In Aldi stores where alcohol is sold, this methodology carries over intothe wine aisle.
Even better, they’re often priced at around $12 or less.
However, it was still more robust than I had anticipated.
Photos: Aldi. Design: Eat This, Not That!
The real question remains, though: are any of these low-priced varietals actually tasty?
Once poured out, the liquid seems to be very light in color, even for a sauvignon blanc.
The taste:The acidity is not well-balanced as promised.
Photo: Megan Hageman, Eat This, Not That!
But, instead, every sip ends with a sour finish that lingers.
For me, it’s much too tart with intense notes of both lemons and grapefruit.
It’s not as dirt cheap as it used to be (thanks, inflation).
Photo: Megan Hageman, Eat This, Not That!
Priced at $4.95, the bottle also advises that it’s best served cold, so I obliged.
The taste:Let’s call a spade a spade.
It tastes like a cheap bottle of wine.
Photo: Megan Hageman, Eat This, Not That!
But, it’s not one that makes me turn my nose up in opposition.
With citrus undertones and obvious tangs of apple, it’s on the sweeter side for a chardonnay.
It’s light and drinks smoothly, though.
Photo: Megan Hageman, Eat This, Not That!
The look:Like a very grown-up glass of wine in a deep shade of plum.
The taste:Neither bold nor particularly fruity, as the label denotes.
Unfortunately, though, the taste is rather boring, bland, and even a touch watery.
Photo: Megan Hageman, Eat This, Not That!
Dry with an eensy bit of tannin, it does fit the bill of a classic malbec.
Don’t mind if I do.
A standard-size bottle rang up at a reasonable price of $5.99.
Photo: Megan Hageman, Eat This, Not That!
But hey, that’s pinot grigio for you.
The taste:It hits you aggressively at first with a sour fruit flavor similar to an unripened pear.
Then, just a bit of sweetness swoops in to balance it out and save the day.
Photo: Megan Hageman, Eat This, Not That!
Winking Owl Cabernet Sauvignon
Where there’s a white, there’s also a red.
So, of course, I had to try a bottle of Winking Owl’s darker-hued vino as well.
I opted for acabernet sauvignonone of the world’s most popular wine varieties.
Photo: Megan Hageman, Eat This, Not That!
Like the house brand’s chardonnay, this one is also from California.
A standard 750-milliliter bottle cost me just $4.95, the same as the chardonnay.
The look:The sneaky owl appears here again.
Photo: Megan Hageman, Eat This, Not That!
Yet this time, he’s sporting a dashing shade of periwinkle.
The rest of the front label is very simplistic and to the point.
As for the wine itself, it’s somewhere between medium and dark purple.
Photo: Megan Hageman, Eat This, Not That!
The taste:After first cracking the top on this bottle, it smelled intensely fermented and almost liquor-like.
Flavors of cherries and strawberries are indicated as well as elegant French oak and a “beautiful mouthfeel.”
The label also suggests pairing the bottle with a roast chicken or mushroom risotto.
The look:A pale ruby color and more translucent than the other reds.
But, this one adds some body into the mix.
It’s very low tannin but also rich with a very obvious cherry core.
It describes itself as “rich on the palate with bright fruit and delectable brioche flavors.
Perfectly balanced with hints of toasted almonds & spice.”
The look:This is one of those bottles I picked purely for its label.
It’s smooth and simple without the assertive pungency and tartness of some of the other whites.
Citrus seems to be a key player here, but no other specific fruit flavors stand out to me.
On the bottle, a rolling landscape shot of vineyards appearsperfectly fitting for the brand’s name.
The taste:Upon first sniff, it’s very berry-like, similar to sweet raspberries.
And, while I wouldn’t necessarily call it “velvety” it does drink quite nicely.
Either that or the chain is selling two nearly identical products under separate names.
The bottle lands in the middle of the pack in terms of price at $8.99.
The look:The palest of all white wines in the taste test.
The taste:I would not label myself as a sweet wine enthusiast.
But, this one had me changing my tunelikely because it is sweet but not overly so.
What more could you possibly need in an $8.99 bottle of white wine?
This practice is common in the wine world and often makes for a more complex and intriguing drinking experience.
Sold at Aldi, this particularDancing Flame Red Blendis anotheraward-winner.
Tasting notes include blackberry, cherry, spice, and a bit of mocha to finish.
The bottle costs just $5.99, just a dollar more than the Winking Owl brand.
The look:Similar to the malbec in a shade of deep purply-maroon.
It also has one of those labels that draws you in.
I love the simplicity yet intricacy of the volcano line art standing out on a white background.
The taste:This was hands down my favorite bottle, even from the jump.
It’s juicy and teeming with various ripe berry flavors.
I would compare it to one of 19 Crimes coveted red blends, a personal favorite of mine.
