The 6 Best Wines in Aldi Right Now
Aldi, the haven for discerning sippers on a budget, continues to shatter the stereotype that low-cost equals lacklustre, inviting us to explore weird, wild, and wonderful wines without breaking the bank.
The cost of living shouldn’t mean that we turn to boring wines, so pour yourself a glass, and let’s embark on a vinous adventure through the aisles of Aldi.
White
The Castellore Soave €6.99
Who drinks Soave? Well, these days, everyone should be. Despite the persistent popularity of pinot grigio, this Italian alternative is a slapper. Almost every supermarket has one in its own-label range, some a fair bit better than others. This is one of those wines. The Castellore Soave steals the spotlight from The Grige as easily as the sun rises.
Wine Speak: Crafted from the high-yielding Garganega grape, this gem hits with yellow apple, peach, and delicate almond notes. Its subtle elegance on the palate is guided by lively citrus acidity and a distinctive bitter almond finish. Pair it with your favorite seafood dish or indulge in a seafood risotto for a hell of a time.
Perfect For: The Pinot Grigio Drinker
Unearthed Custoza
The Unearthed range is “all about interesting and exciting wines that are different”. While the wine may be obscure, the place it comes from ain’t. Most of us have heard of Lake Garda and Lake Como, the two stunning glacial-carved lakes that are famous for being playgrounds of the rich and famous in northern Italy. This juice gives ‘I summer on the Amalfi Coast’ energy at a budget price.
Wine Speak: This Unearthed Custoza embodies the essence of its terroir. A blend of indigenous varieties, including Bianca Fernanda and Garganega, it boasts a harmony of minerally yet fruity flavours. Think pear drops, and you won’t be too far wrong. Let its crisp freshness accompany your seafood feasts or elevate your pasta dishes.
Perfect For: The New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Drinkers
Athlon Assyrtiko
Greece has been producing wine for longer even than Italy, though you’d hardly think so, considering its continued absence from most wine lists. Aldi aren’t putting this baby in the corner anymore. This little ditty is as fresh as a Beyoncé album and as classic as The Illiad. That’s the good news. The bad news is that Assyrtiko has become increasingly expensive in recent years. That’s where this wine comes in. Taste the icon herself for less than a tenner; the dream.
Winespeak: This badboi is pure, saline, and thrilling, with a long, intense finish. Imagine sinking your teeth into a juicy slice of ripe grapefruit, that’s the kind of citrussy punch this packs. Dive deeper and you’ll uncover layers of minerality that’ll make you feel like you’re licking wet stones by the shore… in a good way. Happily, it’s a brilliant pairing with all things Greek, including the ubiquitous Greek salad, and goes equally well with seafood from anywhere.
Perfect For: Riesling Drinkers
Red
Unearthed Castellore Malvasia Nera
This red is a masterclass in risk-taking. The grape Malvasia Nera is often used in blends to add complexity. Here, however, they have given her pride of place with a spotlight and a willing captive audience (me). It’s ripe with bougie red wine energy that serves hair-flipping cunt.
Wine Speak: With its deep purple hue and seductive aromas of blackberry, plum, and dark chocolate, this wine captivates from the first sip. Its velvety texture and smooth tannins offer a luxurious experience. It’s a wonderful standalone indulgence.
Perfect For: The Montepulciano Drinkers
Specially Selected Carb-Err-Nay-Fronk
Thick with the scent of wildflowers and just a hint of that je ne sais quoi, this is a juice for thrill seekers. Named phonetically for the fickle hipster people’s princess of a grape, Cabernet Franc, this one is an acquired taste. But one that has been acquired by many thanks to the natural wine movement. It’s as green as the freshly grown grass and crunchy like a chopped salad but beloved it all the same. The touch of Cabernet Sauvignon rounds it out. This is for the natty wine drinkers who can’t afford their habit but still want a little funk in their trunk.
Wine Speak: This ditty is full of fresh fruity goodness, like the first raspberries of the season. Take a second sip, and you’ll uncover hints of bell pepper and green herbs, adding a touch of savoury complexity to the mix. Think velvety tannins and a touch of spice that lingers on the finish like a smooth jazz riff that lingers.
Perfect For: Totebag-wielding juice enthusiasts who loves a bargain.
Rosé
Unearthed Chiaretto Di Bardolino Rosé
If you’re a Rosé All Day kind of gal, guy, or gay, then this is the juice for you this week. We are on the cusp of Rosé season, so what better time to try a little something new? Yes, it might be a deeper pink than the Provence style that has been dominating since Leo took office. But it’s out with the old and in with the same, same, but different.
Wine Speak: Unearthed Chiaretto Di Bardolino Rosé is a vision in pink from Italy’s Bardolino region. Crafted from Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara grapes, it exudes freshness and minerality with notes of pear, citrus, and red berries. But if traditional wine notes aren’t what gets you going then maybe knowing that’s smashable and affordable will sell it for ya?
Perfect For: Brosé Enthusiasts
Elsewhere on Char: The 50 Best Wines Under €25
