SEVEN RED WINES TO BUY AT THE LIDL FRENCH WINE SALE

Lidl recently held a tasting of their next French offer, that will start on 22nd February. This will be smaller in size than Christmas or September, but there were some good red wines, mainly Bordeaux.

Beaujolais Villages 2014 €9.99 – very, very light, but smells and tastes like Beaujolais. If you want something tasty to drink while watching TV, this might fit the bill.

Ch Clos Fontaine 2010, Francs – Côtes de Bordeaux €12.99 – from a good vintage, this wine is now mature, with lovely ripe cassis and plums and decent length. Great value.

Ch. Quattre 2009 Cahors €12.99 – if, like me, you like firm, cool wines with chunky black fruits and a dry finish then buy this to sup with your breast of duck (also available from Lidl).

Ch. de Carles 2008, Fronsac €17.99 – light and soft with easy ripe plummy fruits. Fully mature and reasonable value for money.

Josephine de Boyd 2009, Margaux €24.99 –fragrant on the nose, with some new oak; a nice concentration of elegant smooth blackcurrant fruits with a dry finish. Very good. This is from Ch. Boyd Cantenac, a Grand Cru Classé.

Ch. Livran 2010, Cru Bourgeois, Médoc €14.99 – a wine I used to drink regularly many years ago. Four-square meaty, firm solid claret. Decant and drink with roast red meats or keep a year or two.

Les Fiefs de Lagrange 2011, Saint Julien €24.99 – my sheet said only available through Lidl Customer Service, but my local branch (Greystones) still has this, and other fine wines, left over from the Christmas sale. This is from another Grand Cru Classé, Ch. Lagrange. I really like its elegant smooth blackcurrant and mint fruit and effortless elegance.