Lidl is hoping to help shoppers buy the best wines this festive season with their 12 wines of Christmas, as research shows that too much choice is leaving customers confused.
New research has revealed Brits are left feeling baffled when choosing wine at Christmas, as half (49 per) feel the sheer volume of wine available in most major supermarkets leaves them feeling confused and around two-fifths (38 per cent) also said having a smaller selection of wine at the supermarket would stop them overspending on wine which isn’t worth the price.
To help cut through the confusion, Lidl has worked with their master of wine, Richard Bampfield to curate the ’12 Wines of Christmas’.
Specially chosen from the very best of Lidl’s Christmas Wine Tour and core range, the ‘12 Wines of Christmas’ has been designed to take the confusion out of wine this festive season.
From showstoppers to pair with the turkey, to smooth reds for Christmas get togethers (virtual or otherwise) and fizz to celebrate the end of 2020, the collection has a wine for every occasion this festive season.
Richard Bampfield said: “Lidl’s wine offering is truly ground-breaking and diverse this year so it’s been a tricky - but admittedly rather enjoyable - job to whittle it down to the top 12.
“The final selection includes a variety of different wine styles and is sure to keep customers refreshed throughout the festive period.
"Ranging from modern classics to a UK retailer first, I’ve also included a few suggestions to help wine lovers explore new territory this year.”
The ideal wines for the festive season include:
Clairette de Die Tradition, Rhône, France.
Price: £8.99
Rating: 91, Outstanding
Description: One of France’s hidden gems, Clairette de Die is a light, sweet, sparkling wine seldom seen outside the country. Like a mouthful of fresh fruit...
Try with: Cakes, stollen...or perhaps as an indulgence with a spontaneous brunch.
Rosé Prosecco, Veneto, Italy 2020.
Price: £6.49
Rating: 85, Very Good
Description: Hitting the shelves as a retail first earlier this month, Rosé Prosecco has an attractive pale pink colour and has fruity, strawberry notes on the finish - perfect for those who enjoy the taste of a classic Prosecco but want to try something new.
Try with: Best enjoyed on its own.
Baden Spätburgunder 2019, Germany.
Price: £9.99
Rating: 91, Outstanding
Description: Spätburgunder is the German word for Pinot Noir and this silky, slightly spicy red has all the refreshing, red berry character you’d expect of an excellent Pinot Noir.
Nicely rounded off by a spell in oak barrels, a delicious, elegant wine, making it ideal with roast turkey.
Ernest Wein Pinot Gris 2019, Alsace, France.
Price: £7.99
Rating: 91, Outstanding
Description: The Pinot Gris grape achieves more depth of flavour in Alsace than elsewhere, combining richness of fruit with delightful freshness that complements the festive taste of turkey perfectly.
Winemaker’s Selection Barossa Valley Shiraz 2017, Australia.
Price: £5.79
Rating: 88, Very Good
Description: This Shiraz, bursting with bold Aussie flavour is from Australia’s heartland for making quality Shiraz – the Barossa Valley, which is just north of Adelaide.
The ripe, generous fruit combines nicely with savoury notes – both bold and concentrated which means it can stand up to richer food.
Try with: Delicious with gammon or with pulled pork for the non-traditionalists
Vinya Carles Priorat Crianza 2017, Spain.
Price: £7.99
Rating: 90, Outstanding
Description: This Crianza contains a fascinating mix of Spanish and French grapes from Priorat, one of Spain’s most exciting vineyard areas - bold, flavoursome, complex, and most impressive. Perfect for bringing some Spanish flair to your Christmas dining table.
Try with: Nut roast or stuffed peppers - the perfect accompaniment to a veggie Christmas meal.
Taming the Tiger Pinotage, Western Cape, South Africa, 2019.
Price: £6.49
Rating: 86, Very Good
Description: Pinotage is South Africa’s signature red grape, in this case producing a good, easy-drinking red with notes of ripe summer fruits.
Try with: Festive family favourites such as pigs in blankets or cocktail sausages.
Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2017, Veneto, Italy.
Price: £13.99
Rating: 87, Very Good
Description: Amarone is one of Italy’s most iconic red wines, made using dried grapes to produce wines of rare richness and depth – always full-bodied with a long finish.
Try with: Stilton and a lovely tangy cheddar - it might be a clash of cultures, but this wine has quite enough flavour and richness to stand up to them.
Pillitteri Estates Vidal Icewine 2018, Niagara, Canada.
Price: £13.99
Rating: 87, Very Good
Description: Icewine, produced from frozen grapes that concentrate the sugars, deservedly has a cult reputation - a remarkable and rare wine from Niagara.
Try with: Christmas pudding, trifle, blue cheese.
Silvaner Beerenauslese Bechtheimer Pilgerpfad 2018, Rheinhessen, Germany.
Price: £6.99, 37.5cl
Rating: 89, Very Good
Description: Beerenauslese is one of Germany’s iconic wine styles but can be hard to find. This wine effortlessly combines sweet, rich fruit with light body and a refreshing aftertaste.
Try with: Warming favourites such as mince pies and apple crumble.
Vineyard Merlot, Hungary, 2019.
Price: £3.69
Rating: 83, Good
Description: This Merlot is fresh and lightly plummy which when warmed and mixed with festive spices creates a gorgeous aromatic drop that just screams Christmas.
Try with: Perfectly versatile with or without food.
Champagne Comte de Senneval 2014, France.
Price: £19.99
Rating: 91, Outstanding
Description: Vintage Champagnes are produced in years when the grapes are of particularly good quality, producing wines of extra depth and length - a real treat. This Champagne is biscuity, creamy, with good intensity of fruit and is long tasting.
Try with: Smoked salmon blinis make a natural and appetising match.
Scran episode 15: Secrets of a wine connoisseur - with Diana Thompson
