Aldi Wine Expert Debunks 7 Common Wine Myths

How To Enjoy Good Wine Without Overspending

Wine has a reputation for being complicated. There are rules, rituals, old sayings and party tricks that get passed around as fact. Some of them sound convincing, some feel oddly specific, and many are simply not true!

Aldi’s wine expert Sam Caporn, one of only 418 Masters of Wine worldwide, has stepped in to clear up seven of the most common wine myths shoppers still believe. And the good news is this: understanding them could actually help you enjoy wine more and avoid spending more than you need to.

Here’s what she says.

Myth 1: All Wine Improves With Age

This is probably the most common belief. People assume that if a bottle sits in a cupboard long enough, it will magically get better.

The reality is much simpler.

Most supermarket wines are made to be enjoyed within one to three years of bottling. That includes most whites and rosés. They are designed to be fresh, bright and easy to drink.

Some reds with high tannins or acidity, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Nebbiolo, can benefit from ageing. But that does not mean every bottle needs to sit untouched for five years.

Money-savvy tip: There is no financial benefit in “saving” everyday supermarket wine. If it was £6 when you bought it, it is not turning into a £30 bottle in your airing cupboard. Drink it and enjoy it while it is at its best.

Myth 2: A Silver Spoon Keeps Fizz Fresh

You may have seen this at a party. Someone pops a spoon handle-down into the neck of an open bottle of sparkling wine and insists it keeps the bubbles in.

According to Sam, it does not.

Sparkling wine keeps its fizz because of the natural pressure inside the bottle. A spoon does nothing to maintain that pressure. If you want bubbles to last, a proper sparkling wine stopper is the only thing that actually helps.

Money-savvy tip: If you regularly open Prosecco or Champagne and do not finish it in one go, a reusable sparkling stopper is a better investment than relying on the cutlery drawer myth.

Myth 3: Screwcaps Mean Cheap Wine

There is still a perception that cork equals quality and screw caps equal budget.

In reality, many high-quality wines now use screwcaps deliberately. They prevent cork taint and help preserve freshness, particularly in fruit-driven white wines.

Some of the world’s best producers have moved to screwcaps for practical reasons, not cost-cutting ones.

Money-savvy tip: Do not avoid a bottle purely because it has a screw cap. You could be walking past a genuinely excellent wine because of an outdated assumption.

Myth 4: Sparkling Wine Is Only for Celebrations

Sparkling wine often gets saved for birthdays, anniversaries and New Year’s Eve. But it is far more versatile than that.

Brut Champagne works brilliantly with fried foods. Yes, even fish and chips. It also pairs beautifully with hard cheeses such as Cheddar or Comté. Rosé sparkling wine can complement seafood, sushi, charcuterie and even duck.

It does not have to be an “occasion” bottle.

Money-savvy tip: Instead of spending more on a premium still wine for a dinner party, consider a good-value sparkling option. It can feel more special without necessarily costing more.

Myth 5: Expensive Wine Always Tastes Better

This one affects people’s wallets more than anything else.

Price does not automatically equal quality. Taste is personal. An affordable bottle can be just as enjoyable as something three times the price.

Aldi’s wine range starts from £1.79, and part of the appeal is being able to explore different styles without feeling like you are taking a financial risk.

Money-savvy tip: If you find a £6 or £7 bottle you genuinely like, that is a win. You do not need to “upgrade” just because a label suggests you should.

Myth 6: Cork in Your Glass Means the Wine Is Faulty

Finding small bits of cork floating in your wine can look worrying. But it usually just means the bottle was not opened cleanly.

A dry cork or an incorrectly inserted corkscrew can cause small fragments to break off. That does not automatically mean the wine is corked.

The real test is simple. Smell it. Taste it. If it smells musty or damp like wet cardboard, that can indicate cork taint. If it smells and tastes fine, it probably is.

Money-savvy tip: Do not throw away a bottle purely because you see a few cork crumbs. Strain them out and judge the wine by taste.

Myth 7: Wine ‘Legs’ Mean It’s Good Quality

Those streaks that run down the inside of a wine glass, often called “legs”, look impressive. Many people assume they signal a better wine.

In fact, they are simply linked to alcohol and sugar levels. They say nothing about flavour or quality.

A wine can have dramatic legs and still disappoint. Another can look fairly plain in the glass and taste fantastic.

Money-savvy tip: Trust your palate over visual tricks. It is your taste that matters, not how it looks in the glass.

Aldi’s Standout Bottles to Try

If you are curious to test some of this advice in practice. Aldi’s award-winning wines give shoppers the chance to explore a wide variety of styles without overspending.  

Sam’s top picks include:  

• Specially Selected Rosorange Rosé (£9.99) “By blending two different styles – orange and rosé – you get the best of both worlds; the personality of the orange wine is made more inviting by the freshness and elegance of the rosé. Genius!” 

• Veuve Monsigny Champagne Brut (£15.99) “Named World’s Best Champagne at the World Champagne Awards 2025¹, this beautiful fizz has aromas of ripe apple, soft red fruit and brioche. It’s a testament to expert winemaking without the premium price tag.”   • Specially Selected Stellenbosch Chardonnay (£6.29)

“From one of South Africa’s finest winemaking regions, this wine offers ripe, vibrant aromas and exceptional freshness.”   • Combe d’Argent Bordeaux

“Crafted from a classic Merlot and Cabernet blend, the Combe d’Argent Bordeaux is a wonderfully well-rounded red, boasting a deep, intense crimson hue and offering aromas of fresh redcurrants and berries.” (£7.99)

Why This Actually Matters

Wine can feel intimidating. That often leads people to overspend because they assume a higher price equals a safer choice. Understanding these myths does two things.

First, it makes wine feel less mysterious. Second, it removes the pressure to chase expensive labels or outdated “rules”.

Wine should be enjoyable and approachable, and it does not have to cost a fortune! If you enjoy a £6 bottle more than a £20 one, that is not a mistake, that's likely just the ned result of savvy shopping!

Aldi Cashback

One thing worth knowing for money-savvy shoppers is that Aldi itself does not currently offer traditional cashback through the usual cashback websites. That means you cannot normally earn a percentage back on your shop in the same way you might with other supermarkets. However, there is still a workaround. You can buy an Aldi gift card through the cashback app JamDoughnut and use that to pay for your shopping. The app runs a daily game show called Win It Back, which airs every weekday at 4 pm. If your purchase is selected, you could automatically win back between 10% and 100% of the gift card's value. Winning is pure; luck, of course, you may never win, but if you were planning to shop at Aldi anyway, it gives you at least a chance of getting money back on your shop!