Why We Ranked This Affordable Aldi Wine Number One In Our Taste Test

There's an episode in the British comedy "Black Books" — aptly titled "Grapes of Wrath" — where a pair of housesitters mistake the owner's instructions and end up drinking the man's most prized bottle of wine rather than the cheaper stuff. Sadly, the finer bottle, while very much enjoyed, goes utterly unappreciated for what it is. All that to say, wine is famously on a spectrum of price and quality. And sometimes, cheap is what you're going for. You don't need the most complex, most noteworthy wine — just a solid crowd-pleaser that's budget-friendly and pairs well with a variety of dishes. But this doesn't mean you can't have standards when it comes to cheap wine. For this reason, Chowhound ranked nine cheap wines from Aldi to determine which hold up and which probably aren't worth it, no matter how appealing the price point is.

Wines on the lower end of the ranking lacked complexity, body, and left a bad lingering impression. However, several wines impressed well enough, including the winner, Dancing Flame Ojos del Salado Red Blend. Although the wine hails from Chile's Central Valley, the exact blend is unspecified; however, tasting notes include blackberry, cherry, and mocha. This bottle didn't taste watery or artificial, but rather well-balanced and sophisticated. Overall, it was judged to be a wine that wouldn't embarrass you when served at a dinner party, and that would be a nice complement to the food menu. And, at just $5.99 a bottle, that's a win-win.

While the Dancing Flame Red Blend is a great choice, if you're able to spend a little more on your wine, keep an eye out for Aldi's Grande Alberone Rosso. In a Facebook post, an Aldi fan solicited opinions on whether people prefer the Grande Alberone or Dancing Flame. While such a survey may not be scientifically conclusive, the majority of respondents gave their vote to Grande Alberone. However, it does cost closer to $10 than to $5.

Another bottle to keep an eye out for, if your nearest Aldi is out of the Dancing Flame blend, is the company's Lisbonissimo Portuguese Red Blend. This wine came in at No. 3 on our ranking and was a real stand-out, only losing points because it was a little "softer" than ideal. In other words, not quite robust enough to beat out the top two competitors. But the flavor itself was good, and the bottle is vibrant and eye-catching.

If you do end up looking for an alternative option, keep in mind some key labeling clues to help make your search successful. In addition to familiarizing yourself with the primary types of wines (riesling, chardonnay, etc.), learning the reputations of and distinctions between various wine-producing countries can help you identify your preferred wine as well. And when in doubt, a flavorful blend, like Aldi's Dancing Flame, is a safe bet.