Aldi Admiration

Have you become an Aldi addict yet? The interest in the wines from the discounter stores is growing. Personally, I like what they are doing; alongside the core range, they are selecting good wines to be sold at good prices which, once these are sold through, will be replaced with another set of (hopefully) good wines at equally good prices. To sell extremely inexpensive wines alongside some pretty serious Grands Vins might also encourage some trading up.

I tasted through the entire 65 wines on show at the Aldi press tasting and found many I’d have no qualms about buying, drinking and recommending. Please note that the full core range was not available for tasting, (thank the lord – 65 wines is plenty at any one time especially when you have a function to attend in the evening!) so if one of your favourites is not among the wines listed below it might be that it wasn’t there to try.

Those wines marked * and ** represent wines I was especially enamoured by.

Sparkling

*Philippe Michel Crémant du Jura 2012 £7.29 As good and as good value as ever.

*Veuve Monsigny Champagne Brut NV £9.97 Ditto. From 16th November there will be a Rosé and Blanc de Blancs 2010 at £15.99 and £19.99 respectively, both recommended particularly the Blanc de Blancs.

I can’t get excited by Prosecco but Valdobbiadene Spumante DOCG is fine for £7.49 and for a low alcohol (6%) medium sweet Moscato the Camoli Spumante at £4.99 is fun, available from 5th October.

Whites

La Altelana Gavi di Gavi 2014 £6.99 Available from 5th October

The Exquisite Collection Clare Valley Riesling 2014 £6.99   

*Val de Loire Pouilly-Fumé 2014 £8.99 Available from 5th October

*Premium Cuvée Sancerre 2014 £11.99 Available from 5th October

The Exquisite Collection Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014 £7.99 Available from 5th October

*The Exquisite Collection Limoux AC 2914 £6.99  Available from 5th October

André Vannier Chablis 2014 £8.99 Available from 16th November

*André Vannier Chablis Premier Cru 2013 £12.99 Available from 5th October

Jean Bouchard Montagny Premier Cru 2013 £12.99 Available from 16th November

** Preussens Gloria Auslese Riesling 2003 £9.99 Available from 16th November

Trius Canadian Icewine 2014 £24.99 37.5cl Available from 16th November

**Evinor Tokaji Aszu 5 Puttonyos 2000 £16.99 50cl Available from 16th November

Reds

Toro Loco Reserva 2011 £4.99 Available from 5th October. Splash out the extra £1.40 for this rather than the standard Toro Loco which everyone is so fond of!

Vignobles Roussellet Pinot Noir £4.39

The Exquisite Collection Malbec 2014 £5.99

Estevez Cabernet Carménère 2014 £4.99

Venturer Series Costières de Nîmes 2013 £4.79 Available from 5th October

*Château Croix du Rival, Lussac St Emilion 2010 £11.99 Available from 5th October

**Château la Marzelle St Emilion Grand Cru Classée 2008 £24.99 Available from 16th November

Château Chantermerle Cru Bourgeois Médoc 2012 £8.99 Available from 5th October

*Château Cure-Bourse Premium Margaux 2010 £18.99 Available from 16th November

*La Altelana Barolo 2011 £9.99 Available from 16th November

The Exquisite Collection Valpolicella Ripasso 2013 £7.99 Available from 5th October

La Sogara Amarone 2012 £14.99 Available from 5th October

**La Sogara Amarone Riserva DOCG 2010 £22.99 Available from 16th November

 

Fortified

** Maynard’s 40 year old Tawny Port £29.99 Available from 16th November

 

The Lot Series

A new range has been developed called The Lot Series. Each wine has been made by well-known and well-respected producers of their region in conjunction with the Aldi wine buyer; each bottle is numbered and beautifully packaged and will be selling for £9.99. They will be available from 5th October then, as these sell through, a different selection of The Lot Series will be launched next year. I was impressed with the idea, the packaging and the wines. They are not shy, delicate wines but they do have a good degree of refinement and balance, are great examples of their styles and good value for money.

**Bushvines Chenin Blanc 2015 – worth buying and keeping, it’s very young and boisterous at the moment!

Priorat 2014

*Apalta-Colchagua Carménère 2012  

Clare-Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

**Super Tuscan 2014

 

Purely for the purpose of a BYWine Christmas blog I also tasted through the spirits – and then had a lie down! I must suggest right now that you make a note of the 1973 Armagnac £24.99 50cl, on the shelves from 22nd November, as it is heavenly. Put the date in your diary!

 

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