I'VE been back to Lidl.
The supermarket's new premium wine range is now in its second week and, judging by the number of empty crates, it is going down well with customers.
It's certainly going down well with me.
Dubbed the 'claret offensive' because Lidl has bought up large volumes of Bordeaux wine, the selection is based largely on French appellations.
The scale of the operation allows the store to offer low prices to get the middle classes in.
Not surprisingly, well-known names such as Pouilly Fume (white wine from the Loire just across the river from Sancerre) and Chablis were cleared by thirsty shoppers in my local store within 10 days.
And the sell-out reds at Lidl in Beeston included a claret, Château Barthez, recommended in the Post last week.
However, despite shoppers' appetite for the cut-price offers in Lidl, some wine writers still appear just a little bit sniffy.
One implied that Lidl may have gone for good names but lesser vintages. Another questioned whether the wine really was cheaper than that on offer elsewhere, although conceded that where prices are similar, rivals usually require a minimum purchase of six bottles, whereas Lidl is knocking them out one by one. And another concluded that it may still be better to stick with the usual high street outlets.
That seems harsh.
In my view the quality and value of wine on offer at some mainstream supermarkets has declined significantly in recent years (with notable exceptions such as Waitrose and Aldi), so Lidl is a welcome addition, giving a little taste of something that is often unaffordable.
Lidl's Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune AOP de marcilly 2011 is delicious and brilliant value at £7.99. It has a little tropical fruit and butter on the nose, and a zesty, lemon butter taste. I had some with a crab salad and it was delightful.
Domaine du Gourget Rochegude 2013 Côtes de Rhône Villages is a big, juicy red with a little bit of pepper, which goes down well with a steak or a week-day dish of pasta and is value for money at £5.99.
And if you like Rhône wines and want to push the boat out a bit further, Serabel Vacqueyras 2012 Rhône, France is £8.99 and is a mouthful of ripe berries and spice, which will be perfect with a hearty stew as the cold nights draw in.
