Wine: Medicine and wine can be a successful relationship

There is a book to be written on the medical profession and its influence on the wine industry.

Many retired (and working) doctors have found a second life as winemakers and wine educators and some, such as Dr Kevin John Cullen and his wife Diana, have helped create a whole new wine region (Margaret River).

This week I want to introduce you to another range of wines with a medical connection — Kinnegar Wines — an excellent collection of boutique wines imported by Dr Eilis Cryan. Dr Cryan is a consultant gastroenterologist at Bon Secours Hospital in Galway, who caught the wine bug a few years ago and decided to import some of her favourite wines herself, seeing as nobody else was doing it.

The wines are from family-owned estates in South Africa and as well as the two producers recommended below, you should try the Kershaw Chardonnay and Syrah, a small range of pristinely-made wines from English Master of Wine Richard Kershaw.

Sijnn is another interesting project, based on an old ostrich farm. Sijnn’s first vintage was 2007 from a brand new vineyard planted on a stony plateau around 15km from the Southern Ocean near Cape Infanta.

There are no other vines for 40km in any direction and I loved their mineral tinged Chenin Blanc and their silkily intense and intelligently-made Sijnn Red, which is a blend of Syrah and Mourvedre with some Touriga Nacional, Trincadeira, and Cabernet. Also recommended are the Thelema Mountain wines (eg, their ripe fruity Mountain Red) and the De Trafford range, especially their weighty and complex Chenin and their intriguing straw wine.

Kinnegar wines are available in many of the country’s best restaurants (Chapter One, Ashford Castle); on www.kinnegar.com; and from specialist shops such as David Whelehan’s shop in the old Silver Tassie pub in Loughlinstown in South Co Dublin (take the N11 towards Bray).

If the name sounds familiar you may remember David from his years presenting wines on TV3’s breakfast programme.

His shop is a bit of a wonderland for wine lovers and also has a good coffee shop.

BEST VALUE UNDER €15

Toro Loco Reserva, Utiel-Requena, Spain - €7.99

Stockist: Aldi

A blend of 40% Bobal, 40% Tempranillo, plus a little Syah, Garnacha and Merlot. Bobal is the interesting grape here, local to this region near Valencia, newly fashionable and packed with ripe red fruits which show through here along with spice and darker flavours. This will lift and brighten any casserole or perhaps a Cassoulet.

Segredos de Sao Miguel, Alentejo, Portugal - €11.99-€12.99

Stockists: Whelehan’s Wines, www.TheCorkscrew.ie, O’Donovans Cork

The Alentejo is a region south of Lisbon and north of the Algarve. Land is cheap and you will find lots of new wineries making good value bright fruity wines from (mainly) local grapes such as Alicante Bouschet and Aragonez (two of the grapes used here). This has fine soft fruit and lots of character with juicy supple red and black fruits and a touch of spice.

Begali Valpolicella Classico 2014 – €14.95

Stockists: Whelehan’s Wines Loughlinstown, Dublin

A classic Valpolicella from a small family owned winery using Corvina and Rondinella. Classic cherry fruit aromas and flavours. The palate is rich and generous and the fruit soft with lingering red fruit and a hint of spice. Serve with mushroom risotto, roast meats and pasta bakes.

BEST VALUE OVER €15

Paul Cluver Pinot Noir 2009, Elgin, South Africa - €24.95

Stockists: Kinnegar Wines www.kinnegar.com Whelehan Wines www.whelehanswines.ie, Mitchells.

Elgin is cool climate so suited well to Pinot Noir and Riesling, two grapes this family owned winery (since 1896) grows supremely well. This is a rich New World style Pinot packed with plum and red fruits with some pleasing earthy aromas and lingering cherries on the finish.

Kloof Street Swartland Rouge 2012, Swartland, South Africa - €19.95

Stockists: Kinnegar Wines; Whelehan Wines

This is the kind of wine from South Africa that I sometimes have difficulty in finding, one of those wines you will want to buy by the case. A blend of Syrah, Carignan and Cinsault this is a deliciously drinkable red wine - soft, bright, fruity, and very cleanly made. Try with carpaccio of beef, salumi or tapas.

Paul Cluver Late Harvest Riesling 2012, Elgin, South Africa – €26.95

Stockists: Kinnegar Wines; Whelehan Wines

Christmas is coming so time to begin thinking a little more about dessert wines (although personally I think you should drink them all year round!). This is just 9.5% abv with ripe apricot and tropical fruit aromas mixed with a hint of chalk. Rich and supple on the palate with good clean acidity on the finish. Try with Tart Tatin, baked fruit dishes or with cheese.