'I tried Aldi's viral Sparkling Shiraz and it has changed my mind about red wine'
Our Fashion & Beauty Writer Rachel Williams got her hands on a bottle of Aldi's sparkling red wine after hearing it returned to stores.
When it comes to my favourite tipple, I am a sucker for either a glass of bubbles or a smooth red wine. However, I must admit that I have never thought combining the two would make a good idea.
Enter Aldi's Specially Selected Sparkling Shiraz, a mix of the two beloved beverages that has become quite popular with both shoppers and critics alike, with some hailing it as the supermarket's "best kept secret."
Coming in at a rather affordable £7.99 for a 75cl bottle, which is a price-tag even I wouldn't refuse, this unique fizzy red wine was recently dubbed "the viral drink of Christmas" from wine expert TomtryonUK on Instagram.
Now, as something of a wine connoisseur myself, I love a regular shiraz for its warming sensation on these cold, chilly evenings, but the idea of chilling red wine has never been something I have been overly fond of.
That being said, I am always willing to try something new and branch out of my comfort zone when needed, and with Christmas looming, I am on the hunt for an exciting bottle of fizz to share with loved ones.
So, after the Specially Selected Sparkling Shiraz returned to Aldi stores nationwide last week, I was lucky enough to get a hold of a bottle to find out if it was worth the hype, and if it could change my mind of chilling a bottle of red.
Classic red wine with a twist
Like many sparkling Shirazes, Aldi's Specially Selected bottle hails from South Australia, and it boasts all the flavours that I, and many others, have come to associate with a good bottle of red wine.
We're talking the likes of deep plums, juicy cherries, red currants and a hint of chocolate liqueurs, all the goods that make up a good, medium-bodied red with a smooth finish - but with a touch of bubbles for a fun twist.
It's not just me that thinks the addition of fizz makes this an unserious wine, as Tom Tryon describes it as a "super fun" tipple that could take over mulled wine for the Christmas season - which is high praise in my books.
Surprisingly rich and smooth
After chilling the bubbly red in my fridge overnight, which almost went against everything I know, I decided to test out my first glass of the Specially Selected Sparkling Shiraz - and it's made me completely rethink my red wines.
As soon as I popped the cork, I decided to take in the aroma to pretend I am fancier than I actually am, and was surprised to find that I got very light, but not overly faint, hints of sweetness and ripe fruits coming through.
Once poured, it had a beautifully deep plum colour that matched the medium-bodied flavour that was surprisingly smooth, with a decent lingering finish that never felt too tart after a few sips.
Despite its humble £7.99 price-tag, this bubbly was packed with flavour, and I immediately got all those rich, juicy flavours that I associate with a fireside red, but with a touch of fizz that actually made it a touch easier to drink, as sometimes with reds I can get sleepy or extra full, especially after a heavy meal.
That being said, I do think the sparkling effect will still make it a divisive bottle. While its added sweetness and light effect might make it more appealing to those who are maybe not overly fond of the classic heavy reds, traditional fans might find that it gets a touch overly sweet after a few glasses.
A new Christmas favourite to share with friends?
Despite my initial reactions, I must admit that I may be a bit of a convert, as Aldi's Sparkling Shiraz seems to be an affordable, yet unique choice for raising a toast during the holidays.
As a medium-bodied wine, it is bang in the middle for those who maybe aren't overly fond of the full-bodied, rich red wines, as it offers a fun, slightly sweeter option that won't feel too heavy.
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Now, as a rather huge fan of red, I was surprised to find that I didn't dislike the chilled aspect and found that is a good bottle to crack open, and it's one that could please a lot of people who are looking for something easy.
However, since it can borderline on the sweeter side after a few glasses, I wouldn't say it has overtaken a regular Shiraz or even a Malbec just yet for me, but I would happily raise a few glasses with friends and family this year.
Aldi's Specially Selected Sparkling Shiraz is now available to buy for £7.99 nationwide now.
