When planning your staycation, it is a good idea to check there is a decent wine shop near your destination. If not, you might consider packing a case in the boot to bring with you. If space is at a premium, remember that most wine shops, as well as mail order companies, will be happy to deliver your wine to any address around the country.
For my perfect dozen, I would go for four white wines, a rosé, five or six red, and one or maybe two sparkling. This reflects my own preference for red wines, even with fish, preceded by a glass of something white. This being a holiday, there will be cheese to follow and with cheese, I nearly always drink red wine. If I could sneak in a 13th bottle, it would be a bottle of good dry sherry – a treat for the chef.
WHITE
First up, a light crisp white to enjoy with a few nibbles while watching the evening sun go down, or to drink alongside lighter seafood dishes. My choice is a Verdicchio that will perform those functions perfectly – vibrant mouth-watering subtle peaches and lemon zest with almonds on the finish. An alternative to the Verdicchio is this refreshing crisp dry white from Crete.
Costaverde 2019, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, Tavignano
12%, €18.99
Stockists: 64wine, Glasthule,64wine.com; Green Man Wines, D6, greenmanwines.ie; Ardkeen Quality Foodstore, Waterford, ardkeen.com; Clontarf Wines, D3, clontarfwines.ie.
Lyrarkis Assysrtiko Voila 2020, Crete
13.5%, €17-€18
Stockists: Neighbourhood Wine, D4, Neighbourhoodwine.ie; Thenudewineco.ie; Mitchell & Son, D1, Sandycove, and Avoca, Kilmacanogue & Dunboyne, mitchellandson.com; Morton's, D6, mortons.ie; Baggot Street Wines, D4, baggotstreetwines.com; Clontarf Wines, D3, Clontarfwines.ie; Whelehan's Wines, Loughlinstown, whelehanswines.ie.
Next, I would go for a medium-bodied all-purpose white, light enough to drink by itself but even better with a variety of foods, including grilled fish or chicken, mildly spicy Asian chicken dishes. I could buy a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc or an Albariño, but most wine shops, including the supermarkets, offer a Picpoul de Pinet, usually €10-€15, and the standard is fairly consistent.
Château Albajan 2020, Picpoul de Pinet
13.5%, €12.95 down from €16.95
Stockists: O'Briens, obrienswine.ie
For my fourth white, I would look for something richer and more substantial. I'll save this for a dinner with grilled salmon or black sole, lobster or maybe with creamy chicken dishes. I really enjoyed this South African Chardonnay recently – creamy ripe apple and pear fruits with subtle toasted almonds. Serve lightly chilled rather than ice cold to enjoy the rich flavours.
Journey's End Chardonnay Winemaker's Reserve 2020, Fairtrade, Stellembosch
13.5%, €17.50
Stockists: Marks & Spencer, markaandspencer.com
ROSÉ
I don’t drink much rosé in the winter months, but if the sun is shining, a well-chilled glass seems essential. While there are plenty of very good expensive rosés around, there is something about al fresco holiday drinking that requires something affordable, such as this lovely light delicate fruit-filled dry wine.
Les Auzines Alaina Rosé 2020, Sud de France
12.5%, €12.71 down from €16.95
Stockists: O'Briens, obrienswine.ie
RED
And so on to my red wines; the most important thing here is to pack a couple of good light-to-medium bodied all-purpose red wines, around 13-13.5 per cent alcohol, that will go nicely with a wide variety of foods. I am a big fan of Beaujolais, but the Casolare is full of juicy fruits, the perfect multi-purpose wine for whenever you need something light and refreshing to drink with nibbles, casual pizza, pasta, chicken or pork dishes.
Marche Rosso San Lorenzo 'Il Casolare' Rosso
12.5%, €14.95-€15.50
Stockists: Blackrock Cellar, Blackrock, blackrockcellar.com; The Fumbally, D8; TheFumbally.ie; Margadh, Howth, margadhfoodandwine.ie; Ely Wine Store, Maynooth, elywinebar.ie; Seagull Bakery, Tramore, seagullbakeryshop.com; Barrow Market, D4, barrowmarket.ie; The Bernard Shaw, D8, thebernardshaw.ie; Woodruff, D18, woodruff.ie.
The Canfo would make a really good inexpensive alternative to the Casolare; brimming with fresh, easy-drinking red cherry fruits, it is perfect on its own, but would go down really well with most white meats, lighter tomato-based pasta dishes, quiches, grilled courgettes, butternut squash and aubergines.
Canfo Tempranillo 2019, La Mancha
13%, €11.50
Stockists: 64wine, Glasthule, 64wine.com; Clontarf Wines, D3, Clontarfwines.ie; The Delgany Grocer, Co Wicklow; Lilliput Stores, Dublin 7, lilliputstores.com; The Corner Butcher, D8, thecornerbutcher.business.site.
This is my blowout red, for that night when you really want to push the boat out. It may seem expensive, and it is a little-known name, but I love the soft elegant ripe fruit, the savoury edge, the refreshing acidity and light tannins. With your showcase chicken, pork, lamb or beef recipe.
Lousas 2017, Viñas de Aldea, Ribeira Sacra, Envinate
13%, €25.50-€27
Stockists: 64wine, Glasthule, 64wine.com; Green Man Wines, D6, greenmanwines.ie; Neighbourhood Wine, D4, Neighbourhoodwine.ie; The Little Green Grocer, Kilkenny, thelittlegreengrocer.ie.
Possibly the most important choice is a medium-bodied red wine, with enough power to go with most red meats, but light enough to go with chicken, pork and richer salads with pulses, cheese and charcuterie. The Zorzal Garnacha, with its easy rounded red fruits, fits the bill perfectly. The Milú is also big enough for that full-on red meat barbecue or roast Mediterranean vegetables.
Viña Zorzal Garnacha 2019, Navarra
13.5%, €15-€16
Stockists: 64wine, Glasthule, 64wine.com; Clontarf Wines, D3, Clontarfwines.ie; Green Man Wines, D6, greenmanwines.ie; Ardkeen Quality Foodstore, Waterford, Ardkeen.com; The Grape & Grain, Co Dublin, Leopardstowninn.ie; nudewinecompany.ie.
Quinta Milú 'Milú', Ribero del Duero 2020
14%, €17.90
Stockists: Pinto Wines, D9, pintowines.ie; A Taste of Spain, D1; 64wine, Glasthule, 64wine.com; Baggot Street Wines, D4, baggotstreetwines.com; Blackrock Cellar, Blackrock, blackrockcellar.com; Clontarf Wines, D3, Clontarfwines.ie; Bradleys Off-licence, Cork, bradleysofflicence.ie; Green Man Wines, D6, greenmanwines.ie; Listons, D2, listonsfoodstore.ie.
Malbec from Argentina is not all about brawn; this wine combines power and elegance in a very seductive manner. Floral aromas, smooth ripe dark fruits overlaid with vanilla and tobacco. Made to go with barbecued meat.
Norton DOC – Norton Luján de Cuyo DOC Malbec 2018
14%, €12.95 down from €18.95
Stockists: O'Briens, obrienswine.ie
SPARKLING
What better way to celebrate your arrival and the start of your holiday than a glass of sparkling wine? If you fancy pushing the boat out go for Champagne, but one of my favourite sparkling wines this year is the keenly priced Canals Nadal Cava, a creamy fruit-filled glass of fizz.
Canals Nadal Cava Brut Reserva
12%, €19.95 down from €24.95
Stockists: O'Briens, obrienswine.ie
