Weekend wine with Blake Creedon

I’VE been catching up with the affordable end of two old-school wine wholesalers who supply independent wine stores.

Among the posh highlights in Coman’s range are Casa Lapostolle in Chile; Zind Humbrecht from Alsace in France, and Bodegas Valdamor’s Albarino from Spain’s Rias Baixas region. Two of the jewels in their crown are ranges from quality Australian producers — Peter Lehmann in the Barossa and Eden Valley and, from Victoria, Tahbilk — a noteworthy name, even if only for their reinvention of the white Rhone grape, marsanne.

Comans Wholesale, Belgard Road, Tallaght, D24. (01-4519146) www.comans.ie

* Where to start with Searsons? The firm’s Spanish section alone has quite a selection of mouth-watering wines, particularly from the Ribera Del Duero — from the luxury Condado De Haza Ribera Del Duero Crianza (around €20 to €22) to the more approachable Martin Berdugo Barrica Ribera del Duero which is a treat at around €16. Searsons’ site is well worth a look, especially as stockists of each of their wines is flagged on a map of Ireland — a customer-friendly guide that other wholesalers might consider using.

Searsons Wine Merchants, 10A Monkstown Crescent Blackrock, Co Dublin. (01-2800405). searsons.com

* A series of ‘pop-up’ restaurants is being hosted by From Vineyards Direct. Showcasing their wines from the Castello di Potentino in Tuscany, the events take place on Wednesday in Cork City Gaol from 6.30pm to 9pm; on Thursday at Limerick City Gallery from 6.30pm to 9pm; and on Friday at The Science Gallery at TCD from 6.30 to 8pm. See fromvineyardsdirect.ie for details.

* The second All-Ireland Beerfest takes place at St George’s Dock at the IFSC from March 15 to 19. Details have yet to be confirmed but as this is basically the agm of Ireland’s exciting, fast-moving craft brewing scene, you can expect all sorts of tasty delights in cask, keg and bottle, including one-off brews. See irishcraftbeerfestival.com.

Peter Lehmann Layers 2008 Barossa, €9.99

Rich, juicy and spicy, this has all the hallmarks of a plump southern Rhone blend — albeit augmented by fragrant tempranillo — made in the famed Barossa valley by one of the great names of Australian wine. Imported by Comans and available at O’Donovans and independents nationwide.

Faustino Rivero Ulecia Crianza Rioja 2008, €8.99

The name is a mouthful (let’s just call it ‘yellow label’) but so too are the contents. Give it time to breathe, half a day even, and it opens up to display handsome aromas of baked sweet red fruit and enough of that bitter, mouthwatering tannicity that makes a good big red wine so food-friendly. Hello, steak.

Two Tracks Sauvignon Blanc 2010, €12 to €13

Coming from the Wither Hills stable — which is quite a recommendation — this is affordable Kiwi quality, all fresh, crisp and mouthwatering green apples.

Dom de Bisconte Côtes du Roussillon 2010, around €12

This is one of the four contrasting reds at Searsons’ stand that wowed wine fans at last year’s Cork Wine Fair. Robust, plump red fruit, laced with chewy tannins, it’s a permanent ‘bargain’ which could beat any wine at around the same price. O’Donovan’s off-licences and independents nationwide.

Zenato Valpolicella Superiore 2009, €13.99

I’m a fan of Zenato’s Amarone and especially their Ripasso, which at about €20 is inexpensive, considering the costly process involved in making it. But pause awhile at its more affordable stablemate — this is a gorgeous herb-inflected cherry-red. O’Donovan’s off-licences and independents.

Luis Cañas Crianza Rioja, €13.50

“Rioja” can mean anything from abrupt everyday vino through to fabulously fragrant and costly wines. This one is priced like the former but behaves like the latter — an elegant translucent ruby colour, it’s stuffed with beautifully aromatic fresh and baked red fruit . Independents nationwide.