A new range of French wines, including some from Bordeaux, are set to hit Lidl’s shelves on Thursday this week. Hardly headline news but in fact it’s done just that, kicking up a little wine storm. Because some of the wines come from lesser-known vineyards neighbouring top estates, the latter charging much higher prices even though they’re practically next door. And that, according to Lidl, is how to get better value for money. The grapes are not ‘dramatically different’. They have a point: if two wines are made in the same way from similar grapes and from nearby vineyards, it’s likely there’ll be similarities. But in my experience the wines will be different, even if not dramatically so. Now, if I had to choose between a bottle of claret at £100 a pop and one from a nearby chateau at £10, I know which one I’d choose. Yep, the £10 one. Because a) I can’t afford to drink the other one and b) see a).
In other news, I went to see the new Bridget Jones film last week. As someone who didn’t really relate to her in the 1990s (she counted alcohol units FFS), I didn’t have great expectations. To be honest, I was just happy to be out. But it was properly, cross-your-legs laugh out loud and I loved it. If you haven’t seen it, please go. You’ll never look at revolving hospital doors in quite the same way.
But hasn’t it always been that way, that neighbouring vineyards command less money? And has everyone forgot about the concept of terroir? Having said that, I’d go for the ten quid one too.
Vinogirl, you are right. This is absolutely about terroir/a wine’s unique sense of place. Some of my fave wines com from vineyards that are a stone’s throw from a big name (and I think that part of the joy of them is knowing what good value they are)!