Supermarket Aldi showcased 104 sparkling, still and fortified wines in its 2022 UK autumn/winter collection from its full range of 250.
Buyer Josh Heley (still wines) said the focus remained on quality at the best possible value – prices start at just £3.29 – with some ‘unexpected’ varieties and regions joining classic favourites.
‘In difficult times, customers want to be able to fall back on things that they know and trust,’ Heley said. He expected ‘big-flavour hitters’ such as Bordeaux and Rioja to be popular.
Scroll down for scores and tasting notes of the best Aldi wines
Exciting eclectic buys among the new wines in the Aldi range include a 2021 Encruzado from the supermarket’s always-reliable Portuguese brand Mimo Moutinho (£6.99). In the reds, Chilean own-brand Estevez boasts a bargain-busting 2021 Malbec for just £4.79, lifted by 15% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Sparkling and fortified wine buyer Andy Maxwell, meanwhile, is particularly excited by a fizz that also caught my attention. ‘Our new Premier Cru Champagne [Veuve Monsigny, £19.99] is sure to take Aldi’s Champagne heights to even greater levels,’ he said. ‘A perfect tipple to toast the festive season.’
Among sweet treats to grace the Christmas table, Fletcher’s 2017 LBV Port is exceptional value at £9.99 for a full bottle. And you can’t go past the half-bottle of Specially Selected Sauternes from Château de Suduiraut for £10.99.
Aldi’s award-winning Crémant de Jura (2019 vintage; £8.99) also remains on shelves. This is under the Specially Selected range, which superseded the Exquisite Collection in 2020.
Introduced in 2021 to sit above Specially Selected, is Aldi’s ‘super-premium’ tier: Winemaster’s Lot. Many of these tasted in summer and last year are still available, including the 2020 Côtes de Provence rosé.
While the majority of Aldi’s full range of wines can be found both on the supermarket’s website and in-store, some are online exclusives and only available while stocks last.
Aldi wines: Decanter’s pick of the best buys
The first 20 wines are new recommendations. The others are still available online and/or in store.
12/11/2022: Added wines from the autumn/winter 2021 tasting (20 wines) and removed unavailable wines
12/04/2022: Added wines from the spring/summer 2022 tasting (20 wines) and removed unavailable wines
03/11/2021: Added wines from the autumn/winter 2021 tasting (21 wines) and removed unavailable wines
15/06/2021: Added wines from the spring/summer 2021 tasting (20 wines) and removed unavailable wines
