Drinks of the Month
Wine of the Week: Weiber Crémant d’Alsace
If you’re popping into Lidl this weekend to buy the wines I’ve recommended in my Guardian column*, try a bottle of this inexpensive sparkling wine too.
It’s from the Alsace region of France and is made entirely from riesling which makes it a bit different from the champagne-style sparkling wines out there. It's light (11.5%) and peachy with a touch of honeyed sweetness which should appeal if you’re a prosecco drinker. I’d serve it as an aperitif or possibly with a light dessert like a fresh fruit tart - or maybe to kick off a summer barbecue. Good value at £7.99
There’s also an attractive 2016 Tüzko gewürztraminer which is part of Lidl’s new Hungarian range. It’s also made in a sweeter style that I think would go particularly well with hot Thai food (though maybe not a Thai green curry) and would be also rather delicious with those milky Indian desserts (especially with mango). That’s just £6.99.
Both these wines are available on a WIGIG (when it’s gone it’s gone) basis so you may or may find them in store when you visit.
* the Zenit Tornai Princeszet 2016 (£5.99; 12.5% abv) and light red Dornfelder (12.5% abv), from the Pfalz (£4.99) Read more about them here.
Verus riesling 2013, Slovenia
I’ve been dithering about which of the Verus range to recommend as my wine of the week because frankly they’re all delicious but if you haven’t tried them before the riesling is a good starting point
Although it’s dry(ish) it has a floral character I haven’t quite come across anywhere else. I’m wondering if it’s a special Slovenian strain of the variety that makes it especially charming. Or maybe it’s just the ripeness (at 13% it’s relatively high in alcohol for a riesling.) It would make the perfect aperitif but would also be lovely with light food like a chicken or prawn salad.
The slightly out-of-date website doesn’t state whether it's organic or biodynamic but I’m suspecting it may be as it was still as fresh 4 or 5 days on as when we first opened the bottle.
Verus is a joint enterprise from three winemaker friends who come from winemaking families. If you’re ordering some do also try the slightly drier Furmint and gorgeous grapey Muskateller too. They’re more than reasonable for the quality at £11.99 online from the Real Wine Company or by the bottle from Field & Fawcett of York (£12.60) or Butlers Wine Cellar of Brighton (£12.99)
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