Torres Vina Sol

SO how many new year’s resolutions have you broken yet?

Probably most of them like myself, but don’t despair as there is one resolution that you can keep with relative ease and that is to be open to new grape varieties and wine styles.

Of course you can keep buying Pinot Grigio and New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, but spare a thought for some of the less well known varieties and you might find something you like even better that costs less.

Wine is complex and confusing (not to mention expensive) so we Irish tend to stick with what we know.

This is particularly true with white wines where we tend to buy either Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grgio. I tend to drink more red wine, but my wife is a confirmed white drinker who rather overdosed on Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc a few years back so I have been pointing her in the direction of the more obscure European wine regions and grape varieties and with good success.

Anything from Portugal is worth trying and northern Spain is a very good hunting ground with grape varieties such as Albarino and Godello from Gallicia, Verdejo from Rueda and even the occasional Viura, Airen and Macabeo which can be tasty and fresh if drunk very young. All of these are widely available.

Italy is a treasure trove of unusual grape varieties and I strongly recommend Greco di Tufo from Campania, Grillo and Fiano from Sicily, Ardeis and Cortese from Piedmont and also seek out Pecorino, Malvasia Bianco, Vermentino and Verdicchio.

From France look for Colombard, Picpoul de Pinet, Rousanne, Muscadelle, Muscadet, Grenache Blanc and Viognier. From Australia you will find excellent dry Riesling, Viogner and Semillion, but also small amounts of dry Muscat, Rousanne and Verdelho.

To start you off gently the wines this week are a mix of the unusual and the familiar. Good hunting.

BEST VALUE UNDER €10

Torres Vina Sol, Spain €9.99

Stockists: Multiples and Independents including Tesco, Dunnes, Superquinn, SuperValu, Next Door

Spain has lots of unusual grape varieties, and while some are better than others, in the hands of a good producer anything is possible. This is made from the relatively neutral Parellada grape more commonly used for Cava. Torres have coaxed some elegance out of it along with bright fresh lime flavours. Not complex but eminently drinkable.

Torresella Pinot Grigio Blush — €9.99

Stockist: Dunnes

Pinot Grigio is usually white, but some clones of the grape have reddish tinges and can produce blush that is lighter than a Rosé but a little richer than a white wine. Relatively neutral nose with citrus and redcurrants, fresh light lime-lemon flavours with a hint of red fruit.

Pouilly Fuissé, Macon, France — €4.99

Stockist: Lidl

Pouilly Fuissé is best village of the Macon region in Burgundy (hence uses Chardonnay) and should not be confused with Pouilly Fumé from the Loire (which uses Sauvignon Blanc). Lemony fresh aromas, light clean citrus fruit on the palate with a hint of melon and a clean finish.

BEST VALUE UNDER €20

Torres Vina Esmeralda, Catalunya, Spain — €12.99

Stockists: Widely available in Independents and Multiples — Superquinn, O’Briens, Next Door

Made with 85% Moscatel and 15% Gewurztraminer from North East Spain. Despite its low percentage in the blend the Gewurztraminer is prominent on the nose offering aromas of lychees and rose petals. A rich aromatic wine with a very fruity flavour but a relatively clean finish. Perfect as an aperitif, with Chinese food or with seafood.

Real Castelo Verdejo, Rueda, Spain – €9.59 — €11.99

Stockists: Red Nose Wines Clonmel, Curious Wines Cork.

This wine normally costs €11.99, but if you buy two you get them both for €9.59. This contains a small proportion of Sauvignon Blanc (15%) and the remainder is Verdejo. Grapefruit and lemons on the nose with a rich minerally flavour, bracing acidity and good length. Very dry and fresh and a good introduction to the Rueda region.

Terredora Falanghina Campania, Italy — €16.99

Stockists: O’Briens

An ancient grape variety from the volcanic soils in the hills of Campania in Southern Italy and from one of the region’s best producers. Aromatic and complex on the nose with rich tropical fruits on the palate, but with good acidity and a crisp dry finish. Would go excellent with Dublin Bay Prawns, Lobster or fish pie.