Wine expert Lucy Hitchcock has compared a luxury bottle of Whispering Angel rosé with Aldi's budget-friendly lookalike, Chassaux Et Fils Sainte Victoire Provence Rosé, which costs just £9. The comparison comes as shoppers increasingly seek affordable alternatives to premium wines.
Two rosés, one Provence origin
Whispering Angel has long dominated the rosé market, known for its crisp, refreshing taste and a price tag of around £23 per bottle. It has become a staple of sunny occasions, frequently spotted in celebrity hands, with Victoria Beckham among those pictured sipping it.
Aldi's version, priced at £8.99, is described on the supermarket's website as: "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."
The Whispering Angel description reads: "Whispering Angel is today's worldwide reference for Provence rosé. Made from Grenache, Cinsault and Rolle (Vermentino) grapes, its pale colour is pleasing to the eye and draws one in. The rewarding taste profile is full and lush, while being bone dry with a smooth finish. A blend of the best free run juices and press juices, fermented and aged in stainless steel with temperature control."
Expert's verdict on taste
Lucy Hitchcock, who runs the Partner in Wine Instagram page, shared her verdict in a video that has been liked 91,000 times. She said: "Aldi is really taking things to the next level with this dupe."
Apparently, the wines use the same four grape varieties sourced from Sainte Victoire in Provence, which gives them quite a similar taste. 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 taste similarly on her palate, the wine expert believes the upmarket bottle has a fruity flavour that comes 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."
There is a slight difference in colour too, with Whispering Angel more of a salmon-pink than Aldi's rosé, but the packaging on both is photogenic and classy, featuring fancy calligraphy. While Lucy couldn't decide which bottle is best, she believes both are brilliant options, but for an affordable and tasty choice, Aldi is definitely worth a try.
