Wines recommended this week all work well with classic Irish Summer weather
All the wines recommended this week will work with classic Irish Summer weather — so yes I have included some reds for drinking indoors!
If the weather is good enough for a barbecue, then I think you will find they work well with grilled meat — but then everything tastes good when eaten outside.
There are lots of summer specials in the supermarkets and in Cheers and O’Donovans shops this weekend and in coming weeks — I will keep you posted.
Next week I will be also be suggesting some summer cocktails based on wine.
Wine recommendations below are from supermarkets and are available now.
The two from Aldi are new to me and are a step up from their standard range but still represent good value.
The three from Marks & Spencer are not wines I’ve recommended before but are partly here with Father’s Day in mind as they would all make worthy presents (Father’s day is June 19).
The exception in terms of availability is the Viñas del Vero Reserva which arrives in stores on Thursday, June 9, at six bottles for €60.
SuperValu had a similarly impressive offer from the same winery this time last year — La Miranda Secastilla — which also came in an attractive wooden case.
Based in Somontano in the foothills of the Pyrenees, these wines have fine fruit and freshness and are owned by Gonzales Byass, the producers of Tio Pepe.
Last year, the Secastilla sold out before the weekend in many shops, so I advise arriving at your local SuperValu next Thursday as this is one of the bargains of the year.
This weekend is Bloom in the Phoenix Park, and if you are attending you should visit the South-American themed Santa Rita Living la Vida 120 garden, which is the only wine-themed garden at the festival.
The drinks tent at Bloom is always worth a visit and will have Irish craft ales, ciders, and spirits, some brewed specifically for Bloom.
SuperValu
This is only available as a case of six but is worth it.
Despite being nine years old, this has quite a youthful appearance with a dark centre and ruby rim.
Aromas of spice and baked fruits, soft and supple on the palate with black cherry and plum flavours, vanilla and spice, and a structured mature fruit finish.
This is a beautiful mature wine and very good value .
Aldi
This is part of Aldi’s seasonal summer range and packs a bit more punch than is often the case from the German discounters.
Solid ripe style (14.5% abv), chewy sweet Grenache fruit to the fore with good concentration and a spicy fruit driven finish.
This is a meaty wine that would love to match with meat from the barbecue.
Aldi
Another Languedoc red from Aldi that I liked but this is a little more elegant (13.5%).
La Livinière is usually one of the best sites in Minervois (and the Languedoc in general) and this example has a dark earthy nose, reasonably complex red and black fruits and good lingering blackberry and dark cherry on the finish.
Marks and Spencer
Central Otagao is the world’s most southerly wine region and for my money, produces New Zealand’s best Pinot Noir with more finesse and subtlety than you find in Marlborough or elsewhere.
Watch for Felton Road, Sam Neill’s Two Paddocks (Curious Wines) or try this fragrant, floral version with earthy red fruits, bitter cherry and sweet fruit on the finish.
Marks and Spencer
Kangaroo Island is just off Adelaide and has 30 wine growers. This was my first taste of Kangaroo Island wine.
Clove and dark, minty fruit flavours with a solid fruit core and touches of eucalyptus and dark, tar-tinged cassis. Classic, powerful, but savoury Shiraz at a good price.
Marks and Spencer
This is produced for M&S by Jean-Marc Brocard, a winemaker of good repute in Chablis.
Made from 25-30-year-old vines this has lovely weight and character with fine, lemon-tinged fruit and lots of ripeness and charm (something usually missing from supermarket Chablis). Recommended for grilled summer mackerel when it arrives.
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