In late September 2026, I attended Lidl’s Winter Tasting, which showcased wines from the forthcoming Winter Wine Tour, available in stores from 29 October 2026 until 28 January 2027, alongside some wines from the core range.
As I previously mentioned, Lidl’s Wine Tours have moved from a monthly to a quarterly format. With this change, there were fewer wines than usual at the tasting, with 33 on show. Here are the ones that caught my attention:
Champagne Comte de Senneval Brut NV 12.5% £13.99
Produced by the UCC Alliance Champagne Jacquart, Union de Coopérative de la Champagne (UCC). Pale lemon in colour with fine bubbles, with aromas of green apple and lemon alongside some brioche and biscuit from time on the lees. Crisp citrus and apple are joined by appealing biscuit complexity. Brut, light to medium-bodied, with high acidity and a long finish. An old favourite that perhaps is not quite as rich in taste as it used to be. However, it is still better than most Crémants at this price level, so it remains a pick. Part of the Winter Wine Tour.
Côtes de Gascogne 2025 10.5% £5.19
Sadly, neither the grapes nor producer are disclosed. Almost clear in colour, with a citrus aroma and a fresh lime flavour. It is dry with bright acidity and, importantly at this very low price level and lower 10.5% alcohol, it has not been spoilt by unwanted sweetness. A bit one dimensional but great flavour for the money. Part of the core line.
Deluxe Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2025 13.5% £7.29
A return from the previous tasting and the same vintage. Deep ruby in colour, with aromas of blackcurrant, mint, eucalyptus, cedar and leather. Cassis leads the flavour, lifted by mint and supported by a good mouthfeel. Dry and medium to full-bodied, with low to medium tannins. Still great, even though the price has increased slightly. Part of the core line.
Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva Privada 2024 12.5% £7.29
A wine I previously picked up in store and reviewed, but this is a newer vintage. Slightly purple in colour with aromas of cedar and blackcurrant, this is in a very classic Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon style. Blackcurrant continues through the flavour, joined by a herbal edge. Perhaps less mouthfeel than the previous vintage. Dry and medium to full-bodied, with low to medium tannins. The finish is long. Part of the core line.
De Bortoli Shiraz Durif Red Blend 2025 13.5% £7.99
From Rutherglen, Australia and set to be a Halloween special with its spidery label. Deep purple-black in colour, with aromas of blackberry, plum, liquorice, chocolate and a little spice. Dark fruit follows with spice and a little chocolatey depth. It is very slightly sweet, medium bodied and has low to medium tannins. The finish is long and spicy.
Alte Vogtei Pinot Noir 2025 12.5% £11.99
From Baden, Germany, where Pinot Noir is better known as Spätburgunder. This organic wine is pale in colour but intensely aromatic, of red cherry, cranberry, pronounced spice and forest floor. Elegant red fruit is matched by savouriness. Dry and light to medium-bodied, with low to medium tannins and a savoury, long finish. My favourite wine of the tasting. A real treat if you like savoury Pinot Noir. A more unusual wine to find at Lidl.
Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2021 15% £14.99
Made from Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara. This was a great find earlier this year and I subsequently reviewed the same 2021 vintage. Aromas of dried cherry, fig, raisin, cocoa and sweet spice lead into rich dried fruit and warming alcohol, with a velvety, full texture. The finish is long and luxurious with gentle tannins. I have purchased several bottles since, and the wine’s intensity seems to have diminished over time, as it did with this bottle at the tasting. Still OK, but not as exceptional as it was. The Lidl tasting booklet lists a reduced price of £14.99, down from £16.99. Part of the Winter Tour, although I know it has been in store for most of this year.
Assito di Pantelleria 2025 14.5% £12.99
A sweet wine made from sun-dried Zibibbo, also known as Muscat of Alexandria, grown on the volcanic Italian island of Pantelleria between Sicily and Tunisia. Golden in colour, with intense notes of apricot, honey, dried fig and caramel. Syrupy in texture and rich in style. It was served a little too warm at the tasting, as it only arrived during the event. That said, some wines, including this one, still show remarkably well even when served above the ideal temperature. The £12.99 price is for a 500ml bottle. Part of the Winter Tour.
One thing to keep in mind is that availability does not always follow the published schedule. Last year, some wines appeared in store earlier than expected, so it is worth keeping an eye out.
Prices are also provisional at this stage and may change. It is worth checking vintages carefully too, as the bottles that appear on shelves are not always the same vintages as those I try at the tastings.
