes this fizz different

Instead of the classic pale rosé or golden cuvée, Red Strawberry Royale is a fully red sparkling wine made with British grapes and natural strawberry flavor, built to pour chilled over long summer afternoons.

The liquid is produced in partnership with Kent-based Balfour Winery, one of the names behind the recent rise of English sparkling wine, giving the bottle more gravitas than a simple flavored Prosecco spin-off.

How it tastes in the glass

In the glass, the color sits between dark rosé and light claret, with fine bubbles that keep a steady bead rather than exploding quickly and disappearing. On the nose, ripe strawberries dominate, backed by a little redcurrant and a faint herbal note.

On the palate it is off-dry rather than sugary, with enough acidity to cut through grilled meat and richer desserts. The strawberry character feels more like purée than candy, which will please drinkers who want fun without feeling like they are drinking soda.

Serving ideas and occasions

M&S pitches Red Strawberry Royale as a barbecue companion and a match for summer desserts like Eton mess, pavlova or fresh berries with cream, which fits the wine's profile of fruit first, tannin light.

Served well chilled in a white wine glass rather than a narrow flute, it shows a little more depth and keeps its freshness longer, especially outside on a warm evening. Over ice with sliced strawberries it drifts into spritz territory without losing structure.

Price point and availability

A 75 cl bottle of Red Strawberry Royale is currently listed at around £15 on Ocado, putting it clearly in the affordable treat bracket rather than the bargain bin.

Shoppers can find it in selected M&S Foodhall stores across the UK and online via grocery partners, though availability may vary by region and store size.

How shoppers are reacting

Early customer feedback has been enthusiastic, with some UK shoppers calling it the "perfect" summer wine and saying they "need" another bottle after the first barbecue of the season.

Comments highlight its versatility, with drinkers pairing it with salads, grilled halloumi and even spicy wings, which suggests the sweet fruit and bright acidity are doing useful heavy lifting on mixed plates.

Where it might not convince

Traditional sparkling wine fans who live for crisp Brut expressions or grower Champagne may find Red Strawberry Royale a little too playful, especially with the pronounced strawberry aroma and the off-dry finish.

Those sensitive to added flavorings may also prefer classic English sparkling from Balfour or other producers, where all fruit notes come purely from the grapes and aging rather than any infused component.

Why this matters for M&S

For Marks and Spencer Group plc, the wine is another example of using partnerships with respected British producers to differentiate the own-brand food and drink offer and justify a small price premium against mainstream supermarkets.

Shares of Marks and Spencer Group plc (GB0031215220) trade in London on the LSE in pounds sterling.

This article was AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. Product information without guarantee; prices and availability may change at short notice. No investment advice, no buy or sell recommendation. Stock-market transactions involve risks up to total loss.