Vina Decana Reserva
Last December I fully expected that I would have severe difficulty finding wines to recommend under €10 for this column.
As it turned out canny retailers and supermarkets just found other wines or sold below cost to keep at least some of their wines at the magic price points.
The people who have suffered most since the budget are the smaller shops and importers who simply cannot compete on the same scale. Small quality importers such as Colin Egan of Distinctive Drinks, for example, have just had to grit their teeth and have faith that the quality of their wines will win out over the blandness of the large brands. Colin’s wines can be found in quality outlets such as 1601 in Kinsale, Fallon and Byrne, Baggot St Wines and in Deveneys in Dundrum, and he has some very unusual and exciting wines, a couple of which I feature below. Large brands are also suffering as price becomes ever more important and you can expect to see many famous names on special offer in the coming months.
Rosemount from Australia have gone a little further and effectively re-launched their wines. Rosemount was the very first Australian wine I saw in Ireland in the late 1980s, although at the time Bulgarian Country wine was cheaper, so I rarely bought it. I do, however, remember the rich tropical flavours in my first taste of Diamond Label Rosemount Chardonnay and the spicy rich Shiraz, both of which were unlike anything available from France or anywhere else.
Over the years the Diamond Label dipped in quality, but I’m pleased to see that it seems to have returned to something like its old self with lighter, more vibrant styles that will go well with food — the Chardonnay is now labelled “crisp” and I recommend the Shiraz below.
Vina Decana Reserva, Spain — €6.29
Stockist: Aldi
From the small region of Utiel-Requeña in Valencia near the eastern coast of Spain. Classic Spanish flavours with vanilla, spice and baked plums. The Crianza is slightly cheaper and also worth a try. On offer as part of Aldi’s current Spanish promotion.
Torres Viña Sol, Spain — €9.00-11
Stockist: SuperValu, Superquinn, widely available
This old classic is 50 years old this year and still worth buying. Lime and citrus flavours with some refreshing acidity and even a little elegance. This is not a complex wine but good light summer drinking. On offer this month in SuperValu and Superquinn.
Domaine de la Chauiniere Muscadet, France — €9.59
Stockist: O’Briens
While summer is still here don’t forget the joys of Muscadet from just south of Nantes. Good examples like this one are light fresh and clean with hints of citrus and pear and perfect with fresh caught makerel or a large bowl of mussels.
The Flower and the Bee, Ribeiro, Spain — €14.99-15.99
Stockists: Baggot St Wines, D6 Wines Harold’s Cross
Made from the rare Sousón grape in NW Spain this is bright and juicy with lots of primary red fruits, including cherry and red currant with some nice grippy tannins. This is a summer red if ever I tasted one – vivacious, inviting and pleasurable.
Chateau Maris Old School Rouge, Minervois, France — €14.99
Stockists: 1601 Kinsale, Deveneys Dundrum, Fallon and Byrne
This is bio-dynamic (the provisional wing of the organic movement) and one of those “natural” wines you may have heard about produced from wild yeasts. There was an initial whiff of sulphur but that soon disappeared leaving very attractive blackcurrant and slightly smoky Syrah flavours.
Rosemount Diamond Label Shiraz, Australia — €11.50-€12.99
Stockists: Dunnes Stores, widely available
Dunnes Stores have this at €11.50 for the next few weeks along with the others in the Diamond Label varietal series. Solid blackcurrant fruit with touches of prunes on the nose, the dark fruit flavours continue on the palate with some decent concentration and length.
