3 good white wine buys from Lidl

Yesterday saw Lidl release the latest tranche of the limited edition wines it adds to its range every couple of months.

I tasted my way through 11 of them and on the whole was quite disappointed. Either the quality was poor - thin, acidic, clunkily oaked - or the prices a fair bit more expensive than they used to be. £8.99 and £9.99 is by no means rare at Lidl these days.

Here are 3 that made the cut and which I’d strongly recommend

Tornai Juhfark 2017 12% £6.99

My best buy of the three - this unpronounceable Hungarian wine (which sounds a bit 'you f**k' according to this pronounciation guide) is dead classy - very clean, smooth, dry - not dissimilar from a good Soave. A wine you could happily drink with antipasti, seafood pasta dishes and risottos and simply grilled fish.

Incidentally I don't know on what basis wotwine whose ratings appear on the Lidl site says it's worth £8 but I'd actually be quite happy to pay £9 for it.

Riesling Scheurebe halbtrocken Pfalz 2017 11.5% £4.99

Although it says halbtrocken - i.e. medium dry - it really doesn’t come across as sweet at all thanks to a lovely fresh acidity. Scheurebe adds a lush note of grapefruit and passionfruit to the blend. Ridiculously good value at this price - it would be great with south-east Asian or Cantonese food.

Les Figuerettes Picpoul de Pinet 2017 £6.99 Cave de l’Ormarine 12.5%

A good example of the fact that Lidl is no cheaper than other supermarkets these days (Tesco’s pretty reliable own label finest* picpoul is only £33.60 a case - i.e £5.60 a bottle currently.) But it’s a decent example from a reliable co-operative so if you’re in Lidl anyway I’d pick it up. Bright, zesty and lemony. Again, good for seafood.

And, not exactly bargain basement, but if you’re looking for a decent red …

Outlook Bay Gimblett Gravels Reserve Syrah 2015 12.5% £9.99

The most appealing of the reds I tried, this comes from New Zealand’s best area for syrah in the Hawkes Bay region of the North Island. Bright, ripe and juicy but, given the vintage (it's now 3 years old), drink it sooner rather than later.

4 good red wine buys from Lidl

Lidl’s limited edition releases which come out every couple of months are always worth looking out for - and considerably more interesting than their basic range. Here are four that caught my eye at their recent tasting and which have just gone on sale.

Olas del Sur Reserva Privada Merlot 2017 13% £4.99

The under £5 red has almost become extinct so hurrah for this soft velvety merlot from Chile, a grape variety it always does very well. Perfect bank holiday drinking

Almocreve Tinto Reserva 2015 Alentejano 13.5% £5.99

Portuguese reds are some of the best buys around and those from the Alentejo (of which Alentejano is a sub-classification) some of the most appealing. An easy drinking supple red that works particularly well with Italian food such as spaghetti bolognese and pizza

Cellier de Montrerail Beaumes de Venise 2016 15% £7.99

The Beaumes de Venise region of the Rhône is better known for its sweet wines but also produces hearty reds like this walloping 15% blend of grenache, syrah and mourvedre. That said the alcohol isn't overpowering and it's a good generous southern French red that would go well with a Sunday roast or a hearty stew. (So no, not particularly summery but worth stashing away for autumn at this price)

Outlook Bay Pinot Noir 2016, Central Otago 13.5% £8.99

Central Otago pinot noir has become some of the most prized in New Zealand but it doesn’t generally come cheap so discovering this bottle at £8.99 is a win.

Like most Otago pinots it’s got lashings of sweet ripe red berry fruit - maybe too much for some of you but I think it’s well-judged and beautifully in balance. You need to serve it lightly chilled and with something like crispy duck pancakes (duck is always good with pinot) or a barbecue where its big flavours will take on allcomers.

I wasn’t mad about any of the whites to be honest but if you’re in need of a bottle the 2016 Les Aubrières Chardonnay from the Loire - a lighter, fresher style of chardonnay than most - is a decent buy for £5.99

Zünftler Black Forest Cherry Schnapps

If you’re planning to celebrate the start of Oktoberfest this weekend (yes, in September - I *know*) snap up this full-size bottle of Zünftler cherry schnapps from Lidl for just £14.99

It’s drier than kirsch (think grappa rather than a liqueur) and packs quite a punch but would be good as an after dinner shot after a hearty wurst-laden meal*. You can drink it as a frozen shot but having tried it that way I’d serve it at room temperature and let anyone who wants to add an ice cube or two. Handsome bottle as well if you want to take it along as a present.

Celebrate your own Oktoberfest!

Lidl is also stocking two really cheap German beers over the next couple of weeks - a Festbier and Wheat Beer - both at 99p and a shandy-style drink, Naturtrübes Radler, for 59p. I haven't tried any of these so can't vouch for them but I'd take a chance on the beers.

Alternatively try this delicious recipe for Oktoberfest chicken