The Festive Collection Wine Advent Calendar + Happy Farms Preferred Cheese Calendar

Last Updated on November 6, 2019

EDITOR’S NOTE: This post is about Aldi’s Advent calendars in 2018. To read about Aldi’s wine, cheese, and beer Advent calendars for 2019, click here. 

In 2017, Aldi UK released a Wine Advent Calendar in its stores. It proved so popular that Aldi brought it back to the United Kingdom again in 2018. Taking note of this development, Aldi US decided to follow suit, and in 2018 released a wine calendar of its own alongside its ever-growing advent calendar collection … and added a cheese calendar to boot.

The hype has been serious on these boxes. Let’s talk about what we know.

The Festive Collection Wine Advent Calendar

Credit: Aldi. Click to enlarge.

The Festive Collection Wine Advent Calendar is new to U.S. stores in 2018. It is a Special Buy (ALDI Find), which means that Aldi will only stock a limited number in each store. (Our understanding is that many stores will get between 10-12 of them.) In most places the calendar retails for $69.99, although Aldi warns that the “price may vary due to state and local laws.” We assume that means that, in some places, the price will be higher.

Additionally, some states and localities prohibit Aldi from selling alcohol altogether, and Aldi notes which stores don’t sell beer and / or wine in its store locator.

There is a limit of one calendar per customer. Unlike some Special Buys, which can appear on store shelves a little early, we’ve been told this one won’t be available before Wednesday, November 7th. That means, if you really want this, you may want to line up early Wednesday morning.

Credit: Aldi. (Click to enlarge.)

The Wine Calendar comes with 24 individually packaged 187-ml. mini wine bottles. Here is the full wine list:

• 2 x Prosecco Extra Dry, Italy
• 2 x Chardonnay, Australia
• 2 x Chenin Blanc, South Africa
• 2 x Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand
• 2 x White Zinfandel, U.S.A.
• 2 x Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia
• 2 x Pinot Grigio, Italy
• 2 x Malbec, Argentina
• 2 x Shiraz, Australia
• 2 x Red Blend, Italy
• 2 x Merlot, Chile
• 2 x Sauvignon Blanc, Chile

Happy Farms Preferred Cheese Calendar

Credit: Aldi. Click to enlarge.

The Happy Farms Preferred Cheese Calendar is, like the Wine Calendar, a Special Buy (ALDI Find) new to the United States, and each store will only get a limited stock to hit shelves November 7th, 2018. The cheese calendar retails for $12.99 and will be limited to three per customer.

The Cheese Advent Calendar will include 24 imported European “snack-sized” mini cheeses, including Cheddar, Gouda, Edam, Havarti and Red Leicester. The cheeses will hail from the United Kingdom, Holland, and Denmark.

The Verdict:

We’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments. Did you get your hands on one or another? What did you think? Let us know.