Aldi's Best Wines, Picked By Their Wine Expert
Top 3 White Wines
Exquisite Collection Clare Valley Riesling (£6.99, 11.5%)
Country: Australia
Tastes like: This very dry wine has an interesting mix of flavours, including hints of violet, lime and other citrus fruits, such as grapefruit, which subtle softens into a tangerine finish.
Why I like it: If you love a Sauvignon Blanc, this is a great alternative. It’s zesty and dry and is a lovely example of this kind of grape.
Pair this with: Its zingy taste makes this Riesling the perfect accompaniment to seafood, tuna and Asian-inspired dishes.
Exquisite Collection Marsanne (£5.99, 13%)
Country: France
Tastes like: If you’ve never tried this wine before, then you need to add it to your repertoire. If you like something a little more subtle and mellow, this is like drinking peaches and cream; it's soft with no hard edges and has a lovely texture with tropical fruit ripeness.
Why I like it: This is always a guaranteed crowd pleaser, so a really great choice to serve at parties – it’s so palatable for all kinds of taste buds. It was made by Jean-Claude Mas, one of the most highly-regarded winemakers in the Languedoc, so it’s no wonder it so well-loved.
Pair this with: Amazing with roast chicken and meaty white fish.
Leaf Plucker Sauvignon Blanc (£6.99, 13%)
Country: South Africa
Tastes like: This Sauvignon Blanc is so full of intense flavour: grassy, peppery, herbaceous and crisp with a suggestion of spice.
Why I like it: It’s so flavourful and a great example of Sauvignon but a whisper of oak adds texture and added interest. It also has a great history – the name ‘Leaf Plucker’ comes from the sheep who would pluck the leaves from the vines, leaving the grape exposed to the sun until they were perfectly ripe. Then legendary South African winemaker Thys Louw would take over, fermenting a portion in French oak barrels, which is what give it its unique flavour.
Pair this with: Divine with salads, asparagus, goat’s cheese and light white fish.
Top 3 Rosé Wines
Toro Loco Rosé (£3.99, 12%)
Country: Spain
Tastes like: I love the colour of this wine – so intense and bright and youthful. And its flavour matches the colour, with lots of exuberant fruit on the nose, from pear drops to red cherries, strawberry and peach.
Why I like it: If you’re a big fan of wines, this one needs to be on your radar. ‘Toro Loco’ translates to ‘Crazy Bull’ in Spanish, and it certainly lives up to its name – it’s a juicy, characterful rosé that’s bursting with fruit and character. Honestly, it’ll bring a smile to your face.
Pair this with: Enjoy with lighter dishes such as seafood, salads, paella and salmon.
Exquisite Collection Touraine Rosé (£5.99, 12.5%)
Country: France
Tastes like: Crisp and delicate, this rare and refreshing wine has notes of crunchy cranberry and raspberry pip, which gives it a refreshing acidity.
Why I like it: The acidity and purity of the red fruit gives this wine a really refined flavour – really juicy and fresh. To get the most flavour out of this wine, it’s best to serve it well chilled, which will taste amazing on a summer’s day.
Pair this with: The crispness of the Touraine Rosé makes it an exceptional accompaniment to the likes of halloumi, salads and grilled squid.
Fleurs de Prairie Côtes de Provence 2018 (£7.69, 13%)
Country: France
Tastes like: A pretty and delicate rosé, this pale Provençal colour is complemented by a soft, summery flavour, with notes of pink grapefruit and raspberry.
Why I like it: You simply can't avoid commenting on how beautiful the bottle is when talking about this wine – the inside is as good as the out, in this case! This is a really fashionable wine, and a great example of Aldi’s high quality teamed with fantastic value. (In fact, it won silver at the 2018 International Wine Challenge.)
Pair this with: While this wine can be served as an aperitif, it really shined when paired with risotto, seafood, sardines or Bouillabaisse – a traditional Provençal fish stew.
Top 3 Red Wines
Toro Loco Bobal Merlot 2017 (£4.79, 13%)
Country: Spain
Tastes like: This blend of soft Merlot and ripe Bobal grapes makes for a juicy and pretty wine, with soft notes of blueberry, fruit compote, black cherry and a vanilla finish.
Why I like this: An utter crowd pleaser, this is aged for four months in American oak barrels, which is what gives it such a full-bodied, full flavour. It’s such a tasty wine, bursting with fruit and no hard edges.
Pair this with: There’s a real versatility to this wine, meaning it can be enjoyed with a variety of foods like pizza, sausages and spaghetti Bolognese. There’s no bad time to have a glass!
Don Tomas Argentinian Malbec 2018 (£7.99, 14%)
Country: Argentina
Tastes like: This is a deep, rich and full-bodied bottle, with notes of blackberry, chocolate and violets. The fact that its oak-aged gives it a really complex and interesting flavour.
Why I like it: This is grown in the vineyards of San Juan, which are considered among the best in Argentina. Despite being such a ripe wine, it is so well-balanced – really soft and smooth with lots of delicious black fruit flavours coming through.
Pair this with: This is the ultimate wine to pair with a nice steak. It’ll pretty much work with any sort of beef, like roast topside, a cottage pie or a juicy sirloin.
Lot XI Cabernet Shiraz (£10.99, 14%)
Country: Australia
Tastes like: A delicious blackcurrant, blackberry, bramble and spice scented wine – almost wintry in flavour.
Why do I like it: Time spent in premium oak barrels adds a layered and smooth taste. This is a succulent wine, brimming with lots of ripe fruit flavours. This is ideal for those who like big, bold wines with no hard edges.
Pair this with: Amazing with lamb from chops, roast lamb and beef – teamed with a rich stew would be fantastic.
Top 3 Fizzes
Veuve Monsigny Brut NV (£12.49, 12%)
Country: France
Tastes like: A classic Champagne, this blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Nior and Pinot Meunier grapes creates a unique taste of brioche, apple and nuts, with a well-balanced acidity.
Why I like it: This is a bestseller and an award-winning tipple from the excellent Champagne house Philizot & Fils. It’s really a great value fizz that tastes insanely good for the price point and has a versatility – it can be enjoyed on its own or with food.
Pair this with: Smoked salmon, crudités, or sushi.
Organic Prosecco (£7.99. 11.5%)
Country: Italy
Tastes like: A lovely frothy mousse with notes of pear, watermelon and a touch of apricot.
Why I like it: This is an eco-friendly fizz that comes from the Corvezzo winery, a family-run business in Venice. They don’t use any pesticides or herbicides in their vineyard, and they hand-pick most of their grapes and are committed to using renewable energy where possible, so it’s good on the conscience as well as the taste buds. Plus, it’s so tasty and just off-dry, so really easy to drink and utterly delicious.
Pair this with: I would enjoy this on its own, or with a melon and Parma ham starter.
Fleurs De Prairie Sparkling Rosé (£8.99, 12%)
Country: France
Tastes like: This flavoursome apéritif is pale in colour but still packs a punch with lots of pretty pink fruits, with strawberry and raspberry and a hint of cream.
Why I like it: Normally sparkling aperitifs tend to be a little sharp, but this Rosé is actually really fresh. Again, this one is just off-dry, and trust us when we say it’s going to be heaven in the spring and summer when the sun’s out!
Pair this with: Easy to enjoy on its own or goes really well with slightly spicy food, such as dim sum. However, it’s equally as great with fish and salads – a really versatile wine.
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