January 2016 Meeting - Drinking on a budget: Aldi versus Lidl

This month's tastings were lead by Clive and Susan, and explored wines that can be bought at the budget supermarkets Aldi and Lidl..

Despite the good value prices all the wines were surprisingly good. In fact some of the cheaper ones were amongst the most popular. The Wines are listed below.

Wine

Notes

Reviews & Awards (2015 unless stated)

Aldi NV

Veuve Monsigny Champagne Brut

France  12%

£10.99

Produced in collaboration with Champagne Phillzot, this is a traditional blend of equal parts Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.  Ageing in cellars 4 years more than the legal minimum has enhanced its complexity, elegance, length and balance.

Decanter Magazine Commended.

IWSC Bronze Medal

Aldi  2014

Muscadet

Sevre & Maine

Sur Lie

France 12%

£6.99

Crispy, leafy mint and mouth watering lemon freshness dominate the nose and palate and are complimented by subtle traces of ripe stone fruits. A unique texture is achieved by keeping this wine on its total lees.

IWSC Bronze Medal

IWS Silver Medal

Great Taste Magazine Award

Lidl  2014

Cimarosa

Sauvignon Blanc

Marlborough

New Zealand 12.5%

£5.89

Pale Straw appearance with a pungent aroma of gooseberries and mango with a touch of grassiness. A dry palette with underlying lemon zest.

Which? Best Buy Wine & Spirits
 International Wine Challenge Bronze Medal
‘Decanter’ World Wine Awards  Bronze Medal
 Quality Drink Awards 2014 Finalist
 International Wine Challenge 2014 Bronze Medal

Lidl  2012

Jean Cornelius Riesling

Grand Cru Ollwiller France 12%

£8.99

Only the best vineyards in Alsace are designated as Gran Cru and one can expect more depth of flavour. This exciting example is now showing mature Riesling flavours of baked apple.  With great intensity and length, this would be a wonderful match for a wide variety of fish and poultry dishes.

Top Pick - Matt Walls, Master of Wine

Top Pick - Richard Bampfield, Master of Wine

“Elegant and intense dry Riesling from grand cru vineyards in Alsace, with a good depth of flavour. Fairly rich and full in style, with peach kernel and spice, mouthwatering acidity and a harmonious balance.

“A hint of maturity adds interest.” Decanter Magazine

Aldi 2014

Budavar Merlot Cabinet Sauvignon 13.5%

£3.49

. A deliciously smooth and juicy blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.  Plums, cherries and mild spice flavours combine to create an elegant, medium weight, easy drinking red wine.   

Top Pick -  Grahame Lee, Great Western Wine Guild

SWS Silver Medal

“ Would chose this over many premier brands”  Hugh Lyar

 

Lidl  2012

Cimarosa Gran Corte Colchagua Valley

Chile 14.5%

£9.99

Blends of red grapes often produce wines with more complexity of flavour than single varietal wines and this is a perfect example.  Showing developed aromas of dried fruit, tobacco and eucalyptus, this has great depth of flavour and still retains an underlying sense of freshness and balance.  Now at its peak.

“This wine from Chile has scored again” Anthony Rose - Independant

Top Pick -  Richard Bampfield, Master of Wine

Lidl  2013

Cru de la Valle e du Rhone

Chateauneuf du Pape

France 13.5%

£11.49

Cinsault grape has been added to the three grape varieties traditionally approved, with Grenache forming the majority, along with Syrah and Mouvèdre, giving the red wine its colour, structure, aromas of summer fruits and aromatic complexity (hints of leather, etc)

“My nose could just have easily been hovering over a pan of red fruits busy stewing to make a summer pudding. Intoxicating and rather encouraging!

You wouldn’t usually put pepper or oak barrels anywhere near summer puddings, but that’s what you’ve got with this Châteauneuf without the punch and richness of that fruit. I will also pay this tipple the compliments of being ‘smoothed’ by the gentle oaking, and also of having soft, subtle tannins which are sympathetically balanced by a touch of acidity.”  ‘Wine on Trial’