In October 2024, I went to a Lidl press wine tasting event in London, which showcased an interesting selection of wines set to be introduced for the upcoming Winter and Christmas Wine Tours as well as many from the core range.
Some of the wines were part of Lidl’s Wine Tour series, where wines are displayed in-store in rustic wooden crates, each labelled with ratings to guide tasters. The concept of these Wine Tours is that the wines are available for around two months, giving customers the chance to sample and purchase them while stocks last. However, the most popular wines sometimes sell out sooner. The purpose of the tours is to constantly refresh Lidl’s wine offering, encouraging customers to return regularly to discover new favourites. These tours also serve as a testing ground, allowing Lidl to gauge customer preferences and potentially add standout wines to their permanent range.
During the tasting, I had the opportunity to taste all 57 wines on show. Here are the ones that particularly stood out for me, along with my notes and thoughts:
Domaine Philippon Frères Chablis 2022 (12.5%, £13.99) is a dry white wine from Burgundy, made from 100% Chardonnay. This is, what I thought was, a rare find for Lidl, as it’s not one of their typical anonymously named, white-labelled, wines but rather a real named producer. On the nose, it offers inviting aromas of pear and green apple, while the palate reveals almost honeyed, fresh, and smooth fruity notes, with hints of apricot leading to a medium finish. With a rating of 4.0 on Vivino, it has already gained positive feedback. Although £13.99 may seem expensive by Lidl’s usual standards, it represents excellent value for a Chablis of this quality. This wine is being added to Lidl’s core range.
Deluxe Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (£8.29) comes from New Zealand’s Awatere Valley, a region renowned for producing quality Sauvignon Blancs. While the aroma on this one is subtle and not particularly notable, it’s the flavour that really shines, delivering a deep and vibrant passionfruit taste. I found it to be a great example of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, with the rich fruitiness making it enjoyable and refreshing. However, at £8.29, it faces tough competition in the crowded Sauvignon Blanc market, where price and discounting can be a key deciding factor. Part of Lidl’s core range.
Méthode Cap Classique Brut NV (12%, £10.99) from South Africa’s Western Cape is a sparkling wine made from a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. It offers a full flavour profile, with lively citrus fruit notes complemented by a rich touch of brioche. Though dry, it carries a pleasing fruitiness and seems slightly sweeter than a typical ‘brut’ would suggest, but this doesn’t detract from its appeal. The wine has excellent length, leaving a lasting impression on the palate. In terms of taste versus value, this was my favourite wine from the tasting. At £10.99, the value is almost unbelievable, especially for a wine of this quality. Let’s hope it debuts at this price and quality though, as it feels almost too good to be true! This wine is part of Lidl’s Winter Wine Tour, and will be available from the end of October 2024.
Chateau Dereszla Tokaji Furmint Oak Selection 2022 (12%, £7.99) is another rare example of a non-anonymous wine from Lidl, perhaps indicating a new trend towards offering more distinct, named producers. Made from the Furmint grape, this dry white wine delivers an impressive taste profile with flavours of oak, pear, honey, apricot and almond, all wrapped in a creamy texture. The wine has great length, leaving a lasting impression on the palate. One important tip: keep this wine chilled, as its character noticeably diminishes when warmed up, as I found during the tasting. At £7.99, it represents excellent value, particularly when compared to similar Tokaji Furmint, which often come with a much heftier price tag. Part of Lidl’s Christmas Wine Tour, this wine will be available from the end of November 2024.
Champagne Comte De Senneval NV (12.5%, £13.99) is a standout wine, produced by the UCC Alliance Champagne Jacquart – Union de Coopérative de la Champagne (UCC). It boasts a lively effervescence with plenty of bubbles and its flavour delivers a classic yeasty and toasty profile that’s highly enjoyable. At £13.99, this champagne offers exceptional value, especially considering the quality and depth of taste typically associated with much higher-priced options. It’s part of Lidl’s core range, making it a fantastic, budget-friendly choice. Update: I subsequently purchased this wine and found it different so I welcome your feedback.
Deluxe Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 (13.5%, £6.79) comes from the renowned Australian Coonawarra region. On the nose, it has an inviting oak and vanilla aroma, while the palate offers rich red fruit flavours with a pleasantly rounded, slightly peppery finish. The wine has medium tannins, making it approachable yet structured. Awarded a Bronze at the IWSC, this Cabernet Sauvignon is excellent value at just £6.79. Part of Lidl’s core range.
Salcuta Winemaker’s Way Feteasca Neagra 2022 (14.5%, £8.99) is yet another non-anonymous offering from Lidl, continuing their trend of naming the producers. This Moldovan wine showcases a strong black cherry aroma that seamlessly carries through to its exceptionally fruity taste. While I was initially unsure, after repeated tasting, it eventually won me over with its very fruity character and I can see it becoming a crowd-pleaser, especially if Lidl offers it at discount. Its vibrant, fruit-forward profile makes it an intriguing option for those looking to explore something different. Part of Lidl’s Winter Wine Tour, this wine will be available from the end of October 2024.
Chateau Moulin de Taffard Medoc 2022 (13%, £7.49) is a Cru Bourgeois, yet another notable non-anonymous wine from Lidl, continuing the trend. This dry red is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot, offering a medium-bodied experience with soft, fine tannins. On the palate, it delivers flavours of dark berries, complemented by subtle earthy nuances and a touch of wood, adding depth to the overall profile. At £7.49, it represents excellent value, especially for a Cru Bourgeois from the Medoc region. Part of Lidl’s Winter Wine Tour, this wine will be available from the end of October 2024.
Bolgrad Select Collection Saperavi 2023 (£8.49) is made from the Saperavi grape, a variety currently more associated with Georgia. Interestingly, during the tasting, there were two Saperavi wines, one from Georgia and one from Ukraine but I personally preferred the Ukrainian version. This wine offers aromas of blackberries with a slight oak influence. On the palate, it reveals flavours of blackcurrants, plums, and a subtle hint of spice. While it may not be an outstanding example like (double the price) Bedoba Saperavi, it’s still a solid choice for the price, its novelty and the chance to support Ukraine. Part of Lidl’s Winter Wine Tour, it will be available from the end of October 2024.
Passito Di Pantelleria 2023 (14.5%, £12.99) is an Italian sweet dessert wine from Sicily, produced by Pellegrino. While the label doesn’t specify, it’s likely made from 100% Zibibbo (Muscat of Alexandria), a grape known for its intense sweetness and aromatic qualities. This wine has a beautiful golden-yellow hue and delivers an excellent tasting experience, with smooth notes of apricot, honey and orange that blend harmoniously. It comes in a 500ml bottle and is part of Lidl’s Christmas Wine Tour available from the end of November 2024.
The upcoming Winter Wine Tours at Lidl offer a great selection of non-white-labelled wines, showcasing a greater focus on provenance. This shift towards featuring more named producers adds an extra level of authenticity to their range. Coupled with Lidl’s consistently competitive pricing, this tour presents an opportunity to enjoy great wines at, often, remarkable value.
Please note the availability dates. Prices might change.
