{"id":1417,"date":"2025-03-22T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-22T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/?p=1417"},"modified":"2025-03-26T21:49:07","modified_gmt":"2025-03-26T21:49:07","slug":"the-9-aldi-wine-thatll-be-living-in-my-ice-bucket-throughout-spring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/22\/the-9-aldi-wine-thatll-be-living-in-my-ice-bucket-throughout-spring\/","title":{"rendered":"The \u00a39 Aldi wine that\u2019ll be living in my ice bucket throughout spring"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n\t\t\"Rob\t<\/div>
There are some fabulous wines for under \u00a310 to try (Picture: Alex James Photographer\/Aldi)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The sun is setting later, hot cross buns<\/a> are everywhere and the clocks are about to spring forward.<\/p>\n

That means it’s time for a new wine range to hit the supermarkets<\/a> soon, as the end-of-season drinks<\/a> make way for the spring\/summer ones for 2025.<\/p>\n

And there’s one retailer that’s really killing it with their fresh whites, zesty ros\u00e9s and pretty complex reds<\/a>, all for bargain prices.<\/p>\n

Aldi<\/a> has one of the strongest of supermarket offerings out there, so it’s no surprise they were recently crowned the ‘Supermarket of the Year’ at the People\u2019s Choice Wine Awards, for which I was one of the judges.<\/p>\n

As someone on the inside, my top tip would be to bypass the regular Pinot Grigios, Sauvignon Blancs and Malbecs in Aldi\u2019s core range and make a beeline for some of their quirkier seasonal offerings.<\/p>\n

Why? Not because they aren’t great, but because those that specify \u2018core\u2019 will stick around in the range, while \u2018seasonal\u2019 lines will be replaced come autumn.<\/p>\n

But there are two donkeys lurking within the stellar line-up. Not literally, of course, that woud be bizarre. <\/p>\n

So, let\u2019s name and shame them, shall we? The only two worth avoiding were the Beachfront Californian Buttered Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The white was over the top on the butteriness, the red on fruit, to the point of having to request a replacement tasting glass to taste the next wines in the line-up.<\/p>\n

Phew, now we\u2019ve got that out of the way, here are 10 of the best bottles you can get from Aldi this spring\/summer:<\/p>\n

Bowler & Brolly P\u00e9tillant Naturel, England, \u00a312.99<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"I?m\t<\/div>
A pleasantly dry sparkling wine (Picture: Aldi)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Meet Aldi’s English Pet Nat, made by Lyme Bay winery in Devon. Pet Nat is a sparkling wine where the second fermentation is kicked off by Mother Nature. And although this is made from a dysfunctional blend of grape varieties, including Reichensteiner, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, it makes for a pleasantly dry and textured, ancestral appley and pear-strewn sipper.<\/p>\n

Estevez Chilean Viognier, \u00a35.79<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"I?m\t<\/div>
Under \u00a36 and a great choice for the weather right now (Picture: Aldi)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Viognier is such a great choice for the \u2018Will it? Won\u2019t it?\u2019 weather we\u2019re having. The grape\u2019s style is the wine equivalent of a maternal cuddle, all pillowy stone fruit and tropical richness. The thing about Viognier is its low acidity, but this Chilean example has a lively, lemon sherbet finish to it. Also perfect for when the mercury starts to rise.   <\/p>\n

Filos Estate Greek Chardonnay, \u00a38.49<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Filos\t<\/div>
Lots of different flavours going on here (Picture: Aldi)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Despite it’s slightly funky nose, this one grew on me. It\u2019s from northern Greece and there\u2019s no oak ageing, for anyone who\u2019s triggered by the Chardonnay-and-oak combo. There is batonage though, meaning the dead yeast \u2018lees\u2019 are stirred to bring in creaminess and texture. It\u2019s a process that has conjured flavours of tinned peach, lime sherbet and nectarine, and I\u2019m here for all of them.<\/p>\n

Unearthed Gemischter Satz, Austria, \u00a38.99<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"I?m\t<\/div>
This one is a real spring gem (Picture: Aldi)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I do believe we\u2019ve found a little spring gem here. Made from a \u2018field blend\u2019 of up to 20 grapes, meaning those found in a single vineyard so no variety dominates. That\u2019s what a Gemischter Satz actually is, something the Austrians lost interest in making but are now reviving. It\u2019s light, refreshingly dry and full of green apple and preserved lemon flavours with a pop of fennel seed on the finish.<\/p>\n

Specially Selected Austrian Zweigelt Ros\u00e9, Austria, \u00a38.99<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"A\t<\/div>
It’s officially ros\u00e9 season (Picture: Aldi)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I could tell you that Zweigelt is the most widely-planted red grape in Austria, but that would be yawn-inducing. Instead, I\u2019ll tell you that, until Aldi\u2019s tasting, I\u2019d never tasted it in ros\u00e9 form. How was it? Well, I\u2019ve put three stars by it and my tasting notes say, ‘unusual, fruit-driven, a touch of sweet strawberry and tart rhubarb. Something different’.<\/p>\n

Unearthed Thracian Valley Pinot Noir, Bulgaria, \u00a38.99<\/strong><\/p>\n

Calling all Provence ros\u00e9 lovers, which is just about everyone with a pulse, let\u2019s be honest. Here\u2019s something the same but different, as it\u2019s from Bulgaria. Barely-there in colour, bone dry with flavours of rhubarb, wild strawberry and watermelon. This will be living, rent-free in my ice bucket over spring\/summer, make no mistake.<\/p>\n

Mimo Moutinho Lisboa Red, Portugal, \u00a35.25<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"I?m\t<\/div>
A very easy drink (Picture: Aldi)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A Porta 6 alternative that’s almost \u00a34 cheaper and I’m here for it. What a lovely wine it is too. Both are medium-bodied, easy-drinking, juicy with plum and cherry flavours. I suppose they\u2019re crowd favourites for a reason.  <\/p>\n

Kooliburra Coonawarra Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia, \u00a37.19<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Kooliburra\t<\/div>
A baller of a bottle (Picture: Aldi)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A baller of a red, with hedgerow notes of blackberry, cassis, Bonne Maman strawberry jam and dark chocolate. Granted, the flavours don\u2019t stack up to its more complex Penfolds alternative, but it\u2019s lovely for the price.<\/p>\n

Specially Selected Argentinian Cabernet Franc, \u00a38.99<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Specially\t<\/div>
Be sure to try reds that aren’t Malbecs (Picture: Aldi)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You can check out my column on the best Argentine grapes that aren\u2019t Malbec<\/a>. Cabernet Franc was one that particularly blew my mind when I went over there. They do it so well over in Mendoza, honouring its herbaceous, mulberry character while fleshing it out and making it smoother than a baby bat in texture.<\/p>\n

Specially Selected Washington State Syrah, USA, \u00a39.99<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"A\t<\/div>
This is jam-packed with plush, purple fruite and minty herbaceous intensity (Picture: Aldi)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Washington State wines are not cheap, so this is an absolute steal. Based around unoaked Merlot, with a soupcon of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, this red is jam-packed with plush, purple fruit and minty, herbaceous intensity. Don\u2019t get it confused with the Beachfront version, which in fairness, I haven\u2019t tasted yet but I don\u2019t imagine to be as accomplished.<\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\t\tLooking for more expert drinks content?\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
\n

If you count yourself a purveyor of the finer things in life, Metro\u2019s Drinks Column is where you need to be.<\/p>\n

Immerse yourself in the world of good drink, fronted by industry expert Rob Buckhaven \u2013 a place for readers to whet their whistle with the latest and greatest in the world of drinks. From unpacking the best supermarket wines<\/a> from Aldi, Tesco and Lidl, to introducing audiences to the wallet-friendly Cremant out-bubbling the fanciest of French Champagnes<\/a> (or the best wines to drink after sex<\/a>), and finding out what it’s like to go on a bar crawl with Jason Momoa,<\/a> this is a haven for those who love to celebrate.<\/p>\n

Stay ahead of the curve<\/a> as Rob plucks from the vines the wines of the season and the spirits you need to know about; speaking with experts and mixologists while unpacking the latest concoctions, finding the best non-alcoholic options<\/a> for those looking to moderate, discovering the best food pairings for your drops, and going up against the latest TikTok chatter to demystify the liquid landscape.<\/p>\n

Can you really make cheap vodka taste expensive by putting it through a Brita filter?<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

What happens when you put wine in a blender?<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

And, truly, how <\/a><\/em>should<\/em><\/a><\/strong>\u200b we be storing our wine?<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Read More.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Do you have a story to share?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There are some fabulous wines for under \u00a310 to try (Picture: Alex James Photographer\/Aldi) The sun is setting later, hot cross buns are everywhere and the clocks are about to spring forward. That means it’s time for a new wine range to hit the supermarkets soon, as the end-of-season drinks make way for the spring\/summer […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1419,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[11],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1417"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1417"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1417\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1430,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1417\/revisions\/1430"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1419"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1417"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1417"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1417"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}