Here are Sumilier’s recommendations of the top 10 wines of ALDI for Winter 2016. Grab some of these outstanding deals before they run out and get ready to throw your best ever festive wine and food party!

SPARKLING WINES

VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO SUPERIORE DOCG (GBP 7.49)

Blend: 100% Glera

Region: Veneto, Italy

11% abv

Beaming with vibrancy and creamy mouthfilling mousse, this is a classic expression of a quality Prosecco of a high ranking.  With attractive aromatic notes of green apple and lemon, guava and tropical stone fruit notes from peach, this wine has an appetizing zing of acidity, which along with its delicate structure gives it a youthful charm. Very balanced through the palate, ending with a long mineral finish and a touch of herbal mint. Definitely a must-to-have fizz on your list of apértifs!   (Sumilier 92/100)

In store now and also available online

VEUVE MONSIGNY CHAMPAGNE BRUT NV (GBP 10.99)  

Blend 33% Chardonnay, 33% Pinot Noir and 33% Pinot Meunier

Region: Champagne, France

12% abv

Elegantly balanced, crisp and clean, this champagne is an outstanding representation of typicity and purity. A good example of a well-crafted Champagne, it displays not only vibrant fruit driven notes of green apple and lemon, but the lengthy lees ageing for 5 years translates beautifully into pastry and brioche aromas that make it distinct from other sparkling wines. The acidity is lip smackingly impressive and creates a long lasting finish and the intense body from Pinot Noir lends itself to complexity in structure and maturity in expression.  Given its modest price, this is a classy champagne that can add more than a sparkle to an evening of merry making and celebration.                                                              (Sumilier 91/100)

In store now and also available online

STILL WHITE WINES

THE LOT SERIES BADEN PINOT BLANC 2015 (GBP 9.99)    

Blend : 91% Pinot Blanc and 9% Pinot Gris

Region: Baden, Germany

13% abv

Available online and in store from 2nd October, 2016

With experienced hands on deck, renowned wine maker and restaurateur Fritz Kellar, produces this remarkable wine in small lots of 35,000 bottles at a very attractive price! A crisp dry style with a pronounced intensity, the nose brings out green apple and pear notes heading into ripe peach and apricots. There is a subtle hint of oak that adds to the weight and intensity of the wine but it still retains stunning flavours of fruit and elegance. Its refreshing acidity is accompanied with subtle hints of mineral notes. Quite an exceptional structure with precise levels of richness and creamy notes giving it a sumptuous and full-body structure.  A well-rounded wine, supremely balanced in terms of oak, acidity and fruit expression.  This wine will pair brilliantly with creamy salmon, pate dishes and warming festive eats. Worth capturing a few bottles for its immense value for money and quality appeal!      (Sumilier 90/100)

POUILLY FUME 2015 (GBP 9.49)

Blend : 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Loire Valley , France

12.5% abv

Available online and in store from 2nd October, 2016

Clean and dry, it has strong fruity notes of lemon tart, ripe peach and red nectarines. Equally dominating are the grassy and herbaceous notes, green pepper, spice notes such as white pepper. A schisty sort of minerality and smoke emanates on the nose which transforms itself into mouthwateringly racy acidity on the palate. This is a  complex wine, which lends itself to youthful exuberance but has potential to further age if kept away carefully.  Clearly picked and selected very carefully, this wine has been artistically vinified and has remarkable concentration and intensity in its weight.  Given its price, it’s a no brainer that it must be added to your list of stylish and elegant white wines! (Sumilier 94/100)

THE EXQUISITE COLLECTION OF CLARE VALLEY RIESLING 2016 (GBP 6.99)

Blend: 100% Riesling

Region: Clare Valley, Australia

Intensely aromatic with honeysuckle floral notes, citrus notes of lemon rind and freshly squeezed lime juice, this wine displays notes of unbeatable refreshing acidity with some pear at the background.  This is a classic example of a typical outstanding quality Riesling from Clare Valley showing elements of complexity through notes of petroleum jelly, smoke and white pepper spice giving it purity and vibrancy in expression.  There is remarkable depth in structure and good concentration of flavours.  A versatile wine that will go well with lemon vinaigrette salads but also pair well with spicy Asian dishes, Indian curries, marinated prawns and lobsters and seared tuna.  You don’t need to spend a lot to get a lot!! (Sumilier 93/100)

Available on line and in store now

THE EXQUISITE COLLECTION MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC 2015 (GBP 7.49)

Blend: 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Marlborough, New Zealand

13.5% abv

Elegantly aromatic with notes of ripe lemon and grapefruits, pineapple and hints of mango, gooseberry, green pepper, tomato, elderflower, white pepper spice and mint, this wine is very elegant and displays remarkable concentration and an impressive structure, not withstanding its lipsmacking acidity all which add up to making this wine versatile in pairing with both summer and autumnal harvest dishes.  At the same time it is delicate and ethereal in its expression. The price is very modest compared to the qualities that it demonstrates and definitely warrants a purchase! (Sumilier 95/100)

Available online and in store now

STILL RED WINES

VENTURER SERIES COSTIERES DE NIMES 2015 (GBP 4.99)

Blend: 70% Grenache 30% Syrah

Region: Longuedoc Rousillon, France

13.5% abv

Deep ruby red in appearance, red fruit dominated wine with profound flavours of ripe dense, juicy, stewed red cherries, vanilla, liquoriche, smoky spice notes of black pepper, cloves and nutmeg and some hint of mild earthiness that seeps through elegantly. Good expression of typicity ; alcohol is modest and integrated well with the fruits. Reticent in expression, it has a long lasting finish with well defined tannins that are fine-grained, supple and ripe . An absolute steal for its price! (Sumilier 90/100)

Available online and in store from 2nd October, 2016

DOMAINE DU VIEUX CALCERNIER CHATEAUNEUF PAPE 2014 (GBP 14.99)

Blend: 70% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah

Region: Rhone Valley, France

13% abv

This wine has all the plush mouthfilling characteristics of a fruity Grenache with very softened, ripe, smooth grained tannis making it opulent and full bodied. With expressive notes of ripe red cherries baked alongside ripe red plums, it has a dense structure but the Syrah added to it, gives it the elegance and polished edge.  Toasty nuances such as smoky spice, black pepper, cloves and vanilla give it complexity. Mild tobacco and hint of fruit cake add richness and concentration. Oak is very harmoniously balanced with fruit and acidity making it a brilliant wine to pair with gourmet winter creations such as roast meats such as wild boar, duck confit and veal. Attractive deal for an outstanding Chateaneuf Pape from the Rhone Valley in France! (Sumilier 94/100)

Available ONLY in store from 2nd October

ESTEVEZ PINOT NOIR 2015 (GBP 4.79)

Blend: 100% Pinot Noir

Region: Central Valley, Chile

13.5% abv

Fragrant red cherries and ripe strawberries, this wine has subtle spice notes of vanilla, toast, smoke and liquoriche that integrated well with the acidity in the wine. Some hints of thyme and rosemary are also add a charm to this wine. Elegant and fruit forward wine meant for easy drinking with light roasts, French cheeses, pizzas, vegetarian and lentil based curries, light pasta and tuna bakes, winter soups of parsnips and butternut squash.  The tannins are very soft and fine-grained and give it a light – medium body with delicate and elegant structure.  Astounding value for wine! Literally a give away… (Sumilier 90/100)

Available online and in store now

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