Weekend wine with Blake Creedon
It’s an enormously estimable range and again it was the middle tiers — Reserva and Medalla Real — that stood out.
Let’s go take a look at some highlights, along with two other Chilean stars.
A new post on my blog (blakecreedon.wordpress.com) has loads of suggestions about getting the best out of the ever-growing autumn diary of tastings and dinners all over Ireland. If you’ve any questions, comments or information to share, please drop a line to blake.creedon@examiner.ie.
* THIS weekend marks the end of the beer festival at the White Horse in Ballincollig, Co Cork — a celebration of the foamy stuff featuring guest appearances from Eight Degrees Brewery, among others. Among the final events is tonight’s barbecue masterclass and tasting, presented by Mike Corcoran from 6pm. See www.whitehorse.ie.
* ON Thursday, Ely wine bar and brasserie at the IFSC in Dublin is hosting its second big tasting, with more than 70 wines and cocktails on offer. It’s €20 for the tasting alone or €35 with a set three-course dinner. Tastings at 6pm and 8pm. Book on wineclub@elywinebar.com or 01-6787867.
* THE following night, Ely is also the venue for the second international Grenache Day. It’s a whole evening devoted to tasting and drinking grenache (or garnacha) grape, the secret star of so many beautifully-perfumed wines from France and Spain and beyond. Kicking off at 5pm, the event comprises a seminar, tasting and dinner, and tickets are €65. For information and bookings, drop in to elyChq in the IFSC (www.elywinebar.com) or phone 01-6720010.
* FROM Friday to Sunday, more than 40 beers and cider producers (along with some whiskey makers) will be pouring their wares at the inaugural All-Ireland Beer Festival at the RDS. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.ie or from The Bull and Castle pub near Christchurch on Lord Edward St D2, and L Mulligan Grocer at 18 Stoneybatter D7. See www.irishcraftbeerfestival.com for details.
Making a virtue of simplicity, this is a good popular everyday sauvignon, its fresh lemony acidity providing an apt exclamation mark to simple seafood fish dishes.
One of the best price/quality ratios you will find is in this cool-climate white — a tremendous full-on fragrant grapefruit-and-lime sauvignon.
I liked Santa Rita’s pinot noir last time I tried it, but it wasn’t featured in this tasting. But not to fear — wine fans will never tire of the note-perfect Cono Sur pinot — and check out their more upmarket one for about €2 more.
Once made entirely with grapes from Casablanca, the current vintage blend with Leyda is a bright, generous undertow of accomplished sauvignon at an accessible price.
This band of the Santa Rita range is outstanding — this chardonnay being a case in point, its mouthwatering lemon and lime set off by flashes of a gorgeous texture.
Dense isn’t the word: this lovely approachable cabernet is clotted with ripe chewy currants and brambly bright acidity.
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