Lidl’s May Wine Tour and much more

Welcome back to MidWeek Wines’ Top Tips – your weekly pointer towards good-value bottles that punch above their price and won’t let you down.

Are you sometimes irked by the numerous wine recommendations in the press apparently aimed at people with deep pockets and racks of special occasion wine?

If so, this site is for you.

The focus here is on dependable, unpretentious wines, mostly under £10.

They are chosen because they taste good and represent genuine value – not because they impress on paper.

Here, then, are two more,  starting with a good source of such wines – Lidl Wine Tours.

Let’s start with a white.

Which wine should I buy?2024 Puglia Fiano

Why should I buy it? Fiano is one of southern Italy’s most appealing white grapes, and this Lidl Wine Tour edition has a clever trick up its sleeve – the grapes are lightly dried before pressing. This gives the wine extra roundness and a gentle sweetness that sets it apart from everyday whites. Catch it while you can, as Wine Tour ranges don’t hang around.

What does it taste like? Fruity and inviting on the nose, with smooth, slightly off-dry flavours of peach, red apple and quince. There’s a pleasing richness to the texture and a clean, lingering finish – the kind of white that works equally well on its own or alongside lighter food.

Where, how much and what abv? £7.49 in Lidl’s latest Wine Tour promotion and 12.5% abv.

… And, then, a companion red.

Which wine should I buy? 2025 Minimalista Malbec

Why should I buy it? Argentina’s Mendoza region has become one of the world’s great sources of malbec, and Argento are among the producers most responsible for making it a fixture on British supermarket shelves. This is a well-crafted wine of theirs at a genuinely good price – and better still on the Nectar deal.

What does it taste like? A generous, approachable red with a deep purple colour and lovely soft-fruit aromas. Loganberry and cherry flavours lead the way, with chocolate adding richness and gentle tannins playing a part too. Hints of liquorice, baking spice and mocha add a little extra interest without overcomplicating things.

Where, how much and what abv? £8 (Nectar price – down from £9.25 until 19 May) at Sainsbury’s and 13% abv.

Elsewhere in the Lidl Wine Tour.

Also well worth a look in those inviting Wine Tour wooden boxes are:

• 2024 Sassi del Mare Vermentino Toscana (£7.99 and 12.5% abv): Textured and floral with melon and quince flavours.
• 2025 Calalenta Rosé Fantini (£9.99 and 12.5%): Delicate with a watermelon and cherry base and lively acidic prickle
• 2024 Duca di Sasseta Puglia Nero Di Troia (£7.99 but check in store and 13.5% abv): Enticing chocolate aromas and smooth mulberry, black cherry and mocha flavours.

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Get a broader picture of wine – but still with its feet on the ground – with our sister site. Then, of course, re-join me on Monday.