Wine with Leslie: Last-minute gifts for the wine buff
Pic: iStock
Don’t fret, you still have two days and remember that your local wine merchant is perfect for last-minute gifts.
You can stay local and avoid the mayhem of town by visiting the likes of JJ O’Driscolls in Ballinlough, Mannings in Ballylickey, Matsons in Bandon, Mitchells in Glasthule, or Whelehans in Loughlinstown. I promise that shops like these are so much calmer than the stress-inducing shopping centre.
If you are braving Cork City today, drop into Bubble Brothers in the English Market, WineBuff or O’Donovan’s on Oliver Plunkett St, Quay Co-Op on Sullivans Quay, or Bradleys on North Main St.
Cork people should be proud that their city can support so many independent wine shops in the heart of their city, Dublin just has The Corkscrew and Celtic Whiskey Shop.
Besides wine, vermouth (for example, Valentia), poitín, gin, or whiskey, don’t forget that a good ~corkscrew or quality wine glass is a very welcome gift — wine enthusiasts never have enough.
Bubble Bros have a range of wine-themed jigsaw puzzles (€45) — choose from country or regional options such as France, Italy, or Champagne. Bubble Bros also stock hand-blown Czech wine glasses; if in Dublin head to Mitchell’s for Riedel or Searsons for Zalto.
Bradleys have a huge beer range and lots of craft foods to add to your gift — perhaps a pack of Joe’s Farm Vegetable Crisps and a bottle of Cantillon Geuze lambic beer, or maybe Pol Roger if feeling generous.
I also recommend a fascinating new book called Wise’s Irish Whiskey about the famed North Mall Distillery in Cork (by Barry Crockett & Stephen D’Alton).
And if you really love them, the fifth edition of the sumptuous Midleton Very Rare Dair Ghaelach collection is out now (€490).
My recommendations are lovely things you need in the house this Christmas.
This is my pick for seafood starters, post-Christmas fish & chip supper or even on its own an aperitif.
From Vinho Verde in Northern Portugal, this is a blend of Alvarinho, Loureiro and Trajadura - floral, aromatic and zesty with crisp lemon and apple freshness, taut and textured and a delight from first to last glass.
You need a crowd-pleasing red in the house over Christmas and this will appeal to everyone.
This is ‘natural’ with zero added sulphur and minimal intervention so expect soft bright primary fruits, floral and juicy berry flavours, blueberries and plums. Serve chilled or cool at the very least.
The Christmas break allows for lingering a little longer over dinner with decent wine, and no wine is better suited to this than Nebbiolo (Barolo, Barbaresco or Langhe). This is a lovely example, floral, earth-tinged cherry fruits, layered, complex and elegant. Also watch in BB for zero alcohol grapey refreshing Möckli Muskat should you have non-drinkers to please.
You can’t get more local or exclusive than this. Just one cask was released and only from Bradleys. This spent four years in Oloroso Sherry Butts and a further three in first-fill Bourbon cask and was then bottled in 2023 unfiltered at cask strength. A collector's item.
Honey gold colour, aromas of figs, tea-brack and Manuka honey, sweet and viscous on the palate with dried mango and orange zest, pepper, nutmeg and allspice prelude the smooth long finish. Utterly delicious.
