Irish Times Wines of the Year

At some stage, I will get my thoughts together on the year gone by, but for now I just want to record the wines of ours that are featured in today's Irish Times. I have known John Wilson for many years now and I have said before I really think he has a great palate and is very fair in his spread of recommendations. His picks from our range this year are a couple of old favourites and a couple of new wines to the list.

Clos Petite Bellane Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2007 - should be €15
"A 50/50 blend of Syrah and Grenache, this is a beautifully made wine with plenty of warm, ripe dark fruits. Unlike many southern Rhones, it also has a lovely clean elegance and soft purity of fruit. Great value and worth seeking out. Try it with grilled or roast pork."

Chinon Les Granges, Bernard Baudry 2008 - €15
"Baudry is one of my favourite producers of Cabernet Franc in the Loire, making wonderfully elegant wines. This has some very intense, pure summer fruits and leafy notes, bound lightly by some dry tannins. It may improve further, but you will find it irresistable now. This would go perfectly with some slightly fatty pork dished, either hot or cold."

Felton Road Pinot Noir, Central Otago 2008 €45

"The current 2008 vintage is drinking beautifully and would go very nicely with a roast goose. Lovely vibrant piquant  dark cherry fruits, smooth on the palate with a light spiciness."

Clos Petite Bellane Cotes du Rhone Villages Valreas "les Echalas" Blanc 2007 €24

"This was one of my star wines of teh summer, a superb rich white wine packed with peaches and apricots, subtle, perfectly judged oak, and a streak of mineral acidity. It fills the mouth with flavour and lingers beautifully. Not cheap, but well worth a splurge. Try it  with full-flavoured fish dishes or grilled chicken."

Other wines in the supplement that you can find chez nous include:

Bisol Prosecco

Grange Dapot Corbieres

Simone Joseph Syrah

Muga Rioja

Chateau du Cedre Cahors

Pellehaut Cotes de Gascogne

Birgit Eichinger Gruner Veltliner

Pieropan Calvarino

Innocent Bystander Moscato

Niepoort LBV

Alamos Malbec

A reasonable sprinkling....now we just need it to stop snowing so that we can sell some wine!