It’s time for another Lidl Wine Tour and – judging by this site’s metrics – the enthusiasm for them among MidWeekers seems undimmed.
There is a clear Italian theme in the current one – and some wines featured have appeared before.
Lidl now include regional variations in these promotions, so not all the complete Wine Tour components will be in every store.
Consequently, I have concentrated on the “UK wide” list for this review but, in any event, some stores do sell out of popular options very quickly.
Equally, though, stores may also have wines selected to be exclusive to the local area.
These have not been considered in this review.
All that said, here are the bottles that, for me, are the highlights of this time’s widely available Wine Tour constituents.
Do use the Comments section to let me know what you think.
As is normal here, pictures and hyperlinks are provided where possible to guide you straight to the right wine on shelf or web page.
Starting with a white
2024 Haraszthy Sauvignon Blanc (£8.99 at Lidl while stocks last and 12.5% abv):
Although Tokaj steals most headlines about Hungarian wine, other regions also have a good story to tell.
This is from Etyek-Buda, west of Budapest, and claims to offer New World style sauvignon.
To me though it is more like supercharged, yet subtle, Loire versions – and there is nothing whatever wrong with that.
In fact, it is a good illustration of the (probably climate induced) shift of Europe’s prime sauvignon territory.
Opening with lemon based aromas, the wine itself delivers rounded apple, greengage and melon flavours.
These are ably supported by lively grapefruit acidity, crunchy green pepper elements and a lingering finish.
Now a quartet of reds
2023 Passamano Frappato Syrah (£6.99 at Lidl while stocks last and 14%):
I have featured this wine before (with its distinctive white paper covering) but it justifies a return visit because it is such a perfect summer red.
It combines the soft, fruity, lightness of Sicily’s aromatic Frappato grape with a bit of syrah backbone.
The result is an uncomplicated offering with gentle, minty strawberry and red cherry flavours.
A touch of clove, firm tannin and mineral edged savouriness adds to the attractiveness of a wine that, on the palate, defies its substantial alcohol level.
Moving north east.
2023 Primitivo del Salento (£8.99 at Lidl while stocks last and 14%):
Along with the montepulciano grape, Puglia’s primitivo remains the “safe option” in Italian restaurants.
However, inspired or influenced by the brilliant versions from Manduria, Salento primitivos in particular are on an upward curve towards even greater heights.
Take this example – it has aromatic, medium bodied cherry, loganberry and fruit tea flavours that give it real depth on your taste buds.
Cinnamon and star anise lead the accompanying elements with a twist of sweetness that, to me, includes a trace of peach.
On to Central Italy
2023 Casato dei Medici Riccardi Chianti Montalbano (£8.99 at Lidl while stocks last and 13%):
Back in March, Lidl’s Wine Tour included (and I recommended) this producer’s Chianti Rufina.
This is from a different Chianti sub-zone (Montalbano) – on the other side of Florence – and often considered an area that produces slightly softer and fruitier wines.
Within that subzone, incidentally, lies the area that was the first to incorporate cabernet sauvignon into chianti.
Medium bodied and slightly herbal, this version exhibits textured black cherry, bramble and tomato flavours.
Aromas of black fruit, firm tannin, good acidity and suggestions of vanilla and sugared almond sweetness complete the picture.
And finishing in France.
2023 Côtes du Rhône Villages Seguret (£7.99 at Lidl while stocks last and 14%):
Last year I recommended the previous vintage of this Southern Rhône red.
It is from one of the handful of communes allowed to add its name to the “Côtes du Rhône Villages” designation.
2023 was a cooler and less drought afflicted year and, as a result, the wines seem more balanced and finessed – and I can certainly recommend this example.
Dark in colour with black fruit aromas, it has smooth bramble, cherry and damson flavours as its foundation.
Joining the party are lively acidity, balanced tannin plus mint, olive and dark chocolate influences together with a graphite edge.
Friends Re-united.
As I said at the outset, several wines re-appear this time and, if you have previously enjoyed any of those listed below, the current versions seem consistent with what has gone before:
- Greco di Tufo (£8.99).
- Nero d’Avola Sicilia (£7.99).
- Duce di Saswta Viognier Terrre Siciliane (£7.49)
Call in again on Monday when the spotlight falls on Top Tips from other retailers that offer especially good value at a store near you.
7 responses
Can you cover more whites that are not Sauvignon? Thank you!
Hi Barbara and good to hear from you. Obviously I cannot ignore probably the most popular white wine on these shores at the moment but I do try to ring the changes – white Rhone and pinot gris were featured in the last few weeks alone. On this particular promotion, the sauvignon was the stand-out white and, to me, performed significantly better than the other Wine Tour whites – and I felt that the Tour was stronger on reds than whites.
However, there is a very pleasant Portuguese white coming up as a Top Tip a week on Monday.
Hi Brian,
I bought a bottle of the 2024 Haraszthy Sauvignon Blanc. Totally agree with your “supercharged, yet subtle, (like) Loire versions” description, i.e. a different style from typical NZ SB examples.
Also bought the Austrian Müller Niederösterreich Rose, which we much enjoyed – fresh and fruity, but with decent weight, a VG food rose. And the 2023 Aglianico Beneventano Calapirata, which I’m looking forward to trying.
Finally opened your recent M&S Marzemino recommendation, which I thought was a really super wine, and cracking value at £8. Modest alcohol, lightish style, but more character and interest than a typical, similar price point, Beaujolais. Served slightly chilled, a really useful summer red. I’ve only drunk a couple of Marzemino wines before, a few bottle of the 2020 Sainsburys’ TtD examples and a Marzemino Trentino, Castel Firmian 2022, from the Wine Society, which is no longer listed. Enjoyed all of them.
Hello Brian
I’m still punting the Austrian Müller rosé at Lidl just now as a worthwhile purchase of its kind that comes in a tad meatier than many rosés at a lighter body-end. More Tavel than Provence if you get my drift. It satisfies my aperitif requirements, well chilled, with some of Lidl’s Italian lattice crisps that are down in price too.
That’s what I’m enjoying more these days about both food and drink at Lidl that have reductions applying way more than they did in the past, when using their Clubcard app. Maybe I’m lucky but they do discount a lot of stuff I actually want to buy in their Continental ranges, especially French and Italian. But a mention too for Greece and Iberia when this upcoming USA week I will pass on!
I tried a bottle of the June Wine Tour Aglianico last week that disappointed me. It scored so high and I can’t imagine why. A lack of real Italian character and the sort of stuff that many would call thin I’m sure.
Not in The Tour I picked-up on a Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 13.5% abv tucked away in a listing I almost missed. Available from 12/06 it says, £7.99 down to £5.49. Nice to try with a pack of Deluxe Linguine or Bronze Tagliatelle both at 99p with an appropriate ragu.
To close another discount that stopped me in my tracks. Their terrific single malt Ben Bracken range is down from £18.49 to £15.99. No single malts anywhere are cheaper. The Highland malt was I seem to remember back in January given a thumbs up here on MWW but the Islay bottle without setting the woods on fire is very good value for this money. It may or may not be a specific Caol Ila, who knows what for certain, but it hits my spot for a lovely bedtime dram.
For now Brian ..slàinte mhath …
At £7.99 a bottle the Seguret is an absolute bargain.
Have bought this whenever it’s available, never been disappointed.
Punches well above its price, ans is great with Pork dishes!
Bargain Alert!
Asda are selling the Belorante Primitivo from Puglia 13%abv at £5.52.Another supermarket is selling it for £10.50.
Very colourful Peacock label,there are four wines in the Belorante range,all decent,good quality and authentic examples of their grape- although I thought the initial pricing was a bit toppy.
The Belorante range is the Treasury Wine Estate (TWE)attempting to go up into mid market.They tried to sell off some of their lost cost wines without success.Unsusprising! To be fair they do sell outstanding Penfolds wines as well.
By the way,my local Asda only charged me £5.10 which made it even more special!
Two typos ” low cost wines” and “surprising”.I blame the shock of the discount on the wine!