For too long now both Aldi (and the other fella) have been referred to as ‘discounters‘. This is usually said in a disparaging tone as if we don’t need, or want, a discount!! With the introduction of Minimum Unit Pricing this year (MUP) deep dive discounts on alcohol is now illegal. That means that Christmas 2023 is the first time that everyone plays off a level playing field. Good Value and Discounting are now one and the same! (Luckily I have always referred to Aldi (and the other fella) as Good Value stores).

What to buy in Aldi this Christmas? First I go for the wines i have liked all year round. Christmas is NOT a time to experiment. It’s a time to enjoy.

PRICE ALERT! Aldi is offering up to 20% off its Specially Selected range of Wines - but only until the 24th. Still two days to go!!

Really worth the money, and to match well across a Christmas meal, would be the Specially Selected Clare Valley Riesling €8.99 (7.19 this week) The Clare Valley in South Australia is one the absolute best places in the world to grow Riesling vines! Interesting to note also is that the Austrian Riesling from Aldi is top notch also and sells below the €10 mark. if these are a tad too aromatic then opt for the Aldi Marsanne – crisp and delicouos.

Aldi always brings us a fabulous Cremant du Jura €17.99 (€14.39). The Cremant wines of France are fully sparkling and made in the same way as Champagne. Jura is nestled up beside the Alps of Eastern France. Tremendous presentation and superb gift.

For a long time now I have had a soft spot for the Aldi selection of Toro Loco red wines from Valencia in Spain. There are quite a few labels across the range with varying grape blends between the likes of Bobal, Tempranillo and Merlot. They are great value and, in general, are soft and very ‘pourable’. Quality fruit. I often go for the Toro Loco Tempranillo – reliable to the nth!

My personal fave of the year has been the Austrian Zweigelt (another fabulous grape!). It shows a refreshing diversity on offer these days from our Good Value stores – something I attribute the the introduction of MUP! Thank you legislators … in the same vein I can recommend the Assyrtiko (white) from Greece and the excellent Feteasca Neagra from Romania.

Happy Christmas. Happy ALDI