Wine expert Lucy Hitchcock says Aldi's budget Provence rosé rivals the celebrity-favourite Whispering Angel at just £8.99 – and it's less than half the price. The budget supermarket is selling Chassaux Et Fils Sainte Victoire Provence Rosé for £9, significantly cheaper than the £23 Whispering Angel bottle.
The rise of Whispering Angel
Whispering Angel, from Château d'Esclans in Provence, became the drink that most successfully turned pale, dry Provence rosé into a globally recognised lifestyle product. It is priced and positioned as a “treat” bottle without being so expensive that it's only for collectors, and has won favour with celebrities and influencers alike. Adele, Victoria Beckham and Lady Gaga are among the famous faces who have spoken about the wine.
The distinctive Whispering Angel bottles are often seen at summer events, yachts, beach clubs and terraces during the summer season. However, for those wanting rosé to enjoy in the garden at home, the £23 price tag may be a deterrent.
A budget alternative
On the Aldi website, the product description reads: "Stylishly pale pink, this dry rosé has complex aromas of citrus fruits and white flowers. Perfect served with scallops, seabass, or your favourite fish dish." Both wines have a pale hue, though the Whispering Angel option is slightly more salmon-pink, which signals a dry, refined taste. They come in clear glass to showcase the crisp-looking colour.
The bottles are extremely photogenic – each is tall with a long neck, has a muted, classy colour palette, and features pretty calligraphy. Both bottles use the same four grape varieties sourced from Sainte Victoire in Provence, which gives them a quite similar taste.
Wine expert's verdict
Lucy Hitchcock of Partner in Wine UK shared her assessment on Instagram, saying: "Aldi is really taking things to the next level with this dupe." After sipping the budget option, she said: "Now that is a stunning rosé. I can definitely taste the similarities in the blend. I'm getting summer berries like raspberry and strawberry with a lovely pink grapefruit freshness. At the end, I'm getting something softer like white peach and melon."
While the notes seem similar, the wine expert believes the high-end bottle has a punchy flavour that shines through more. She added: "Whispering Angel does have that same mouth-watering freshness and smooth texture that we know and love, but the fruit is more concentrated, and there is something different - there is a purity to it." Lucy recommends pairing the rosé with fish dishes – such as tuna nicoise salad or poached salmon. She believes both wines are brilliant options, but for those conscious about budget, Aldi may win them over.
