On 26 January Lidl’s largest collection of naturally light wines will hit the shelves. The first of six Wine Cellar collections of the year, a quarter of the range has a lower alcohol content than the average bottle – ideal for those looking to adopt a ‘lighter’ lifestyle in the new year.
Brits are increasingly embracing the taste and health credentials that lower alcohol varietals offer1. Not only do the more delicate flavours make them easy to pair with food, but the lower alcohol content equals fewer calories per glass, and allows for a better night’s sleep2.
The new range features 39 wines predominantly produced in France and Spain, from regions including the Rhône, Alsace and Aragón. Each wine has passed the rigorous taste test of Lidl UK’s panel of three Masters of Wine, having achieved a minimum of 80 out of 100 points on their scoring scale.
Richard Bampfield MW has selected the below ten wines as his top picks from the range:
Alsacian Tête à Tête Pfaffenheim Pinot Gris Riesling, Alsace, 2015 – £7.99. Pure expressive aromas of white peach. The Riesling gives freshness, the Pinot Gris body. Rating – 91;
South Western Cuvée Royale Côtes de Gascogne, South West France, 2015 – £5.99. Light, dry, peach-scented and with surprising depth of flavour for a wine with relatively low alcohol. Rating – 88;
Spring Valley Riesling, Washington State, 2015 – £4.99. Off-dry, pear-scented, delightfully fresh and with a note of spritz. Rating – 88;
Chilean Cimarosa Sauvignon Blanc, Valle de San Antonio, 2015 – £6.99. Gooseberry-scented and exuberant, this is fresh and persistent. Rating – 90;
Henri D’Autignac Grenache Pays d’Oc, Languedoc-Roussillon, 2015 – £5.49. With pepper and aniseed notes, this is lightly fruity and very easy drinking. Rating – 86;
Monteplogar Crianza, Aragón, 2013 – £4.49. Raspberry-scented and dry, with underlying notes of creamy oak. Rating – 86;
Cave de Tain Syrah, Rhône, 2015 – £6.99. A touch gamey, deep in colour and remarkable for its freshness. Rating – 88;
South African Lion’s Lair Shiraz, 2013 – £5.99. Bright purple in colour, attractively perfumed and warm and spicy on the palate. Rating – 88;
Chilean Cimarosa Shiraz, 2014 – £6.99. Rich and sweetly oaked with good fruit definition. Rating – 90;
Chilean Cimarosa Carmenère Reserva Privada, 2015 – £6.99. Full-bodied and with aromas of dark fruit and eucalyptus. Bold and appealing. Rating – 88.
The limited edition range will hit shelves on 26 January and will be in stores until stocks last. Prices start at £3.99 for the Grillo Terre Siciliane.