Limited edition wines from Spain and Portugal at Lidl Ireland
Once again a new batch of limited release wines are going to be released into Lidl Ireland stores. The majority are red, plus one sweet white and two dry whites reviewed here. The others are listed at the bottom of this article.
Nivei Rioja Blanco 2018
White Rioja is traditionally mainly Viura, the same grape known as Macabeo in Catalonia, but since 2007 it can be made with up to nine different varieties:
- Traditional varieties: Viura, Malvasia and Garnacha Blanca
- Newly allowed local varieties: Maturana Blanca, Tempranillo Blanco and Turruntés
- New non-local varieties: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Verdejo
In finest Countdown Numbers Game fashion, this wine is made with one from the top row, two from the middle row and three from the bottom row (all in blue), though percentages were not available.
I have to be honest and admit that I committed a schoolboy error tasting this wine; on a warm, muggy day I poured myself a big glass from the fridge and sipped away. Of course it was nicely chilled, but far too chilled for tasting – it showed very little on the nose or the palate, but it was pleasant enough so I just mentalled tagged it as an inexpensive, inoffensive white wine. However, as I’d left the bottle out of the fridge, when I poured another glass the wine had opened up considerably! Aromas of citrus and stone fruit held my attention, then those notes followed through as flavours on the palate, lovely and tangy. For €9 it’s well worth a try.
- ABV: 13.0%
- RRP: €8.99
- Source: sample
- Stockists: Lidl Ireland
Encostas de Caiz Vinho Verde 2019
Vinho Verde is the northern Portuguese wine region famous for its young (literally “green”) fresh whites. Around one in seven bottles is actually red, though they are seldom seen in Ireland or the UK. Vinho Verde has nine sub-regions, though it is rare to see their names on bottles apart from the most prestigious Monção e Melgaço.
The white grapes used in the region are classed as either “recommended” or “permitted” varieties:
- Recommended white grapes: Alvarinho, Arinto, Avesso, Azal, Batoca, Loureiro, and Trajadura
- Permitted white grapes: Branco-Escola, Cainho de Moreira, Cascal, Douradinha, Esganinho, Esganoso de Castelo de Paiva, Esganoso de Lima, Fernão Pires, Lameiro, Rabigato, S. Mamede and Semilão
This wine helpfully gives the single variety on the front label – Avesso – and states the sub-region on the back label – Amarante. Avesso is known for its ability to produce higher than average alcohol for Vinho Verde, substantial body yet with good acidity. This example is true to form, being clean and fresh yet with plenty of oomph behind its stone and citrus fruits. There’s also a nice mineral streak which makes this much more complex than many of the wines available at Lidl. This is a must try summer white.
- ABV: 13.0%
- RRP: €12.99
- Source: sample
- Stockists: Lidl Ireland
Other wines included in the event
Spain
- Vespral Reserva Terra Alta 2016 €7.99
- Fincas del Lebrel Rioja Reserva 2015 €12.99
Portugal
- Cardal Tejo 2019 €7.99
- Pinha do Ribeiro Santa Dão 2019 €9.99
France
- Saumur Champigny 2019 €9.99
- Château Calvimont Graves 2018 €11.99
- Domaine Tournants Lirac 2019 €11.99
Other countries
- How To Avoid Everything Western Cape Merlot €9.99 (South Africa)
- Chloe California Pinot Noir 2019 €11.99 (USA)
- Luna de Finca la Anita Grand Reserve Malbec €8.99 (Argentina)
- Szamorodni Édes Tokaji 2018 €9.99 (Hungary) (Sweet white)
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