McGuigan Chardonnay Viognier

IRISH consumers buy more wine from Australia than from any other country, giving them a market share of around 27%, much of which is driven by the large brands.

While we all love to imagine our wine being made by a small farmer in mucky boots, the reality is that most of the wine we consume is made by large industrial companies, and believe it or not this is not a bad thing as what the large brands offer is consistency.

Penfolds was founded in Adelaide in the mid-19th century, making them one of Australia’s oldest wineries. I was lucky enough to taste my way through their Bin Series wines a few weeks back, many of which have now achieved legendary status.

Penfolds Grange (originally called Bin 95) was first created by Max Schubert in 1951 and has long been Australia’s most sought after wine, with recent vintages costing around €700. In case you win the Lotto in the next few weeks I can tell you that Grange 2008 exhibits a delicious exotic tropical perfume and deep dark fruit flavours with flashes of spice and violets, and above all elegance.

To taste exotic flavours from Penfolds you don’t need to spend a month’s salary and their Bin 51 Riesling from the Eden valley (c. €32) offers delicious lime, ginger and spiced apple flavours with very fine balance of fruit and acidity. Meanwhile, the Bin 28 Kalima Shiraz 2010 (c. €30) has lovely dense black fruit and spicy touches with a nice combination of depth and elegance.

I was also impressed with the Bin 311 Henty Chardonnay (c. €47) which avoids new oak to bring out the grape’s natural melon and lemon verbena aromas and flavours with a fine acidity and a mineral punch on the finish.

The theme for the wines below could loosely be described as exotica as all offer aromas and flavours we associate with tropical islands where pineapples and guava grow.

Best Value Under €10

McGuigan Chardonnay Viognier, Australia — €8.00

Stockist: Tesco

All the McGuigan Signature Collection is currently €8 in Tesco. I liked this tropical fruit-scented Chardonnay which has a small injection of Viognier for extra fragrance. There is a touch of oak on this but it is kept relatively in proportion.

Pleno Tempranillo Navarra, Spain — €8.99-9.99

Stockists: Widely available in indpendents — e.g. Bradleys, No. 21 Cork/Midleton, 1601 Kinsale, Vintry Rathgar

Made with the classic Spanish grape of Rioja and elsewhere, this has rich cherry and exotic dark fruit aromas along with good concentration and elegance you would not expect in a wine at this price. The Pleno white is pretty good also.

Casa Carmela Monastrell, Yecla, Spain — €8.99-9.99

Stockists: Independents

Made from old vine Monastrell (better known as Mourvedre) in South-east Spain near Alicante. This has aromas of dark chocolate and plums, ripe autumn fruits on the middle palate and a slight bitter cherry kick on the finish.

Best Value Under €20

Albet I Noya, Petit Albet, Penedès Spain — €11.90

Stockists: Fields SuperValu Skibbereen, Letercollum Kitchen Clonakilty, Mortons Galway

Made from organic Chardonnay and Xarel-lo grapes from north of Barcelona. This has a ripe fresh lemon oil aroma with a hint of pineapples. Lively on the palate with some elegant lemon and sweet apple flavours and a dry finish. Drink with cream-based pasta or chicken dishes.

The Peach Chenin Blanc Viognier, South Africa — €13.99

Stockists: Matsons Bandon, No 21 Midleton and Cork City, Cronin’s

Costcutter Bantry, Stacks Listowel, The Corkscrew Dublin

Once you smell this you will understand the name. Bright peach and honeyed aromas with a lovely weight and richness, with just enough acidity for balance. Drink as an aperitif or perhaps with seafood or a Thai curry.

D’Arenberg Olive Grove Chardonnay 2011, McLaren Vale, Australia — €19.99

Stockists: Superquinn, O’Briens, Adrkeen Waterford, Martins Fairview

D’Arenberg wines are always interesting and their Olive Grove Chardonnay from the cooler 2011 vintage has delicious cantaloup melon, nectarines and peaches on the nose, a rich but elegant mouth-feel and a clean, fragrant finish.