Wine List: Consider buying your wine from independent stores during pandemic
With restaurants and pubs closed consider the independent brewers and wine importers who sell much of their products via the on-trade. Most have a retail presence but it pales in significance in volume and value.
Wine sales have been strong in retail these past few weeks but do consider buying from independent shops as the supermarkets are getting plenty of business. Also consider ordering online if you are reluctant to leave the house — as mentioned last week there is a lot of choice: www.siyps.com, www.winesdirect.ie, www.curiouswines.ie, www.bubblebrothers.ie, www.worldwidewines.ie to name just a few.
This week I have another importer to recommend — Mary Pawle Wines who specialise in organic and natural wine — www.marypawlewines.ie. Mary’s wines are available in independents in the Munster region, such as Organico, Quay Co-Op, Fields Skibbereen and Mannings in Ballylickey. Mannings was due to open for the 2020 season but at present they are operating as a take-out at weekends for their organic wines and pizza.
If you need beer delivered I recommend www.craftcentral.ie or better still to buy direct from a brewer such as Mescan in Westport. I’ve featured their beers in the beer slot a few times and I especially recommend their Belgian style ales, their new Lambic beer and their excellent Blonde Ale. Anyone that orders from Mescan during the crisis will be invited to their ‘Post Corona Party’, an excellent incentive — www.mescanbrewery.com
My suggestions this week include some recent discoveries in Aldi and a couple of fine organic wines from Mary Pawle. While small importers need our support I realise finding enough ready cash to order a full case may not be possible, so the supermarkets have their place.
JJ O’Driscoll’s in Ballinlough is my kind of supermarket. They have a large wine section with frequent special offers as well as a deli and Arbutus bread, etc. Buy 12 bottles and you pay for just 11 and they deliver.
Speaking of Aldi they recently picked up gold medals at the World Spirit Awards for their Boyles Gin (made by Blackwater Distillery - €24.99) and for Ardfallan Irish Whiskey (€18.99) both punch well above their price points should you need something stronger.
