Last updated 15:50, Wednesday, 13 February 2008

WUNDERBAR – it’s good to see that our two German supermarkets, Aldi & Lidl, have got stocked up with some fine wines just in time for Christmas.

Both seem to have their finger on the same pulse as to what the customer wants in the fine wine market: French and Italian.

Aldi goes strong on Chateauneuf-du-Pape, as do Tesco this year – and I, for one, don’t blame them.

As far as the reds go, this is the King of the Rhone valley and it is being knocked out at the most affordable prices. Unless we’re unlucky, it generally tastes good and it’s certainly a bottle which looks good to adorn the Christmas dinner table.

Wine guru Oz Clarke reckons you can’t get a really decent chateauneuf for less than 20 pounds, but I must disagree. There’s nothing wrong with any I’ve tasted for much less and it seems as though the supermarkets are suddenly falling over themselves to see who can offer the cheapest.

Aldi’s best price is £7.99, which I thought would be hard to beat value for money wise but Tesco has managed to do it. The country’s wine supermarket of the year has come up with a perfectly good one for £6.99, which is a massive £5 off the normal selling price.

This is from the respected Caves Saint-Pierre domain and is being heavily advertised on national TV.

At these silly prices you can afford a couple on the table (alongside the whites!), so there is every reason to enjoy a chateauneuf heaven this Christmas – after all it does have its origins in religion, and was christened ‘the Pope’s wine,’ one of the clues being its unmistakable trademark engraving on the bottle.

Both Aldi & Lidl are in the same market for the king of the Italian red – Barolo, and at exactly the same price: £8.99. If you haven’t tasted Barolo, then this is the time. Normally costing £5 or £6 pounds more, it’s full, rich and delicious, give it a try.

If you’re taste is for the traditional Christmas claret, then you’ll be spoiled for choice. Morrisons got my Top Tipples recommendation last week, but take a look (in Aldi) at two of Bordeaux’s most famous names, Margaux and Pauillac. In Lidl there is a certain the grand cru St Emilion, which is excellent. Again all at £8.99.

For the best and probably the pinnacle of claret no need to go past Richardson & Sons, West Cumbria’s only independent wine merchants, on Lowther Street.

Dipping into the bargain basement for some fine whites, Lidl have a Chablis for only £5.48 (Tesco a little cheaper on special offer) and Aldi have what I’d choose in preference to chardonnay – that’s a Sancerre (with the lovely gooseberry flavour) from France’s Loire Valley (£7.99).

For a sweet white, as the perfect accompaniment to the pud, then Sauternes has to be the Queen. Sauternes is so expensive that it often comes in half bottles. At selected superstores (Cleator Moor included) the Co-op is offering a little gem for £5.99 – half price.

I once visited a Sauternes vineyard with some Copeland rugby players – the day before the match! – and I can tell you it’s like drinking liquid gold.

And one of the best red wines I’ve tasted all year also comes from the Co-op – it’s the Signa rioja reserva (2003) really bonny stuff for £5.99 – £4 off.

And if you happen to be through at Sainsbury’s in Cockermouth you can’t miss two of the best bargains at knock down prices – another rioja reserva and a St Emilion.

There’s so much competition, don’t we just love it!