There are great offers out there at the moment for anyone interested in buying wines, maybe even stocking up for Christmaaaaaaaa... darn.. I’ve gone and said the “C” word!!!!!
The famous SuperValu French Wine Sale is back with some real wine gems on offer. With the help of SuperValu Wine Buyer Kevin O’Callaghan, SuperValu has identified some real jewels and is inviting wine lovers to tour France with them, if only in a glass, across their 222 stores nationwide It runs until Wednesday 15th October 2014.
There are also some great offers on Iberian wine at the moment. Bring back the memories of those summer holidays and look out for a special ‘Iberian Promotion’ at leading Independent Off-Licences from now until Christmas with reduced retail prices of a bottle of wine from some of Spain and Portugal’s leading wine producers.
From the Rioja area of Spain, watch out for a selection of wines from the Imperial and Contino ranges from CVNE, one of Spain’s oldest Bodegas. Staying in that region, wine buffs can select from Conde de Valdemar Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva, and for those who prefer white there is an appealing Albarino from the Rias Baixas region in Northwestern Spain.
The Portuguese offering includes a selection of excellent red and white wines from Sogrape Vinhos. from the Dáºo and Alentejo regions. Sogrape Vinhos was voted Portuguese Wine Producer 2012 by internationally acclaimed IWSC.
All the wines in this promotion come from family owned wineries, the oldest of which dates back to 1869. All wineries, in their quest for excellence, benefit from the family experiences and traditions which have been passed down through each generation to result in delicious wines. Retail prices start from €12.99.
The Iberian Promotion wines are available from Independent Off-Licences nationwide, including Redmond’s of Ranelagh; Gibney’s of Malahide; Kelly’s of Vernon Avenue, Clontarf; The Grapevine, Glasnevin; McHugh’s of Kilbarrack; Jus de Vin, Portmarnock; Martin’s of Fairview; The Wine Well, Dunboyne, Co Meath and The Malthouse, Trim, Co Meath.
2013 Mas Puech Picpol de Pinet €14.99 (on offer to Oct 15th €12.99)
I love this grape, I love the sound of it. Picpol... it is one of the oldest Languedoc grapes, the Piquepoul is one of the oldest native grape varieties in the region. The name Pique-pou l translates literally as "stings the lip", and is a reference to the grape's naturally high acidity. There is a red version too the Picpol Noir. Picpol de Pinet is sub appellation used for wines made from the white grape Picpoul Blanc grown in Pinet a region in the Hérault region of the Languedoc. This is an easy-drinking dry white, with apple and pear flavours. It is a wine that goes perfectly with seafood and light lunches.
2009 Duque du Viseu DOC Dáºo €12.99 (on offer to Dec 2014)
Stockists: Redmond’s of Ranelagh; Gibney’s of Malahide; Kelly’s of Vernon Avenue, Clontarf; The Grapevine, Glasnevin; McHugh’s of Kilbarrack; Jus de Vin, Portmarnock; Martin’s of Fairview; The Wine Well, Dunboyne, Co Meath and The Malthouse, Trim, Co Meath.
It's official Portuguese wine is cool, but it's been a long time coming. This tiny country, barley 200km across contains a virtual cornucopia of wines styles that many of the world's winemaking giants would die for. The wine world is starting to find this out as evidenced by the recent spate of international awards.
Portugals two main strenghts are the diversity of its climatic regions and its wealth of native grape varieties. Portugal occupies approximately one seventh of the Iberian Peninsula. It is rectangular in shape, roughly 600 km from north to south and 200 km from west to east.
Dao is the name of a river and of a wine. The river is a seasonal stream which cuts through the narrow granite hills in the centre of Portugal. This wine is made by Sogrape (makers of Mateus Rose) who invevsted over €6 million in a new winery in the region and are now making modern wines from a region once dominated by co-operative winemaking. Sogrape now work with local farmers who supply the company with about four million kilos of grapes a year. The winery at Carvalhais has been built with both quality and quantity in mind. Quinta dos Carvalhais prouces ripe peppery wines which reflect the potential of high quality single estate wines in the region. Quinta dos Carvalhais is Sogrape’s project that led to the renaissance of the Dão region.
Vines are planted on granite soils: which stress the plant and give sought-after low yields.
Viseu is a city in Dao one of the most beautiful towns in Portugal. Romanesque churches, medieval fortesses and Baroque manor houses can all be glimpsed through the forests and vineyards of this fertile region. Dao is a well know Portuguese wine region with enormous potential. Sheltered by mountains on every side except the south-west. Dao enjoys a climate of hot, dry summers and very cold winters, with plenty of rainfall. The soil is mainly granite and the sloping vineyards here produce full rich red wines. the sandier soils in the centre of the region tend to produce a lighter style.
This red or Tinto is made form a blend of traditional Portuguese varieties: Touriga Nacional, Jaen, Alfrocheiro Preto and Tinta Roriz.
Wine Diary Events:
It’s that time again! But this time ely are celebrating! ely will be 15 years old this winter, so they are going to make this Big Tasting a party! The BIG wine tasting will take place on Friday 10th October, 2014 at Ely Bar & Brasserie IFSC, Dublin 1. The event always sells out so be sure to book your tickets early. For more info contact Ian Brosnan on wineclub@elywinebar.com or call (01) 6787867
More information from the wine diary www.jeansmullen.com
