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The Irish Sun

7 fab Aldi & Lidl wines from just €9.99 to try over August bank holiday weekend, including Rosé ‘with little bite'

CYNICISM, I have always believed, is a healthy trait in a good journalist. Whether writing about politics, sport, or wine, they need it at times to cut through the BS served up to them by officialdom, or marketing personnel. Advertisement 10 A selection of great bargain wines are reviewed below Credit: Getty 10 Matt was intrigued to read Sunny Hodge's The Cynic's Guide to Wine So, as a 'practising' cynic for over half a century, I was intrigued to read Sunny Hodge's The Cynic's Guide to Wine. His approach to wine education is coloured by science rather than the storytelling BS normally served up by many in and around the business. Hodge is certainly not afraid to go against what he refers to as 'well-established myths,' including those surrounding terroir, and our perception of flavour. And he crucially claims that the language used by many wine writers misleadingly gives their subject an air of mystery. Advertisement Read more on Wine Throughout the book the science of wine, from the vineyard to the cellar, is stripped back to help unravel the truth. He takes in elements of horticulture, soil science, botany and sensory science as well as oenology, in bite-sized, very readable chunks, to back his case over seven revealing chapters. A straightforward and eye-opening book for anybody who wants to question the stories told around wine but was afraid to ask. It has certainly changed my perception of many facets of winemaking and the business of it. Thoroughly recommended. Advertisement Most read in The Irish Sun The Cynic's Guide To Wine, from Academie Du Vin Library, is priced at €36.25 from all good bookshops. I POPPED into my local Aldi and Lidl stores and chose some wines that I suggest you should stock up for the August bank holiday weekend – and then pray for good barbecue weather. Five Lidl rosés you need this summer, according to a wine expert - a £6.99 buy is as light & crispy as £22 Whispering Angel Specially Selected DOC Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio 2024 (ABV 12.5%) 10 €9.99 @ Aldi Stores Advertisement Grape: Pinot Grigio UNFUSSY, straightforward, easy drinking Italian sipper, with a pale straw colour and nice aromas of lemon, pear and white flowers when poured. The palate is quite rounded, light, dry and refreshing, with notes of citrus fruits and green apple, along with a hint of grapefruit zest and a nice mineral backbone. Enjoy with: Fettuccini Alfredo Advertisement Irish Sun star rating: *** White Island Spanish Rosé 2024 (ABV 12.5%) 10 €9.99 @ Aldi Stores Grape: Garnacha, Bobal, Pinot Noir Advertisement At last… a Rosé with a little bite! A medium salmon colour when poured, the nose is all soft red summer fruit, dominated by strawberries, with a note of spice. The palate has good structure and is silky smooth, with vibrant notes of red berries, a hint of watermelon and nicely balanced acidity. Lingering finish. Enjoy with: Grilled shrimp and summer salad. Irish Sun star rating: *** * Advertisement Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 2022 (ABV 13.5%) 10 €10.99 @ Lidl Stores Grape: Corvina THE refermenting of a 'standard' Valpolicella with used Amarone skins gives this wine a little more complexity, and texture. Advertisement A deep cherry red colour, it has enticing aromas of dried black and red fruits, leading to a smooth palate, layered with dark sweet fruits, a lick of vanilla, and toasted oak. The tannins are well integrated while the finish is long and silky. Enjoy with: Pan-fried duck breast. Irish Sun star rating: *** Advertisement Albariño D.O. Rías Baixas 2023 (ABV 12.5%) 10 €11.49 from July 24 @ Lidl stores Grape: Albariño AFFORDABLE Albariño that is a wonderful introduction to this exceptional white grape. It is a pale straw colour, with notable floral, citrus, and stone fruit aromas. Advertisement The palate is bone dry and super fresh, with great acidity and notes of citrus, peach, pear and green apple. Good length and finish. Enjoy with: Grilled black sole. Irish Sun star rating: *** Specially Selected Baron Amarillo Godello 2024 (ABV 13.5%) 10 Advertisement €11.99 @ Aldi Outlets Grape: Godello I ALWAYS see Godello as Albariño's 'big brother', generally more rounded on the palate and usually that bit more textured. This is certainly rounded, a deep straw colour, and with earthy and Granny Smith apple notes on the nose. Advertisement It has lovely acidity and intensity on a creamy palate, with peach, apple and citrus notes. Nice touch of minerality on a very satisfying finish. Enjoy with : Pasta with clams. Irish Sun star rating: **** Cepa Lebrel Rioja, Gran Reserva 2015 (ABV 13.5%) 10 Advertisement €11.99 from July 24 @ Lidl stores Grape: Tempranillo INCREDIBLE price for a 10-year-old Gran Reserva Rioja - and €2 less if you use the Lidl Plus facility. It has a wonderful brick red colour in the glass and a nose bursting with dried soft red fruit notes. Advertisement The medium bodied palate is complex and velvety, with melting tannins and still discernible ripe soft summer fruit flavours, complimented by a twist of oak. Enjoy with: Roast leg of lamb. Irish Sun star rating: **** Portuguese Sparkling Vinho Verde (ABV 11%) 10 Advertisement €12.99 @ Aldi outlets Grapes: Loureiro, Arinto, Arzal & Trajadura THIS is a pleasant surprise. Vinho Verde usually has a little spritzy effect, but this is a real sparkler. It's a combination of four white grape varieties that deliver a wine with a pale gold colour and aromas of tropical and citrus fruits. Advertisement The palate is light, fresh and quite zippy with good acidity and a nice citrus and melon note. Enjoy with: Light nibbles. Irish Sun star rating: *** 10 The book is priced at €36.25 Advertisement