The sub-£3 price bracket looks set to become the new battleground in wine, as Tesco launches its first range under the Value brand next week. The retailer said that it was reacting to market conditions and the reduction in consumer spend on groceries.

“Rather than lose them from the category entirely we have responded with a stronger value offering,” said category manager Andrew Carpenter. The three-strong range of Spanish wines will retail for £2.89 a litre and is set to hit store shelves on Monday. The wines will all come in Tetra Prism packs to “support Tesco’s commitment to reduce its packaging waste”.

West Yorkshire wine supplier Continental Wine and Food also launched a range of £2.99 wines this week, while earlier this month both Arniston Bay and Chilano launched ­sub-ranges at lower prices than their mainstream wines.