I went to the Aldi Spring Summer Press Tasting in early March 2025 in London. Aldi is now the third-largest wine retailer in the UK by volume, across red, white and rosé wines. This year, they expanded their Unearthed and Specially Selected wine ranges and also had some interesting new additions from Washington State. There were 94 wines available to try, though there were fewer rosé wines than I expected, compared to last year.
Here are the wines that stood out for me together with my notes:
Specially Selected Ribolla Gialla NV (11% ABV, £6.99)
An Italian sparkling wine made from 100% Ribolla Gialla. It has a pear aroma and tastes of pear and zesty citrus. It comes across slightly sweeter than implied on the label but remains well-balanced. It has a great mouthfeel and an overall intense flavour.
Seasonal line, available now.
Costellore Still Prosecco DOC NV (10.5% ABV, £5.99)
A very unusual still Prosecco, usually called ‘tranquillo’, from Veneto, Italy, made from 85% Glera and 15% other grapes (Verdiso, Bianchetta Trevigiana, Perera or Chardonnay to be DOC). Unlike a sparkling Prosecco that has gone flat, this wine maintains its distinct character. It has classic Prosecco pear aromas and flavours, with a medium mouthfeel, a touch of citrus acidity and good length. I liked it much more than mass-market sparkling Prosecco that can often be a bit thin on taste and bland. The relatively low alcohol content makes it an easy-drinking option. A great price for something different.
Seasonal line, available April 2025.
Beachfront Californian Buttered Chardonnay 2023 (13% ABV, £9.99)
This is a full-on, heavily oaked Chardonnay with intense oak, apricot and vanilla flavours. It has a long finish and works well when consumed with food. It evokes the bold Australian Chardonnays of the past. While not to my taste, I know some who will love it. There was also a sister wine, Buttered Pinot Noir, I have not listed, with similar extreme oaky nuances, an interesting but perhaps unusual choice for Pinot Noir.
Seasonal line, available now.
Specially Selected Costières de Nîmes Blanc 2024 (12.5% ABV, £8.99)
A blend of Grenache Blanc, Vermentino, Roussanne, Marsanne, Bourboulenc and Viognier from the Rhône Valley, France. This dry white has a pear aroma and taste, round mouthfeel and great length.
Seasonal line, available now.
Specially Selected Austrian Grüner Veltliner 2024 (12.5% ABV, £8.49)
100% Grüner Veltliner grapes with citrus aromas and fresh pear and apple flavours. Initially, I wasn’t sure about this one, but after a few re-tries, I appreciated its clean and flavoursome taste.
Seasonal line, available May 2025.
Unearthed Bulgarian Pinot Noir Rosé 2024 (12% ABV, £8.99)
Made from 100% Pinot Noir, this rosé is labelled as dry but I detected a sweet edge. It has an relatively intense floral and red fruit aroma with a peachy taste. A bit too sweet for my preference, but I know most people will love it. Also, being a Bulgarian rosé is quite novel. Seasonal line, available now.
Baron Amarillo Rioja Reserva 2019 (13.5% ABV, £6.29)
A 100% Tempranillo Rioja that I also enjoyed at a previous Aldi tasting. It has flavours of black cherry and blackcurrant, though it seemed slightly more tannic this time. This could be due to less time breathing. It was priced at £5.99 last year, but even at £6.29, after the duty increases, it’s a great choice for an affordable Rioja.
Core line, available now.
Beachfront Washington State ‘Jaw Drop’ Syrah 2020 (14.5% ABV, £9.99)
A blend of 89% Syrah, 9% Cabernet and 2% other grapes. It has a great ripe red fruit and smoky aroma, with flavours of black fruit and olive, along with a hint of smoke. Medium to full-bodied with low tannins. Seems perhaps expensive for Aldi but then USA wine is generally more expensive.
Seasonal line, available now.
Cambalala South African Macchiato Pinotage 2024 (14% ABV, £7.99)
A 100% Pinotage with a very intense coffee, cocoa and ‘classic’ Pinotage burnt aroma. This is the most extreme version of Pinotage I have ever tasted. Full-bodied with prune, blueberry and coffee flavours. It will divide opinion. Some like me will love it while others will find it too intense. Even better with food when I tried it with Aldi’s provided lunchtime snacks.
Seasonal line, available now.
Specially Selected French Caladoc Rouge 2024 (14% ABV, £8.99)
Made from 100% Caladoc, something between Malbec and Grenache Noir. From Languedoc, France, it has a deep purple colour, a blackcurrant and plum aroma and a medium body. The blackcurrant flavour is prominent and though it has a light mouthfeel, it held up well with food. An interesting and different wine.
Seasonal line, available now.
There were some very different wines at this tasting, including a few extreme versions of typical styles. This tasting was interesting as I felt I needed to identify some that weren’t to my taste, but I knew many others would like and conversely one I really enjoyed, that some might not. There really was something for everyone.
Most of these wines are seasonal, so check the availability dates mentioned above. Prices are also subject to change.
The tasting was at Tate Modern with great views across the Thames towards St Paul’s Cathedral
