A cheeky little sparkler for summer parties
2006 Crémant du Jura Sparkling Chardonnay, France (£5.99, Aldi).
I have not lost my marbles, nor mislaid my taste buds. In my quest to track down the finest wines I often have to taste disparate and random bottles. I taste a lot of 'supermarket wines', but have yet to taste an Aldi range until now.
The other day I sipped through 30 or so clean, accurate, cheap wines, and felt pleased that the hard-working team at Aldi does such a solid job for their keen customers.
But I didn't get too carried away – there was but a smattering of favourable notes until this cheeky little sparkler pole-vaulted its way into my glass.
If you're going to host a party this summer, you'll need to see some cocktail action. I have, in the past, sought decent mixing bases for cocktails in safe havens like Waitrose.
But this year, you must buy this wine. It'll set you back three quid a bottle less than anywhere else – a decent saving if you're wading through a few cases).
But it's also an accomplished creation without the addition of cassis or orange juice, and a smart, dry, invigorating ingredient for your parties and mine.
• Matthew Jukes is a winner of the International Wine & Spirit Competition's Communicator of the Year.