This week’s bottles of the week
Saint Clair Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand 2008, 13%, €14.99 (reduced to €12.99)More refined than many Marlborough Sauvignons, this wine still has intense flavours of passion fruit with a herbaceous touch. Tingling with acidity, it exudes freshness and clean, ripe fruit. Light-bodied, so ideal as an aperitif or with seafood. Stockists: Cellars Big Wine Warehouse, Naas Rd; Cheers Off-Licences; McCabe's, Blackrock; Mitchell's, CHQ, Sandycove and Rathfarnham; Next Door Off-Licences; O'Briens; SuperValu.
Tinpot Hut Pinot Gris, New Zealand 2008, 13.5%, €16.49.With its heft and richly flavoured palate, this is a wine that would appeal to people who don't normally drink white wine. It's dry, with pears, spice and a touch of white pepper. Try it with crab, prawns or scallops. Stockists: The Corkscrew, Chatham St; Fallon Byrne, Exchequer St; Next Door, Kilrush and Kilkee; O'Donovan's Off-Licences, Cork; The Wine Boutique, Ringsend.
Vignes de l'Eglise Vin de Pays d'Oc Grenache Blanc Chardonnay, France 2007, 13.5%, €9.99. Dry white with plump peach fruit and balancing rounded acidity. Though not oak-aged, it has a roundness of flavour and a fairly weighty texture with a touch of roasted hazelnuts on the finish. Would go well with grilled salmon or richer fish dishes. Stockists: Bin No. 9, Goatstown; The Bottle Shop, Meath Street; Cellar Master, Stillorgan Industrial Park; Gibney's, Malahide; Mac's, Limerick; The Wine Boutique, Ringsend.
Alpha Zeta, Valpolicella, Italy 2007, 12.5%, €11.99. Plump, soft red cherry fruit with underlying raspberry flavours. Medium-bodied, it has fine acidity, light tannins and a lingering, fruity finish. Classic match with pasta, especially with tomato-based sauces. Stockists:Bin No. 9, Stillorgan; Cellar Master, Stillorgan; D-Six Wine Beer Spirits, Harold's Cross; Fallon Byrne, Exchequer St; Friendship Wines, Limerick; Holland's, Bray; O'Donovan's, Cork; Red Nose Wine, Clonmel.
Ca' del Matt, Barbera d'Asti, Italy 2003, 13.5%, €11.49.An accessible red with ripe bramble and autumnal fruits, lively acidity and a tiny tingle of tannin. Medium weight, slightly earthy finish. Enjoy it with meaty pasta. Stockists: Drinks Store, Manor St; Florrie's Fine Wines, Tramore; Jus de Vine, Portmarnock; Lord Mayor's, Swords; Martin's, Fairview; The Vineyard Wine Company, Galway.
Delta Pinot Noir, New Zealand 2007, 13%, €19.95.Juicy cherry/strawberry flavours backed by toasty oak, ripe tannins and well-judged acidity. Medium-bodied, vibrant wine given complexity by a streak of minerality. Good with red meat casseroles or bean stews. Stockists:64 Wine, Glasthule; Avoca wine shops; The Drinks Store, Manor St; Jus de Vine, Portmarnock; Liston's, Camden St; Mac's, Limerick; McHugh's, Kilbarrack Raheny; Red Island Wine Co., Skerries; Red Nose Wine, Clonmel; Sweeney's, Glasnevin.
Pat Carroll is co-editor of The Best of Wine in Ireland 2008and part-time manager in Gibney’s Off-Licence, Malahide.
John Wilson is on annual leave