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Low prices don't mean low quality
ALDI is the grocery store that’s always full of surprises. Long-term fans of the discount German grocery chain are quick to rave about the low prices, fun seasonal food finds, and the treasures that await each week in the famed middle aisle.
There’s one section, though, that you may have been skipping that’s worth a visit the next time you’re there. You’ll find a surprisingly large selection of wine to choose from at ALDI, many of which are from their private label selections like Winking Owl and Specially Selected.
With the average price for a bottle of wine at ALDI ringing in at under $10, it’s certainly a steal in terms of value. But are they any good?
The short answer is yes.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the four wines [I tried],” says Thomas Price, master sommelier and director of wine education at Auburn University. “Is it what I normally drink? Maybe, maybe not, but they were exceedingly pleasant and delicious,” he adds.
Sara Jimenez, sommelier and owner of Somm in the City agrees. “The [ALDI wines I recommend] punch above their price point and deliver way more than you’d expect.”
Read on for 10 wines to try from ALDI right now and what Price and Jimenez had to say about them. Selection and prices may vary based on your location, but with so many winners to choose from you’re bound to find one of these in your local store.
Sparkling
Specially Selected Prosecco Superiore
Jimenez describes this prosecco as being “crisp, bright and brunch-ready.” She says it's perfect for mimosas but that it is also great to drink on its own. In general she says that ALDI’s sparkling wine selection has a lot of great finds.
$12.25
Specially Selected Fleur d’Eau Brut Rosé
“This brut rosé is a festive, versatile bubbly that works as well with potato chips as it does with seafood,” says Jimenez, and Wine Enthusiast gave this sparkling wine 86 points. At this price point, you can rosé all day without any fear of breaking the bank.
$12.25
White
“There's a million chardonnays out there,” says Price, but he says his trick when picking out a bottle of wine from the grocery store is looking for a wine region that you know you like. This particular chardonnay is from Monterey County in California, an area he says produces beautiful chardonnay, so he knew it “had a way better chance of tasting good than a wine that's just from anywhere in California.”
ALDI’s tasting notes recommend pairing this wine with grilled seafood or creamy pastas.
$11.05
Price is quick to call out how much he enjoys this riesling from ALDI. “This wine actually was delicious,” he says of trying it for the first time.
He and Jimenez note that Germany’s Mosel Valley is known for its riesling, with Jimenez saying you’ll taste flavors like crisp apple and peach. She says the touch of sweetness is great for balancing out spicy Thai food like buffalo wings.
$7.79
Specially Selected Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Wine Enthusiast rated the 2024 vintage of this wine an 88, making it a “very good” wine according to their rubric. According to Jimenez, expect a “classic New Zealand sauvignon blanc with zesty citrus, tropical fruit and that signature herbaceous snap.”
She says it’ll pair well with seafood or is a great option just to sip on while making dinner.
$9.95
Reds
Adventure Series Castellore Chianti
Price especially liked this chianti from ALDI. He used a similar strategy to the chardonnay, “seeking out wine that was clearly delineated by a little more of a sense of place.”
For this one in particular, he decided to buy the bottle because it was from the chianti region in Italy, saying “it stole the show and was drinking great.” He says to expect ripe cherry and red plum flavors and light earthy notes with a bit of spice.
$6.65
This was another of Price’s favorites from ALDI. Mendoza is a popular wine region in Argentina, and he found this option to be “dense and rich with notes of black currant and raspberry and a smooth finish.” The tasting notes online describe it as pairing well with a cheese board or grilled meat.
$6.65
Jimenez describes this sangria red as a “cheap and cheerful” pick. “It’s juicy, fruity, and absolutely ideal for building sangria pitchers or cocktail bases,” she says. Add some fresh-cut fruit and a splash of sparkling water to your glass for more of a true sangria vibe.
$4.39
Scarlet Path Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel
ALDI’s tasting notes describe this wine having “notes of cherry, plum, blueberry, black pepper, and licorice with a surprisingly spicy, smoky finish.”
For things like pizza, burgers, or anything smokey from the grill, Jimenez says this zinfandel is a great accompaniment.
$7.79
Quarter Cut Bourbon Barrel Red
Jimenez warns that this wine has a bit of an “edge” to it. Its name comes from the fact that it’s aged in actual bourbon barrels. She says this wine is a crowd-pleaser with vanilla, caramel, and toasty notes and suggests drinking it by the fire this fall.
$11.09
Read the original article on Southern Living
