Top 10 ALDI Wines
*Wines reviewed by Wine Editor of the Sydney Times and& Connoisseur Magazine UK Publisher Axel Ritenis
*(This article last revised on 05 november, 2023 with addition of Wolf Blass Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 $14.99)
These are my personal subjective recommendations,…I have tasted all these wines on numerous occasions,..and after 30 years in the wine trade and having worked as a Wine Journalist and Publisher (and judged wine at Vinitaly otherwise known as the Concorso Enologico del Mondo at least twice and been to all the prestigious wine shows for the Trade around the world),…I reckon I can spot “a good wine of good value”,…If these wines were available with other retailers,..they would be at least 30% more expensive,..and I don’t think any of my “wine journo” colleagues would disagree! Many of the labels that decorate the wines are not super smart or attractive in design terms,..but as the saying goes “don’t judge a book by its cover!
Of course, there are many “label drinkers” out there who agonize and fuss about the prestige of a well-designed label,..well that’s ok too,..but if you want good reliable and satisfying wine at a bargain price ,..here it is!
Choosing from the ever growing and evolving range of ALDI wines requires patience and expereimntation
You can self-select a Box of these wines, (a Metric Dozen),..for a Total Average price bottle of $13.00 !!
How good is that? Enjoy these wines over Christmas and New Year and save a fortune!
Axel Ritenis
Editor Sydney Times & Connoisseur Magazine UK
At a time when we are all in Summer Holiday mode,..visiting friends and spending time with our loved ones,…and also consuming vast amounts of Seafood both crustaceans and fish,.I really can’t think of a better white in terms of price to quality ratio then this wine from ALDI!
Blackstone Paddock Margaret River Chardonnay $19.99
Now I would be the first to admit that there are numerous great Chardonnays that originate in this marvellous winemaking region,..such as Cape Mentelle,…Pierro,.Watershed,…Plantaganet, Vasse Felix and Leeuwin Estate to name but a few..and the list goes on.. but the point is the Price point of all these great wines is generally over $30 dollars and some reaching the dreaded $50 dollar mark!,..Yet here is this humble ALDI Margaret River Chardonnay that actually sits in the same league as these great wines!l
As one commentator on the net put it
“A humble chardonnay that sells for less than $15 at Aldi stores has knocked off some of Australia’s finest chardonnays at the Wine Show of WA.!”
The Blackstone Paddock wine is the truest expression of this variety, and the fruit selected from the finest Margaret River vineyards. When you combine with great winemaking techniques you end up with a mouthwatering wine. According to all reports, the 2018 vintage was a “tour de force” for Margaret River chardonnay.
“The nose is distinctly flinty with layers of stonefruit and honeysuckle blossom.I reckon I detected a bit of grapefruit or citrus freshness and apparently this varies from vintage to vintage,..which adds complexity. I was blown away by the palate,.. which is fine and long with an excellent structure supported by French oak. Flavours of stonefruit abound on the palate with a rich yet mouth cleansing acidity,..keeps it fresh and long. I agree with ALDI,..this is contemporary style chardonnay at its best.!”
A humble chardonnay that sells for less than $15 at Aldi stores has knocked off some of Australia’s finest chardonnays at the Wine Show of WA.
-A.C. Byrne & Co Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 750ml
Tasting Notes :
An excellent example of why Margaret River is so famous for the “SSB or Semillon Sauvignon Blanc style” It’s crisp and delicate with citrus blossom, lemon and passionfruit. The wine has a purity of fruit and good intensity, crisp acidity and length,….and I would personally rate it better than the old benchmark Houghton’s White Burgundy.
Food Pairing:
This wine is a good aperitif and goes well with shellfish, oysters and seafood.
This wine has won a whole swag of medals,…
- 2019 International Wine Challenge – Bronze Medal – 2018 Vintage
- 2019 Sydney Royal Wine Show – Bronze Medal – 2019 Vintage
- 2019 Perth Royal Wine Awards – Bronze Medal – 2019 Vintage
- 2019 Royal Adelaide Wine Show – Bronze Medal – 2019 Vintage
- 2019 RNCAS National Wine Show of Australia – Bronze Medal – 2019 Vintage
- 2019 Riverina Wine Show – Bronze Medal – 2019 Vintage
- 2019 China Wine & Spirits Competition ‘Best Value’ – Gold Medal – 2018 Vintage
-Freya & Jules Watervale, Clare Valley Riesling 750ml
Tasting Notes :
A delicate floral nose, zingy lemon-lime citrus fruits and a crisp palate offering a refreshing, mouth-watering finish with good intensity,…I have enjoyed this wine on a number of occasions and consider this the best under $12.00 Riesling in Australia. In a blind tasting it would quite possibly score as well as wines around the $20.00 mark.
Awards
2019 Perth Royal Wine Awards – Bronze Medal – 2019 Vintage
2019 Cowra Wine Show – Bronze Medal – 2019 Vintage
2019 Melbourne International Wine Competition – Double Gold Medal – 2019 Vintage
Food Pairing:
An excellent aperitif and suitable with delicate seafood such as baked trout or whiting,…or other white fish.
-Kaiora Bay Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 750ml
Price $11.99
Tasting Notes :
This curent vintage is a “real cracker” and has won a number of medals now confirming this. I have taste tested it alongside the Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc and believe it to be the equal of this benchmark NZ wine,obviously with a different flavour profile,..but nonetheless on parr in terms of quality for a lesser price.Most readers won’t be aware that New Zealand’s Villa Maria Estate has been sold to Indevin, the country’s largest contract winemaker, after its parent company went into receivership earlier in 2021..
I suspect that ALDI’S own tasting notes are completely adequate,…”A rush of passion fruit, and cool lemon-lime drenched fruit flavours, finishing with a touch of herb Zesty and deliciously fresh,..this wine has crisp acidity and good length.
A very clean wine perfect for salads of barbecued Sea food or oyster and seafood,..try oysters and cooked Australain Tiger prawns ,..you can’t go wrong!
-Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc 750ml
Price$8.99
Tasting Notes :
Outstanding French value for the wine enthusiast! This Sauvignon Blanc is quintessential Loie valley style and has medium acidity,…and is crisp and delicate with hints of flowers, pineapple, white stone fruits. It does not however match any of the “over the top” exuberant herbaceous or tropical fruit NZ Sav Blancs,… A versatile food wine that emphasises the Loire Sauvignon Blanc grape with its specific aromatic and varietal flavours.
Food Pairing:
Pleasant as a gentle aperitif or with delicate fish dishes or smoked fish.
-François Lurton La Mule Provence Rosé 750ml
Tasting Notes :
Provence is the essence of Rosé in France’s south Fresh, dry and full of light, wild red fruits. Chill it down and serve as an aperitif.Region: Provence, France
- 2019 Australia International Wine Challenge – Silver Medal – 2018 Vintage
Wolf Blass Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 $14.99 (Available now 2023)
A blend of Shiraz & Cabernet Sauvignon from the Barossa, McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills. Bright and energetic colour, with lifted fragrant spice and dark wild fruit aromas of blackberry and blood-plum. This elegant yet generous wine, having a plush, rich palate with smooth textural tannins contributing lovely palate length. Will reward cellaring 3 – 5 years.I would describe this wine as modern and seamless Red using Australia traditional and globally unique combination of the twin varieties of Shiraz with Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet gives the wine structure length and focus whilst the shiraz fills out the mid palette with opulent spicy peppery fruit.In this case the wine ins not over the top has very silky smooth tannin and really belongs to the Fine Wine category…because of its finess.
In this writers humble opinion this wine fits into the $40.00 to 50.00 price category,…so it really does represent exceptional value!
Enjoy with Lamb chops or Lamb rump or a good Porterhouse steak done on the Weber BBQ
Awards to date:
Royal Perth Wine 2023 – Silver medal.
*Wolf Blass Exclusive Release Shiraz Cabernet 2022 won the Dr Ray Beckwith OAM MEMORIAL TROPHY for Best Traditional Australian Red Blend in Show
-Château Les Maurins Bordeaux Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot 750ml
Price$7.99
Tasting Notes :
Food Pairing:
Lamb Shoulder or Lamb chops
Region:
Bordeaux, France
Kaiora Bay Reserve Central Otago Pinot Noir 750ml
Pure Central Otago magic with expression and charm. This Reserve Pinot Noir is expressive and elegant, with perfumed aromatics of spice, exotic dark fruits, dark cherries and redcurrants. Serve with foods such as Peking duck and crispy skin chicken.redcurrants.
Light to medium in weight this wine is focused and shows a concentration of black fruit flavours with a complex mouthfeel. Not over the top in structure,.. like many New World Pinots,..it follows the French Burgundian template in being light to medium,…which is what you expect from a Pinot Noir. If you want to drink a big structured wine stick to shiraz!
Corte Carista Chianti Superiore DOC 750ml
Price$10.99
Tasting Notes :
Molto Buono (very good) Chianti Superiore. A well proportioned superbly balanced wine that is elegant in body, combining dark berry and black cherry fruits and fresh spice flavours with a smooth finish. Ageing potential is up to 4 years. This wine is definitely on a par with wines in the over $20 bracket,..so it is by definition the Best Value Chianti wine in Australia. This wine is made by revered Tuscan winemaker Alberto Antonini who has worked for the big iconic brands such as Frescobaldi,…so he knows how to craft a great Chianti,…in this instance he has delivered the goods for ALDI at an amazingly low price point.
Awards
2019 International Wine Challenge Tranche #1 – Commended Medal – 2015 Vintage
2019 China Wine & Spirits Awards – Gold Medal – 2016 Vintage
2019 International Wine & Spirits Competition ‘Italy’ – Silver Medal – 2016 Vintage
Food pairing:
Aged cold cuts, Dark sauce Pastas, BBQ or Roasted meats with spicy sauces, and fried vegetables.
INFORMATION FROM THE SUPPLIER THAT WE PASS ON TO OUR READERS
*Vintages may vary from store to store and when delivered. Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is displayed, however variations can occur.
ALDI supports the responsible service of alcohol. It is illegal to purchase alcohol for people under 18.
