Wine with Leslie: Three wines perfect for longer, brighter evenings

Three wine suggestions to lighten your mood

Fri, 13 Mar, 2026 - 01:00

It’s amazing the difference a bit of light can make. Well light with a bit of sparkling wine and indulgence. I’m sure we have not seen the last of the spring rainfall, but the longer evenings and the bit of sunshine in recent weeks has lightened my mood considerably and sent me off in a different vinous direction.

The black skies of January and February had darkened the mood in the house and I resolved that we should change with the weather, and with the help of some of our favourite wines.

I opened a pink Champagne and a jar of pâté de foie gras a French friend had given us at Christmas, rather indulgent for a Monday but that was the point. Champagne is not a traditional match for pâté but the M&S Delcacourt Champagne (see below) had a touch of sweetness and lots of floral red fruit so a tiny smear of redcurrant jelly on the side allowed the two to sync rather well.

The hedonism continued the next day with some Manzanilla sherry and fish and chips made with a simple beer batter (ice cold lager, a pinch of baking powder, salt, and flour).

The litre bottle of La Guita had been picked up in a Spanish duty free for around a tenner, ridiculously good value. It was finished off the following day with salted almonds in front of the TV. La Guita doesn’t seem to be available in Ireland but is easy to spot in duty free with its orange top.

The distinctive little piece of string extending under the label seems to be gone which is a pity (‘guita’ means string, hence the word guitar). Instead of La Guita look for Hidalgo Manzanilla (Celtic), La Gitana, or Lustau Papirusa but Fino will also work, Tio Pepe at worst, Lustau for preference.

Three wine suggestions to lighten your mood below.

Lustau Fino del Puerto Sherry, Spain, 375ml, €13-14

A glass of fino is the perfect aperitif, pungent, salty, dry and exhilarating. This is aged in old barrels for five years in the coastal town of El Puerto de Santa María, where it is said to pick up scents of the sea.

Lemon peel and fresh dough aromas, textured and complex with lingering lime and preserved lemon notes. Try with charcuterie, salted almonds, or fish and chips.

Bradleys; Ardkeen; Wine Centre; O’Briens; Whelehans; Mitchellandson.com

Casa Belfi Rosso Raboso Colfondo Frizzante, Veneto, Italy, €24.50

I have featured Casa Belfi’s peachy pet-nat Prosecco before, but never this delightful Rosso version which I found at a LeCaveau tasting. Bright yeasty cherry and cranberry aromas, crunchy cherry fruits on the palate, tart, tangy, refreshing, and bone dry.

Made with local Raboso grapes, organic, unfiltered and unfined. A fine palate-wakener.

L’Atitude 51; Bradleys; 64 Wines; Green Man; Le Caveau, lecaveau.ie

M&S Delacourt Champagne, France €40

This is the M&S own brand Champagne, made for them by the large but well run CRVC cooperative.

Gorgeous salmon pink colour, with rose petals, strawberry and cherry aromas. A vibrant mousse, supple texture and a pleasing biscuity richness.

This is a touch off-dry but none the worse for it, and such a cheery drink it is guaranteed to keep the endorphins flowing even if the sky turns black (again).

M&S stores nationwide

Beer of the week

Hope Red Ale Limited Edition No. 38, 7% ABV, €4.25

Red ale is the one beer style that likely originated in Ireland (although inevitably some dispute this claim).

Hope’s modern take is a long way from Co. Kilkenny’s favourites, given its use of American hops and punchy flavours.

Copper red colour with a fluffy head, toffee and roasted malt flavours, bitter hop intensity and with lingering tropical fruits (e.g. pineapple). Properly tasty.