The monthly Wine Tour in Lidl is now well under way and contains its usual blend of the unfamiliar and the well-known.
With the latter, Lidl seem to apply the “If it ain’t broke …” principle – and I have no qualms about that.
Where successive vintages hit the right spot, it is sensible to use them again – not least because customers may recognise the label of a wine they enjoyed before.
In that category this time come an Alentejo red, a Rioja and a Zibibbo.
With a slight variation on that theme, chiantis by Casato dei Medici Riccardi have already featured twice this year.
Those two differed from one another but today sees yet another stablemate.
Taking the Tour as a whole, newcomers do also appear though.
And, using that complete picture, my top choices are described in detail below.
Among those, the rosé, zibibbo and ribeiro were my favourites.
The images and hyperlinks provided should help you to find most selections in crowded displays.
Starting with an impressive Italian white
2024 Duca di Sasseta Bianco Piemonte (£7.49 at Lidl while stocks last and 12.5% abv):
Here a business originally based in Tuscany ventures into NW Italy to produce an outstanding, Gavi-like white wine.
Rounded and delightfully aromatic, it contains bright yet delicate melon, white currant and nectarine flavours.
Background suggestions of herbs add complexity as does the mild sweetness that very effectively counterbalances the wine’s sharp lemon acidity.
Now to an unfamiliar corner of Spain
2023 Coto de Ibedo Ribeiro (£8.99 at Lidl while stocks last and 12.5%):
NW Spain’s Ribeiro region may not be familiar to some MidWeekers but it is just inland from Rias Baixas (of albarino fame).
Here, however, is an ideal opportunity to try a good example from the region – and one that blends godello, loureiro and treixadura (trajadura in Portugal) grapes.
Smooth with citrus pith aromas, it features distinctive greengage, pear and quince flavours.
They sit alongside nippy acidity and are delightfully embellished with clear background hints of savoury herbs.
Doubling back to Italy.
2024 Duca de Castelmonte Zibibbo, (£8.99 at Lidl while stocks last and 12%):
Zibibbo is the Sicilian name for a grape from the muscat family that really deserves a wider audience.
It is the variety behind the sweet Passito di Pantelleria masterpieces, but here provides a stylish white wine.
This example (which is younger than the versions Lidl have featured previously) is viscous yet is also imbued with floral fragrances and an evolving orange-influenced, sherbet-like, zestiness.
Those elements neatly underline the textured peach, melon and apple flavours that help to create its beautifully clean mouth-feel.
And on to rosé.
2024 Fantini Calalenta Merlot Rosé (£9.99 at Lidl while stocks last and13.5%):
Good to see this illustration of innovative winemaking from Italy’s Abruzzo region using merlot to create a quality rosé.
Given its modest tannin and flavours of soft fruit, merlot is a good choice for rosé and this one works really well.
Indeed, it outperforms many similarly priced examples from Provence.
Pale in colour but perfectly balanced, it showcases arresting watermelon, red currant and red plum flavours
That foundation is complemented by acidic verve and touches of both baking spice and dried herbs.
Now for a couple of reds.
2022 Almocreve Alentejano Tinto Reserva (£6.99 at Lidl and 13.5%):
Hours of sunshine and limited rain in Alentejo mean that ripening grapes is not a problem – but careful site selection and vineyard management is also is needed.
Get all that right and “over-cooked flavours” are avoided in favour of wine with ripe, concentrated fruit elements boasting balance and structure – like this one.
Dark with fruity aromas, this new vintage version revels in sweet-edged cherry, damson and chocolate flavours.
These are skilfully backed by lively acidity and modest tannin along with touches of star anise, violet and cedar.
Finally a return to Italy.
2019 Chianti Classico Riserva (£9.99 at Lidl while stocks last and 13.5%):
This producer has graced previous 2025 Wine Tours with reds from selected sub-regions within the broad chianti country.
Here, though, they opt for an example with more age than those relatively youthful (2022 and 2023) versions.
With double the normal minimum maturation period, riserva Chiantis usually display more complexity and softness – and that is very much in evidence here.
Medium bodied with a nutty twist, it brings us ripe cherry, plum and raspberry flavours.
Traces of thyme, clove and vanilla then join the party and they are supported by good acidity and firm tannin.
NB:- This is an additional item in the Wine Tour and may not be in all stores.
And as a bonus, a chance for experimentation
2023 Traminer Aromatico (£7.99 at Lidl while stocks last and 12%):
Traminer Aromatico is a close relative of (or possibly the same grape as) gewurztraminer but without the intense spiciness.
Examples from Venezie like this tend to be more subdued than those from Alto Adige – which, in turn, are dialled down from Alsace versions.
If you have not tried it in this form, then here is a (quite rare) opportunity to do so – and an experimentation that need not cost a lot.
Yellow in colour with white plum aromas, it provides distinctive greengage, apple and herbal flavours.
Accompanying them are sharp grapefruit acidity and a texture containing saline elements.
Best of the Rest.
- 2024 Blume Verdejo Ecologico Organic (£6.99):Tasty verdejo example with quince and melon flavours but incorporating sea shell savouriness too.
- 2024 Masseria Metrano Primitivo del Salento (£7.49): Loganberry and cherry flavours with a minty background.
- 2021 5 Oros Rioja Crianza (£7.99): Consistently sound rioja with a mineral backdrop to its blackberry and chocolate foundation.
My next post (on Monday) contains terrific recommendations of Top Tips for you in the weekly feature of the same name.
10 responses
For me the Blume Rueda Verdejo is outstanding at the price. More complex and intense than other more expensive Verdejos – I shall be popping back to my local Lidl today in the hope that a couple of bottles are still available.
An additional shout out for that 002 Block series Sauvignon Blanc in Morrisons which was recommended some time ago. It is currently reduced to £9 for club card holders with an additional reduction of 30% when buying any 3 bottles of their The Best range, of which it is one. Cracking value in my book.
Good to hear from you, Alf. I was taken with that Rueda – although not all tasters concurred – those distinctive tobacco aromas but the flavours and acidity did not quickly fade which is my problem with some inexpensive verdejo.
As for the Block Series, I hope that Morrisons view it as a success to be repeated and that the current discounts do not signify a lower response than expected.
Hello Brian,
All the Block Series wines deserved to be recommended .I very much enjoyed #005 Douro Godelho , great intensity and a rare single expression of this Portuguese grape and the #006 Paarl Chenin Blanc,gorgeous weight,nut and cream soufflé.
It is not just the Block Series on present discount ,but the Morrisons best wines as well.
I understand that a new series of Block wines are in the offing,although the original numbers will eventually be redundant.Don’t think there will be a #013.Can’t wait!
Hi all,
Brian’s previous Lidl Tour selection 1/8/25 enticed us to purchase a few to try. We returned quickly to re-purchase the remaining four bottles of the 2024 PFAFFL Muskateller which has won our value wine of 2025 title when purchased with the Lidl Plus offer. A wonderfully aromatic tipple.
The rest were also pretty good so a return to Lidl in next 48 hours is planned.
We also much enjoyed the 002 Block SB so with discount will re-stock.
Regards to all 🍷
Tip – We’ve found that Lidl stores in urban or student areas usually have remaining stock of the £7+ wine ranges.
Richard, I like your tip re locating the more expensive wines! It might have some bearing now I think about it on Lidl’s special cheeses availability–I scoured Herts and Liverpool Lidls (ok, 4 in total) for my beloved Italiamo Week selection, and one store was the only one with the full range….
Ah! Lidl Cheeses. Spent half my life dodging all gorgonzola because it used to be just too powerful and without mitigation. Then, I discovered the two Lidl versions … and paradise was resumed!
There are indeed stars in this Tour and that rosé is a great option to see out the dwindling days of summer. As can see, your “Which Store” tip has also already struck a chord with Michele.
I would like to see a range of South African reds and whites, preferably from around Robertson.
The Spanish 2022 Coto de Ibedo Ribeiro appeared in Feb 2024 MWW review of the then Lidl wine tour ,where it was star of the show.Good to see the 2023 has come back on the shelves.With £1 off using Lidl Plus card at present,so 11% reduction to £7.99
It certainly heads my list.
PS Don’t make the mistake of this wine going through before you have flashed the Lidl plus card bar code-it does not work retrospectively.
It’s a pity that this is not available in all Lidl stores as it seems to have (courtesy, I imagine, of the godello) a little more texture that I usually associate with its two aromatic “Vinho Verde” partner grapes that are encountered more often on the other side of the border in Portugal.