Aldi triumphs in taste tests for Christmas

Aldi, Morrisons and Tesco have shared the plaudits in a celebrated Christmas taste test. The highly respected Good Housekeeping festive taste put the likes of Aldi and Lidl up against the big supermarkets - plus swanky shops like Harrods and Fortnum & Mason. And the cheaper stores have done impressively well.

All the taste tests are blind, so the judges don't take the cost into account at all. They tasted 30 stockists in 13 categories. By one measure, the overall winners were Morrisons and Tesco, both of which took the title in three categories.

However, Aldi deserves respect for eight top three positions across all the categories - the most of any supermarket. It will also be the winner that gains most interest from bargain hunters, because in every category but one (Christmas pudding), when it made the top three, it was far cheaper than its rivals.
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The winners

The testers named Aldi's Veuve Monsigny Champagne Brut as the best brand on test - despite costing just £12.99. The judges praised its 'fine bubble and lovely light flavour.' Second place went to the Ocado Faubert Brut Champagne at £19.99, and third to Waitrose Blanc de Noirs Brut NV Champagne at £21.99. All of them scored well ahead of their Fortnum & Masons competitor - which cost £32.50.

The cheaper stores romped home in the smoked salmon test. Morrisons took the two top spots - first with its M Signature offering at £5 and second with its Festive Christmas Tree Smoked salmon at £3. Aldi came third with its Specially Selected brand at £2.49.

Another unexpected name made the list of top three mince pies. Although Marks & Spencer won the overall title, Greggs was in second place, and the Aldi Specially Selected pies were third.

Sainsbury's won with its Taste The Difference 18 Month Matured Christmas Pudding. It was also cheaper than second placed Aldi Specially Selected Golden Topped Christmas Pudding. The Co-Op came third in that category.

Tesco, meanwhile took the turkey title with its Tesco Bronze Turkey. M&S was second here, followed by Morrisons.

If you were wondering where to pick up the tastiest treats for Christmas, therefore, this test would seem to show you should head to Morrisons for smoked salmon, stilton and cranberry sauce; Tesco for turkey, stuffing and brandy butter; Sainsbury's for Christmas pudding and Christmas cake; Aldi for Champagne and mulled wine; Waitrose for Prosecco; Marks & Spencer for mince pies; and Bettys for stollen.