WINE: Shop early and buy plenty for Christmas, writes Mary Dowey.
Why does Christmas dinner become the focus of all our agonising about festive food and drink? Forget about it - at least for the moment. It's easily sorted, closer to the time. It's all the other stuff that causes constant, rumbling angst; relatives, neighbouring parents, perhaps a long-absent aunt on the doorstep with a new man. On top of all that, you might even throw a proper drinks or supper party.
Stock up now on crowd-pleasing wines - white, red and bubbly - in generous quantities, and you'll avoid those endless fraught trips to the off-licence in the month ahead. I've listed 12 great buys, all priced between €7.99 and €14.95 (sparklers included). Serve them happily to family or friends, give them to teachers as a thank-you, stuff them in your sister-in-law's stocking or guzzle a drop yourself late some night when you can't get the Christmas lights to work.
BRILLIANT BUDGET BUBBLY
Wyndham Estate Bin 222 Sparkling Chardonnay, South Eastern Australia NV. Finely tuned new Aussie fizz offering alluring, lemon crispness without either austerity or overdone sweetness. Classy for the money. From Sweeneys, Dorset St; McHughs, Kilbarrack & Artane; Martins, Fairview; Corks, Terenure; Donnybrook Fair; Martha's Vineyard, Rathfarnham; McCabes, Mount Merrion; Jus de Vine, Portmarnock; O'Donovans, Cork; Fine Wines, Limerick, about €14.95.
APPETITE-WHETTING WHITES
Vaughan Johnson's Good Everyday Cape White NV Fresh, fruity, utterly likeable South African blend. A great party white - no food required - and the price is magic. From Vaughan Johnsons, Temple Bar & Baggot St Bridge; Spar, Camden St; Bin No 9, Goatstown; On the Grapevine, Dalkey; Grape Escape, Lucan; Wicklow Wine Co; Athy News & Deli; Kingdom, Tralee; Pettitts in south-east and others, usually €7.99.
Riscal Sauvignon, Rueda 2003. Tangy, lively, easily come-by Spanish white, packed with so much gooseberry freshness that you may question the wisdom of paying €17-€20 for New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Very widely available including at many SuperValu/Centra outlets, about €10.70.
Mâcon Davayé Domaine des Deux Roches 2002. Mâcon at its best - smooth and honeyed - tasting of ripe apples and orange zest, with a cut of lemon. At a very seductive price, it will suit many dishes or none. From Oddbins, €13.89. See also Bottles of the Week.
EASY-GOING REDS
Preece Victoria Shiraz, Mitchelton 2002. Quite an extrovert Shiraz, with rich, plummy fruit, a generous dollop of spice and a firm grip of tannin in the finish. Best with a bit of food. From Dunnes Stores, normally €9.99, on special offer through December at €8.99.
La Chapelle de Castelmaure Corbières 2002. A terrific all-rounder, tasty with food or without. Dark, berry flavours, soft tannins, and a suede-like finish add up to a great package at a great price. From Terroirs, Donnybrook, €9.95.
Terras do Vale Vinho Regionale Ribatejano, Casal do Conde 2002. Ready for something different? This lively, appetising Portuguese blend of three native grapes with a bit of Syrah and Merlot offers blackberry richness, and satisfyingly fleshy texture. Manageable without food, but better with it. From Mitchells, Kildare St & Glasthule; Douglas Food Co, Donnybrook; O'Neills, Carrickmacross; Herans, Boyle, €10.50-€10.95.
Torres Atrium Merlot, Penedès 2003. Appealing young Spanish Merlot with blackcurrant leaf and liquorice aromas and plenty of soft, ripe fruit. From Superquinn; selected SuperValus/ Centras and many independents, about €12.99.
CV Cabernet-Merlot, Western Australia, Capel Vale 2001. Smart, supple Bordeaux blend with great vibrancy and elegance. A supper star with beef, lamb, duck. From Corkscrew, Chatham St; Cellars, Naas Rd; Martins, Fairview; Kellys, Clontarf; Vintry, Rathgar; Grape Escape, Lucan; Halpins, Wicklow town & Gorey; Thomas Woodberry's, Galway and others, €13.49-€13.99.
LIQUID SHOPPING First came Cellars - The Big Wine Warehouse, on the Naas Road. Now up pops the Wine & Beer Warehouse in Stillorgan with 400-plus wines (all new to Ireland). Emphasis is on small-scale producers (south of France, Rhône and funky Italians) Minimum purchase six bottles, which may be mixed, but champagnes and fine wines available by the bottle. Full licence, parking and tasting bar. 1, Old Dublin Road, Stillorgan (01-2103601), Mon-Sat, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun, noon-9 p.m