Aldi/Lidl Italian Tuscan red wines.
Rosso Italiano -£2.99 - Aldi
Attractively light purple in colour with a fresh scented light fruit on the nose. Some herbal notes but mainly raspberry tart yet soft and very easy drinking. Low alcohol at 10.5% so granny friendly and good value.
Castellore Chianti 2014 - £4.49 - Aldi
Dark red with a bright young shine in the glass. Typical dark cherry notes with hints of sandal wood. Very pleasantly drinking with fresh red cherries, dried herbs and light tannins on the finish. Yes, excellent value.
Fortezza dei Colli Chianti Classico 2012- £6.99- Lidl
Red with beginnings of brick colouring. A soft and balanced complexity of herbs, fruit and light wood. Delivers nice elegance but is a bit short on the finish.
Fortezza dei Colli Chianti Riserva 2009 - £8.99 - Lidl
Turning nicely brick coloured and has an attractive looking density in the glass.
Bigger flavour but not as balanced. Drying herbs and medium tannins mask the fruit slightly but this a really good food wine. I think it's down to £7.99 for Christmas so another bargain.
Giottesca Toscana Lot 09, 2014 - £9.99 -Aldi
Deep dark red suggests something other than Sangiovese in the blend but I haven't been able to find exactly what. It is also classified as IGT and called a Super Tuscan so likely something else has been thrown in. This 'Lot' is called small parcel(!) but at 40250 bottles I am not sure that qualifies. Aldi has also numbered the bottles which is a nice but typically more marketing than anything else.
Tasting the wine I think we are hinting towards 20% Syrah in the blend as it has a typical spicy sweetness up front. Nevertheless there are essential Tuscan notes represented in the form of ripe Morello cherry and fresh earthy herbs. A richer wine but delivers so still decent value.
Casato dei Medici Riccardi Sangiovese Shiraz 2012 - £9.99- Lidl
Deep, dark, fruit driven with some characteristic peppery spice. Not elegant with fines but big flavoured and rich. A great option if you prefer a big juicy number as it still has hints of Tuscan herbs and savoury hints.
I am not sure this is available anymore but from the same producer there is now a Cabernet Sauvignon/Sangiovese blend that I have yet to try.
Uggiano Chianti Colli Fiorentini, 2013 - £6.99 - Lidl
Fresh thyme, rosemary, sage, dark cherries and subtle wood promising a classic Tuscan wine. After tasting it I am surprised by the value as this delivers on so many levels yet is so affordable. It is soft and easy drinking on its own which a lot of Tuscan reds are not but it is dry with tannins and complex so lends itself to classic Italian food pairings. Pasta with tomato or meat sauces, pizza, cold cut meats and simpler cheeses. Great value Chianti!
Sassi Del Mare, Maremma Toscana 2013 - £7.99 - Lidl
Light strawberry leaf with some fresh basil notes. Light wood as well but not intrusive and the wine smells pure, clean and fresh. Lovely and light weighted on your tongue leaving a medium long finish that is probably more for spring and summer than colder times. I think it is decent value and I could drinks lots of this with prosciutto ham and olives. Yum!
Other Italian wines from Lidl;
Cascina Polsino, Barbera d'Asti Superiore 2011 - £9.99 -Lidl
Dark fruit with lashings of soft spices and herbs. Hints of chocolate and coffee as well.
It is yummy, soft and lingering on the palate with the fruit reminding me of ripe blackberries. A great winter warmer without being full bodied and juicy.
Barbaresco la Cicogna, 2011 - £7.99 - Lidl
Stunningly good value! Finding Barbaresco at this price is impossible so I am therefore slightly suspicious but once tasted there is no need for further worries. This is is not the most amazing Barbaresco you'll find but it will probably be £25/30 cheaper than some of the best examples out there. Subtle red fruit to start but gives away very little when just opened. There are hints of fennel, light wood and herbs though. The palate is fresh fruited with lip smacking acidity. An hour after opening it and letting it sit in the glass more complexity is revealed but it is still young and innocent. Having duck or goose for Christmas? Stock up! Considering how much you would normally have to spend for something similar you could have yourself a bargain festive season.
