Brighton to Hyde Park

[El Gordo]

Glad to see that the report addition related to the important stuff.

Aldi Chianti sounds like a well-kept secret - do tell.

And Prem down the pub! What would Rodney say?

I'm quite a fan of Aldi wines - up to a point. You have to peer between the thistles to find the occasional rose. I seem to have missed out on their bargain Barolo (£6.99 or thereabouts -- around half the usual price) but I've often topped up with their Chianti. Can't recall the producer but it's £4.99 and is currently on 2004/2005. Nothing earth-shattering, but good value. They also do some cheap Rioja Riserva that's quite palatable. I also picked up some C9P, as the say in the wine trade (Chateauneuf-du-Pape). This stuff is overhyped in my view. I reckon its disproportionate popularity is largely due to the pleasing Frenchiness of the name, and its easy pronunciation. But anyway, Aldi have some cheap examples in at the moment, about £7, so I bought a couple of bottles. They also often have some reasonably priced 2nd wines of well known Bordeaux chateaux. The other thing I bought because you rarely see it, and very rarely at this price, is Valpolocella Ripasso. It's Valpol that's fermented with unpressed grape skins, to give the vino more flavour. Not tasted yet, but I recommend you try it.

But don't listen to me. I decided after a recent wine tasting that I have lost almost all my critical faculties.