{"id":1940,"date":"2025-04-12T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-12T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/?p=1940"},"modified":"2025-04-22T12:05:00","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T12:05:00","slug":"im-a-drinks-writer-and-didnt-rate-lidl-wine-until-i-tried-this-4-85-gem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/12\/im-a-drinks-writer-and-didnt-rate-lidl-wine-until-i-tried-this-4-85-gem\/","title":{"rendered":"I\u2019m a drinks writer and didn\u2019t rate Lidl wine \u2014 until I tried this \u00a34.85 gem"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n\t\t\"Rob\t<\/div>
Lidl has won me over with its new wines (Picture: Rob Buckhaven\/Lidl)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I\u2019m about to say something controversial… I\u2019ve never rated Lidl<\/a>\u2019s wine range as highly as Aldi<\/a>\u2019s. Until recently.<\/p>\n

Why? Firstly, because Lidl don\u2019t really promote their wines,<\/a> so you rarely hear about them. And until now, they haven\u2019t been as innovative or exciting. Sorry, not sorry.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Aldi\u2019s wines push the boundaries, providing us writers with content by releasing controversial wines<\/a> and budget versions of famous drinks<\/a> which tend to go viral on social media<\/a> (ahem, Toscana Rosso as the spitting image of the great SuperTuscan, Tignanello).<\/p>\n

In a plot twist, my mind was changed with a jolt the other day when I tasted nearly 60 of Lidl\u2019s core and seasonal wines which genuinely excited and impressed me. So much so, that I\u2019ll be lifting up the rock they\u2019re hiding under to alert you, in a second.<\/p>\n

Lidl do things a little differently than other supermarkets,<\/a> you see. They have regular \u2018wine tours\u2019 that unlock a small number of seasonally appropriate wines each month. Those wines then sell out to make way for the next month\u2019s entrants.<\/p>\n

Lidl UK work with an MW (Master of wine) called Richard Bampfield, a lovely man who is super candid about the wines he works with. For example, one year, he told me to avoid a particular red<\/a> at the tasting as he thought it was sub-par in quality. I dodged a bullet that day, though it might just have been a faulty bottle, to be fair.<\/p>\n

Anyway, flash forward to now, and Lidl\u2019s is one of my new favourite supermarket ranges. Here are ten of the top drops from their latest range…<\/p>\n

White Wine<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Chevalier de Fauvert Chardonnay Pays d\u2019Oc IGP, \u00a34.85, Available now<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"\"\t<\/div>
A real gem (Picture: Lidl)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Chardonnay naysayers, it\u2019s time to get over this nonsense. Saying you\u2019re not a fan of Chardonnay is like stating that you don\u2019t like chicken, which is basically impossible. This is a gem of a wine that tastes like a golden delicious apple pie, with dry lemon notes and minimal oak. Addressing the elephant in the room, namely the ludicrously low price, I would ring this through the till even at \u00a37, it\u2019s that good. <\/p>\n

Ventoux Blanc, \u00a36.99, Available Now<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Ventoux\t<\/div>
Very refreshing (Picture: Lidl)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

New wine discovery, unlocked. Ventoux is a subregion of the southern Rh\u00f4ne Valley that has yet to be discovered by the mainstream. If anything, this area is known more for its reds. Scorching days and cool nights have fashioned a white that\u2019s buzzing with lemon sherbet and green apple energy. In fact, it\u2019s so refreshing, I detected a spritzy quince note on the finish.<\/p>\n

Greco di Tufo DOCG, \u00a38.99, Available 29\/05<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Greco\t<\/div>
A lovely, lively drink (Picture: Lidl)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A fancy grape growing area south of Rome, Greco di Tufo in Campania is just inland from the Amalfi Coast. It\u2019s all hilly vineyards and volcanic soils, hence the term \u2018tufo\u2019 which means \u2018tuff\u2019 (soft, volcanic soil). The white wines are some of the most premium in Italy, and this lovely, lively white has a lightly smokey aroma, green apple and Mediterranean herbal flavours with a preserved lemon finish.<\/p>\n

Ros\u00e9<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Navarra DP Mezquiriz Rosado, \u00a36.99 (TBC), Available 26\/06<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"A\t<\/div>
A wine that’s worth the wait (Picture: Lidl)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I get it, July is a months away, but it\u2019s nice to have something to look forward to. This ros\u00e9 is absolutely worth the wait, with its berry-led nose leading to blueberry and redcurrant flavours. You’ll notice it\u2019s darker in colour than the usual ballet-slipper pink plonk, but that just means it\u2019s more food friendly. Whack this alongside a king prawn bhuna and feel the fireworks, in a good way.  <\/p>\n

Exquise OC Grenache Ros\u00e9, \u00a37.49, Available now<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Exquise\t<\/div>
A top notch pale wine from Languedoc (Picture: Lidl)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This is a great example of top notch, quenchsome pale ros\u00e9s coming from the Languedoc in southwest France. It\u2019s the world\u2019s biggest winemaking region, stretching from Carcassonne to Beziers on the Mediterranean side, that can grow just about any grape and make every style of wine imaginable. Not everything pink has to come from Provence, just saying.<\/p>\n

CaDel Lago Rosato Trevenezie, \u00a36.99, Available now<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"CaDel\t<\/div>
It has oodles of sunny apricot and blood orange notes (Picture: Lidl)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I wrote an entire column about this wine last year, and my feelings haven\u2019t changed. Unlike Aldi, Lidl don\u2019t really put their own spin on famous wines, unless you count this one. It bears an uncanny resemblance to C\u00e0 dei Frati Rosa dei Frati, which retails for \u00a325 a bottle. I\u2019m not mad at it though, as Lidl\u2019s has oodles of sunny apricot and blood orange notes, with a dry and delicious finish.<\/p>\n

Red<\/strong><\/h2>\n

IGP Cote de Thau Domaine de la Pommi\u00e8re, \u00a36.99, Available 29\/05<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"A\t<\/div>
Chill this wine and thank me later (Picture: Lidl)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A fresh, summery red made in a historic wine producing area on the Mediterranean side of France\u2019s Languedoc region. Here, we find flavours of pomegranate and Mediterranean herbs, with soft and pillowy texture from the Grenache and Syrah blend. Chill this one down and you can thank me for it later.<\/p>\n

Corbi\u00e8res, \u00a36.29, Available now<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Corbi?res,\t<\/div>
Give this one a whirl (Picture: Lidl)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I love the rusticity of Corbi\u00e8res, a region in the Languedoc region of France. There\u2019s no airs and graces about it, just lashings of hedgerow fruit, liquorice and plummy fruit leather flavours. What you taste is what you get, zero oak and lots of ripe fruit flavours. I gave this three stars in my tasting notes, so you should give it a whirl.<\/p>\n

Schieber Trilogia Kadarka, \u00a37.49, Available 24\/04<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"A\t<\/div>
Cherries with a kick of spice (Picture: Lidl)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ever heard of Bull\u2019s Blood, as in, the Hungarian wine? It\u2019s full bodied and legendary, also know as Bikav\u00e9r. The grape, Kadarka, is a key component. On its own, it produces lightweight, fruity, crisp and chillable reds for summer, for anyone who\u2019s a fan of Beaujolais. Think cherries with a kick of spice and you\u2019re in the right ballpark.  <\/p>\n

Primitivo di Manduria DOC, \u00a37.49, Available now<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Primitivo\t<\/div>
Logan Roy from Succession in liquid form (Picture: Lidl)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I love a no nonsense big swinger of a red and Primitivo is brawny, bold and unapologetic. Basically, Logan Roy from Succession in liquid form. It comes from Puglia on the heel of Italy, the most prestigious area in Italy for this particular grape. Right out of the gate, this intense wine delivers rich flavours of dried blueberries, cured meat, sweet tobacco and baking spices like it\u2019s Amazon Prime.<\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\t\tLooking for more expert drinks content?\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
\n

If you count yourself a purveyor of the finer things in life, Metro\u2019s Drinks Column is where you need to be.<\/p>\n

Immerse yourself in the world of good drink, fronted by industry expert Rob Buckhaven \u2013 a place for readers to whet their whistle with the latest and greatest in the world of drinks. From unpacking the best supermarket wines<\/a> from Aldi, Tesco and Lidl, to introducing audiences to the wallet-friendly Cremant out-bubbling the fanciest of French Champagnes<\/a> (or the best wines to drink after sex<\/a>), and finding out what it\u2019s like to go on a bar crawl with Jason Momoa,<\/a> this is a haven for those who love to celebrate.<\/p>\n

Stay ahead of the curve<\/a> as Rob plucks from the vines the wines of the season and the spirits you need to know about; speaking with experts and mixologists while unpacking the latest concoctions, finding the best non-alcoholic options<\/a> for those looking to moderate, discovering the best food pairings for your drops, and going up against the latest TikTok chatter to demystify the liquid landscape.<\/p>\n

Can you really make cheap vodka taste expensive by putting it through a Brita filter?<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

What happens when you put wine in a blender?<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

And, truly, how <\/a><\/em>should<\/em><\/a><\/strong>\u200b we be storing our wine?<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Read More.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Do you have a story to share?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Lidl has won me over with its new wines (Picture: Rob Buckhaven\/Lidl) I\u2019m about to say something controversial… I\u2019ve never rated Lidl\u2019s wine range as highly as Aldi\u2019s. Until recently. Why? Firstly, because Lidl don\u2019t really promote their wines, so you rarely hear about them. And until now, they haven\u2019t been as innovative or exciting. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1942,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[11],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1940"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1940"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1940\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1954,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1940\/revisions\/1954"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1942"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1940"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1940"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1940"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}