Interesting and affordable Aldi wines | Alistair Gibson
Still we find ourselves in a very different world, one where possibly the one trip a week to food shop at the supermarket is as close as we get to social interaction.
I’ve been reviewing a different supermarket each week since the lockdown and it’s the turn of Aldi.
It’s certainly not the biggest range but Aldi has had a significance impact on shopping patterns over the the past few years.
It is a discount retailer, and the wine selection certainly reflects this.
But while not everything works there are some definite bargains here as well as some interesting wines.
I have recommend Aldi’s Organic Prosecco Extra Dry (Aldi £7.99) before, but it continues to be one of the best sub-£10 organic sparkling wines available.
There is a fresh nose with pear and green apple fruit and lots of zesty, lively bubbles in the mouth before a nice dry finish.
I like the fact that even the very unfussy label is produced from recycled paper and I’d happily sit this in the garden as the sun goes down.
As well as a core range, Aldi regularly introduces new wines, many of which don’t sit on the shelves or online for long.
English asparagus is one of the seasonal flavours I am really enjoying right now, and Freeman’s Bay Gruner Veltliner 2019, Nelson (Aldi £6.49) is a really nice match.
This is a New Zealand take on Austria’s national grape, which, to be honest, is a refreshing change from all that sauvignon blanc.
This has grapefruit, a little rose petal and the classic twist of white pepper on the nose followed by a fresh, crisp palate with some spice and a clean, bright finish.
This could work really well with a seafood curry or a summer vegetable quiche.
I very rarely recommend a wine under £5 but Buenas Vidal Bonarda 2019, Argentina (Aldi £4.99) is one of those exceptions.
After malbec, bonarda is Argentina’s second most planted red grape and produces a lighter, more fruit forward style of wine, usually with little or no oak influence.
This is very appealing with hints of red currants and spice on the nose, which follows through on the palate.
It has some riper damson notes alongside it and some bright acidity on the finish.
If you are getting the barbecue out this weekend this is going to work with burgers, or how about some charred herb-crusted halloumi?