Weekend wine with Blake Creedon

Unlike independent offies and the big German discounters, the price of wines at most of the big retailers go up and down periodically.

So while one can snag great bargains, it all depends on what bottles happen to be at their lower price when you visit.

This week I’m taking a look at some of the great value wines at Dunnes Stores, most of them among the current offers (until Tuesday) and next cycle which starts on Wednesday.

* L’Atitude 51 on Union Quay in Cork is refreshing its extensive wine list and is inviting you to help them choose their new wines. Between 6pm and 8pm tomorrow customers can taste a number of contenders, comparing wines from different producers and regions, and vote on their favourites. There’s no charge but you must phone [phone]) or email ([e-mail]) to book.

* Jean Trimbach’s family has been making great white wines in Alsace since 1626. He’s also a delightfully entertaining host and he’s back on one of his regular trips to Ireland for three events next week. On Monday at 7pm he’s conducting a tasting at Ely Wine Bar, Ely Place, D2. Book now (€40) on 01-6768986. On Tuesday from 7pm, he’s hosting a food and wine evening at Harvey Nichols, Dundrum Town Centre, D14, showcasing five of his wines alongside a special menu. Tickets are €60, and bookings are on 01-2910488. And on Wednesday at 7pm he’s at Ballymaloe, Shanagarry, Co Cork, where he’s accompanied by the people behind two great producers of the finest Irish cured meats and cheeses — Gubbeen and Cashel Blue. Taste them all and see how well they go together. Book (€15) on 021-4652531 and see www.ballymaloe.ie.

* We and Cork City Council are coming together to present The Irish Examiner Food Festival in Fitzgerald’s Park in the city from Jul 19 to 22. There’s more information on prettyreallygoodevents.com and I’ll put more info about the events here and on my blog in the run-up the event.

La Baume Viognier Vin de pays d’Oc 2010, Down from €10 to €8 at Dunnes from Wednesday

Like all good examples of aromatic wines (such as gewürztraminer and torrontés), this lovely viognier strikes a wonderful balance. Succulent and sweetly redolent of floral honey, but lacking the cloying lushness that can deaden the wine experience.

Viña Maipo Gran Devoción Cab Syrah 2009, Down from 15 to €10 at Dunnes until Tuesday

Of today’s two Maipo reds, this is the less flamboyantly impressive. But by any measure it’s very good value: rich red fruit, fine firm tannin and it shares with its brilliant syrah counterpart an excellent backbone of mouth-watering tart bitterness. Which is what you want in a good food-friendly wine. Steak, anyone?

Viña Maipo Gran Devoción Sauv Blanc 2011, Down from 15 to €10 at Dunnes until Tuesday

This is an absolutely cracking sauv blanc, belying the myth that you can’t get characterful of that popular grape from outside France and New Zealand. This delivers a powerful mouthwatering grassy scent, followed through on the palate with a complex array of fruit and fresh sizzling acidity. Seafood beckons.

Viña Maipo Gran Devoción Syrah / Petit Sirah 2008, Down from €15 to €10 at Dunnes until Tuesday

This is my wine bargain of the week. While I’d commend its stablemate cabernet and sauv blanc highly, this is a most rewardingly complex wine to explore, its delicious plump rich red fruit playing off the sweet floral spice and dark tarry notes.

Waitrose Valpolicella Ripasso 2009, Dunnes Stores, €13.50

A third ripasso in as many weeks? Must be something going on with that Italian tradition (where fresh young Valpolicella benefits from being vinified on the grape skins left over from the previous year’s vintage). The overall effect here is delicious young red wine with flashes of raisiny port.

Mitchelton Blackwood Park Riesling 2008, Dunnes Stores, €10.16

Some may regard this as ‘thin’ (especially compared to the sauv blanc above) but really it’s lovely, light fresh lime apple and flint: it’d be delicious with simpler shellfish dishes or indeed to accompany a leafy salad without overwhelming it.