Christmas has come early! Lidl’s Wine Tour will be refreshed with some lovely new bottles from this Thursday. My picks are below - the German Pinot Noir is delicious and the sweet wines in particular are a real treat. 

Sparkling
Cava Amorany Brut - £7.99 - A festive reminder of how good Cava can be. Lovely, elegant, dry sparkling wine - and at a price that won’t break the bank. 
Prosecco Brut Gold bottle - £9.99 - Introducing a little Xmas bling, the contents are as impressive as the package. The perfect present for certain people in your life?
Prosecco Spumante Rosé Extra Dry - £7.99 - Make sure you have a bottle or two of this excellent sparkling rosé in the fridge for when friends and family visit. 

Dry Whites
Walter Skoff Sauvignon Blanc, Austria - £12.49 – Not cheap, I know, but this is top class Sauvignon Blanc. Ideal for those who like their Sauvignon crisp and bone-dry. 
Lugana Corte Allodola - £9.99 – A regular at Lidl, this is classy Italian white from the shores of Lake Garda – beautifully balanced and highly versatile with food. 
Grüner Veltliner Löss and Schotter - £6.99 – Easy-drinking, crisp, dry Austrian white – ideal for most occasions, with or without food. 

Rosé
Cabriz Dão Rosé, Portugal - £8.99 - Another popular wine at Lidl, my favourite Portuguese rosé - effortlessly combining depth of flavour with a fresh, dry finish.

Reds
Alte Vogtei Pinot Noir, Baden - £11.99 - The Germans drink most of their excellent Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder) themselves so we are lucky to get this. My pick for the Christmas turkey.
Cigar Box Pinot Noir, Chile - £7.99 - This Pinot Noir from Chile is a little richer than the German one above - easy-drinking, with or without food.
Medalla Real Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Rita, Chile - £8.99 – Well-known and highly popular Chilean red, bold and full-bodied.

Sweet whites
Sárga Borház Tokaji, Hungary - £7.99 (50cl) - Simply delicious sweet white from Hungary - ideal with lighter desserts or blue cheese. 
Vallon d’Arche Monbazillac - £9.99 – Delicious, appetising sweet white – the French would drink this nicely chilled with savoury snacks as an aperitif or with blue cheese. 
Passito di Pantelleria - £14.99 (50cl) - Rich, decadent sweet white that has the fruitiness and depth of flavour to stand up to Christmas pudding
Pillitteri Estates Vidal Icewine, Canada - £13.99 (37.5cl) - A rare Icewine that makes a special treat for your guests. Comes in a gift box so makes a good present too. 

Wishing you a month ahead full of festive cheer……..and of high quality refreshment!

Richard 

Richard Bampfield MW