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Weekend wine with Blake Creedon
Today it’s like I’ve gone all Gok Wan because we’re talking clothes. The first question is how many black items of clothing do you have? Dozens I’d bet.
It’s only when you do that, that you realise that this single ‘black’ colour is in fact a monochrome rainbow ranging from something close to genuine light-absorbing black, through slate to deep greys, many with bluish or greenish tints.
As with shades, so with flavours. Trying out lots of different wines from various regions is all very interesting but you’d be amazed how much more you discover about wine (and your own senses) if you narrow the focus and try several wines made in the same region with the same grapes. Today’s epiphany is inspired by the current 20% off offer on wines from Bordeaux and Spain at Curious Wines (at the Kinsale Road in Cork or delivered nationwide via curiouswines.ie). I tried a selection of wines from Bordeaux under €10 and Spain between €10 and €20. And remarkably, every one of the wines I tried could easily earn its place in the list below.
It’s only rarely anyone would open five or six bottles of an evening. But a big dinner or drinks party could be great opportunity to experiment with such a mixum gatherum. And why not? We don’t serve identical food at every course, do we? Remember too that re-lidded and popped in the fridge, most wines are fine (and sometimes even better) over the course of two to four days.
*Don’t forget the Irish Examiner Cork Food Festival 2012 is taking over Fitzgerald Park in the city from next Thursday to Sunday.
Featuring demonstrations by Andrew Rudd, Rachel Allen, Paolo Tullio and Darina Allen, and a host of restaurants and drinks distributors, booking is open now on www.irishexaminerfoodfestival.com.
58 Guineas Everyday Claret 2009
Reduced to €7.99 in Curious Wines’ 20%-off deal
Saying an under-€8 wine is ‘good at the price’ can be to damn it with faint praise. But this, the most unassuming Bordeaux in Curious Wines’ line-up, is really very good by any measure: Plenty of fruit against springy tannin and acid, and quite a creamy texture. Plus it turns out to be a welcome notch down the alcohol scale at a relatively moderate 12.5%.
Château Roc de Bignon Bordeaux 2009
Reduced to €7.99 in Curious Wines’ 20%-off deal
A sappy, tangy green edge is rightly prized in Bordeaux so, by comparison with the 58 Guineas above, the extra dimension of tartness here makes it feel like you’re trading up a bit. Bright with mouthwatering cherry and spice, you’d be forgiven for pricing it at well over a tenner.
Château Les Deux Cèdres Bordeaux 2009
Reduced to €8.79 in Curious Wines’ 20%-off deal
While the foregoing have plenty to offer, this would be the wine I’d plump for if forced to pick only one of the Bordeaux. < Big, generous, rich, intense and spicy. By a short nose, it’s my bargain of the week.
A2 Monastrell 2009
Reduced to €11.99 in Curious Wines’ 20%-off deal
If wines were pets, this would be the puppy with big roundy eyes that you just can’t resist picking up and hugging. It’s a lovable yet there’s plenty going on here.
Sweet plummy and soft red apple.
It proves again that hot climates (this one’s Valencia, where the oranges come from) can produce lovely, polished, well-weighted, elegant wines.
Vallobera Rioja Crianza 2009
Reduced to €11.99 in Curious Wines’ 20%-off deal.
While I’d defend the lush romantic Monastrell above, this bottle really is a step up into more engaging territory. A lovely, limpid, dark garnet colour, its dense, creamy texture is studded with plumpish fruit and pleasingly garlanded with a whiff of dramatic smoke.
Mesoneros De Castilla Ribera del Duero Roble 2006
Reduced to €10.79 in Curious Wines’ 20%-off deal.
This is a bit of a surprise. Robles (and there’s an explanation of Spanish terms on my blog) are not really designed for the long road but this has aged very well indeed. With an impressive scent from the beginning, you might enjoyed delving into its depths of blackness. An eloquent, generous guest at the dinner table.