“Champagne” on the cheap? We review the Specially Selected Napa Valley Methode Champenoise Brut, available exclusively at Aldi.
The bottle doesn’t specify but this sparkling wine is probably a blend of primarily Chardonnay with perhaps some Pinot Noir from Napa Valley, California. As the name indicates, it is made in traditional method like Champagne (Methode Champenoise) with the secondary fermentation that creates the bubbles happening in the bottle.
It’s interesting that Aldi leans hard into the “Champagne” angle as outside of a few legacy producers in California, a sparkling wine has to come from the Champagne region in France in order to be called Champagne on the label. They get around this by using Methode Champenoise, since this is the same production technique, but they are much more explicit on the Aldi website:
Specially Selected Napa Valley Sparkling Brut Champagne is your choice for a sophisticated celebration. This sparkling brut offers a crisp, refreshing taste that pairs well with appetizers, seafood or desserts. Whether you are toasting a special occasion or enjoying a quiet evening, this champagne elevates the experience. With its elegant bubbles and refined flavor, Specially Selected Napa Valley Sparkling Brut Champagne makes every moment memorable. Indulge in the luxury of Napa Valley with this exquisite sparkling wine.
The bottle indicates that the wine is produced and bottled by Rack & Riddle, a respected producer of sparkling wine who are behind a lot of the private label sparklers out there including the Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Brut and Brut Rosé.
The Specially Selected Napa Valley Methode Champenoise Brut retails for $17.99, exclusively at Aldi, and has 12.5% alcohol. Let’s check it out.
The non-vintage Specially Selected Napa Valley Methode Champenoise Brut begins with a classic aroma of citrus, green apple, a little tropical fruit and a bit of fresh baked bread.
The wine tastes crisp, with lots of bubbles and good acidity but it’s also quite sweet. Featuring citrus, lots of apples and a bit of tropical fruit, it works for the price but you can also find much better in the same price range (take a look at our list). I would definitely take the Trader Joe’s Sonoma versions mentioned above at $3 less per bottle, for example. (The extra $3 here doesn’t get you any better quality, just the Napa name.)
It ends crisp, but bordering on cloying, on the long, lip-smacking finish.
Specially Selected Napa Valley Methode Champenoise Brut
Check out our Guide to Aldi Wine! Includes information about the business model, how it compares to Trader Joe’s and of course all of our recommended wines at Aldi USA!
You can also find more of our recommended sparkling wine here!
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