Ireland’s wine drinkers have fully embraced the big bold Malbec wines from Argentina but this week I’m recommending a couple of Pyros Wines from a valley you have probably never encountered before.

A first this week as I believe this is debut appearance of wines from the Azores on this page.

Independent off-licences breathed a sigh of relief when the Minister for Finance opted not to increase excise duty on alcohol. 

There is a tendency among wine enthusiasts to constantly refer to the beauty of vineyards and wine regions, but some of this I think comes from the fact that we feel so at home in these magical places that produce our favourite sustenance.

By now the first paycheck of the new year should be in but there are no scary prices below for the simple reason that I am focusing on Southern and Central Portugal this week, arguably two of the best value wine regions in the world.

With Christmas just a few hours off, Leslie Williams has a guide to the best wine stocking fillers that will suit any meal over the coming days.

The only people that seem to be happy with Budget 2016 are the craft brewers. 

In recent days the vineyards of Champagne and those of the Cote d’Or in Burgundy were both given United Nations World Heritage Status for the continuity and quality of their wines and ancient vineyards.

I am often asked where I like to buy my wine and the honest answer is (and should be), everywhere. However I must confess a bit of a bias towards the independent sector.

While Mrs Menu informs him that he is not currently in the market for true love and will wind up in traction if he takes to acting otherwise, the feast of St Valentine is nigh upon us and the only route to a man’s heart, through the belly, is a longtime and exceedingly well-worn path for The Menu.

The Menu has Neidín hitched up and is heading for beautiful town of Kilkenny for Savour Kilkenny Food Festival (Oct 24-27), another shining Irish example of ‘Place on a Plate’, with fine local growers and producers at the forefront of a food revolution. 

HIS WEEK I am focusing on Waterford which held its annual Harvest Festival just a couple of weeks ago with a strong focus on local food producers and of course on wine. 

PINOT Noir is one of the great misunderstood grapes but one you will be seeing a lot more of in the coming years if Chile has its way.

Having regained his decorum, after a bout of illness, it is straight back to business for The Menu.