In vino veritas - what wine are you drinking?

Nate--IRL-- · 13-06-2025 11:26AM

Any current Aldi/Tesco recommendations for Reds?

I'm really only discovering wine in the last year or so, and would normally just grab a bottle of McGuigans Cabernet Sauvignon in Tesco. I'm not a fan of dry or acidic wines, and would usually just stick to what I know. But after a random, but mind blowing bottle of wine on holiday, I want to be a bit more adventurous.

On a whim I picked up a bottle of Stellenbosch Merlot in Aldi last week - it was ok, had only what I could describe as a slight Earthy note, but was drinkable.

Discovering this thread, now I'm thinking maybe I can leverage Boardies collective knowledge to get steered to known good wines, rather than sampling at random.

Suggestions welcome.

Nate

odyssey06 · 13-06-2025 11:41AM

@Nate--IRL--

What you do mean by 'dry' when it comes to red wine?
Almost all red wines on sale here would be considered 'dry', as in little or no sugar.
Rare to see one described any other way, except some from California or those described as 'jammy'. Or dessert wines.

Can you remember any details about the bottle of wine you liked on holiday?

In ALDI, the Jaw Drop Syrah has fans here.

In Tesco this is a "jammy" red from Barefoot, but to me it's more like a wine cooler. But would be refreshing slightly chilled for a BBQ.

https://www.tesco.ie/groceries/en-IE/products/305983711

I'm a fan of the American Gothic Zinfandel in Tesco, it's on clubcard offer for €10 at the moment.
It is described as 'rich' so that might be more what you are looking for.

https://www.tesco.ie/groceries/en-IE/products/317643353

It could be worth exploring Italian wines described as 'Appassimento', where the grapes are dried in the sun, but these are more stocked in off licences.

Tesco have this one, dunno what it is like.

https://www.tesco.ie/groceries/en-IE/products/314577902

Nate--IRL-- · 13-06-2025 12:09PM

Awesome thanks - Will look out for the Jawdrop and American Gothic. As for "Dry" maybe that's not the right choice of word, maybe rough? As in I'd prefer a Cabernet Sauvignon to a Shiraz kinda thing? Another example would Faustino 1 is meant to be amazing stuff, but I find it too "Dry/Rough"

It hard to quantify, I barely know myself what I like. The Holiday wine was a €40 Bordeaux, St-Emilian I think, sadly I don't have exact name, all I could describe this as is, all flavour, silky, with no harshness or rough edges at all.

I'm really after a "Weekly" wine, to try on a Friday night, but If you have any recommendations for the more expensive end of things for special occasions, they'd be gratefully accepted too.

Nate

The Nal · 13-06-2025 12:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123540110#Comment_123540110

Try these in Aldi

Stay (well clear) of McGuigans, Yellow Tail, 19 Crimes, Brancott, Santa Rita or any of that over priced mass produced p1ss.

Much better value elsewhere.

Considering the size of the isle, Tescos wine selction is utterly abysmal.

John_Rambo · 13-06-2025 12:30PM

This is lovely for BBQ's

odyssey06 · 13-06-2025 01:00PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123540110#Comment_123540110

For more expensive wines you're probably looking at off licence or O'Briens, so you'd need to let us know what's in your vicinity. But let's see how you fare with different varieties in supermarket first.

Bordeaux is a tricky one because of the mix of grapes and variety in the region, fickle. Some amazing ones, some dud ones.

The red wine of the week in ALDI is a St Emilion Bordeaux, €13, think now would be a good time to try it.
Chateau Billeron Bouquet.

https://leaflet.aldi.ie/aldi-ie-thur-12-june-sun-15-june/page/4-5

Rioja and Pinot Noir would often be described as 'silky'. Pinot Noir like Bordeaux though hit and miss.

I was going to suggest a Rioja Reserva, something like this from Tesco, but if you found Faustino 1 Rough, maybe not. Are you picking up on the tannins, which create a 'dry' effect in your mouth as rough? So what you want are wines that aren't too tannic maybe.

https://www.tesco.ie/groceries/en-IE/products/261787141

You have to be careful in Tesco especially with "half price" wines, as the discount price is more reflective of actual worth.
The Tesco Finest range is a safer bet, or some of the more solid producers eg Calvet

https://www.tesco.ie/groceries/en-IE/products/278418150

Nate--IRL-- · 13-06-2025 02:18PM

Excellent advice, much appreciated. You are probably right about the tannins being what I'm detecting - as I say I'm still learning.

Nate

odyssey06 · 13-06-2025 02:25PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123540563#Comment_123540563

If having something like steak, a high tannin wine can be a good pairing. Or cheese.
But being sipped on its own could create that 'dry' effect on your tongue.

Pinot Noir is low in tannin. And Merlot is low-medium, so often paired with Cabernet Sauvignon in Bordeaux type blends to create a balance. St Emilion Bordeaux wines are known for usually being Merlot-led blends.

the beer revolu · 17-08-2025 02:24PM

Got spoiled rotten by a former colleague of Mrs Beer, yesterday. He's a guy with a massive wine collection but he doesn't really have anyone to enjoy it with - so was happy to oblige!

Started with a Champagne - very pleasant.

Then a sparking shiraz which was really bright and fruity considering its 20 years. Nicest sparkling red I've tried.

Then came the big hitting Bordeauxs. I would have imagined that the 85 would be way past it's best but it was really delicious. Still plenty of fruit and tannins. The 94 was thin and disappointing in comparison.

Then a really interesting Aussie dessert wine. Deep and nutty. Very good.

A bit too much wine, really, though 😊

BeerNut · 17-08-2025 02:45PM

I've never seen non-Hungarian "Tokay" before. I see they have to label it "Topaque" instead, when exported.

Was it like real Tokaji?

the beer revolu · 17-08-2025 03:28PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123730230#Comment_123730230

I've never had a dark Tokaji. This reminded me of a tawny port.

Yeah, they're not allowed to call it Tokay in Australia any more, either.

Buddy97mm · 17-08-2025 07:59PM

Two bottles of Mouton Rothschild.........green with envy

ednwireland · 19-08-2025 03:22PM

irancy, cote d'auxerre, chitry. reds from bourgogne. Brought back a few weeks ago. mostly between 10 and 15 euro a bottle in france.

the beer revolu · 19-08-2025 04:32PM

For anyone in Cork, The Fran Well are doing periodic, interesting wine tastings, upstairs on Mondays.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/doca-priorat-white-wine-tasting-and-cheese-pairing-tickets-1594203388249

The Nal · 08-09-2025 11:41AM

Down to a tenner (From 20) in Supervalue. Smooth.

odyssey06 · 08-09-2025 11:50AM

That Remy Febras Vacqueyras got a good write up in the Sunday World from Jean Smullen

https://x.com/smullenj

The Nal · 08-09-2025 11:56AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123795685#Comment_123795685

Its amazing value.

Aldi sometimes do Vacqueyras, Gigondas, Chateauneuf du Pape et al cheap and they're really good.

Still pissed off I didnt buy loads of the Lidl Nebbiolo when they had it in.

odyssey06 · 08-09-2025 12:35PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123795715#Comment_123795715

That is always the downside with LIDL's wines, they don't keep them in for long enough and when you find a good one you go back and gone. I prefer ALDI's approach of keeping them for a season.

There seems to be some proper bargains in the French wine sale in Supervalu… unlike say much of Tesco's half price wines.

I picked this Rhone red up for €15, a quick scan online seems to show it retailing for €20 in France.

St Joseph Les Challeys 2023 (Syrah)

https://shop.supervalu.ie/sm/pickup/rsid/1703/product/st-joseph-les-challeys-75-cl-id-1663097000

Buddy97mm · 08-09-2025 05:01PM

Had a bottle of that Vacqueyras at weekend, very silky, fruity and enjoyable.

Wouldn't say it was the best Vacqueyras I've ever had, but a hell of a lot better than most wines at that price point, and is excellent value for €10.

Will now be looking to pick up a bottle of that St Joseph Les Challeys - never heard of it tbh, but sounds decent from a quick Google.

odyssey06 · 12-09-2025 02:12PM

Tom Doorley previewing ALDI's Autumn\Winter wines.

This looks interesting. Shout if you see in store!

Specially Selected Iskar Moldovan Rara Neagra 2021 (€9.99)

One of the stars of the Autumn/Winter wine selection, this exceptional red from Moldova is mainly the rare Transylvanian grape, Rara Neagra but there’s some Cabernet and Merlot too, adding colour and depth. Blueberries and brambly aromas, complex and multi-layered, seasoned with toasty oak. An amazing bargain.

Hopefully the substack link works:

https://tomdoorley.substack.com/p/new-autumnwinter-wines-from-aldi

odyssey06 · 12-09-2025 02:17PM

Also from the ALDI range, this is Olly Smith's pick from his Hot Bottle newsletter:

With a frisky nip in the air, I’m in the mood for burly reds and this one from Aldi is a right belter. Specially Selected Cairanne 2024 is £9.99 and was my top pick of the reds at their recent press tasting. Whirling thyme, lavender and heady spice all wafting out of the glass in a joyful upward torrent followed by a gorgeous rich spicy palate that’s laden with powerful dark brooding fruit. The flavours just seem to last forever - outrageously good Rhône wine for just under ten quid and bang on if you’re thinking of cooking a hearty autumnal stew.

Illusory · 12-09-2025 02:21PM

In the hot summer months, I’ve been enjoying Carlo Rossi Sangria over ice.

The Nal · 12-09-2025 02:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123809832#Comment_123809832

Its a really good one yep.

In order of "prestige"- Cairanne, Vacqueyras, Gigondas, Châteauneuf-du-Pape. But they're all usually very reliable.

Buddy97mm · 12-09-2025 05:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123809807#Comment_123809807

We obviously share similar tastes Odyssey06 - having bought the St Joseph Les Challeys you recommended, I was in Aldi earlier and liked the look of that Moldovan red, so bought a bottle of that too.

Big choice which one to open for a Friday night treat....

odyssey06 · 12-09-2025 05:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123810678#Comment_123810678

Well selfishly as I havent bought the Moldovan yet Im more curious to get your opinion on it. Hint hint :)

Nate--IRL-- · 12-09-2025 08:59PM

Was also in Aldi today - first time I've seen Jawdrop so grabbed that, and the Moldovan also.

Nate

Buddy97mm · 14-09-2025 10:07PM

Unfortunately, was unwell Friday night so didn't get round to sampling the Moldovan until last night. It was a remarkably smooth, easy drinker, plenty of brambly fruit, but in, to my mind, an understated rather than overwhelming manner. Little bit of peppery spice in the mouth, but very soft overall and very, very drinkable. I was initially disappointed with the understated fruit, but grew to appreciate it, after a few glasses. Went back to Aldi today to get more but none left unfortunately 😞 .

Would very much recommend if you can find it, will definitely get more if I can.

Insect Overlord · 14-09-2025 10:21PM

I picked up one bottle each of the Aldi reds mentioned above, as well as the one recommended in SuperValu, and a Bordeaux that was 50% off in O'Brien's. No idea when I'm going to open them, but nice to have a few well-reviewed wines stored away anyway.

The Nal · 16-09-2025 09:21AM

The Rara Neagra is amazing for a tenner. Loads of fruit and some serious pepper on the finish.

Havent tried the Macadonian yet.

Buddy97mm · 17-09-2025 07:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123816871#Comment_123816871

Happy days, back In stock in my local Aldi today, 4 bottles purchased.

In vino veritas - what wine are you drinking?

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