Wine with Leslie: wine at Electric Picnic, and budget boxes

This will be my 15th festival working at the Theatre of Food and Drinks Theatre at the Mindfield, so I have some thoughts.

Fri, 22 Aug, 2025 - 01:00

Leslie Williams

Electric Picnic is a week away and I have the answer to the question anyone over 25 is asking: can you get a decent glass of wine?

This will be my 15th festival working at the Theatre of Food and Drinks Theatre at the Mindfield, so I have some thoughts.

Given past experience, I do not have high hopes for wine.

In my opinion, there has not been a decent glass of vino available since around 2016, which was the last year of the much-missed Car-au-Vin at the Trailer Park.

The only decent wine on offer will likely be the samples at the Drinks Theatre, where I will be for most of the weekend.

Expect tastings of Irish Apple Brandy (Sunday at 2pm), Natural Wines (Saturday at 3pm) and Wine Cans & Bags (Sunday at 4pm).

As for beer, only Heineken brands are permitted but at least this means you can get a pint of Beamish.

Unfortunately, you won't find anything from Ballykilcavan Brewery despite the fact they brew just a few hundred metres from the festival.

Recommendations this week all have value in mind, including my beer suggestion which is available in five litre kegs.

Glass is not permitted at EP, but bag-in-box wines have improved hugely in recent years.

SuperValu has Campo Viejo and 19 Crimes in box format but if you are looking for a bit more excitement, head to O’Brien's or a good independent.

Besides the wines below, watch for Chat-Fou and LAB from Lisboa in Portugal (Pinto, Lilith).

Un’Ombra Refosco, Veneto, Italy 1.5L, €26-27

JJ O’Driscolls; Mannings; Wine Pair; Deveneys

From WineLab.ie whose mission is to make wine more sustainable with wine in kegs and bags.

There is also a Pinot Grigio and a crisp Sauvignon in the range. WineLab & O’Briens are at Drinks Theatre on Sunday at 4pm.

Berry fruit aromas with a touch of herbs, light in colour, fruity and fresh with a bitter cherry note on the finish. Serve cool.

Le Jaja de Jau Syrah, Languedoc-Roussillon, 3L, €40.50

O’Briens

From Château de Jau in Roussillon, a solid producer of organic wines just to the north of Perpignan.

This isn’t organic but is eco friendly given its lower carbon footprint.

Pours a dark red/purple, bright and fruity aromas with some distinct blackcurrant fruits and a touch of chocolate, vibrant and fruit-focused and the weightiest of today’s suggestions.

Four bottles for €10.13 each.

Altano Rewilding Edition Douro, Portugal, 2.25L, €33.26

O’Briens

This a proper Summer wine with a solid pedigree as it is from the Symington family (Dow’s Port) and supports a 120,000ha rewilding project.

A blend of Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca & Touriga Franca this pours a dark garnet with bright cooked plum and prunes with herbal touches and a pleasing lively fruit-driven palate - very solid for €11.09 per bottle.

Serve cool.

Beer of the Week