Wine Review Page - Irish Examiner

Sign in

Wine

Still life photo of grapes, wine bottle and wine glass

Wine with Leslie: Grenache falls under the radar despite being one of the most planted grapes

Grenache plantings may have reduced a little in recent years but it is still the primary grape in Côtes-du-Rhône, Provence and much of Southern France

Close up shot of man and woman toasting and drinking red wine from glasses on dinner

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

red wine on young adults valentines day table

Leslie Williams: Forget about dry January — life is too short

Pouring red wine

Wine with Leslie: Why Piedmont is my favourite Italian destination

A close-up of elegant glasses with alcoholic beverages. Cups with colorful sparkling wines from different grape varieties. Champ

Wine with Leslie: Weighing up calories and alcohol levels in wines from various regions

Alcohol levels in all wines have crept up in recent years, thanks largely to warmer summers and the popularity of riper styles

Sat, 10 Jan, 2026

happy friends drinking red wine at christmas party

Wine with Leslie: De-alcoholised wines have improved enormously

I’m not doing dry January or any other penance, I was good last year

Sat, 03 Jan, 2026

Hands, group and toast champagne at party in celebration, goals or connection for success in career at night. Business people, d

Wine with Leslie: Three Champagnes inspired by women that you need to try

Toast the women of Champagne with these drinks

Fri, 26 Dec, 2025

Wine with Leslie: The three wines from Chile making their debut in Ireland

Wine with Leslie: The three wines from Chile making their debut in Ireland

The wines are only just in the market and I like what I’ve tasted so far.

Fri, 28 Nov, 2025

grape harvest bucket with red wine bottle and wine glass

Wine with Leslie: What I learned about Les Deux Cols wines — and why wild boar are a challenge

Showcasing Les Deux Cols wines

Fri, 21 Nov, 2025

Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner

Wine with Leslie: Burgundy or good Chardonnay is the classic white choice for turkey

Pinot Noir or red Burgundy is a fine red match

Mon, 20 Oct, 2025

Glass of red wine on the hills of Tuscany in Italy.

Wine with Leslie: Exciting wines from lesser-known European regions

These wine suggestions are all from Central and Southern Europe

Fri, 19 Sep, 2025

Customer buying white wine or sparkling drink. Alcohol aisle in store or supermarket. Woman holding bottle. Buying riesling or c

Wine with Leslie: My top three choices from the French wine sales

Dunnes, SuperValu, and O’Briens all have great savings

Fri, 05 Sep, 2025

Wineglass on brick border in yard

Wine with Leslie: Fizzy business for your August evenings with these pocket-friendly sips

"I’m not sure if this is good news, but the downturn in sales means that bulk wine has never been cheaper, so supermarket wines will continue to be sold close to the government minimum price of c. €8 per bottle."

Fri, 15 Aug, 2025

Brittany area of France

Wine with Leslie: Ireland's connections to Brittany go deeper than music and culture

"I have been visiting Brittany since the mid-1990s, almost always via the Cork-Roscoff ferry, and I can already taste the oysters and Muscadet, and the crêpe complète with cidre fermier."

Fri, 08 Aug, 2025

Vineyards in summer with San Vicente de la Sonsierra village as background, La Rioja, Spain

Wine with Leslie: I went to Rioja with Lidl — here's what I learned

'I was particularly curious to see how they can sell Rioja at such a low price'

Fri, 25 Jul, 2025

red wine on young adults valentines day table

Wine with Leslie: Looking for lighter reds that refrigerate well?

"Suggestions this week are three reds for drinking cool: a cheapy, an old favourite and a wine with grapes you’ve never tasted."

Fri, 04 Jul, 2025

Chinese Vineyards near the Helan Mountains in Ningxia

Wine with Leslie: Looking east to China for the future of wine

"Wine is not universally drunk in China, of course (baijiu spirit is the alcohol of choice), but it is slowly gaining traction and wineries are popular wedding venues."

Fri, 27 Jun, 2025

Wine producer mane tasting the product after harvest and grape fermentation process - Vinification, organic quality product and

Wine with Leslie: Rediscovering an Italian grape that almost went extinct

The Pecorino grape was brought back from the brink of extinction in the past two decades and now fills the wine lists and shelves during my recent visit to Italy

Fri, 06 Jun, 2025

Greek food background. Traditional different greek dishes.

Wine with Leslie: Greece has been making wine for millennia — here are three to try

Wine consumption was considered essential for the development of philosophical ideas, cf.: The modern Irish pub.

Fri, 30 May, 2025

Close up shot of man and woman toasting and drinking red wine from glasses on dinner

Wine with Leslie: Say cheers to mum with these delicious wines

These would make great gifts for Mother's Day on Sunday

Fri, 28 Mar, 2025

Ripe for the picking? Irish wine on the up — but ‘nobody will retire rich’

Ripe for the picking? Irish wine on the up — but ‘nobody will retire rich’

Global warming has made conditions more favourable for growing grapes — and finding the right variety is key, writes Lisa O'Carroll

Tue, 07 Jan, 2025

Happy family eating and drinking red wine at dinner barbecue party outdoor - Mature and young people dining together on rooftop

Wine with Leslie: The best of Spanish wines and a stunning new whiskey

The annual ‘Eat Spain Drink Spain’ Festival runs from October 1-19, 2024, with tastings, wine dinners, tapas trails, interactive workshops, and a programme of events all over Ireland.

Fri, 27 Sep, 2024

Pouring Rosé white wine into a glass on outdoors restaurant table

Wine with Leslie: Supermarket rosé wines that are perfect for an Indian summer

And a warming red (just in case)

Fri, 20 Sep, 2024

How to find the style of wine that’s right for you

How to find the style of wine that’s right for you

Understanding the flavours is key to finding your favourites, says Sam Wylie-Harris

Mon, 16 Sep, 2024

Waiter pouring a glas of cold rose wine, outdoor terrase, sunny day, green garden background

Wine with Leslie: Three rosé wines that are perfect to enjoy on sunny summer days

I have three rosé to recommend this week that thankfully cost a little less than d’Esclans

Fri, 09 Aug, 2024

Young multi-ethnic friends having fun in a vineyard tour - Outdoar Hand Toasting of red wine before the sunset in autumn during

Wine with Leslie: Five red wines for barbecue season — plus the best beer and cider

Don’t be afraid to chill red wine and make sure to seek out a beer specialist, writes Leslie Williams

Sat, 01 Jun, 2024

People fine dining seafood and white wine on the table at home

Wine with Leslie: Muscadet is very much back en vogue

News from our Celtic neighbours is that Brittany is getting a new vineyard near the town of Lorient founded by winemaker (and native Breton) Romain Le Guillou who spent many years in Champagne working for Krug and others.

Fri, 26 Apr, 2024

Happy adult friends having fun drinking red wine and eating together with vineyard in background - Multiracial people doing appe

Wine with Leslie: A selection of wines from South Africa’s two best-known grapes

My relationship with South African wine has been a little bumpier but things have changed immeasurably in the last 15 years

Fri, 05 Apr, 2024

Freeze motion of red wine pouring into glass.

Wine with Leslie: Discover Eastern Europe's winemaking tradition

"There are not many Czech wines here yet, but Moravia in Southern Czechia has a long and storied tradition of winemaking and on a visit last year I found delicious fruity Blaufrankisch and Zweigelts (as good as many from Austria) and solid Rieslings, Furmints and Laski whites."

Fri, 15 Mar, 2024

Young friends having fun outdoor clinking red wine glasses - Happy people eating grape and drinking at harvest time in farmhouse

Wine with Leslie: Spanish wines worth trying, including one from an Irishman's vineyard

Small vineyards but big impressions

Fri, 08 Mar, 2024

vineyard

Wine with Leslie: Savouring the taste of southern France

My suggestions this week will all match richer cheeses and the cool but bright evenings.

Fri, 01 Mar, 2024

Glass of wine in hand of tourist in a natural landscape of Tuscany, with green valley of grapes. Wine beverage tasting in Italy

Wine with Leslie: Italy is at the core of modern wine world

My selections this week include some of the best wines from Italy

Fri, 23 Feb, 2024

Chardonnay Glass

Wine with Leslie: Busting the myths about organic wine

Organic wine is better for the environment and often tastes better — but not always

Fri, 19 Jan, 2024

Group of friends having a meal outdoors. They are celebrating with a toast using wine

Wine with Leslie: Bright, fruity wines from Italy are perfect for dark evenings

Suggestions this week should lighten any wintry moods

Fri, 12 Jan, 2024

Group of friend clinking glasses of wine in a restaurant

Wine with Leslie: As sugar levels in wine surge, thank god for Bordeaux

'The success of Dada, 19 Crimes and Apothic has led to a huge increase in sugar levels — wine consumers often talk dry wine, but buy sweet.'

Fri, 22 Sep, 2023

Wine with Leslie: Digging up wines from Southern France - rugby country

Wine with Leslie: Digging up wines from Southern France - rugby country

Plus, organic reds from €15 at your local stockists

Fri, 24 Feb, 2023

Roses, two glasses of red wine and candles on desk

Wine with Leslie: Raise a glass to love this Valentine's Day

From seductive sparklers to juicy soft reds — my selections this week will all work for Valentine’s Day

Fri, 10 Feb, 2023

Wine with Leslie: A toast to St Brigid - and super savings with SuperValu's upcoming sale

Wine with Leslie: A toast to St Brigid - and super savings with SuperValu's upcoming sale

"I’m just back from a few days in magical Venice so I will be celebrating St. Brigid with a bitter-sweet Amaro Spritz over the weekend."

Fri, 03 Feb, 2023

Pouring white wine into glasses in the vineyard

Wine with Leslie: Ireland’s in love with Kiwi wines

Sauvignon Blanc is still by far the best-selling wine from New Zealand making up over 90% of sales in Ireland

Fri, 20 Jan, 2023

Pouring champagne into a glasses standing on table

Wine with Leslie: The best sparkling wine and champagne to toast with this New Year’s Eve

Ring in the New Year with a bottle of fizz

Fri, 30 Dec, 2022

Group of Happy Family enjoying celebrating Christmas or New Year's eve party with champagne at home. Eve family gathering meeti

Wine with Leslie: Here's what to gift a wine lover for Christmas

What do wine lovers want for Christmas? This week’s column is here to help

Fri, 09 Dec, 2022

The best cocktail recipes for your Christmas drinks party this year

The best cocktail recipes for your Christmas drinks party this year

Making world-class cocktails at home this Christmas is easy with Leslie William's top tips

Sat, 03 Dec, 2022

Loving Senior Couple Celebrating With Champagne Around Christmas Tree At Home

Wine with Leslie: Here are the wines I will be sipping this Christmas and New Year

From now until Christmas I will be suggesting some of my favourite wines to suit not just Christmas Dinner but most of the other food we eat in a typical December

Fri, 25 Nov, 2022

Pouring white wine into glasses in the vineyard

Wine with Leslie: A look at some lesser known Spanish whites

This week I focus on two Spanish grape varieties that do not get nearly enough love

Fri, 18 Nov, 2022

Pouring white wine from bottle into glass on blurred background

Wine with Leslie: Sauvignon blanc still surprises

All the wines recommended today were chosen for ageing capability

Fri, 28 Oct, 2022

Glass of wine in hand of tourist in a natural landscape of Tuscany, with green valley of grapes. Wine beverage tasting in Italy

Wine with Leslie: Italy still pouring out new surprises

Italy constantly surprises me, and it is the diversity of flavours that keeps me coming back for more

Fri, 21 Oct, 2022

Hand sommelier holding glass of white wine. Swirling wine glass in wine tastings White wine concept. Wine tour. Vertical, cold

Wine with Leslie: Gold-star wines at the right price

Almost all wines here are from family-owned wineries or from owner-run co-ops and imported by Irish-owned businesses

Fri, 14 Oct, 2022

Group of Young People Enjoying Dinner at the Restaurant

Wine with Leslie: High-altitude wines that are well worth a try

A selection of wines that have benefited from altitude, but perhaps not regions that spring to mind

Fri, 07 Oct, 2022

Happy wine tourists tasting wine in vineyard

Wine with Leslie: These are the cheap wines that I like to drink

Stick to lesser-known regions and don’t be afraid of grapes you have never heard of

Fri, 16 Sep, 2022

Heat Wave Hits Germany Agriculture, Corn, Sunflowers

Withered vines and parched soil: How climate change is changing the foods farmers produce

After heat waves and droughts devastated farming across the EU, there are fears of farmers reducing production in the years ahead.

Thu, 01 Sep, 2022

Woman tasting wine outdoors

Wine with Leslie: Picking winners of the harvest

The 2022 wine harvest and autumn wine sales have already begun — here are some of the top picks

Fri, 19 Aug, 2022

Wine bootles from cellar in selective focus

Wine with Leslie: Wines to transport you abroad

Find the perfect wine for your bank holiday weekend

Fri, 29 Jul, 2022

Wine with Leslie: The best organic wines at every price point

Wine with Leslie: The best organic wines at every price point

Modern industrial farming methods are said to contribute up to 29% of global greenhouse gas emissions and grape growing is often worse than other farming sectors.

Fri, 22 Jul, 2022

Sobering thoughts: The best of non-alcoholic cocktails, beers, wines and more

Sobering thoughts: The best of non-alcoholic cocktails, beers, wines and more

Fancy a tipple without getting tipsy? Luckily, there's been an explosion in more inclusive drinks for social settings

Fri, 08 Jul, 2022

ieFood

Newsletter

Feast on delicious recipes and eat your way across the island with the best reviews from our award-winning food writers.