The Aldi Specially Selected Napa Valley Brut is $17.99 in-store, but the Aldi website lists it at $19.99.
The Story
The back label shows that this Bubbly was produced and bottled by Rack and Riddle. Rack and Riddle is a custom Sparkling wine producer. They have many Sparkling wines in the value-price category, including Peaks and Tides Sonoma Brut ($13.99).
It looks like the upcharge for Napa Valley grapes from Sonoma grapes is 4 bucks.
There are no tasting or production notes for the Aldi Specially Selected Napa Valley Brut; the Aldi advertisement even refers to this as Champagne. They will probably be receiving a cease and desist order before long. Champagne is a trademark.
The label says this is a Méthode Champagne Bubbly or a Traditional Method; those terms are interchangeable.
A Brut Bubbly is typically Chardonnay with some Pinot Noir in the mix, but California does not have rules and regulations like the Champagne District.
The $17.99 price tag seems a little high since they offer no reasons why the price should be higher than other value Bubbly wines. During the Holidays, the California versions of Chandon, Mumm, and others are all the same or lower.
I guess what is in the glass will explain the higher price. The alcohol content is 12.5%.
The Aldi Specially Selected Napa Valley Brut Tasting Notes
The color is a golden yellow. The nose is lemon, apple, and yeasty bread, with peach, pear, and soft, sweet spice. The Aldi Specially Selected Napa Valley Brut has tight, tiny bubbles and a fresh, focused flavor.
This Brut Bubbly tastes like a stew of peach, lemon, guava, and Green apple, followed by a slap of interesting spice and Anju pear. There is faint tropical fruit on the finish.
The acidity is bold but not overdone; this wine has excellent structure for the flavors to unfold.
The Summary
- The Aldi Specially Selected Napa Valley Brut, ok, it is well worth $17.99, it is an excellent Bubbly.
- I just wish they offered a reason for the price; it would have made it go down a little easier.
