Every two months LIDL UK brings its ‘Wine Tour’ into stores, with a selection of a couple of dozen wines purchased as special parcels, often one-offs, and following a theme. Launching July 22nd 2021 is the French-themed summer tour, and as usual, I have rounded up and tasted a small selection from it. Note that these wines should be in all stores from the 22nd, but as special parcels, some sell out fairly quickly.
White Wines
(2021) Producer Leroy Chevalier appears to be a négociant bottling wines from various appellations, and the grape varieties here are unstated buy most be local varieties such as Mauzac and Muscadelle. Pale green in colour, the nose is pretty and attractive with the floral and leafy, soft green herbal notes, a touch of elderflower typical of this region's dry whites. The palate is bright, softly-fruity and the epitome of easy-drinking, with a nice juicy tangerine core of acidity for a very pleasant summery mouthful of wine. Part of Lidl's summer wine tour 2021.
Le Cellier Savoyard, Savoie Blanc 2019
Savoie, France, Dry White, Cork, 11.5% abv(2021) In the east of France, close to the Swiss border, Savoie is a mountainous area that is relatively unfamiliar name on UK wine shelves, so nice to have this example from Lidl. Grapes in the blend are unidentified, but almost certainly include a high proportion of Jacquère, the dominant local variety. With only 11.5% alcohol, it's a delicate, very fresh and very charming wine, the nose all orange blossom and peach down, the palate filled with sweet pear juice and peachy fruit, light-bodied and almost weightless, with a dry finish as decent acidity kicks in.
Jean Cornelius, Alsace Riesling 2019
Alsace, France, Dry White, Synthetic cork, 12.5% abv(2021) The nose is rather neutral on this Alsace Riesling, apple and lemon, maybe the vaguest suggestion of honey. On the palate there's some residual sweetness, and good clarity, lemon being the predominant note to fruit and acidity. If you are an Alsace fan looking for incisive character of the best Rieslings it may disappoint, but it falls into the category of 'very pleasant' rather neatly. Part of the Lidl summer 2021 wine tour.
Trésors de Loire, Pouilly Fumé 2019
Loire, France, Dry White, Synthetic cork, 13.0% abv(2021) While searching online for clues to the producer I found a few reviews mentioning the classic descriptors for Pouilly Fumé, like 'flint' and 'smoke'. I have to say I found very little of that character in a wine that majors much more on its succulent fruit, with plenty of ripe pear and apple, maybe just a touch of green herbs. Zippy acidity offsets quite sweet, quite concentrated white fruits in the mouth, for a very pleasing white with good fruit, body and balance. Part of Lidl's summer 'Wine Tour'.
Red Wines
Lidl, Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2019
Burgundy, France, Dry Red, Synthetic cork, 12.5% abv(2021) Pouring a pure garnet colour of medium density, this has fresh raspberry and red liquorice aromas with a touch of twiggy briar wood. In the mouth it is fruity, with plenty of sweet summer berries. The acidity is good, giving a cleansing finish to an easy-drinking lighter red. Part of the wine tour summer 2021.
Collin Bourisset, Mâcon Rouge 2019
Burgundy, France, Dry Red, Synthetic cork, 13.0% abv(2021) I was sent a preview list of wines to be featured in the Wine Tour which listed this simply as 'Mâcon', and ordered it assuming it was a Chardonnay - as the Mâcon appellation produces 10 times more white than red. In fact it is a red Mâcon, which means it could be either Pinot Noir or Gamay, or indeed a blend of both. Bold ruby in colour, there's a forward creaminess of red berry fruit, feels like a little of vanilla too? In the mouth super sweet fruit, with more density than the Bourgogne red also tasted, more spice and a bit more stuffing all round.
Puech Morny, Gigondas 2019
Rhône, France, Dry Red, Synthetic cork, 14.0% abv(2021) One of the stars of this selection, as it should be given it is also the most expensive. Gigondas is close to Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the southern Rhône Valley and makes broadly similar wines from the same grape varieties like Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. This is all dark, rich bambles and black forest gateau on the nose, spice and meaty, velvety black fruits the order of the day. In the mouth it carries a fair clout: 14% abv is typical for this appellation, here adding a touch of heat to the smooth, sweet, black-fruit flavours of the palate. Robust tannins and acidity kick in towards the finish.