This month's tastings were lead by Clive and Susan, and explored wines that can be bought at the budget supermarkets Aldi and Lidl..
Despite the good value prices all the wines were surprisingly good. In fact some of the cheaper ones were amongst the most popular. The Wines are listed below.
Wine |
Notes |
Reviews & Awards (2015 unless stated) |
Aldi NV Veuve Monsigny Champagne Brut France 12% £10.99 |
Produced in collaboration with Champagne Phillzot, this is a traditional blend of equal parts Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Ageing in cellars 4 years more than the legal minimum has enhanced its complexity, elegance, length and balance. |
Decanter Magazine Commended. IWSC Bronze Medal |
Aldi 2014 Muscadet Sevre & Maine Sur Lie France 12% £6.99 |
Crispy, leafy mint and mouth watering lemon freshness dominate the nose and palate and are complimented by subtle traces of ripe stone fruits. A unique texture is achieved by keeping this wine on its total lees. |
IWSC Bronze Medal IWS Silver Medal Great Taste Magazine Award |
Lidl 2014 Cimarosa Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 12.5% £5.89 |
Pale Straw appearance with a pungent aroma of gooseberries and mango with a touch of grassiness. A dry palette with underlying lemon zest. |
Which? Best Buy Wine & Spirits |
Lidl 2012 Jean Cornelius Riesling Grand Cru Ollwiller France 12% £8.99 |
Only the best vineyards in Alsace are designated as Gran Cru and one can expect more depth of flavour. This exciting example is now showing mature Riesling flavours of baked apple. With great intensity and length, this would be a wonderful match for a wide variety of fish and poultry dishes. |
Top Pick - Matt Walls, Master of Wine Top Pick - Richard Bampfield, Master of Wine “Elegant and intense dry Riesling from grand cru vineyards in Alsace, with a good depth of flavour. Fairly rich and full in style, with peach kernel and spice, mouthwatering acidity and a harmonious balance. “A hint of maturity adds interest.” Decanter Magazine |
Aldi 2014 Budavar Merlot Cabinet Sauvignon 13.5% £3.49 |
. A deliciously smooth and juicy blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Plums, cherries and mild spice flavours combine to create an elegant, medium weight, easy drinking red wine. |
Top Pick - Grahame Lee, Great Western Wine Guild SWS Silver Medal “ Would chose this over many premier brands” Hugh Lyar
|
Lidl 2012 Cimarosa Gran Corte Colchagua Valley Chile 14.5% £9.99 |
Blends of red grapes often produce wines with more complexity of flavour than single varietal wines and this is a perfect example. Showing developed aromas of dried fruit, tobacco and eucalyptus, this has great depth of flavour and still retains an underlying sense of freshness and balance. Now at its peak. |
“This wine from Chile has scored again” Anthony Rose - Independant Top Pick - Richard Bampfield, Master of Wine |
Lidl 2013 Cru de la Valle e du Rhone Chateauneuf du Pape France 13.5% £11.49 |
Cinsault grape has been added to the three grape varieties traditionally approved, with Grenache forming the majority, along with Syrah and Mouvèdre, giving the red wine its colour, structure, aromas of summer fruits and aromatic complexity (hints of leather, etc) |
“My nose could just have easily been hovering over a pan of red fruits busy stewing to make a summer pudding. Intoxicating and rather encouraging! You wouldn’t usually put pepper or oak barrels anywhere near summer puddings, but that’s what you’ve got with this Châteauneuf without the punch and richness of that fruit. I will also pay this tipple the compliments of being ‘smoothed’ by the gentle oaking, and also of having soft, subtle tannins which are sympathetically balanced by a touch of acidity.” ‘Wine on Trial’ |