Wine: Ciu Ciu Piceno, Bacchus 2013, Italy — €11.99 - €13.25

I mentioned last week of the sad death of Paddy Keogh of Wines Direct at the young age of 64 from a relatively short illness. 

Paddy is survived by his wife Siobhán and two sons Gavin and Gareth and of course the fantastic wine company he founded.

Originally a Commandant in the Irish Army he set up Wines Direct around 25 years ago with the plan to source all his own wines, and reportedly he never imported a wine from an importer he didn’t like and admire.

I only met Paddy a couple of times but he was an impressive figure and I remember his enthusiasm and passion for all the wines on his list, whether entry level or an aged Bordeaux.

Like many of us Paddy first fell in love with wine through visits to France on holidays and initially he just imported a few cases for himself and friends and family. Soon however he was importing from Italy and other European countries and now the Wines Direct list has wines from most major wine regions but is still particularly strong on France and Italy.

Wines Direct is largely a mail-order/online wine company but it is also possible to call to the company’s warehouse in Mullingar or to their new outlet in Arnotts on Henry Street in Dublin which opened in April. The company is in safe hands and the list of 350 wines is still being expanded and honed and while few can match Paddy’s palate he has a very disciplined team with the same philosophy.

The monthly newsletter comes by post and along with regular special offer emails there are always new wines being added to the list along with discounted case-offers from particular regions or along specific themes. Wines are delivered within 48 hours.

As well as the wines recommended below I should mention that there is always a few fine Bordeaux wines on the list and this month Chateau Haut-Marbuzet 2007 is selling for €59.95 and Chateau Haut-Segottes 2004 St Emillion Grand Cru for €30.

BEST VALUE UNDER €15

Ciu Ciu Piceno, Bacchus 2013, Italy — €11.99 - €13.25

Stockist: Wines Direct, www.winesdirect.ie

Rosso Piceno is from the Marche region of Italy which is on the Adriatic coast just east of Tuscany and south of Emillia-Roomagna. This is a typical blend of Sangiovese and Montepulciano and has a bright juicy fruit and a pleasing ripeness on the palate — perfect for mid-week pasta or pizza.

Stables Sauvignon Blanc, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand — €14.85 (was €16.50)

Stockist: Wines Direct, www.winesdirect.ie

I probably don’t mention Sauvignon Blanc enough given its popularity but part of the reason for its omission is the difficulty in finding impressive ones. This is packed with rich grapefruit, lime and lemon but also has a rich tropical edge combined with good acidity (oh, and not a hint of asparagus). Recommended at either price above.

Coriole Chenin Blanc 2013, McLaren Vale, Australia — €15.55

Stockist: Wines Direct, www.winesdirect.ie

McLaren Vale is better known for its rich reds (eg, GSM) than Chenin Blanc but the grape has in fact a long history in the region. This has a lovely intensity of ripe fruit cut by searing crisp acidity — the two things that make Chenin such a star in the vineyards of Vouvray in the Loire and it seems in South Australia.

BEST VALUE OVER €15

Bera Barbera d’Alba 2012, Piedmont, Italy — €16.75 (was €18.75)

Stockist: Wines Direct, www.winesdirect.ie

If Nebbiolo is the Queen of Piedmont Barbera is the Princess. This has impressive perfumed dark fruits and an solid fruit-driven flavour. Wines Direct has a competition to win dinner at l’Ecrivain and the restaurant’s sommelier Martina Dolan suggests beef carpaccio as a food-match.

Dom. Séguinot-Bordet Chablis 2013, Burgundy — €17.96 (was €19.95)

Stockist: Wines Direct, www.winesdirect.ie

Chablis as I’m sure you know is purest form of Chardonnay and is almost never oaked (although some Premier Cru and most Grand Cru do spend time in oak). This has all the things I like about Chablis — minerally intense fruits on the nose, a limpid quality on the palate along with the crisp fruit flavours and a long (long) stony finish.

Dom. Tatraux Givry 1er Cru “Medenchot” 2012, Burgundy — €22.50 (was €26.50)

Stockist: Wines Direct, www.winesdirect.ie

Givry is a village in the Cote Chalonnaise just south of the Cote d’Or and a good source of fruity decent quality Pinot Noir at prices that are a little less scary. This is quite typical of the region with earthy damson fruit aromas, light supple red fruit on the palate and some fine floral touches on the finish.