If you ever had a question about wine, now you can find out the answer at ALDI CHINA’s Wine is the Answer festival from 7-9 September. Happening at its two pilot stores, join in an interactive game for a chance to learn about wine and win a prize, and be rewarded more when you spend on alcohol.
As with all of its products, ALDI CHINA offers high quality wines at great value, which are handpicked from around the world by a team of international connoisseurs. Consumers can choose wines hailing from famous regions in France, Italy, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and South Africa, with a variety of styles to suit any occasion. Here are some highlights.
Monsigny Champagne 750ml, France
Price: RMB 179
Alc/Vol: 12%
Hailing from the pre-eminent capital of the sparkling wine world, this champagne is medium gold in colour and has a bouquet of bread, nuts and honey. The initial taste is refreshing and stimulating while the finish reveals the bitterness of almonds and a length of flavour.
South Point Estate Pinot Grigio 750ml, Australia
Price: RMB 69
Alc/Vol: 12.5%
Pinot Grigio is a grape variety originating from France that is popular for its charming and approachable flavour. This Australian example has a light golden colour with sweet, fresh aromas of lemon, ripe peach and green tea. Its medium acidity makes it very refreshing and drinkable.
Claire Creek Merlot 750ml, Australia
Price: RMB 39
Alc/Vol: 14%
Made from merlot grapes grown in Victoria and South Australia, the wine exudes strong spicy notes of black fruit and oak.It is full-bodied with delicate yet solid tannins. One of ALDI CHINA’s top sellers.
Danti Puglia Primitivo 750ml, Italy
Price: RMB 149
Alc/Vol: 15%
This Italian red wine holds aromas of dark fruits, dark chocolate, coffee, spice, and a wisp of smoke. It has medium acidity, smooth tannins and a long finish. The wine was awarded the Berliner Wein Trophy 2018 - Best Producer Italy and was given 96 points by famed wine critic Luca Maroni.
Rhh./Pfaiz Riesling feinherb 750ml, Germany
Price: RMB 99
Alc/Vol: 12%
Hailing from the sunny Rhineland-Palatinate region in Germany, this riesling has fruity notes of green apple, lime and orange blossom. It is slightly sweet, which is balanced by a crisp, sharp acidity.
Wine and food pairing guide
To help consumers understand more about wines, and enjoy drinking and tasting different types of wines, ALDI has developed a quick guide to wine and food pairings:
·Sparkling wines like champagne, prosecco and cava are probably the most versatile of wines to match with food. They have a mouth-puckering acidity that’s sharp enough to cut through rich flavours, and a saline, savoury character that goes well with seafood and meaty, gamey dishes. Best of all, the pop of the cork and the rush of bubbles bring about a sense of celebration, which we can always get behind.
·White wines span the gamut from crispy, elegant styles to fuller, buttery examples, and that should be your cue on what food to drink it with. Dry, fruity wines like sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio are ideal companions to lean fish, lightly poached chicken, salads and steamed vegetables, while heavier whites like chardonnay complements full-bodied dishes such as oily fish, creamy pasta or a vegetable stew. For whites with a touch of sweetness like German riesling, they are the perfect foil for Asian-style dishes or anything spicy.
·Like white wine, similar guidelines apply when it comes to red wine: the heavier the wine, the richer the dishes you should have it with, lest you risk overpowering either one with competing flavours. Light to medium reds like pinot noir, merlot, pinotage and shiraz can go with roast chicken, seared duck, and lamb or veal chop, while bolder reds such as cabernet sauvignon, red rioja, Bordeaux blends and amarone stand up to steaks, fatty pork belly and strong cheeses.
Store wine event
A lucky few got to enjoy these wines when ALDI CHINA held an event at Zwilling Gourmet School on 4 September. Led by a professional sommelier, consumers savoured food and wine pairings and tried their hands at a DIY wine cocktail class. But everyone can join in ALDI CHINA’s wine festival from 7-9 September at both its pilot stores in Jing’an and Minhang districts. During the event, ALDI CHINA members who spend over RMB 99 can take part in an interactive game to win a prize, and if you spend over RMB 99 on alcohol, you get an extra gift. So join ALDI CHINA’s Wine is the Answer festival for more reasons to raise our glasses this September.
