Weekend wine: Marques de Alarcon Tempranillo Syrah
To understand European wine labelling you need to learn a little geography, as almost all labels on wines from the EU refer to the place the grapes are grown. The French started all this in the 1930s when they laid out the Appellation Controlée rules for what grapes (13 different ones) could go into Chateauneuf-du-Pape, along with minimum alcohol levels and other details.
Soon similar rules were being applied to all the wine regions of France and the methodology was copied in Italy, Spain and elsewhere on the continent.
If you are looking for bargains from European countries always pay attention to smaller regions, many of which will not have an AOC or DOC but will be designated as Vino de la Tierra or Vinho Regional or in the case of France or Italy as IGT or IGP (typical or protected geographic indication to give loose translations). Vin de France is a brand new category that has replaced Vin de Table in France and allows producers to blend wines from different regions and although there are not many in the market at the moment I predict this will be a category to watch.
Below are some other regional treats and a couple of sparklers for the longer evenings.
* Congratulations to the Celtic Whiskey Shop on Dawson Street in Dublin who have just won Best Whiskey Retail Outlet from the highly respected Whiskey Magazine. Irish Distillers won Best Whiskey Distiller in the same awards.
* For the Diary: WSET Level 1 Wine Foundation Course run by O’Donovans Off Licence, Clarion Hotel Cork, 9am-5pm, Cost: €150. Contact Deirdre on 021-4296060
Marques de Alarcon Tempranillo Syrah 2011 — €7 (was €10.49)
Stockist: Marks & Spencer
A Vino de la Tierra de Castilla which is a little like the French Vin de Pays or the Italian IGP. Bright purple colour, blackberry and some noticeable smoky Syrah characteristics, medium bodied with fresh acidity and a bramble and red currant finish.
Reserve de la Saurine, Vin de France — €7 (was €10.49)
Stockist: Marks & Spencer
No grapes are given on the label but I suspect there is Grenache Blanc and perhaps some Marsane and Viognier given the peach and floral aromas. Peach flavours also feature on the palate along with some lemon rind and lime essence. I can see this matching beautifully with a paella or perhaps some wild salmon in beurre blanc sauce.
Rapido Garganega, IGP — €7.99 (was €9.99)
Stockist: Curious Wines Cork, Red Nose Wine, Clonmel
Garganega is the primary grape used in Soave, probably the most famous of Venetian DOC white wines. I am guessing this is grown just outside the designated Soave region which is why it is being sold as an IGP.
Pear and apple aromas, crisp and fresh with a pleasing pear drop finish.
Il Burchino Toscana IGP 2008 — €13 (was €20)
Stockist: Dunnes Stores
A blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet and Merlot, grapes which would not normally be permitted under Chianti rules. Darker in colour than most Chianti would be, plum and bramble aromas, soft juicy fruit on the palate with some nice poise and elegance on the finish.
Prosecco Superiore Valdobbiade €10.99
Stockist: Aldi
Unlike most Prosecco this bright fresh peach treat is a fully sparkling spumante rather than a barely sparkling frizzante. Most Prosecco around €10 is frizzante and not fizzy enough to count as sparkling wine and thus is subject to lower duty.
Freixenet Cordon Rosado — €17.99-€18.99
Stockists: Dunnes, Superquinn, Molloys, Londis, Independents
Freixenet’s Cordon Negro is more famous but I have always had a soft spot for Rosé Cava which is made with more interesting grapes — Grenache and the obscure Trepan in this case. Salmon pink in the glass with aromas of red fruits, a hint of sweetness on first taste and a crisp clean finish.
