Aldi has launched the UK's first supermarket Wine School and it’s a completely free online course.
Whether you know your Chablis from your Shiraz or simply don’t know where to start, there is always more to learn about wine, and lockdown is the perfect time to start.
Courses on the best tipples can cost hundreds of pounds, which isn’t always affordable, but now budding wine connoisseurs can brush up on their knowledge and earn themselves an Aldiploma - without paying a penny.
Aldi’s jargon-busting Wine School includes tips and tricks from the experts over eight modules, curated by the supermarket and the Mistress of Wine, Sam Caporn.
Research commissioned by the popular supermarket shows that 91 per cent of the UK’s wine drinkers admit to bluffing about their wine and grape knowledge to impress friends and family.
Sam said: "Aldi is known for offering great quality wines at affordable prices with many award-winning bottles available for under £5. But sometimes, deciding which one to choose can be overwhelming.
"That’s why the Aldi Wine School, with its jargon-free courses, hints and tips, is perfect for giving customers the confidence to try new things - we hope that it helps to spark a sense of fun and excitement when it comes to learning about wine!"
Aldi’s Wine School follows the success of its 2019 Aldiploma, which included a series of six, free online modules.
This year’s course sees the addition of modules seven and eight - ‘A Guide to New World Wines’, which explores new up and coming wine regions, and a ‘Wine and Food Matching’ masterclass.
The course includes educational PDF's that are free to download and short videos hosted by Sam taking you through each module.
Aldi has also enlisted the help of influencer Sarah Turner, better known as The Unmumsy Mum, who trialled the modules available.
Sarah said: "I usually feel bamboozled by the labels in the wine aisle and pick up a Shiraz out of habit, simply because I know I like it. The Aldiploma course bought me sheer joy in swapping phonics and fronted adverbials for a bit of grown-up homelearning.
"Since completing these bitesize modules, I’ve discovered I also like Malbec and I’ve now got the confidence in trying to pick out what I can smell and taste in the glass."
Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK, said: "Our entry-level Aldiploma course has already helped thousands of wannabe wine buffs to discover the best ways to taste wine, get to grips with their grape varieties and have the knowledge needed when selecting a wine.
"The Aldi Wine School is the next logical step in our mission to open up the wonderful world of wine to all."
Aldi Wine School Course Modules
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Module 1 : Discover how to identify different types of wine, understand the labels and speak the jargon
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Module 2: A step-by-step guide to grape varieties, different flavours and quality
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Module 3: Everything you need to know about white wine and how it’s made
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Module 4: Learn to love the reds and how they are made
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Module 5: An essential guide to classic wines, grapes and regions
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Module 6: Explore other wine styles including sparkling, sweet and fortified wines
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Module 7: Discover New World wines and the latest up-and-coming regions
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Module 8: Choosing the best wine styles to pair with different food
Find out more about the Aldi Wine School and sign up for free on the website here.
