BBC WM recommendations
Viña Sol Torres 2016
Sainsbury’s £6.00 (from £7) widely available.
A firm favourite of mine and many others over the summer months. It’s a blend of Spanish grapes, Parellada and Garnacha Blanca grown in Catalunya in the north east around Barcelona, and available all over Spain and much of the UK, too. Once upon a time this was relatively sweet by today’s standards; now it is barely off-dry – fruity and refreshing, green apple crispness alongside an elderflower charm. At only 11.5% alcohol we can pat ourselves on the back for a healthy wine choice and feel a little less guilty if we enjoy an extra glass.
Food match: Salads, light fish and chicken dishes.
Château Guyon la Roseraie 2015
Lidl £5.99
I will always recommend a great value Bordeaux whenever I can because people seem to find them hard to come by – they’re not! Here’s a particularly good example from a lovely vintage at an amazing price which is perfect for drinking now. It has the hallmark black fruit character you’d expect from Merlot grapes with a savoury finish making it ideal as a wine to have with food.
Food match: Lamb Navarin, Aubergine Bake
Dereszla Tokaji Furmint 2015
Lidl £7.99 (for 50cl)
If you love your desserts, then chances are you’ll love this wine with many of them. This is sweet but, as with all good sweet wines, it is bursting with crisp acidity to keep its honeyed sweetness in balance. People are often converted once they try real dessert wines such as this one. Tokaj (pronounced Tok-eye) in Hungary is famous for them. You probably won’t want to drink more than a small glass because it is so luscious, but you’ll definitely want to savour every mouthful of this hedonistic delight. Don’t feel cheated by its low alcohol, what it lacks in its 9%abv it makes up for in sweetness.
Food match: Lemon Meringue Pie, Cheesecake. Not a great match for chocolate puds.
Sancerre Rosé 2016
ASDA £10
Sancerre is usually white, of course, but a little red and rosé is made in the area from Pinot Noir. This is quiet serious with red fruit aromas and lovely raspberry flavours, finishing with a delicate herby edge. A food wine but can be sipped (rather than quaffed!) on its own, too.
Food match: Salmon, Tandoori chicken, Summer Pudding
For more recommendations of Lidl’s current Wine Cellar (27/07/17) see Richard’s blog