The wines from Lidl have improved tremendously over the last few years. They do some really interesting wines at very good prices. About three times a year (Easter, June, and November) Lidl adds a range of premium wines to their usual range. It is particularly in these premium ranges that some real gems can be found. The only issue I have with it is that some wines sell out very quickly, and sometimes certain wines don’t even make it all shops. As a new range of premium wines has just hit Lidl Northern Ireland this week I review my top 5 here. Get them while you can.

Bestheim Cooperative Pinot Blanc Vieilles Vignes 2015 £5.99

This lovely little number is brought to you by the Bestheim Cooperative in Alsace, France, nowadays part of the Kientzheim-Kaysersberg Cooperative.  This company has supplied Lidl with a very nice Sylvaner Vieilles Vignes and a seductive off-dry Pinot Gris Lieu-dit Patergarten in the recent past. This Pinot Blanc is made from old vines (Vieilles Vignes), which in theory should be less vigorous compared to younger vines and produce more concentrated wine.  It has apple, citrus, and some faint hints stonefruit on the nose. Quite generous and verging on medium bodied, tastes of pears and citrus, but still finishing dry. This is a very versatile wine that should go well with charcuterie, quiches, and chicken dishes, but is also delicious on its own. Good value too.

Jean Cornelius Pinot Gris 2015 £6.99

This Pinot Gris is made by domaine Henri Erhart in Ammerschwihr, Alsace, France, as Jean Cornelius is a subsidiary brand of Henri Erhart. It is slightly dull on the nose with some hints of flowers and tropical fruits, but when drinking this turns out to be textbook Alsace Pinot Gris with notes of apricots and a little bit of spice and smokiness. This is very elegant and almost understated, yet round, soft, and medium to full bodied, with a touch of residual sugar. Pinot Gris goes well with smoked fish and especially with spicy food. I would drink this with smoked mackerel or eel, or with spicy Thai fish cakes.

Adrien Maréchal  Reuilly 2015 £9.99

This very well made Loire Sauvignon Blanc would be my top pick from this tasting. If you are a fan of Sancerre or Pouilly Fumé than this wine from a nearby, less famous (and thus cheaper), appellation is something for you. It is made with fully ripe fruit and as a result has enticing aromas of ripe gooseberries, apricots, and some typical cat pee (pipi-de-chat) notes as well. On the palate it is rich and fruity, with some creaminess from spending time on the dead yeast cells after fermentation (called sur lie, or ageing on the lees). Impressive length suggests again that this is a good quality wine. Drink sitting outside with crusty French bread and a Loire goats cheese like Crottin de Chavignol. Good with light fish dishes too.

J.P. Muller Riesling Grand Cru Engelberg 2014 £10.99

I love the fact that at Lidl you can find, on and off, Alsace Grand Cru wines, something not found in any other UK supermarket chain. I already had a Riesling Grand Cru Ollwiller and Altenberg de Wolxheim from Lidl in the recent past, and this Engelberg doesn’t disappoint, even though my favourite of this triple line-up would still be the Altenberg de Wolxheim.  Engelberg’s marly soils are reflected in the mineral taste, with a long chalky and slightly salty finish. There is some juicy apple and citrus too, but it is all a bit restrained. I think this wine is still a bit closed (not ready) and should improve with a few years of ageing. At least that is what my bottles are doing right now. Drink with sushi, Alsace onion tarte, or Asian seafood dishes.

Casa Ermelinda Freitas Vinha do Rosario Branco 2016 £5.49

Lovely for summer drinking, this fresh white from the Setubal peninsula south of Lisbon, Portugal. Made with  Fernoa Pires grapes, with a small quantity of Muscat de Alexandria. It is lovely and fragrant, with crisp acidity and flavours of lemon and some tropical fruits. You just want to keep drinking this, and you do can do this as the wine has a modest 10.5% alcohol. Drink with grilled sardines or grilled squid or octopus.