Lidl, Les Aumôniers, Plan de Dieu, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Rhône, France 2021

You'll find similar soils in this part of the southern Rhône as you would find in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with large round pebbles (known as galets). Happily the wines are much cheaper at Côtes du Rhône Villages level, though the wines offer more complexity than a straight Côtes du Rhône. This Grenache-based blend is open and expressive, full-bodied but fresh, with juicy red plum fruit, rounded tannins and a spiciness on the finish that would make it a good match for a cassoulet or similarly rustic meat dish. The Côtes du Rhône Villages Séguret Les Aumôniers, also in the Spring Wine Tour, is another good buy, more brooding and meaty in character.