Aldi UK has introduced a discounted Châteauneuf-du-Pape to its wine portfolio, containing all 13 of the grapes permitted for its production, which will retail at £16.99.
The 2013 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée will be available in Aldi supermarkets across Britain while stocks last. The wine contains all 13 types of red grape allowed under the appellation d'origine contrôlée regulations – Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Clairette, Vaccarese, Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Counoise, Muscardin, Picpoul, Picardan, and Terret Noir.
The combination produces "a complex, multi-dimensional wine with a rich colour, aroma and balance", Aldi says. The majority of Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines contain five of these grapes or fewer.
The supermarket chain’s wine buyer, Tony Baines, told Mirror.co.uk, "We're committed to opening up the world of wonderful wine to everyone, and allowing our customers to enjoy rare and exciting styles without having to spend a fortune.
"We worked closely with a very talented winemaker to create this fantastic Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée 13, and hope our customers enjoy drinking it as much as we did bringing it to our exciting new online wine offering."
TheDrinksBusiness.com's Master of Wine Patrick Schmitt said that "Although Châteauneuf-du-Pape is one of the UK's most widely distributed regional wine brands, finding an example that makes use of its 13 traditional grape varieties is rare."
"The fact Aldi is stocking the Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee C13 for £16.99 marks a step towards opening up the world of specialist wines to all shoppers," he added.
© 2015 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Peter Donnelly. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
