WINE: Seppelt Great Western Brut NV, Brocard Chablis Domaine Sainte Claire 2002 and Château Robert Côtes de Bourg 2000.
Seppelt Great Western Brut NV. How many enjoyable bubblies have you come across in Ireland at this price? I can hardly think of any. This much improved Aussie is a fun drink, maybe not terribly refined, but dangerously gluggable, with nice honey, pear and pineapple tones and a crisp, refreshing end note. From Dunnes Stores, €11.49.
Brocard Chablis Domaine Sainte Claire 2002. Chablis is pretty much a Christmas essential - classic, lively and reviving. Brocard is a genius at marrying pure, ripe fruit with brisk lemon crispness and underlying mineral tang. At the usual price, this is a super buy. With €2 off, it would be a crime to miss it. From O'Briens, normally €15.99, currently on special offer at €13.99. Don't overchill it.
Château Robert Côtes de Bourg 2000. If you want to have a bit of Bordeaux on hand but find it hard to negotiate the path between an ocean of shoddy stuff and glitzy, overpriced châteaux, consider this. it's smooth, plummy and respectably concentrated, with a long, peppery finish. Show it off with red meat. From www.wineonline.ie, minimum purchase 12 bottles (which may be mixed), €11.50.