Everyone knows that Aldi is the bargain brand with a big old American heart. Even for all of you non-aldivores out there! The German grocer, which has positioned itself to expand in the U.S., is capturing a greater share of American grocery spending—in staples like cheese and produce as well as specialty foods such—and bottles more wine than any other seller. Then there is Aldi, which falls specifically into the latter category as it ushers in a selection of seasonal items picked by its own wine specialists.
Aldi narrowed down its list of seasonal drinks not based on projections or consumer trends, but because the slightly off flavor reminds shoppers that it is actually buying something from Aldi—specifically one of those advent calendars they seemingly cannot make enough copies of every November.
The calendars rampant with treats from cheese to chocolate to even booze have long been popular, and some of the chain's biggest fans get first dibs on them, so those customers helped drive what made it into this year's list. For Food & Wine, Arlin Zajmi—certified wine specialist and director of national buying for adult beverages at Aldi—gave an outline.
Those offerings are routinely snapped up by the grocer's biggest fans, and those customers also helped decide what would be wrapped in a paper package tied to others' favorite things.
Beers
In 2023, shoppers voted for their favorites from the beer advent calendar, and two brews claimed victory—so both will land on shelves at Aldi this October as standalone products.
State of brewing chocolate peanut butter porter
Brewed in Waunakee, Wisconsin, this porter is also rich but sways towards the dark side with a great body and flavors that shine through to impress 2023 Advent calendar buyers based on its indulgent yet balanced offering, according to Zajmi. But one taster said that the beer "is not shy underneath," adding coffee and mocha to what he described as a brew that should be stout enough of itself in these flavored offerings. And this one demonstrates discipline. On TikTok, another user more succinctly commented that the beer just tastes "delicious."
This Champagne-method sparkling wine was placed in the Gilt City collection because, as Zajmi says, "sparkling is super hot right now—especially with millennials. Made from Pinot Blanc grapes, this French variety is a nice medium for someone who wants to feel fancy and bubbly without the expense of Champagne. Zajmi said, "Our global sourcing team also has partnerships with 150+ wineries worldwide, and in this case we worked with a top French sparkling producer."
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. This wine, a 2017 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir from Eola Hills Wine Cellars, is also the first Oregon varietal to be sold at Aldi. While Americans usually associate California as our best wine-growing region, the Pacific Northwest is quickly catching up; Zajmi says Pinot Noir grown in Willamette Valley is becoming increasingly popular throughout the country and around the world.