great value
To continue the cheap Burgundy thread, here is another example of something affordable which is actually quite good. Was 12,74 € if you buy one but only 8,90 € if you pick two bottles, no wonder it ran out of stock at Vinatis.
Three Cotes du Rhone reds
From the three Cotes du Rhone wines reviewed below, two have an ABV of 15% – hardly a surprise yet I’m still not prepared for it. As the years pass, I tolerate high alcohol less and less, and I crave balance more and more. Check out that Yannick Alléno & Michel Chapoutier bottling, it gets things right – still ripe at 14% yet not heavy or clumsy!
Rioja’s fresher side – Artuke 2024
You say Rioja and oak comes to my mind, before anything else. Too much oak. There are exceptions but you know what I’m talking about. I’m not a fan of wines tasting like coconut extract.
Supermarket wines: the nice Vian Delle Fosse 2023 from Lidl
Supermarket wines: the dirt cheap yet nice Eje Monastrell 2022 from Lidl
I haven’t seen this wine in the local Lidl since the 2017 vintage in 2019, but the current 2022 appeared on the shelves recently and I grabbed a few bottles. Thankfully it’s still well-made, over-delivering for its pricepoint and absolutely enjoyable. Continue reading
Supermarket wines: Les Truffiers Ventoux 2023 from Lidl
Simple (and cheap) wines can be totally delicious. 4,5 € means cheap in the wine world (in Europe for sure), you only get entry level quaffers for that price but when well-made they can be more enjoyable than some more expensive ones lacking balance. And this is pretty solid.
Cru quality Cotes du Rhone: Saint Cosme 2023
I bought Saint Cosme wines every year around 2010 and really loved the producer – I even visited them in 2013 which was a great experience. Then I somehow missed many vintages so I was happy to re-visit them again – and what a return! This basic cuvée was always great value but the current vintage is next level. I need to buy more!
Supermarket wines: Lidl Trebbiano D’Abruzzo 2023
Supermarket wines: Lidls Deluxe Reserva Privada Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Supermarket wines: Eszterbauer Sógor Kadarka 2023
The Sógor kadarka is back on form! The 2023 is as good as the best vintage I have tasted yet, the 2019. It’s good news, regarding that the 2022 was a disappointment. It’s a bit early but so far it seems that 2023 yielded the most charming and delicious Hungarian wines in recent years. Even though it was a disaster for most wine producers…







