At the beginning of February 2026, I was invited to a press tasting in London, where a selection of wines was presented from Lidl’s February Wine Tour, currently available, as well as forthcoming releases for the March and April WIne Tours. Alongside these were a number of bottles from their core range, providing a broader view of what’s on offer.
Lidl’s Wine Tours usually run for about two months, offering a limited window to pick up these bottles while stocks last. Many of the more popular choices tend to sell out rapidly, which is all part of the retailer’s strategy to keep things fresh and ever-evolving. This constant rotation not only encourages regular visits from shoppers keen to discover something new, but also allows Lidl to gauge consumer preferences. Those wines that prove especially popular may even earn a spot in the core range.
The tasting featured 52 wines, with a particular emphasis on Italian selections for the wine tours. Among the wide-ranging offerings, here’s what particularly caught my attention:
Pecorino Terre Abruzzesi 2024 11.5% £7.99
Organic wine from EGT Cetona Winery in Italy’s Abruzzo region. Pale to medium lemon in colour with aromas of lemon, grapefruit, fennel and slight fresh herbs. The taste brings together zesty citrus with herbal tones. Although I’m usually not fond of Pecorino, this one stood out due to its surprisingly rounded texture, making it far more appealing than usual.
February wine tour.
Bolgrad Pinot Grigio 2024 12.5% £8.49
From Ukraine, this wine is pale lemon in colour and gives off gentle aromas of pear, lemon and a subtle touch of lychee. The taste is dry, with clean orchard fruit running through it. I normally don’t single out supermarket Pinot Grigio, but this one had both flavour and a pleasing length, which made it noteworthy.
Core range.
Assyrtiko 2024 12.5% £7.99
This comes from Sterea Ellada PGI, which refers to Central Greece. Unusual for Assyrtiko, this is not the citrus-mineral style expected. Instead, it leans into ripe banana, pineapple and even strawberry bubblegum character. Not typical at all, but I think many people will enjoy this unexpected style. Personally unsure about the value of non-typical Assyrtiko at full price and I anticipate this will be discounted.
Core range.
Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie 2023 12% £7.49
Pale lemon in colour, with aromas of pear, apple, lemon and a subtle hint of almond. On the tongue, it delivers a rounder and fuller taste than most Pinot Grigios, with fresh apple leading the way. Once again, I find myself surprised by a supermarket Pinot Grigio that actually stands out for its flavour.
Core range.
Monalie Côtes de Provence 2024 12.5% £9.99
A very pale salmon colour with delicate aromas of strawberry, redcurrant, pink grapefruit and white flowers. It tastes of delicate red fruit and citrus notes, and just a whisper of sweetness. Much better on both aroma and flavour than many rosés I’ve encountered.
Core range.
Barbera d’Asti Superiore 2020 13.5% £6.99
Medium deep ruby in colour, this wine gives off classic aromas of cherry, plum and violet. It offers juicy red fruit with very light tannins. A dry, medium-bodied red that is easy to enjoy.
February wine tour.
Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2020 15% £16.99
Deep ruby-garnet in appearance with powerful aromas of dried cherry, fig, raisin, cocoa and sweet spice. The taste is rich and concentrated with dried fruit and warming alcohol, while the texture is velvety and full. The finish is long and luxurious with gentle tannins. This used to be among the weakest supermarket Amarones, but this 2020 vintage is a complete turnaround. One of my favourites in this tasting, and I’m looking forward to revisiting it in more detail.
Core range.
Deluxe Australian Merlot 2025 12% £8.49
From Australia’s Limestone Coast, this is quite an unconventional Merlot. Aromas of spice, smoke and strong menthol sweets are followed by flavours of violet sweets and cherries. Medium-bodied with low tannins. It’s not the full-bodied wine the label claims and it’s definitely a divisive style. If you enjoy menthol character, this is one to try.
Core range.
Sálcuta Fetească Neagră Winemaker’s Way NV 14% £8.49
From Moldova, this red delivers an intense aroma of plum and black cherries. The taste leans heavily into deep blackcurrant. It has virtually no tannins, which some drinkers may find off-putting, but it’s very bold in flavour.
Core range.
Almocreve Alentejano Reserva 2022 13.5% £7.99
Coming from Portugal, this red has aromas of woody red and black fruit. The taste is very slightly savoury, earthy and woody with moderate body and low tannins. It’s a grounded and well-priced red with rustic charm.
March wine tour.
Cepa Lebrel Crianza 2022 15% £5.79
Slightly browning in colour, this Crianza offers aromas of red cherry, strawberry, vanilla, dill and sweet spice. On the palate, it’s dry with a nicely balanced mix of red fruit and gentle oak spice. With medium body and tannins, it feels more like a Reserva, which makes the price exceptional.
Core range.
Deluxe Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2024 £6.99
From Australia, this Cabernet Sauvignon opens with notes of blackcurrant, mint, cedar and leather. Deep ruby in colour with the faintest browning. The taste is classic cassis with a minty lift and firm structure. It’s dry, full-bodied and has low to medium tannins. The finish is long and cedary. This is another one I’d like to return to and explore further.
Core range.
Interestingly, I felt the general standard was higher than usual for Lidl. Some of the wines felt somewhat atypical in two key ways. First, two Pinot Grigio wines, usually a more mass-produced style, which I’d normally overlook, ended up being noteworthy simply because they were unexpectedly good examples of their type.
On the other hand, the Assyrtiko and Merlot strayed well away from what they were supposed to be in terms of typicity, yet they still offered something enjoyable and thought-provoking. These won’t appeal to wine purists who seek textbook expressions of each variety or region, but they might intrigue drinkers who enjoy trying something a little different, wines that veer off the beaten path and offer a bit of a surprise.
One thing I would say is to keep an eye out, as last year the wines sometimes appeared much earlier and didn’t always conform to the planned tours. Also, prices are estimated and subject to change.
