As a devoted fan of Alsace wines I’m heartened that Lidl include one or more examples in their limited release French wine events. For example, in 2017 I have really enjoyed Jean Cornelius Sylvaner, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Blanc. I also tried the Jean Cornelius Riesling in 2019.
The next Lidl Ireland French wine event starts Thursday 25th February and includes eight whites and eight reds. Below I briefly review two of the whites which I enjoyed.
Disclosure: both bottles were kindly sent as samples, but opinions remain my own
Jean Cornelius Alsace Riesling 2019
This is an entry level Alsace Riesling, presumably from vineyards on the flat and productive plains heading east towards the Rhine. The nose is muted, though it does give hints of Riesling goodness. The palate is bone dry, with zesty lime and a squeeze of juicy stone fruit, finished off by tinned grapefruit notes. This isn’t a wine to get too excited about but it managed to combine freshness and roundness in a pretty tasty package. Would be perfect with seafood or as an aperitif.
- ABV: 12.5%
- RRP: €10.99
- Stockists: Lidl Ireland stores from 25th Feb 2021, while stocks last
Bourgogne Aligoté 2018
Aligoté won’t be that familiar to many supermarket shoppers, and if they have tasted the grape it’s just likely to have been in a (proper) Kir cocktail as on its own. The variety originated in Burgundy as a cross between Pinot Noir and Gouais Blanc, making it a full sibling of Chardonnay and Auxerrois, among many others. It ranks as the second most planted white grape in Burgundy, but in reality it’s way behind big brother Chardonnay. Long derided, Aligoté is on the comeback – more on which in a future article.
This example is one of many Lidl wines which don’t mention the producer on the label, so I opened it with caution, but for such an inexpensive wine and a modest grape it has plenty going on. It is bone dry with Aligoté’s trademark high acidity, but there are also notes of melon and stone fruits. There’s also a little smokiness, minerality and herbiness to the wine, and more texture than I anticipated. There’s no overt oakiness though perhaps a little leesiness. This wine does cry out for food or, if that’s not forthcoming, another glass!
- ABV: 12.0%
- RRP: €9.99
- Stockists: Lidl Ireland stores from 25th Feb 2021, while stocks last
Other Wines
Other wines included in the Lidl Ireland French Wine events are:
White Wines
- Jean Cornelius Alsace Pinot Blanc 2019 €9.99
- Bourgogne Chardonnay 2018 €9.99
- Château Jourdan Bordeaux Blanc 2018 €7.99
- Domaine de la Pierre Pays d’Oc Muscat Moelleux 2019 €9.99
- Rocher Saint-Victor Picpoul de Pinet 2019 €8.99
- Val de Salis Pays d’Oc Vermentino 2019 €9.99
Red Wines
- Les Aumôniers Côtes du Rhône Villages Séguret 2019 €9.99
- Château Montaigu Côtes du Rhône 2019 €9.99
- Puech Morny Gigondas 2019 €16.99
- La Croix Du Grand Jard Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2018 €8.99
- Lussac-Saint-Émilion 2018 €10.99
- La Roche D’Argent Saint-Émilion 2018 €12.99
- Haut de Saint Laurent Haut-Médoc 2019 €11.99
- Domaine Coudougno Faugères 2019 €8.99
Conclusion
The Jean Cornelius Riesling was much better than the Pinot Blanc which I also tried, but it cannot hold a candle to the very tasty and amazing value Bourgogne Aligoté!
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