The wine section at Lidl is different to the other multiples. For a start there may well be branded wine on sale as opposed to just own brand. Second they employ a Master of Wine to score their wines. Personally I don’t have much faith in scores out of 100 as they make distinctions that are, quite frankly, impossible to make! Take an 89 v a 90 score. One must be better? Not at all. I can remember one importer claiming his €8.99 wine from Romania was as good as Chateau Latour (First growth from Bordeaux) because they had both scored the same out of 100!

That said Richard Bampfield MW is the genuine article and DOES know what he’s talking about. He’s the real deal and probably the only one employed by a supermarket operating in Ireland. So, believe his scores but don’t get fooled into believing that a 90 is actually better than an 89 – it’s only a guide to quality and not an award!!

What to buy? Top of my list is the Hachon Reserva Ribera del Duero €9.49 – especially when its on special. Yes, the Good Value Stores do Specials and it’s not always EDLP’s (Every Day Low Prices). This is red wine with passion and grace. Lovely Tempranillo (known as Tinto Fino in this part of Spain) grown at high altitude. Rich, generous, soft and well structured.

Lidl also brings us the fresh and vibrant Petale de Roche Viognier €9.99. A great repesentation of the grape. I have always liked Muscadet – dry and crisp and the Bon Vallon is top notch €9.99. Top recommendations would also be any of the whites from Austria (Riesling and Gruner Veltliner) or the very fine Jean Cornelius Pinot Blanc from Alsace. Now we’re getting places. As you can see there is quite a variety available.

If I can be brave and choose a country that Lidl does very well right now I would have to go for Italy. The whites Greco di Tufo and the Poggio Civitelle Orvieto Classico are drinking very well. Both retail at €11.99. Pride of place for the whites would be the little known Roero Arneis also at €11.99.

The fun continues into the reds from Italy! I really love the Amarone at €19.99 but you really need to want a very rich wine with a heightened alcohol level! A little more temperate and drinking well is the Ser Tosca Chianti Classico Riserva €12.99.

The Lidl wine selection is a diverse one. Listen to Mr Bampfield’s recommendation scores. Go for what you know you already like and Christmas is sorted! Cheers

Happy Christmas. Happy Lidl.