Aldi Summer Wine Portfolio – Sparkling Wines & Rosé

Aldi Ireland recently launched their summer wine portfolio and in doing so continue to cement their reputation for delivering exceptional wines of superb value. Their entire portfolio was available for tasting including some outstanding wines recently added to their range. As I have previously mentioned and recommended some of the current range I’ll take you through a few that are new to the portfolio. Despite the obvious reds, which go without saying, there are some lovely white wines, sparkling wines, and indeed a rosé and a dry cider to perhaps enjoy in the warmer days. What I particularly love about this range is that with most bottles falling under the €10 mark it gives the customer the opportunity to try out something different without fear of breaking the bank and gives the Chilean Merlot or the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc drinker an opportunity to expand their knowledge and tastes. There is comfort in consistency. There is comfort in knowing what we like. However, like I say about food, you won’t know what it tastes like until you try it and the same holds true for wine. Your new favourite could be sitting right there on the shelf for you to enjoy. However, for those of you who really love your Merlot or Sauvignon Blanc I promise there’s something here to satisfy your tastes.

In starting with the sparkling wines, there is range available to suits all tastes and budgets though with the top end being a Veuve Champagne for €19.99 you’ll hardly have to break the bank here. Of the entire range I was particularly impressed with the Prosecco Spumante DOCG, which was lovely and light, with notes of mild lemon citrus and rounded with the sweetness of autumn peaches. Very palatable and refreshing, it represents excellent value at €11.99.

Prosecco Superiore DOCG

The Blanqeutte de Limoux from the Languedoc region in France is another interesting option for those who prefer a dry sparkling wine and is priced at €13.99.

Blanquette de Limoux

However, if you’re looking for a good quality Champagne at a competitive price then you can’t beat the Monsigny Veuve Champagne for €19.99. An equal blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay this wine has won plaudits and awards over the past few years and is creamy, displaying lemon and toast notes with a smooth biscuit finish. Even as a non-regular Champagne drinker I can tell the value to be had here so I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Monsigny Veuve Champagne

Rosé has had a pretty poor reputation in Ireland in the past. We have been overloaded with a blast of overly sweet Californian White Zinfandels that offer easy drinking but not really much in the way of structure or flavour. Not that there is anything wrong with these wines but it would be like defining chocolate as a bar of Dairymilk. Again nothing wrong with Dairymilk but you’re denying yourself a whole world outside of this that offers different complexities of flavour and bite. This is changing however, and the crisper, slightly drier, rosés enjoyed by our Mediterranean neighbours are becoming much more popular and rightly giving Rosé the opportunity to present itself as an alternative drink for the warmer summer months. Priced at €8.99 the Exquisite Collection Côtes de Provence Rosé is summer in a bottle, fresh and light, with the flavours of red berries and is my recommendation to try out.

Exquisite Collection Côtes de Provence Rosé