Weekend wine with Blake Creedon
But in the second panel, the little fish has ganged up with countless others in a formation that looks like an even bigger fish — in pursuit of the now terrified monster.
The image came to mind recently when I was looking at some of the rather excellent wines being distributed by a new wholesaler supplying independent wine retailers
Wine Alliance was set up last August by Galway-based Frank O’Brien — best known as one of the first, and certainly one of the most high profile Irish wine bloggers — and Maurice O’Mahony who formerly worked with Karwig’s in Carrigaline, Co Cork.
The two are now marketing a compact but growing range of wines with partner retailers. The fact that they’re helping refresh the independent sector is, I suppose, their business. But we consumers have an interest too — the fact that there’s a new player marketing some terrific wines and helping sustain the diversity of local independents is good news for us. Let’s take a look at five bottles from Wine Alliance along with one from another independent.
* Wines from Wine Alliance (www.winealliance.ie) are availabl at www.drinkstore.ie and in the following stores. Cork: Bradleys, North Main Street, Cork; JJ O Driscolls, Ballinlough; Matsons, Bandon; Mulcahys, Charleville; Murphys, Dromcummer; 1601, Kinsale; Barrys, Midleton; Dublin: On The Grapevine, Dalkey; Deveneys, Dundrum; McHughs, Kilbarrack and Malahide Road; Gibneys, Malahide. Drinkstore, Stonybatter. Galway: Cases Wine Warehouse; Mortons, Salthill. Kerry: Der O Sullivan’s, The Mall, Tralee; French Flair, Tralee; O’Sullivans, Killarney. Kilkenny: The Wine Centre. Tipperary: Foleys Wine Cellar, Cashel. Red Nose Wines, Clonmel. Waterford: World Wide Wines. Wexford: Partridges, Gorey. Wicklow: Hollands, Bray; Wicklow Wine Company.
See above for stockists
I didn’t expect to like this — outside of Cava, the macabeo (or viura) grape is rarely worth a second glance. But this is a handsome if unusual white: plump, lush and aromatic. Not for everyone, but an interesting alternative to plump whites such as semillon and big chardonnays.
See above for stockists
When you’re looking for value reds, the fabulous tradition that spans north western Spain and the south of France has to be your first port of call. Here’s one from Spain, a dense medley of baked berry fruit with lovely contrasting flashes of sweet fresh notes. The barbecue beckons.
Now €9.99 at O’Donovan’s in Cork city and county
Peter Lehmann has some track record on the quality / value tightrope — and here’s Barossa on a budget: a powerful, elegant glossy red at around €4 or €5 less than you might expect to pay. This particular range is named ‘my word is my bond’ and there’s an extraordinary uplifting true story on the back label about that.
See above for stockists
Western Australia is a diverse wine region but for historic reasons, Bordeaux blends (red and white alike) are still its strongest suit. This one’s a delicious mouth-watering ripe lemony white, like Bordeaux with a sun hat on.
See above for stockists
As with the whites, so with the reds: The punctuated warm-and-cool climate is one of the primary reasons Western Australia has become so highly regarded — in this case for a generous smooth-textured Bordeaux-blend red.
See above for stockists
The Barossa valley in south Australia is synonymous with shiraz (also known as syrah) and this is a handsome example — powerful and aromatic, there’s a lot going on here, from deep plummy red fruit to the delicious garland of leafy herbal spice and mint.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
