The Stump Jump GSM — €13.99-14.99

AUSTRALIA has slipped a little in sales in Ireland, partly due to a strong Australian dollar, but we still buy around a quarter of our wines from a country that constitutes just 5% of the global market.

While I am less of a fan of inexpensive branded Australian wines as I find them a rather unsubtle, there is no denying their appeal and at least they are consistent.

What I am a huge fan of is Aussie wines that show regional character, many of which are made by dedicated and fascinating characters like Chester Osborn of D’Arenberg in McLaren Vale just 40 minutes south of Adelaide. The D’Arenberg family bought their first vineyards here in 1912 and Chester is the fourth generation to make wine here, his dad D’arry recently completed his 73rd vintage having started at age 16.