Jean Smullen reviews Lidl's 2018 Cepa Lebrel Rioja DOCa Blanco, 2018 Chevalier de Fauvert Chardonnay Pays d'OC IGP and 2017 Bordeaux AOP
Featuring today on Movies & Booze are three great value wines from Lidl. Two white, one Spanish the other French and a lovely drinkable red from Bordeaux to end the tasting. They include: 2018 Cepa Lebrel Rioja DOCa Blanco, 2018 Chevalier de Fauvert Chardonnay Pays d'OC IGP and
2017 Bordeaux AOP
2018 Cepa Lebrel Rioja DOCa Blanco €7.99
Stockists: Lidl, Nationwide
When wine customers think of the Rioja region in Spain, they automatically think of the red wines from the region. Rioja also makes white wines, thought they are not as well known as the red. However, that is not to say they are not every bit as good. This lovely white Rioja from the producer Cepar Lebrel is a fine example of a classic Spanish white wine style
The Spanish region of Rioja is located in northern Spain, 80 miles to the south of Bilbao. Rioja’s traditional ageing classifications have played a significant role in the region’s success here. Two mountain ranges the Cantabria and the Pyrenees, protect the wine zones of North Central Spain, providing favourable conditions for red wine grapes. The best known of these DO zones is undoubtedly Rioja. It's vineyards are found in the southern part in la Rioja itself. The area is made up of three sub regions Alta, Alvesa and Baja.
The name of Spain's most famous red wine comes from the region of La Rioja. The first part of the regional name comes from Rio, Spanish for river and the name of the river from which the name's second half derives is the River Oja.
Made from a blend of Viura and Malvasía grapes from vineyards situated at a high altitude where the influence of the Atlantic climate provides ideal conditions for making fresh white wines with elegant, crisp acidity.
Macabeo, also called Viura The grape is mostly used to make mildly acidic and young white wines mostly suitable for early consumption. Malvasia is a very ancient grape, they add a little to give texture to the wine/
Pale yellow with greenish glints. The nose surprises you with an attractive explosion of exotic aromas, wild herbs and dill. On the palate, a perfect balance of acidity and alcohol, with a fresh, long finish.
2018 Chevalier de Fauvert Chardonnay Pays d'OC IGP €6.99
Stockists: Lidl, Nationwide
CHARDONNAY white grape variety has almost become a 'brand' name with consumers. A wine name as familiar and popular than any other. In Burgundy, Chardonnay was the sole vine responsible for all of the finest white Burgundy.
In the late 20th century it was planted in most of the worlds wine regions where 'varietal' labelling has become the norm. So much so that most people are more familiar with the grape variety Chardonnay than they are with Meursault or Montrachet two of Burgundy's greatest white wines.
Wine makers love Chardonnay for its reliably high ripeness levels. It will happily respond to a wide range of wine making techniques than most white varieties.
Chardonnay's origins are obscure. Recent genetic testing has proven that Chardonnay has decidedly unfashionable origins. Researchers at the University of California at Davis have used DNA testing to identify Chardonnay the offspring of Gouais Blanc, a very obscure French grape variety, which has now died out. It is believed that the Roman's brough Gouais to France from eastern Europe about 2,000 years ago.
Chardonnay has a great affinity with wood. Wine which is made from this grape variety has medium acidity and broad fruit flavours. Chardonnay is now grown successfully in the world major wine regions. It varies from light to full bodied and from crisp green apple flavours of Chablis in Burgundy (cool climate) to the full fruit mouthfuls from warmer climates.
Let us first look at the Chardonnay grape. Chardonnay is the white grape which produces
Chardonnay's greatest attribute is that it is an easy going grape which grown almost anywhere from the coolest climates of northern France to the hottest in the Languedoc and it seldom disappoints. As a grape variety it is easy to cultivate, tolerant of heat and cold, can give high yields and ripens early.
This Chardonnay is made in a very fresh fruity style, it has lots of melon fruit flavours but is made in a lovely fresh style. Quite modern and very drinkable, at this price, this is great value. Serve with Thai Chicken curry.
2017 Bordeaux AOP €6.49
Stockists: Lidl, Nationwide
The region of Bordeaux is the largest producer of quality wines in the world. Bordeaux will never offer rich ripe fruity wines, Bordeaux is a style of wine with structure and finesse which are to be enjoyed with food rather than for drinking solo. Bordeaux red wines are usually a blend of three grape varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
The climate in Bordeaux is mild and humid, maritime influenced. Winters are temperate and summers are long and warm, but temperatures are reduced by the proximity of the Atlantic. Humidity is also high.
This wine is made from a blend of two red grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Cabernet Sauvignon is the world's most renowned grape variety for the production of fine red wine. Over the centuries, Cabernet Sauvignon has developed a special affinity for French oak. The particular appeal of Cabernet Sauvignon lies not so much in it's primary fruit aromas as in the more subtle flavour compounds that evolve when the wine is aged in wood. The reputation of Cabernet Sauvignon has been built on the great Bordeaux wines.
The Cabernet Sauvignon berry is very small in size and the skin of the grape is very thick. The pips are a major factor in Cabernet Sauvignon's high Tannin level while the skins account for the depth of colour that is the tell tale sign of a Cabernet Sauvignon in so many tastings.
Merlot is other major red grapes in Bordeaux, where it is blended with Cabernet Sauvignon.
Merlot, because it ripens so early is blended with Cabernet Sauvignon to soften out the harshness of the tannin you find in the Cabernet grape.
The winemakers like the Merlot grape because it is an early budding and early ripening variety. It tends to produce it's best wine when grown on well drained soils in cool climates.
Wines produced from the Merlot grape are usually deep in colour with very obvious soft ripe fruit character, sometimes described as plums. It has a tendency to have low tannin and can be medium or full bodied.
This is a classic Bordeaux red, the soft plum flavours of the Merlot dominate in this wine. This would be perfect with any sort of red meat, but as we’re in summer season why not enjoy it with barbequed spare ribs.
Wine Diary events for July & August
July 25th Veuve Clicquot Champagne Dinner @ SOLE
Aug 22nd – Sept 1st House of Peroni Pop Up Bar at the RHA
Details in the wine diary https://jeansmullen.com/
Wines reviewed today:
2018 Cepa Lebrel Rioja DOCa Blanco €7.99
2018 Chevalier de Fauvert Chardonnay Pays d'OC IGP €6.99
2017 Bordeaux AOP €6.49
