Wine with Leslie: Red wines to warm you up as spring begins

While we wait for spring weather, let’s look for warmth and sustenance in the Southern Hemisphere.

Fri, 30 Jan, 2026 - 02:00

Spring officially begins on Sunday so goodbye and good riddance to rainy cold January. To cheer myself I’ve been looking to the southern hemisphere for meaty Australian Shiraz, minty Cabernets and fruity but elegant Pinot Noirs from New Zealand.

Australia Day was January 26 last and New Zealand’s Waitangi Day is on February 6, so of course it is time for their annual wine tasting on Tuesday next, February 3, in The Alex Hotel. This year consumers are invited from 6-8pm, tickets €20 from Eventbrite.co.uk.

Suggestions below are two Aussie reds to warm your blood and a fine elegant Pinot Noir from Central Otago. Sadly, there is limited distribution of the Pinot but their importer, Carrington, hopes to have more in the coming months.

I get to go to a lot of wine dinners and tastings but perhaps the highlight of 2025 was a Japanese omakase dinner at Matsukawa in Dublin, matched with the wines of Yoshiaki and Kyoko Sato from Central Otago, arguably the most exciting wine region in New Zealand. The Satos moved to New Zealand in 2006 and began working at Felton Road Winery, having also worked in Baden and Burgundy.

Within a few years, they were making their own wines from bought-in grapes, finally making their first wine from their own vines in 2019.

Their winemaking philosophy is exactly what I like to hear: “we want our wines to heal people”, Yoshiaki said, “supple, smooth, mouth-filling wines, not powerful, heavily structured, aggressive wines.”

And so it proved, from the finely tuned apple and lime scented Riesling to the textured expressive Chenin Blanc ‘Les Schisteux’ (pears and peaches), to the rounded purity of their Chardonnay “le Chant du Vent” to the cherry and blackberry scented Pinot Noir.

While we wait for spring weather, let’s look for warmth and sustenance in the Southern Hemisphere.

Langmeil Winery Steadfast Shiraz-Cabernet 2022, Australia, €20

The Barossa Valley has some of the oldest soils and oldest productive vines in the world, some dating from the 1840s when Langmeil was founded.

This is solid value for the quality with ripe dark berry aromas (blueberry, blackberry), black olive, and spice, a fruit-driven palate with integrated tannins and a brambly freshness. Perfect for banishing any lingering January blues.

JJ O’Driscolls; Matsons; Vintry; Whelehan Wines; Whelehanwines.com

Longview Yakka Shiraz 2021, Adelaide Hills, Australia, €23

From the (relatively) cooler climate of Adelaide Hills where vineyards are often at 500m or more. Longview is family run and has been with O’Briens for many years.

This is just 13.5% ABV with ripe blackcurrant aromas, minty black fruit flavours with weighT, balancing acidity and not a little elegance.

Also watch for Longview Vista Shiraz Barbera which is on offer at €15.

O’Briens

Sato “Sur Les Nuages” Pinot Noir 2023, Central Otago, New Zealand €45

Sato Wines are new to Ireland (Carrington Wines), so little distribution yet, but among the best wines I tasted in 2025. Created by Yoshiaki and Kyoko Sato, organically farmed, basket-pressed and minimal intervention.

A Pinot with poise and elegance, this has floral berry fruit aromas (strawberry, cherry, cranberry), tastes silky and fine on the palate with tingling tannins and acidity, lingering and complex.

Leonards Wines Trim; Carringtonwine.com

Beer of the week: Mescan Soéartha Dorcha Oyster Stout, 4.7% ABV, 330ml, €4.20

Mescan Brewery in Co. Mayo created this stout with Clew Bay oysters added to the boil to give a touch of briny freshness. Stout malts, Belgian yeasts and low hopping; dark caramel and coffee aromas, mocha and chocolate richness on the palate and a lightly bitter finish. All Mescan’s beers are worth trying, proper craft brewers.