Capitania Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Reserva
Historically Ireland has always had strong links with the wine trade in Bordeaux (eg Chateau Lynch Bages, Chateau Lango Barton) but in recent times some Irish people have taken the plunge and bought vineyards from Lochlann Quinn at Chateau de Fieuzal in Pessac Léognan and horse trainer David O’Brien at Chateau Vignelaure in Provence.
There are also some more regular Irish folk around making wine and many of you will have seen Sarabande wines from Faugeres in the Languedoc on Nationwide recently produced by Isla and Paul Gordon which are available from Donnybrook Fair and online via www.thewinestore.ie. Isla is from Carlow and Paul is Australian and their wines are excellent.
Bordeaux, Languedoc or Provencal reds are all perfect matches for Irish Stew and for matching Bacon and Cabbage (or indeed Corned Beef and Cabbage) on Mar 17 I would suggest a dry Riesling from the Clare Valley (eg, Knappstein, Tamar Ridge or Petaluma — all in O’Donovans). If you want to go red then a Fleurie (eg Drouhin) or other Beaujolais Cru will work well, but for something different try Cabernet Franc from the Loire or the Santa Rita 120 version, or perhaps a Valpolicella such as the Allegrini mentioned below.
Speaking of Allegrini, I drank their superlative ‘W’ Cabbernet Franc 2005 recently with Monkfish and excellent Roaring Water Bay Mussels at a wine and food matching supper in Donnybrook Fair and they were amazing together. Watch out for more Donnybrook Fair Supper Club events at www.DonnybrookFair.ie/restaurant
* For the Diary: On Mar 21 next L’Atitude 51 on Union Quay in Cork (Tel: 021-2390219) will host a wine tasting and presentation by Anna Seifried of Seifreid Wines in New Zealand whose ancestors came from Kilkenny and Donegal.
Capitania Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Reserva 2010 — €8.99
Stockist: Molloys Dublin
The Montepulciano grape is almost always drinkable and juicy and occasionally complex. This very inexpensive version of the grape has berry fruits and red currants on the nose and is medium bodied, juicy and very drinkable.
Domaine Duffour Cotes de Gascogne Blanc 2011 — €8.99
Stockist: O’Briens
A blend of 80% Colombard and 20% Gros Manseng this has quite Sauvignon Blanc-like aromas of lime and gooseberries but is a little more floral and fragrant with good acidity and a clean finish.
Rare Vineyards Marsanne Viognier, Pays d’Oc — €7 (reduced from €13)
Stockist: Superquinn
Made from classic Northern Rhone grapes this is nicely aromatic with floral and peach overtones and flavours of melons and yellow apples and a reasonably fresh finish. The Rare Vineyards Carignan Vielle Vignes is also worth seeking out.
Seifried Old Coach Road Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2012, New Zealand — €14.99
Stockists: No 21 Midleton, La Touche Greystones, Magic Carpet D18, Selected Cheers and Independents.
The Seifried family farm over 200ha in Nelson which is west of Marlborough on the South Island. The Old Coach Road has a fresh pine and gooseberry aroma with some richness on the palate and a nettle and lime influenced crisp clean finish.
Allegrini Valpolicella 2011 — €16.99-€17.99
Stockists: Donnybrook Fair, 64 Wines Glasthule, Vineyard Galway, Wicklow Wine Co., O’Donovans Cork.
Bright fruity nose with cherries and a tiny hint of rose petals. Ripe red fruits on the palate, including more cherries but also some raspberries, and a nice bitter cherry cut on the finish. Allegrini’s range is very reliable and worth the extra few euro — their Ripasso is also recommended.
Concannon Petite Sirah 2008, California — €14.99-15.99
Stockists: Superquinn, The Vintry Rathgar, Ardkeen Stores Waterford, O’Driscolls Cahirciveen.
Peite Sirah (no relation to Syrah) is The Concannon family’s signature wine and is a bona fide Californian classic. Deep purple colour, elderberry cordial aromas with soft juicy plum fruits, supple tannins and a creamy fruit-filled dry finish.
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