Grape Spy: Jean Smullen

2020 Aldi Specially Selected Chardonnay Limoux €9.99

IF you are a fan of French Chardonnay, try this one. The grapes come from a region called Limoux, part of the Languedoc province in the south of France. This is a lightly oaked wine with a buttery, creamy texture and lots of ripe melon fruit flavours.

Why not try this with Aldi’s Specially Selected Irish Vintage White Cheddar, €1.99, with its sharp aged salty flavour. If you have a salty cheese, you need fruity wine. So all that ripe soft melon coming from the Chardonnay grape makes for the perfect balance.

2020 Aldi Specially Selected Valpolicella Ripasso €9.99

FROM the shores of Lake Garda, Bardolino offers a true expression of Italy. Made from a blend of three native Italian red grapes, this full-bodied red has lots of cherry fruit, matched by soft tannin, hints of mocha and spice.

This wine needs a cheese with lots of fruit to match with it — why not try this with the Aldi Specially Selected 12 Month Matured Comté, €2.79. One of France’s most famous cheeses, it has sweet, nutty flavours.

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