Laurent Miquel Heritage Syrah

SEPTEMBER is never a good month money-wise with the summer holidays a distant memory, the children arriving from school with requests for extra books and sports equipment, and the radio programmes beginning their doom-laden countdown to the next austerity Budget.

Thankfully there are a couple of wine sales this month, with more to come. Both Dunnes and Lidl have French wine sales that begin in the last week of September and both have found some interesting wines so watch this space.

O’Briens have a September wine sale at the moment and I will feature some of their bargain wines next week. If you are in their shop in Douglas or elsewhere in the country watch out for Ascheri Barolo down from €31 to €23 (bargain of the week in my view), and the generally excellent Rizzardi Amarone down from €41 to €30.

If you like oak in your Chardonnay then the famed Clos du Val version is available at €16.99 instead of the usual €24, and if you are feeling flush the Brocard Grand Cru Chablis is down from €55 to €40.

Meanwhile Tesco also have a September sale and among the bargains I feature below are the Laurent Miquel wines on offer at €10.

Neasa Corish Miquel is originally from Dublin and married into the family and has been doing a fantastic job convincing people all over Europe to buy their wines — her job is not too hard as I have yet to taste a poorly made wine. Neasa is hoping to come to Ireland in November as part of the Gathering’s Bringing the Wine Geese Home campaign.

Finally don’t forget the independent off-licences as there are also lots of bargains in the likes of Deveneys, Galvins, McHughs, Matsons, Bradleys, O’Driscolls, Stacks, 1601 Kinsale, No 21 and all the rest of them.

Best Value Under €10

Laurent Miquel Heritage Syrah 2011, Pays d’Oc — €10.00 (was €15.99)

Stockist: Tesco

The climate around where the Miquel family have their vineyards is probably best suited to Grenache and Carignan but Syrah can thrive if carefully minded and on a good site. This has ripe black plums and prunes on the nose, a solid juicy centre with a decent lingering finish.

Laurent Miquel Heritage Viognier, Pays d’Oc — €10.00 (was €18.25)

Stockist: Tesco

Viognier is the great white grape of Condrieu in the Northern Rhone but few of us can afford to shell out €40 plus for a Condrieu these days. This has lovely key-lime pie aromas, soft pear and peach fruit flavours and just enough apple acidity on the finish to make it a good pair with fresh fish or light pasta.

Marquis D’Alban Réserve Bordeaux Supérieur 2011 — €9 (was €18)

Stockists: Tesco

The run of good recent vintages in Bordeaux has meant some very drinkable wines at great prices. The 2011s pale a little in comparison to 2009 and 2010 but this has a good classical aroma of blackcurrants with a hint of cigar-box and some light structured plum fruit flavours. This would match with lamb or tomato-based dishes.

Best Value Under €20

La Rosca Cava Spain — €12.99 (was €15.99)

Stockist: O’Briens

Cava can be rather innocuous but this one has a classic yeasty nose with fragrant white peach touches, soft persistent bubbles on the palate and a nice mouth-feel with good elegance on the finish. Obviously you can drink this on its own but try it with a smoked salmon quiche or an omelette.

Taltarni Heathcote Shiraz 2008, Australia — €15.99 (was €26)

Stockist: O’Briens

Taltarni were founded in the ‘60s and this is their answer to the reds of the Northern Rhone they claim. I found it richer than a typical Rhone with solid ripe juicy fruit, especially blackcurrants, mixed with a little smoke and tar. This is a big wine packed with flavour.

Trapiche Fincas Uco Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 — €12

Stockist: Tesco

Trapiche is most famous for their Malbecs but they make a decent Cabernet Sauvignon also. This is from the foothills of the Andes near Mendoza and has generous black plum and berry fruit on the nose with a lovely soft rich palate and a lingering spicy finish.