I tried Aldi's new limited edition wine — as soon as I opened the bottle I noticed something 'potent'

The budget supermarket is currently selling a South African pinotage with a distinctive yet strange flavour that has to be tasted to be believed Relaxing at the end of a hectic week is isn't complete without a glass of wine. It's the ideal way to unwind after a busy few days, preparing you for a weekend of fun ahead. This was my scenario a few weeks ago: it was a Friday evening and I had just wrapped up work for a week-long holiday.

I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to try a glass of an intriguing-sounding, limited edition wine from Aldi . Priced at just £7.99, this South African pinotage piqued my interest immediately, primarily because of one aspect - it was said to taste like coffee.



READ MORE: I tried Aldi's new Le Labo-inspired perfume - one thing put me off right away Now, I'm a fan of both coffee and red wine - although I've never tried them together. But in the name of journalism I knew I had to test it out to see if these robust, acquired flavours meshed well when combined, or if this was a wine to steer clear of. The Macchiato is a pinotage wine, a grape variety native to South Africa, reports the Express .

According to Mistress of Wine, Sam Caporn, it's a fantastic alternative to Rioja because it retains that full-bodied, fruity taste. However, it's considerably cheaper than this variety. So I uncorked the bottle and poured a couple of glasses, noticing something immediately.

As soon as the wine touched the inside of the glass, there was a potent aroma of coffee, almost overpowering. It was complemented by a rich, plum-like fragrance from the grapes, and I was surprised to find that the two aromas actually paired quite nicely together. However, the real test is in the taste.

Upon my first sip, I didn't detect any coffee flavour, which was surprising given its strong aroma. Instead, I was greeted with a delightful, rich and dry fruity taste with a hint of smokiness that felt incredibly sophisticated. The coffee undertone did eventually make an appearance, but it wasn't as potent as I had anticipated.

If you're expecting a coffee liqueur-like experience, this isn't it — it's more of a subtle richness, almost chocolatey, within each sip. It's unfortunate that we're now approaching the warmer months, as this would have been the ideal wine for a chilly winter evening. That being said, it's equally enjoyable on a spring night.

As a red wine, I can envision it being a fantastic addition to a barbecue or summer dinner party — your host will undoubtedly appreciate it. This wine was unlike any other I've tasted before, and as a recent convert to red wines, I was initially sceptical. However, I was pleasantly surprised.

With a slight bitterness without being too harsh, earthy and warm, it's hard to believe that this bottle costs less than £8. If you're a fan of both red wine and coffee, then this is definitely the drink for you. Don't be deterred by the strong aroma - the notes of the wine blend perfectly together, resulting in a beautiful drink that any pinotage enthusiast will adore.

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