If you’re bored of Beaujolais, sick of Sauvignon Blanc, or feel like you’re stuck in a wine rut, trying something completely new can be a challenge – but if you do feel daring and fancy a change, you might just find something very interesting on the shelves at your local Lidl.
Two wines from Ukraine have just landed in store – the very first time that UK wine lovers will be able to sample unique bottles from this lesser known, yet historic, wine producing country.
The pair of bottles come from Bolgrad Winery in Odesa. The Bolgrad Select Duo white wine and the red Bolgrad Select Saperavi are available now for a limited time only, at £7.99 a bottle, and both wines will go very well with winter cuisine. They are made with Easter European grape varieties which – until now – you may never have tried before.
The launch of the two Bolgrad wines into Lidl stores comes at a time when popularity of wines from emerging and lesser-known wine regions are at an all-time high. Wines from Eastern Europe have earned their place on supermarket shelves but – until now – Ukrainian wines have been largely undiscovered by UK wine drinkers.
The Odesa region is an area known for its unique terroir which mixes two opposing air masses from the Black Sea and the Yalpug, diverse growing conditions and a microclimate with low precipitation and hot summers. Located to the southwest of Ukraine, near to the Black Sea port city of Odesa, the region is also known for its ancient winemaking traditions that date back to Greek settlements at Boristhenis and Tyras. The two wines are:
Bolgrad Select Duo White 2023 75cl (12.5% ABV) – £7.99
Duo is a blend of Chardonnay and native Ukrainian Sukholimansky grapes for a well-balanced dry white wine. The indigenous grape is highly aromatic on the nose and adds to the palate a white meadow blossom and dried apricot to the ripe citrus notes of the Chardonnay. Chill down well for a refreshing drink or accompaniment to zesty lime-spiked tacos.
Bolgrad Select Saperavi 2023 75cl (14% ABV) 75cl – £7.99
Ukrainian winery Bolgrad’s Select Saperavi is grown South Odessa region and is a medium bodied fruity red, softer, almost perfumed with plentiful red fruits. A must try for any Malbec lovers! Saperavi – a grape which is native to Georgia – pairs well with Autumnal evenings and Parkin… red meats or rich sauces, and it’s particularly good with seasoned spiced lamb, hard sheep’s cheese, and rich bean stews.
Wine lovers can seek out the distinctive bottles on Lidl shelves by looking for the blue and yellow colours of the Ukrainian flag that are proudly featured on the labels. Vitali Shmulevych, CEO at Bolgrad Winery, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to fly the flag for Ukrainian wines in the UK. We know British shoppers will love the wines as they bring unique styles and exciting grape varieties to the drinks aisle and offer the chance to experiment and explore the potential of Ukrainian wines.”