The arrival of spring can mean only one thing in my book: a veritable smorgasbord of indulgence. Wine mainly, to be clear.
Although when the blue heavens open I am partial to a run in the sun, a need to read, or even a seasonal fishy dish, I do accept my main vice is a cold glass of wine, or two, or a bottle. Sod your liver, life’s short (all views my own).
I tested Aldi’s autumn and winter wine collection last November – recommended by several experts – and had a transformative experience with several ‘showstoppers’.
Now, I had the chance to dive into several bottles of their spring/summer collection.
“Handpicked by Mistress of Wine, Sam Caporn, this year’s under-the-radar heroes include a Macedonian Red, Bulgarian Pinot Noir Rosé, Zweigelt Rosé and Costières de Nîmes Blanc – introducing wine lovers to exciting new flavours and emerging regions this spring.”
In all honesty, I was most looking forward to the red and white wine, Rosé just ain’t my bag, quite frankly. But could I be converted? Well, Aldi had the chance.
This, on a good day, leads to raucous laughter, flowing conversation, and a morish feeling of love among those you hold closest.
On a bad day, smashed glasses, fists thrown, a tête-à-tête-killing obscenity and a possible divorce.
But let’s focus on the good. Here is how the Aldi wines went down.
Macedonian Red £6.99
The first wine I tried was the Macedonian Red.
Who’s it for? Primitivo patrons
Sam says: “A burst of youthful energy in the glass, this wine unfolds with aromas of sun-ripened red cherries, juicy plums and delicate raspberries. The palate is smooth and medium-bodied, offering a delightful dance of white pepper spice and a hint of decadent chocolate. Primitivo lovers, take note!”
I used to be a staunch lover of red wine until I had a transformative experience travelling through Italy’s vineyards a couple of years ago.
From that day, red didn’t take a back seat, so to speak, but it certainly had a challenger for my palate.
I like Italian wine, Barolo is my favourite, but let’s be honest, it’s pricey. In this day and age, you need to find a good wine that doesn’t sacrifice flavour for price, and Aldi seems to have found it.
This medium-bodied offering was so smooth I couldn’t quite believe it. It’d work with lamb or beef, but also as a conversation starter.
Specially Selected Costières de Nîmes Blanc £8.99
Next up was my seasonal favourite, the white.
The vibe: It’s giving Gavi
Sam says: “Imagine the crisp, clean flavours of a classic Gavi, but with its own unique twist. Light and refreshingly crisp, this tasty tipple offers a vibrant bouquet of ripe conference pear, juicy galia melon, delicate apricot blossom and zesty lemon. The palate is beautifully balanced, with an acidity softened by a smooth, inviting texture.”
Whack this in the fridge overnight (you could probably get away with a couple of hours) and let it sing for itself. Furthermore, you might find yourself doing a few renditions yourself after a glass or two, I certainly did.
£8.99 is not bad for this fruity and lively white; it went down beautifully and did not last long, let me tell you that.
@uktoday_ Are there benefits to drinking red wine? I happily found out. #uknews #redwine #winetimе #uknewsheadlines ♬ original sound – UKToday
Newsquest
Specially Selected Austrian Zweigelt Rosé £8.99
The first Rosé was up.
The vibe: Navarra nights
Sam says: “A gorgeous, vibrant pink hue leads to enticing aromas of red cherry, raspberry and pomegranate. The palate is dry and fresh with a tasty twist of tangerine on the finish. If you’re a fan of the bright, fruity flavours of a Spanish Rosé from Navarra, you’ll adore this.”
I’ve never been a big fan of Rosé, and when I have partaken in a glass, I’ve committed sommelier sacrilege. I introduced a few ice cubes. Judge me all you want.
But this time around, I simply couldn’t, and I’m glad. It was so surprisingly refreshing. Magnificent to be truthful.
I would put this on par with the white in terms of refreshing, which I never thought I’d say.
Recommended reading:
Supermarket red wine review – Where sells the best wine?
I tested Aldi’s incredible autumn and winter wine selection
Where sells the best wine? £5 supermarket white wine review
Unearthed Thracian Valley Pinot Noir Rosé £8.99
And finally, the last Rosé.
Who’s it for? Provence partakers
Sam says: “Evoking the effortless elegance of a French Provençal Rosé, this is a vision of summer in a glass. With attractive notes of ripe strawberries, peach, melon and conference pear, this pretty pale pink blush is light and zesty, making an elegant tipple.”
Sadly, Aldi didn’t go four for four this time around, but it was no means bad; the other three were just levels above for me.
I found the Pinot Noir to be a little bit too dry for my liking, but again, that is probably down to preference.
I have no doubt there will be a lot of people out there who would thrive on this.
