Aldi refreshes range for spring with new ‘off the beaten track’ collection

Aldi has launched a new range of “off the beaten track wines” priced under £10, under its new Unearthed label, as well as boosting its premium own label Specially Selected range in its spring and summer refresh.

The Unearthed range is “all about interesting and exciting wines, that are different”, buyer Josh Heley explained very briefly to db at last week’s tasting. In the retailer’s tasting booklet, he said the team had worked with “some very talented suppliers to produce the spectacular, off-the-beaten-track wines”.

The four wines are priced between £7.99 – £9.99.

“The cost of living shouldn’t mean that shippers turn to boring wines, so we have continued to open the world of wine to all – offering the chance to try unique varietals at the value our shoppers deserve,” he was quoted as saying.

The four-strong range comprises a white wine, a Custoza Bianco (made of 40% Trebbiano Toscano, 40% Garganega and 30% Trebbianello) priced at £9.99; a rose, Unearthed Chiaretto di Bardolino Rose (£7.99) made from Corvino and Rondinella; and two reds – a Cigales Crianza (£9.99), and an Italian Malvasia Nera (£8.99).

The retailer has also added wines to its Specially Selected range, with 11 new white wines, seven roses and ten reds. This included a Specially Selected Austrian Gruner Veltliner (RRP: £8.19),  a Specially Selected Luberon Blanc (RRP: £8.99), a Specially Selected Bourgogne Gamay (£9.99).

The Specially Selected range was introduced in 2002 replacing its premium own tier label, the Exquisite Collection. At around the same time, it also retired its rotating series of small parcels, the Lot Series, which had helped build the retailer’s reputation for wine when it launched in 2015 to critical acclaim.

Other new additions include an interesting Greek pink wine, Athlon Greek Assyrtiko Syrah Rose (RRP: £9.99) and a Chateau Moulin-Bourie Listrac Medoc (£10.99), as well as Chassaux et Fils Méditerranée Rosé (£6.99), which comes in a recyclable PET bottle.

The retailer has also upped its commitment to eco-friendly packaging with the launch of two South African wines, a Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc, in paper bottles, as reported by db last week, as well as becoming the first major retailer to stock wine in flat PET wine bottles made by Packamama.  The two wines, a Chapter & Verse Shiraz and Chapter & Verse Chardonnay (£5.25) weigh 63g – making them nearly seven times lighter than a standard glass bottle, easier to package and also shatterproof.  The lines will be stocked nationwide and are available now.

In addition to the new plastic bottles, Aldi has started to reduce the weight of its average bottles of still wine by 8%, a process that will be completed by 2025.

Julie Ashfield, managing director of buying at Aldi UK, said that shoppers were looking for greener, more sustainable products. “Our aim is to continue to deliver this, whilst offering great value and enhanced functionality. We’re pleased to be taking the next step in expanding our recyclable, eco-friendly range.”