On Thursday 30 March Lidl will be launching its Easter Wine Cellar Collection, featuring 38 wines spanning Europe’s top wine regions, including Italy, France and Spain.
While it’s no secret that Italy is home to some of the world’s most popular wines, the recent unprecedented demand for Prosecco has led to a revived appreciation of the country’s renowned varietals – with Lidl’s latest collection showcasing a range of Italian favourites. From rich and characterful reds from the southern region of Puglia to easy-drinking whites from Verona and Lake Garda, the collection offers a true taste of Italy’s finest wine regions.
For those with a more adventurous palate, the Easter Collection also includes some more unusual and lesser-known wines from across the continent, such as a barrel-aged Albariño, and an aromatic Roero Arneis. And for traditionalists who prefer their fizz with the finest French flair, the range features two half-bottles of Champagne, which retail from just £7.99 – meaning that customers can enjoy both a premium tipple and exceptional value.
Having passed the rigorous taste test of Lidl UK’s panel of three Masters of Wine, each bottle has scored a minimum of 80 out of 100 points and will be launching in stores on 30 March.
Richard Bampfield MW has selected the below ten wines as his top picks from the range:
- Salneval Rías Baixas Barrica, 2015 – £7.99. The Albariño grape makes attractive, versatile dry whites in Galicia. Unusually this one is oaked, so the crisp, citrus fruit is rounded and softened by notes of vanilla.Rating – 89
- Chilean Sauvignon Blanc, Chile, 2016 – £4.99. Chile is making some lovely examples of Sauvignon Blanc, often in a drier, more restrained style than New Zealand. With typically cool, white flower aromas, this is dry, well balanced and very easy-drinking.Rating – 86
- Masseria Metrano Fiano Salento, Puglia, 2015 – £7.99.Fiano is the most delightful grape and thrives in southern Italy where it produces whites of real freshness and finesse. Well worth trying. Rating – 90
- Vigneti del Sole, Veneto Rosso, Veneto, 2014 – £6.99. Unusual but increasingly fashionable wine style from beautiful vineyards around Lake Garda. Rich and warming. Rating – 91
- Vigneti del Sole, Veneto Bianco, Veneto, 2014 – £6.99. The appassimento style is more associated with reds, but this shows it can also produce generously-flavoured whites. Rating – 91
- Cascina Valentino Roero Arneis, Piemonte, 2015 – £8.99.Arneis is a little-known but characterful grape, only grown in the Piemonte region of North-West Italy. A real discovery. Rating – 90
- Comte De Senneval Champagne Brut Premium – £9.49.Half bottles of Champagne are so useful, either as a pick-me-up or an aperitif for 2. Always keep one in the fridge… Rating – 88
- La Maugellerie Costières de Nîmes, Rhône, 2015 – £5.99.The type of bright, elegant, dry rosé that the south of France produces so successfully. Rating – 87
- Château Soleil “Promesse”, Puisseguin Saint-Emilion, 2013 – £9.99.Fine example of Merlot-based Saint Emilion from this little-known village just outside the main town. Rating – 88
- Val De Salis Saint-Chinian, Languedoc-Roussillon, 2015 – £7.99.Saint-Chinian is gaining increasing recognition for its excellent reds, which are warming and satisfying. Rating – 90
- Monbazillac Château La Birondie, Bordeaux, 2015 – £8.99.Monbazillac uses the same grapes and methods as the famous sweet wines of Bordeaux, but this is much less expensive. Worth trying. Rating – 90
The limited edition range will hit shelves on the 30 March, and will be in stores until stocks last. Prices start at £4.99 for the Pyrene Rosado Somontano.