Lidl Ireland are introducing some limited release French wines in their stores from Thursday 24th September 2020 in what they are calling their “September Wine Cellar”. I tasted the majority of them at the first press tasting since Covid first hit and can give them all a thumbs up. They aren’t likely to win any major awards but they are very good value for money and give wine drinkers a chance to try something representative of a style they might not have tried before.
Here are my brief notes on four more reds included in the event:
Val de Salis Syrah Pays d’Oc 2019
Syrah’s home is in the northern Rhône where it is the only black grape used; it is also an important component of southern Rhône blends where it provides aromatics and a backbone to Grenache. Such is the standing of Syrah in France that planting it in the Languedoc has been positively encouraged by the French wine authorities who deem it to be an “improving grape”, i.e. better than many others planted there. This Val de Salis Syrah is mid to dark in the glass with a youthful purple rim. The nose shows bountiful blackberry along with sweet / savoury liquorice. This is a warming wine to taste (despite the reasonable alcohol) with tasty red and black fruits. There are also interesting notes of spice, liquorice and black olive giving a nice savoury finish.
- ABV: 13.5%
- RRP: €8.99
- Stockists: Lidl Ireland
Val de Salis Syrah Viognier Réserve Pays d’Oc 2019
In my reference to the northern Rhône above I stated that Syrah is the only black grape permitted there. While this is 100% true, it’s not the full picture; some red wine AOC regulations permit the addition of white grapes(!) when making red wine, either Viognier (Côte Rôtie) or Marsanne and/or Roussanne (Saint-Joseph, Crozes Hermitage and Hermitage). What the darned heck is that all about? you may ask. The white grapes serve to soften the Syrah, add their own aromatics to the wine and also help the Syrah’s own aromas to fully bloom.
Like the varietal Syrah above this is mid to dark intensity in the glass with a purple rim. The nose is very aromatic, ripe deep black fruit and spice. There are also hints of oak treatment and some graphite. It is lovely and round in the mouth, fill of black and red fruit, lots of toasty vanilla and smooth chocolate (think Galaxy). Such a delicious wine!
- ABV: 13.5%
- RRP: €8.99
- Stockists: Lidl Ireland
Château Gabier Cahors 2018
From the Languedoc we now head north west to Cahors (administratively in the south west of France for wine purposes). Of course Cahors is the original home of Malbec, a grape which has expanded outside its heartland to Bordeaux and the Loire Valley, among other places (I hear reports that some is planted in Argentina). As you’d expect from the “Black Wine of Cahors” this is dark in the glass, though not quite opaque. The nose features redcurrants, raspberries and blackberries, wrapped in a seductive smokiness. On the palate the black fruit comes to the fore, but there are also red fruit notes providing great acidity and freshness. This is nothing like an Argie Malbec, but it’s worth a try to see if you like this style.
- ABV: 13.5%
- RRP: €9.99
- Stockists: Lidl Ireland
Organic Vacqueyras 2019
Information on the front label is again somewhat lacking, though at the top it does tell you that this is a “Cru de la Vallée du Rhône” (which you can hopefully translate for yourselves) and there’s a symbol confirming that it’s certified organic. The papal crossed keys are deliberately reminiscent of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s crossed keys and tiara – in fact Vaqueyras producers are being a little naughty with this (see this Yapp Brothers’ blog post for a full explanation). Like most southern Rhône reds Vacqueyras wines tend to be a Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre (GSM) blend.
In the glass this is quite dark for the southern Rhône which makes me think there’s a good proportion of Syrah (which is darker than Grenache) in the blend. The nose exhibits luscious strawberries and spice. This is a big and fairly rich wine; voluptuous, but with a certain lightness as well. Strawberry notes dominate the attack but there is also a dry, herbal finish. This is a fantastic winter wine.
- ABV: 14.5%
- RRP: €14.99
- Stockists: Lidl Ireland
Star Pick
The amazing aromatics of the Val de Salis Syrah Viognier make this an easy pick of the bunch for me.
Lidl’s September Wine Cellar Posts:
Ask people to name a Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley and the chances are they will say “Sancerre” or perhaps “Pouilly Fumé”, but the lesser-know appellations such as Touraine can be the source of very drinkable wines too – without the hefty price tags. At €7.99 this really is a bargain – it has more character than you’d expect for €10, never mind €8. Grapefruit is the theme, clean, fresh, juicy and zesty.
