If there’s one myth that ALDI’s head of assortment planning, Karmen Noterzberg, wants to dispel, it’s that an affordable product on ALDI shelves suggests subpar quality. It’s actually quite the opposite.
The chain is able to offer groceries at such terrific prices because of the hard work buyers put in on sourcing premium ingredients, thanks to decades of relationship-building and the flexibility that comes with private labeling. “We want to make the good life affordable,” Noterzberg says. “We ultimately really do live by this. Indulgence comes to the forefront.”
Take the brand’s lauded wine selection, for instance. For the fan-favorite Côtes de Provence Rosé, ALDI’s adult beverage director, Arlin Zajmi, spent over three years making sure the blend was exceptional in flavor and quality, but also just the right shade of pink. So when you’re spending just $10 on a bottle of wine, you’re actually getting a whole lot of bang for your buck.
And now, there’s a new bottle on shelves ready to ring in all of your very-merry festivities.
Upon first sip of Grande Alberone Luxurious Red Sparkling Wine, I was smitten. The $9.99 bottle (10.5% ABV) reminded me of a light and breezy table wine, like one you’d enjoy through a long meal at an osteria off an alley in Italy, punctuated with front-end sweetness more often associated with dessert wine. But the bubbles are a bright, playful surprise. This new sparkling red is made with a blend of Brachetto and Lambrusco red-skinned Italian grapes and meticulously honed by Zajmi and team. It’s simple and easy to drink, but also feels like a step up in luxury for those who aren’t exactly sure what to buy.
You can also judge this book by its cover, which comes in quite handy for gifting. The bottle is labeled in glittery red and gold fit for the season, and the glass features an embossed design you’d be more likely to see on an old vintage than a $10 ALDI bottle. But that’s the ongoing goal, the team says—a nod to the recurring theme that ALDI wines are drinking far above their pay grade, providing budget-friendly, quality (occasionally award-winning) products worth your time and attention.
Beyond ALDI’s core wine offerings, Zajmi saw the opportunity to make the sparkling wine stand out. “We wanted to go in and make it taste amazing, with beautiful packaging,” he said. “It’s unexpected, but it’s a fun one. We always want to bring something new and exciting to the customer—time for discovery and something a little different.”
I experimented with my first bottle in a few ways, and I’m pleased to share that each new twist will make a joyful holiday appearance at one time or another. Start with low-effort garnishes. For a two-minute fancy drink upgrade, add a slice of orange and a few skewered Italy-sourced Amarena cherries (another limited-time ALDI offering) to your wine glass. If your batch cocktail recipe needs a bit of color, use Grande Alberone as a fizzy topper. You can also make a luscious red sangria, subbing crimson bubbly for the dry wine and skipping the added sweetener. For an even more festive spin, go for a twist on the Poinsettia Cocktail with cranberry juice and orange liqueur. Straight from the bottle, I admittedly preferred the wine lightly chilled. Feel free to raise an eyebrow.
Credit: HECTOR MANUEL SANCHEZ; PROP STYLING: KARIN OLSEN; FOOD STYLING: WILLIAM SMITH
There will be plenty of moments to celebrate in the months to come, and the price point of Grande Alberone means you don’t have to wait for a certified special occasion to pop the cork. Planning a girls’ brunch? Anticipating that you’ll be too tired of Thanksgiving prep to think about the punch? Attending a ritzy Christmas party? Survived a long week? Check, check, check, check—this wine is a crowd favorite and pairs especially well with salty snacks like charcuterie or popcorn.
But don’t just take my word for it. So far, ALDI shoppers in the cheeky ALDI Aisle of Shame community on Facebook have been giving the sparkling wine and its pretty packaging rave reviews:
“I just had this bottle last week! It was delightful!”
“It’s delicious! Great find!”
A bottle of Grande Alberone is easy to serve and easy to love. ALDI calls it elevated convenience. I call it the perfect opportunity to raise a toast. Cheers, y’all!
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