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Aldi

  • Costellore Prosecco

    Costellore Prosecco

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    Simon Judge

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    I picked up this wine as Aldi’s ‘Wine of the Week’, and at a sort of giveaway price it felt very much like a bottle designed to get people through the doors There’s no vintage and no mention of the producer, so I did not expect much, but it turned out to be a pleasant surprise. The producer code, IT/VI/4816, seems to point towards Cantina di Soave / Cadis 1898, a name associated with high price ‘Maximilian I’ Prosecco. Extra Dry is actually sweeter than Brut, which is a bit confusing because “extra dry” sounds as though it should be…

  • Bodeguero Rioja Blanco

    Bodeguero Rioja Blanco

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    Simon Judge

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    This wine from producer Ciadores de Rioja comes from a family-run bodega located just six kilometres from Logroño, right in the heart of the Rioja appellation. It’s estate bottled, not bulk bottled as many wines at this level tend to be, a requirement for all wines from Rioja at present. Made from Viura grapes, the 2024 vintage sits at 12% ABV. It opens with a lovely aroma of melon and apple, while the taste brings a refreshing mix of citrus and apple with a clean, fresh acidity. It pairs effortlessly with food, roast chicken worked brilliantly in my case. While…

  • Iskar Rară Neagră

    Iskar Rară Neagră

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    Simon Judge

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    This is a return to a wine that was my favourite during the Autumn/Winter Aldi press tasting. From Asconi Winery in Moldova, a family-run venture established in 1994, their focus has always been on producing the best possible wines by embracing the latest, specifically Italian, technology. The 2021 vintage comes in at 13.5% abv and is made from 85% Rară Neagră, 10% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. It delivers exactly as it did at the tasting. A strong aroma brings rich dark fruit with a lovely thread of smokiness running through it. The taste leans into an initially sweet-tinged profile,…

  • 25% Off Specially Selected Wine at Aldi

    25% Off Specially Selected Wine at Aldi

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    Simon Judge

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    Aldi has up to 25% off Specially Selected wine until 24 December 2025.

  • Specially Selected Chianti Riserva

    Specially Selected Chianti Riserva

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    Simon Judge

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    I first came across this wine during the Aldi Autumn/Winter 2025 press tasting and was immediately taken with it, enough so to purchase a bottle for a closer look. This is a 2022 vintage with an alcohol content of 13%, made primarily from Sangiovese (70%), with the remaining percentage made up of other varieties allowed under the DOCG classification. There’s a slight brownish tint to the colour. The taste brings out wood and cherry, with tannins that sit comfortably between medium and low, ending with a great savoury quality that lingers. My wife and I enjoyed this over several evenings…

  • Chassaux et Fils Atlantique Rosé

    Chassaux et Fils Atlantique Rosé

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    Simon Judge

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    This Rosé comes from the IGP Atlantique in the southwest of France, a broad region that stretches along the Atlantic coast. The area benefits from a maritime climate, which gives rise to bright, fruit-forward wines. Produced in departments such as Gironde and Charente-Maritime, this particular example uses Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes, commonly used in the region. It’s a 2024 vintage with an alcohol content of 11%. The bottle itself is pleasantly shaped, offering a more refined look than expected at this price point. The wine itself has a light copper colour. There’s a gentle scent of melon, leading into…

  • Pierre Jaurant Sud de France Rosé

    Pierre Jaurant Sud de France Rosé

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    Simon Judge

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    This rosé comes from the Pays d’Oc region, a broad sweep of vineyards along the southern coast of France. Assuming it remains consistent with previous vintages, it’s made entirely from Grenache and sits at 12.5% ABV. Talking of vintages, unusually, no vintage is mentioned on the bottle. Rather than being bulk bottled, this wine is bottled in France. Previously recognised as Aldi UK’s ‘Nation’s Favourite’ wine in October 2024, it has clearly won favour with many. In the glass, it’s a delicate rose gold. The aroma leans generously into citrus and red fruit, giving a lively and appealing first impression.…

  • Aldi Autumn Winter Tasting

    Aldi Autumn Winter Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    Aldi’s wine press tasting was at Tate Modern in London, my first press tasting of the Autumn–Winter ’25 season. The tasting was smaller than usual at around sixty-five wines plus a handful of fortifieds. The wines shown were mainly seasonal and what’s arriving soon, rather than in the core range. We were told Rosé has been a big success for Aldi over the past year. Also, Veuve Monsigny’s recent win at the World’s Best Champagne awards has driven an 80% uplift in sales. With the cost of living still biting, Aldi expects the night-in to keep outpacing the night-out, so…

  • Animus Douro

    Animus Douro

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    Simon Judge

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    This 2023 vintage wine from Vicente Faria Vinhos is a Portuguese red made in the Douro valley from a blend of 40% Touriga Franca, 30% Tinta Roriz and 30% Touriga Nacional. At 13% abv and vegan friendly, it has also earned a commendation at the IWC 2025. The fragrance is vivid, beginning with a lift of perfumed violets with a background of gentle woodiness, dark fruit and an intriguing metallic edge. On first sip, bright cherry takes the lead. It is dry but fruity, with a medium to full body and low to medium tannins that carry enough strength to…

  • Château La Garde

    Château La Garde

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    Simon Judge

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    I picked this up a few months ago from Aldi when it was featured as ‘Wine of the Week’ at a tempting £4.99, though the final price was £5.75 since I happened to be visiting Wales at the time. On a side note, Wales has some peculiar minimum pricing rules and, oddly, even the large Tesco stores seemed to offer only a fraction of the range you’d find in England. I wasn’t entirely sure what I’d bought, though the pricing label suggested it normally retails at £19.99. A little digging revealed this 2017 vintage to be a blend of 52%…

  • Vinho Verde Sun Lotion

    Vinho Verde Sun Lotion

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    Simon Judge

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    Aldi has electronic shelf labelling so they can easily change products and prices. I spotted this in the health area of the Woking store.Electronic shelf label gone rogue or new Vinho Verde packaging?

  • Toro Loco Superior Rosé

    Toro Loco Superior Rosé

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    Simon Judge

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    When you have seen Toro Loco at Aldi you would be forgiven for thinking it’s one of their brands invented just for the supermarket shelf, but it’s very much the real thing. It’s produced by NVC Bodegas in Utiel-Requena, a region just inland from Valencia in Spain. This wine is the result of a community effort involving more than 3,000 local families with most of the grapes being hand-picked. The name comes from old Spanish, ‘Toro’ referencing ‘bull head’ and ‘Loco’ meaning ‘crazy’. This particular bottle is made entirely from Bobal grapes, from the 2024 vintage, with an alcohol content…

  • Low-priced Gems at Aldi

    Low-priced Gems at Aldi

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    Simon Judge

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    David Williams, in The Guardian Newspaper, explores the challenge of finding quality, affordable wine amidst rising costs, especially due to duty increases and inflation. As mainstream regions become pricier, supermarkets are sourcing from less familiar areas, often presenting these bottles as “hidden gems”. Aldi, in particular, stands out with its “Unearthed” line and other well-priced selections. While many supermarket reds are marred by excessive sweetness, Aldi manages to offer several dry and characterful options. The article praises Aldi’s strong offering of white wines and sparkling wines, which punch above their price tags. Here is a list of the wines mentioned:…

  • Aldi Spring Summer Tasting 2025

    Aldi Spring Summer Tasting 2025

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    Simon Judge

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    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…

  • Baron Amarillo Gran Reserva

    Baron Amarillo Gran Reserva

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    Simon Judge

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    I recently came across and purchased a newly listed wine at Aldi, the Baron Amarillo Gran Reserva (2014 vintage), with a brown label and gold mesh. This wine is produced by Pagos del Rey, part of the Felix Solís group, one of the largest family-owned wineries globally. It different to the Criadores de Rioja produced Gran Reserva (black on white label) also under the Baron Amarillo name. The wine has the classic cherry aroma typical of a Rioja but carries hints of leather and caramel. Taste wise, it is soft, yet the finish is unexpectedly dry, with notes of dark…

  • Belle France Bordeaux Rouge

    Belle France Bordeaux Rouge

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    Simon Judge

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    This bottle of Belle France Bordeaux Rouge, purchased as part of Aldi’s Wine of the Week promotion, represents excellent value for money and is almost certainly sold at below cost to get customers into stores. Priced at £9.99, and reduced to only £4.99, which is quite a bargain for a Bordeaux. The wine is a blend of Merlot (65%), Cabernet Sauvignon (25%) and Cabernet Franc (10%), made by Producta Vignobles, a cooperative with a long history of pioneering the sale of AOC wines in supermarkets since 1960. This level of traceability to an identifiable producer, via a barcode on the…

  • Specially Selected Rioja Reserva

    Specially Selected Rioja Reserva

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    Simon Judge

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    Aldi’s Rioja can be a bit confusing due to their approach to branding. They produce many wines under the Baron Amarillo label, which is just a white-label name and not tied to any specific producer. Under this name, Aldi also sells other Riojas, including those I mentioned during the Autumn/Winter press tasting. Two excellent options I found then were the Gran Reserva by Criadores de Rioja and the Reserva by Bodegas El Somo, both of which offer great taste for their price. This particular wine is a Reserva, distinct from the previous Gran Reserva by the same Criadores de Rioja.…

  • Aldi Christmas 25% Discount

    Aldi Christmas 25% Discount

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    Simon Judge

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    It’s Aldi’s Christmas wine sale from 9th to 31st December, with up to 25% discounts on over 60 bottles. The following prices are from the press release which don’t all match those online so check carefully before buying. See my picks from the Autumn press tasting which include the Fleurie and Vouvray. Specially Selected Australian Cabernet Franc £5.99 £4.49Specially Selected Australian Chardonnay/Gruner Veltliner Blend £6.49 £4.85Specially Selected Australian Grenache £8.99 £6.69Specially Selected Australian GSM £7.19 £5.39Specially Selected Australian Malbec £8.99 £6.69Specially Selected Australian Merlot £8.49 £6.35Specially Selected Australian Pinot Noir £7.69 £5.75Specially Selected Australian Semillon £8.99 £6.69Specially Selected Australian Zweigelt…

  • Aldi Autumn Winter Wine Tasting

    Aldi Autumn Winter Wine Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    In September 2024, I attended the Aldi Autumn Winter Press Wine Tasting, where 98 wines were showcased. It was a great opportunity to experience the variety and quality of Aldi’s wine offerings as they continue to establish themselves as a major player in the UK market. In fact, Aldi recently became the third-largest wine retailer, by volume, in the UK. One of the most remarkable statistics shared at the event was that Aldi sold an extra bottle of wine every second compared to the previous year. Aldi has also been working on their bottle labels. They have started to communicate…

  • Italian Whites for Food

    Italian Whites for Food

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    Simon Judge

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    Fiona Beckett in The Guardian Newspaper discusses how Italian wines, particularly white wines, are specifically crafted to complement food. It highlights that Italian wines often lack overt fruit flavours or excessive oakiness, maintaining lower alcohol levels to enhance rather than overwhelm simple, seasonally focused dishes. The article notes the appeal of Italian whites due to their subtle flavours and relative affordability, and suggests that these characteristics make them particularly suitable for drinking in spring. Here are five Italian white wines recommended in the article: Unearthed Castellore Custoza 2023 – £9.99 from Aldi. It is described as smooth, fresh, creamy, and…

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Did You Know?

Rías Baixas wines reached more than 107 countries in 2025 and exports represented 31 per cent of the denomination’s total sales. More

Light Strike Can Cause Wine Degradation in Just One Day. More

People actively adjust their wine choices depending on who might see them. More

In the UK, 73% of Alcohol is Bought From Retail Rather Than Hospitality. More

UK wine production reached 124,377 hectolitres that year, meaning the UK accounted for roughly 0.05 per cent of world output. More

For Crémant, grapes must be harvested by hand and the wines must undergo at least nine months’ ageing before release. More

In 2024, the UK was the second-largest export market for Champagne globally, after the United States. More

Local UK bottling of wine represents about 40% of imported wine. More

Around 1% of people, typically severe asthmatics, have a sulphite sensitivity. More

A large 80% of Australian wine arrives in the UK in bulk. More

Only about 0.02% of Australia’s landmass is dedicated to vineyards. More

In 2024, New Zealand produced only 1% of the World’s wine. More

In 2024, the US imported 37% of World production of Pinot Grigio and the UK was is in second place at 27%. More

In 2024, the UK was South Africa’s largest export market, with 40% of total exports. More

In 2024, the United Kingdom imported 22.3 million bottles of Champagne, a decline of 12.7% compared to the previous year. More

Larger Champagne producers source grapes from as many as 80 different vineyards throughout Champagne. More

Champagne houses and growers collectively produce around 300 million bottles annually. More

In 2025, the Champagne region was home to about 2,124 Champagne houses and approximately 19,000 growers. More

Provence is one of the leaders in the conversion to organic viticulture, with 61% of vineyards certified. More

8% of the South Africa’s grape production is Fairtrade-certified. More

Up to 80% of wine aroma compounds come from grape skins. More

Glycerol is the third-largest component of most dry wines after water and alcohol which is why they so often feel ‘smooth’ or ‘silky’ in the mouth. More

Humans are more than 400 times more sensitive to bitter than sweet. More

Humans can detect the earthy molecule geosmin at about 100 parts per trillion and camels are so sensitive to it they can locate damp ground from roughly 50 miles away. More

During the phylloxera crisis of the nineteenth century, 90% of Europe’s vineyards were destroyed. More

In 2025, for La Vieille Ferme, also known as “The Chicken Wine”, sales surged by 49.4% to £110.8 million. More

In 2025, in the UK, Yellow Tail held the top position with sales, marking a 9.8% increase over the previous year. More

In 2024, the UK was the second-largest wine importer in volume and value. More

In 2024, the UK was the fifth-largest wine-consuming country globally. More

In 2025, global wine consumption continued its downward trend, estimated at 214.2 million hectolitres, the lowest since 1961. More

In 2025, online alcohol sales had a 20% increase in value over five years. More

In 2025, the number of UK vineyards rose to 1,104 and wineries to 238, with land under vine expanding to 4,841 hectares, a 510% increase since 2005. More

Moët Hennessy alone commands nearly 46.66% of the Champagne market, with the top three producers together holding about 61%, and the top five controlling over 72%. More

In 2024, the Champagne market was worth roughly €3.92 billion. More

In the marketing year 2023/24, white wine accounted for roughly 55% of Spain’s output, whereas red and rosé together made up about 45%. More

In the UK, 92% of wine is consumed within 48hrs of purchase. More

The majority of wines, 95%, use commercial rather than wild yeast. More

Between 0.5 and 10 litres of water, per litre of wine, are needed for cleaning during winemaking. More

Machine harvesting can achieve up to 100 tons of fruit per day vs 1 ton for a human. More

In Germany, 2025 was the smallest wine vintage since 2010. More

The majority of vineyards, 90% in 2019, are farmed with heavy chemical interventions. Only 6% are organic. More

90% of low and coastal areas in south Europe and California will no longer be able to produce good wine by the end of the century. More

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