Domaine des Jougla Saint Chinian, 2006, and Sauvignon Domaine du Haut Bourg, Vin de Pays du Val de Loire, 2007.
Domaine des Jougla Saint Chinian, 2006, 12.5%, €11.99.Made from a classic Languedoc blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan, this is a very enjoyable wine, elegant but juicy, with medium-bodied strawberry fruits, and a very nice finish. It was even better with dinner later on. Try it with most white or lighter red meat dishes. Stockists:Red Island Wines, Skerries; McHugh's, Malahide and Kilbarrack Road; Shiels, Drumcondra; The Silver Granite, Palmerstown; The Coach House, Ballinteer Ave; Nectar Wines, Sandyford; Bunch of Grapes, Clonee; Holland's, Bray; Caprani's, Ashford; The Foodhall, Portlaoise; Morton's, Galway; O'Neill's, Carrickmacross.
Sauvignon Domaine du Haut Bourg, Vin de Pays du Val de Loire, 2007, 12%, €11.75.Lovely spare nettle and mineral nose; classy light fresh nettles and green fruits on the palate; bone dry and crisp, possibly a little too crisp for Marlborough lovers, but a very stylish wine at a great price. Stockists:Louis Albrouze, Leeson Street; World Wide Wine, Waterford; Morton's, Ranelagh; The Bottle Shop, Dublin 14; Vanilla Grape, Kenmare; Hole in the Wall, Dublin 7; Morton's, Salthill; Cases Wine Warehouse, Galway; Red Island, Skerries.