Free Rosé in St Ann’s Square – hell yes!
| 8th June 2023
Aldi is giving away free Rosé today and tomorrow but only if the mercury hits 19.2 degrees or above!
The heat is on for the supermarket giant thanks to the world’s first billboard which dispenses the nation’s favourite summer tipple when the weather hits the perfect temperature.
And it’s happening today and tomorrow (Thursday June 8 and Friday June 10) in St Ann’s Square in Manchester City Centre.
It’s good news for those shopping or working in the centre as Aldi predicts the temperature will reach the sweet spot of 19.2C at 1pm, ideal for a cheeky lunchtime tipple and will last until 7pm.
Apparently, the taps start flowing from the giant billboard and won’t stop until the sun or the heat goes down.
The reason is that according to Aldi sales data the North West is the UK’s biggest rosé-loving region, who knew?
So, the supermarket is setting up the billboard to celebrate us and also ahead of National Rosé Day (10 June).
Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK, told VIVA: “Everyone’s heard the saying ‘it’s wine o’clock’ but we wanted to find out when it’s ‘rosé degrees’ – and according to the nation of rosé lovers, the ideal temperature is 19.2C.
“Setting up the world’s first billboard to dispense rosé at a certain warm temperature was a challenge in Manchester, which is noted for rain.
“But as the centre of the region which loves rosé more than any other in the UK , fortunately everything came up rosé.”
Aldi research of more than a thousand Brits has revealed two thirds of us think rosé is the ‘perfect summer drink’, while almost half think it’s best enjoyed in shorts and t-shirts – and a quarter start drinking it as soon as the winter coat comes off.
But ice is a divisive topic, with the country split in half when it comes to cooling their rosé; 55% think it’s acceptable when the weather is hot, while 45% claim they would ‘never’ dilute their drink.
Research by the supermarket also found that rosé lovers enjoy an average of 63 glasses throughout summer, spending £11.34 a bottle, with the preference being a glass of Provence at 5.18pm.
But despite a liking for Southern French vino, shoppers are decidedly more British when it comes to pairings, with over a third (34%) claiming crisps are the ultimate accompaniment to rosé.
Unexpected answers also include a roast dinner (16%), cake (13%), curry (10%), ice cream (6%) and doughnuts (6%) – rising to 11% of 25–34-year-old rosé drinkers.
And one in three rosé drinking Brits claim to have tried last year’s ‘spicy rosé’ TikTok trend in which sliced jalapeños are added to a glass of pink – rising to over half of millennials, with 15% claiming to add one to every glass.
The activity comes as Aldi is fast becoming a destination for rosé wine. Last year, the supermarket saw a 134% uplift in spring/summer sales year on year – with the most successful day coinciding with the August heatwave.
Sam Caporn, Mistress of Wine (best job title ever btw) added: “Rosé is the ideal summer drink, it really does add a sense of summer fun and al fresco vibes to any occasion with friends and family.
“When it comes to ‘whether’ to put ice in the glass or not, I’d advise rosé fans to be led by personal preference – which as ever – is all that really matters. Don’t worry too much about dilution as with rosé it’s all about refreshment and I love it being served super chilled.
“So, let’s raise a glass to the nation’s favourite vino for summer sipping, a drop of pink!”
VIVA will drink to that!