Wine — maybe you love it, maybe you hate it, or maybe you just drink it because it’s cheap on Wine Wednesdays. I sought out three of the most affordable wines at our lovely neighborhood Aldi for the college girl on a budget.
Kicking back with your friends and a little drink shouldn’t break the bank or even need to cost as much as a meal. I’m no wine connoisseur. The time for expensive, fancy aged wine is in our future, but for now, the under $7 criterion will have to do.
Brand: Winking Owl
Type: White Zinfandel
Price: $3.95
Every college girl knows Winking Owl, as it’s the cheapest wine you can find at Aldi’s. They have a selection of about 10 different wines, all with a price tag of around $4. If you enjoy sweet drinks and hate the taste of alcohol, this one’s for you.
I chose the White Zinfandel, honestly, because it was a cute pink color. This rosé is a sweet, dessert wine. It has a light body, meaning it has lower alcohol content than other wines, and has a very delicate taste. This one comes in at an 8.5% alcohol by volume, and it has flavors of cranberry, watermelon, strawberry, and cherry. It’s the second wine I ever purchased after turning 21, and a great place to start if you have a sweet tooth.
While the bottle recommends pairing this with salads, spicy Asian, and Latin cuisines, I’d say it goes great with vanilla ice cream, a bag of chips, and playing a cozy game.
Brand: Giretto
Type: Pinot Grigio
Price: $5.99
If you’re sweets-averse, this is right up your alley.
Another Aldi exclusive, this wine is affordable and pretty dang good. It has a medium body, the flavor sticks around in your mouth for a while, and an alcohol content of 12%. This one has a fruity sourness to it and an ultra-crisp bite. It has flavors of pear, apple, and yellow plum. It tastes vaguely like a green apple but is still quite delicious.
It’s very refreshing compared to Winking Owl’s White Zinfandel, and something you should get for that roommate who avoids sweet alcohols, fearing an intense sugar-filled hangover.
The recommended pairings are shellfish, salads, and soft cheeses, and I have to agree. I enjoyed my glass with blueberry goat cheese to cut some of that dryness, and it didn’t disappoint. I imagine the ideal way to enjoy this wine is chilled, sitting outside, and gossiping with your girls — perfect for Wine Wednesday.
Brand: California Heritage
Type: Pink Moscato
Price: $4.95
Delightfully sweet with none of that nasty alcohol feel in your mouth.
Another dessert wine (sorry, I have a sweet tooth), this one has flavors of nectarine and raspberry and is absolutely delicious. It’s light-bodied with a 9% alcohol content and a sweet aftertaste. This one is seriously dangerous; it tastes like straight juice.
This is the kind of wine I want to drink, floating in a pool while someone feeds me fruit. It feels playful. I want to run in some grass with my friends after drinking this one.
The recommended pairings are summer salads, fresh fruit, and dessert. I slurped this down with some chocolate-covered strawberries, and it was for sure my favorite of all three wines listed here. I will be repurchasing.
Whether you’re a sweet-toothed sipper or a dry, crisp enjoyer, it’s clear that you don’t need to drop a band, or even $20, to enjoy tasty wine. From the sweet, fruity White Zinfandel to the refreshing, tart Pinot Grigio, and the dangerously delicious, juicy Pink Moscato, these budget bottles deliver. Next Wine Wednesday, grab a bottle, a snack, your girls, and cheers to saving your money!
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