Supermarket Aldi showcased 147 sparkling and still wines in its 2023 UK autumn/winter collection, 65 of them new.
With prices starting from £3.45 for the Spanish non-vintage Baron St Jean Blanc (made from the neutral Airen grape) to £21.99 for the Veuve Monsigny, Premier Cru Champagne NV (which Decanter recommended in October 2022 and is still available), the focus of this German supermarket chain, as always, is on affordable quality.
Scroll down for scores and tasting notes of the best Aldi wines
As with all UK supermarket buyers, Josh Heley (still wines) and Andy Maxwell (sparkling and fortified wines), have the difficult task of delivering a versatile wine range amid the ongoing cost of living crisis.
August’s 20% increase in duty (44p per 75cl bottle on wines between 11.5% and 14.5% alcohol to £2.67) has played its part. For example, the blue-label 2022 Buenas Vides, Specially Selected Argentinian Malbec has increased by £1 since Decanter last tasted it in March – from £6.29 to £7.29.
However this and the even better 2021 Buenas Vides, Specially Selected Argentinian Malbec (confusingly with the same name, but a black label) remain two of the best buys in the Aldi range. The black-label version has remained at £8.99 too, so represents even better value by comparison.
Despite the buyers’ drive ‘to deliver new and exciting products’, somewhat disappointingly some of the most recommendable wines from this tasting were not new listings to the Aldi range – or even new vintages of existing
