01/04/2019 – Colnem, Costières de Nimes 2017

(2019) A typical blend of grape varieties from this area that is a southern extension of the Rhône Valley, this is made up of 35% Roussanne, 30% Grenache Blanc, 15% Vermentino, 15% Marsanne and 5% Viognier. There's gentle pear and a little boiled sweet, cold ferment character, then a touch of mint leaf of basil. In the mouth there is plenty of sweet peachy fruit in a wine that is light, arguably a touch dilute, but then that does aid the freshness and ensure it avoids the blowsy tendency of those southern varieties, the juicy lemon acidity balancing well into the finish. A highly quaffable, lowish alcohol wine that's perfect for drinking this summer. In Lidl stores as part of their 'wine tour', spring 2019. Watch the video for more information.

(2019) The mountainous inland region of Dão produces some great wines in northern Portugal, including this excellent blend of 40% Aragonez (tempranillo), with 30% each of Alfrocheiro and Touriga Nacional. Oak aged, this has a sumptuous and very inviting nose, filled with tobacco spice and dark berry fruits, there's a hint of cocoa and of a lighter, raspberry or even floral character. In the mouth the fruit really punches through, ripe, creamy and sweet, the gentle, background tannins and acidity together with that vanilla and tobacco spice linger in the finish. A great little buy in Lidl's spring 2019 'wine tour' which kicked off on 28th March. Note however, reports have reached me on 30th March of several stores being sold out of this wine.