Sunny days at my residence often translate into warm evenings spent on the patio, and last weekend was no different. We took full advantage of the splendid weather by lighting up the barbecue and filling up the wine fridge. While I wouldn’t call myself a connoisseur, I certainly know which drinks delight my palate. On a balmy summer evening, the first taste of a nice chilled glass of rose always touches my soul.
Regrettably, it seems that my soul also has a penchant for the finer things in life, as one of my regular choices is Whispering Angel from Chateau d’Esclans, which comes in at over £20 per bottle. In an effort to save some money, I recently picked up a highly recommended bottle of rose from my local Lidl to try instead.
The Lidl Cotes de Provence Rose cost me £8.49, less than half the price of my usual tipple. Unsure of what to anticipate, I figured that even if it was terrible, it was cheap – wine maths!
According to the experts, a decent Cotes de Provence rose should have a fruity, floral aroma, with a fresh flavour that is intense but not overwhelming. I didn’t notice any of these characteristics because I don’t understand what they mean, but I can confirm that the Lidl wine was delightful.
Enjoying a casual Friday evening tipple with my daughter, we concluded that it certainly bore the same salmon pink hue as the pricier Whispering Angel, and it had a similar aroma too. Admittedly, it doesn’t quite match the smoothness of the more expensive bottle, but it still goes down a treat without leaving behind the bitter, acidic aftertaste that some budget wines do. It was sharp and dry, not overly sweet or cloying, and when served at the perfect chilled temperature, our unrefined taste buds found it absolutely delightful.
The Lidl Cotes de Provence Rose received an overall score of 88 in the Lidl Bampfield ratings. According to remarks from the highly esteemed Master of Wine and independent lead taster, Richard Bampfield, this lovely pink falls into the ‘wine with special qualities’ category.
I wouldn’t say this cheaper alternative is exactly the same as my cherished Whispering Angel, but in my view, it’s still a pleasant, smooth rose that definitely tastes pricier than its actual cost. Cheers to Lidl!
