Not all that long ago, MT shared a post on a chat group, announcing that Aldi had a new orange wine. This clearly called for research. So, off I took myself to the nearest Aldi to pick up a bottle. Which I did. I even paid for it. However, reading the back label, as is my wont, I realised this wasn’t actually an orange wine. It is a ‘subtle blend of rosé and orange wine.’ While some of Aldi’s wines can be hidden treasures, upon reading this description, I’ll admit I was less than sanguine*. But I am willing to face untold gustatory dangers to bring you this blog.
In the glass
Very light, salmon, clear. Looks like a pale rosé, not an orange wine.
The nose
Yeah, there’s a nose. Orange? Candied fruit peel? Kind of one dimensional, but I suppose I should be grateful that I can smell anything at all.
The palate
Thin, almost watery. Not quite off-dry, but not fully dry. Short finish. On the palate, there’s candied orange, or something. Not quite confected, but not your usual red fruits. The alcohol doesn’t really come across – it’s 13% ABV, but I probably wouldn’t have guessed that. There’s a faint hint of sourness as well.
Can’t really detect anything orange wine-y about this. I find myself wondering if they know what an orange wine actually is.
Rating
It’s wine on visual, Yum overall. Or perhaps Umm. I think the Yum is mainly because I’m being generous. To be fair, if it were chilled, on a warm to hot afternoon, and you were looking for a wine to just drink without thinking about it, this might do. You know, while talking to friends, and stuff you are drinking just happens to be wine. It’s not actually offensive. Just has nothing that I can see to actively recommend it. So let’s go with Yum.
Sustainability
Vegan, vegetarian.
The technical info
13% ABV, Cinsault, Grenache Gris, Grenache, £9.99 from Aldi.
The other stuff
* ‘Sanguine’ always calls to mind this quote from the science fiction TV series Firefly:
Zoe: You sanguine about the kinda reception we’re apt to receive on an Alliance ship, Captain?
Mal: Absolutely. What’s “sanguine” mean?
Zoe: Sanguine. Hopeful. Plus, point of interest, it also means “bloody”.
Mal: Well, that pretty much covers all the options, don’t it?