When it comes to selecting the best supermarket for wine, the answer is far from static. It hinges on the ever-evolving preferences of consumers, the prowess of buying teams, and the unique constraints faced by each retail giant. The eternal conundrum—bargain buys or intriguing bottles—fuels the debate.
Aldi’s Varied Offerings
Aldi, a prominent contender in the wine market, has recently seen a dip in its form. Nevertheless, it continues to offer a selection of commendable French and Chilean wines. Among its standout offerings is the Pierre Jaurant range, representing the French selection, and Chassaux et Fils, another name worth noting. The Pierre Jaurant collection, in particular, showcases noteworthy additions, including the rustic Fitou—a red wine certain to please enthusiasts of robust French wines. Additionally, Aldi’s Estevez Chilean wines, particularly the reds, maintain a reputation for being reliably satisfying and less sweet compared to some of the store’s other offerings.
Marks & Spencer’s Wine Excellence
On the other side of the spectrum, Marks & Spencer has been making waves in the wine department, consistently offering an impressive range of Italian wines in its Found and new Expressions series. One minor critique is the complexity that has crept into these ranges. Expressions, for instance, is an amalgamation of wines that typify their respective regions and those that begin their journey in the experimental Found collection. Over time, some wines from Found find their way into the Expressions lineup, a transition driven by the quest for excellence.
Marks & Spencer’s Classics range seems to house traditional favorites like Bordeaux and Côtes du Rhône but also ventures into less obvious options such as grüner veltliner. A 2021 New Zealand pinot noir at £12 is a noteworthy inclusion that could just as easily reside in the Collection range, a tier theoretically higher in price but not necessarily in quality. In this range, the 2022 Collection Tradición Malbec from Argentina, crafted by the esteemed Susana Balbo, is also priced at £12. It’s worth noting that some wines, like the verdicchio, defy categorization within these predefined groups.
In the ever-evolving landscape of wine offerings at UK supermarkets, one’s choice may be influenced by their pursuit of value or curiosity for distinctive bottles. While Aldi continues to deliver value with its Pierre Jaurant and Estevez Chilean wines, Marks & Spencer impresses with a diverse range of Italian and global selections. Ultimately, the best supermarket for wine may change with the seasons, but these two contenders are certainly worth exploring for wine enthusiasts seeking quality and affordability.
