There’s plenty of award-winning tipples to try from the Aldi wine aisle.
ALDI is the perfect place to buy alcohol online these days, with this budget supermarket treating us to high-quality wine at unbeatably low prices.
Like Lidl wines, Aldi’s wine selection have received a lot of attention over the years for having gained multiple medals – gold, silver and bronze – from very prestigious wine competitions like the International Wine Challenge (IWC) and the International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC).
Both are hugely respected, and judges from around the world blind taste test the wine to pick the best ones. But do you know which ones to pick when you’re hitting the aisles? Read on to discover which ones are worth your pennies (and your hangover)?
Best Aldi Wines:
Central Otago New Zealand Pinot Noir
Credit: ALDI
We had to start our best Aldi Wine round-up with this dark and delicious Pinot Noir from the reputable Central Otago region of New Zealand. This 2019 vintage has heady hints of dark plum, blueberries and cherries which really come alive in the mouth. One reviewer on the site said: “I have been drinking Central Otago Pinot Noir since 1999. This example is up there with the £17-20 versions available elsewhere.” Awarded gold at this year’s International Wine Challenge (IWC), we can’t believe it can be snapped up for just £9.99 in store and online.
Specially Selected Italian Soave
Credit: ALDI
This medium dry Italian Soave is a serial Aldi award-winner, taking home the silver and bronze medal respectively at the International Wine and Spirit Challenge (IWSC) and IWC. The honeysuckle and elderflower flavours in this wine give it a lovely light and fresh quality that’s perfect with any grilled fish or risotto. One ALDI shopper agreed calling this a “soft, fruity and very drinkable” wine that works well “as an aperitif or with shell fish if super cold”. Serve chilled between 8-10 degrees for maximum enjoyment.
Toro Loco Spanish Rosé
Credit: ALDI
The vibrant, off-dry rosé has been picking up awards since 2019 and most recently secured gold in the 2021 Berliner Wine Trophy challenge. Toro Loco means ‘Crazy Bull’ translated into English, so it’s certainly full of life and guaranteed to get the party going. This gorgeous rosé, made up of the Bobal grape of the Utiel-Requena region, is perfectly matched with summer dishes such as seafood salads, prawn, chicken and fruit salads. One Aldi customer gave it a 5-star rating, adding: “This has a fullness and complexity that others at this price just don’t have, yet remains deliciously dry.” Oh, and did we mention it’s only £4.49… Viva España!
Australian Durif
Credit: ALDI
This bottle of Australian Durif is “a good Sunday Roast wine and good value for money,” according to one Aldi review. The rich black cherry and dark fruit flavours work well with bold braised and grilled dishes. And this particular wine won over taste-testers in this year’s IWC awards, taking home a well-deserved silver medal of excellence.
Mimo Moutinho Vinho Verde
Credit: ALDI
Considered Portugal’s best-kept secret, Vinho Verde is a native Green Wine (‘verde’ meaning green) that is designed to be drunk early owing to it’s fresh, crisp and fruity aroma. This beauty has lovely citrus notes with a touch of mandarin, that gives it a delicious tropical smell. And we’re confident that it was this great flavour combination that saw it steal silver at the International Wine Challenge in 2021. Serve with seafood and savour every sip.
Pierre Jaurant Cotes du Luberon Rosé
Credit: ALDI
Fans of a crisp, dry French rosé will enjoy this Pierre Jaurant wine made from grapes grown in South-East France. This particular rosé received a bronze award in this year’s IWSC and a 2021 commendation from the IWC. It’s also been hailed as “the perfect wine for summer” by several Aldi shoppers online. We love the fruity finish of this bottle, boasting notes of red berry, white peach and citrus fruits. You can find it down the Aldi wine aisle next to a low-calorie rose or pick it up online for the same great price.
Baron Amarillo Rioja Reserva
Credit: ALDI
The people have spoken and crowned this classic Rioja Reserva a worthy winner of the People’s Wine Awards 2021. This beautiful rich and elegant wine boasts hints of blackcurrant and cherry and is aged for three years to ensure maximum flavour. At £5.49 a bottle, this Rioja is easily affordable and easily drinkable too says one 5-star review: “Very, very good for the low price. Very tasty and moorish. Better than some more expensive wines.”
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Credit: ALDI
Those seeking an “excellent gooseberry tropical fruit flavour typical of [the] Marlborough region” should pick up a bottle of this award-winning Aldi wine, says one reviewer. This particular Sauvignon took home bronze at this year’s International Wine Challenge, and has become a fast favourite amongst wine connoisseurs.
Barossa Shiraz
Credit: ALDI
This Australian Shiraz is another Aldi wine that impressed judges at two renowned wine awards this year. The rich plum and blackberry tipple with pepper and oak aromas took silver at the International Wine Challenge. And was an outright winner at the 2021 People’s Choice Wine Awards. We’ll be picking a bottle up and serving with a delicious tomato-based pasta dish.
Although we know this is all about Aldi’s fantastic wine, if you’ve got a big celebration coming up soon you might also be interested in their award winning prosecco or fizz too…
Castellore Organic Prosecco
Credit: ALDI
“Great flavour, great fizz and gorgeous colour” is how one customer praised this award-winning Prosecco and they’re not alone. The eco-friendly fizz has been a favourite with judges at the IWC since 2019, when it first picked up a commendation. This year though, the organic Prosecco secured a silver medal for its silky, sparkling pear and green apple taste. Grown with no pesticides or herbicides in a vineyard just 30km north-east of Venice, it’s a real clean fizz and a steal at £7.99 a bottle.
Veuve Monsigny Champagne Brut NV
Credit: ALDI
This fantastic champagne comes in at just over £2 a glass. And is perfect if you’re buying the booze for a wedding or birthday party in bulk. Critics and customers alike have been quick to praise this special Aldi buy – thanks to it’s taste, quality and value for price. As one reviewer puts it: “It easily holds its own with more expensive bottles. My friends and I did a blind tasting with a bottle priced £35 – and Veuve Monsigny came out the easy winner.”