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The StoryThe Antoine Delaune Beaujolais Villages 2018 is a $6.99 ALDI import exclusive. ALDI (both ALDI North Trader Joe's in America and ALDI South) is a German company with stores thru out Europe the US and Australia and has over 10,000 stores which give them tremendous buying power.In Europe, Great Britain, and Ireland they are the bang for the buck wine shop. Their wines are consistent award winners and they have contacts with quality European wine producers. With over ten thousand stores ALDI can move a great deal of wine.I have had good luck with ALDI's American wines, but I always keep my eyes open for interesting well-priced European wines. With ALDI's buying power it has a good chance of being pretty good and pretty cheap. And Beaujolais is just the place for for a bargain.Beaujolais is the French wine district just south of Burgundy, to the north of Burgundy is Champagne. Beaujolais has some pretty pricey neighbors and its wine can get overlooked.Beaujolais does the Gamay grape, which is a grape that always reminds me of Pinot Noir. Since it is known for one thing, it is much easier to figure out than most French growing regions.First, there is Beaujolais Nouveau, a portion of the grape harvest is set aside for this extremely young wine. On the 3rd Thursday in November (kind of sounds like our Thanksgiving), the wine is released for sale and the whole region throws a major party. The day of the party is set by law so if the harvest is early or late, it does not matter, the wine gets released ready or not.Then there is just Beaujolais wine, which is a wine from any part of the growing region after that is Beaujolais Villages. That is gravers taken from what is deemed to be the 38 best villages for growing Gamay grapes. Then there are Cru wines that come from the ten best villages.It is fairly simple for wine, which tends to be overly complicated for seemingly no reason. Also since its neighbors to the north get all the press and all the high-rollers Beaujolais is well-priced. All but the highest-end Cru wines can be found for under $25 or $30 dollars with most of the wines being under twenty bucks.This region has had vineyards since the Romans came to stay a long long time ago. So, Beaujolais is a well-respected growing region, that only has to get one thing right (the Gamay grape), has affordable wine, and knows how to throw a party.Antoine Delaune Beaujolais Villages 2018 Tasting NotesThe color is a garnet red, not unlike Pinot Noir, but darker and less see-thru. The nose is raspberry, pepper, and spice, a little herb, a touch of crushed autumn leaves, spearmint, and cherry. This is a well-balanced wine, with a nice mix of smooth and slightly rough flavors.It tastes of sweet black cherry, red cough drops, sharp spice, and soft plum. The mid-palate adds cranberry, strawberry (not too sweet), and a light, soft brush lightly rough tannins. The acidity is fine, it lets the flavors unfold and does not get in the way.The Summary* The Antoine Delaune Beaujolais Villages 2018 is a very solid $6.99 wine, it drinks well, I have no issues with it.* If you are interested in the wines of Beaujolais this is a pretty good place to start your journey.* Sometimes when you go too cheap on a wine it isn't very representative of the other wines of the region.

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