Adler Grüner Veltliner Alto Adige, Lidl

A classy Italian Grüner from Lidl

Adler Grüner Veltliner Alto Adige, 2018, Lidl

Gruener is Austria's signature grape and little found outside the country; New Zealand does some and now, it seems, so does Südtirol.

Südtirol was formerly part of Austria and is culturally more Austrian than Italian; it is, however, a long way from the Wachau where Grüner does best.

Prices for Austrian Grüner have been rising since I first fell in love with the grape 20-odd years ago, so to find a good example below a tenner these days is quite something.

This wine is part of Lidl's Wine Tour and gets a score of 91 from MW Richard Bampfield; it also gets a nod from Tom Cannavan, with good reason.

Adler Grüner Veltliner Alto Adige, Lidl (Lidl, £8.49) fresh and citrussy with green apple and lime marmalade, herbaceous, minty rubbed sage and white pepper; well-structured, textured and linear with saline minerality and good underpinnings.

Improves with some aeration and will age.

Very Good and Good Value.

A versatile food wine, match with a range of starters, picnic foods or white meats and meaty fish.