Joe Breen'swine news.
FIRE FIGHTERSThat military training obviously came in handy for (former commandant) Paddy Keogh and his team at leading online retailer WinesDirect recently, when they managed to cope admirably with the crisis and get the business operational again within days following a serious fire at their Mullingar, Co Westmeath, premises. Even for the indefatigable Keogh, this was a remarkable turnaround. Keep an eye on www.winesdirect.iefor details of new offers.
KIWI WINNERSAs most of their stock was safe in bond, WinesDirect was able to continue trading with wines such as Mt Difficulty Pinot Noir 06, one of the stars of the recent New Zealand Wine new release tasting. The Kiwi wine industry seems to have no shortage of good news. The 2007 harvest was an increase of 11 per cent on the previous year; more than one billion glasses of New Zealand wine were sold in 95 countries. Ireland represents 1.6 per cent of wine exports, with a value of about €6.7 million. The New Zealand consumers' wine fair is in the Hilton Hotel, Dublin, on January 9th from 6.30-8.30pm. Tickets cost €15 (or 11 for 10). Contact Jean Smullen on 01-2745955, jean@jeansmullen.com, info@wineeventireland.com.
SALES TIME (1):The Wicklow Wine Company's sale continues at its Wicklow town shop until November 18th with great bargains at all prices. All 13 of their wines that received awards in The Best of Wine in Ireland 2008 are included - either very generous or very silly, depending on whether or not you are their accountant. Wines such as the Dom Arnaud's Gevrey Chambertin 2004 (down from €33.95 to €28.95), Jean Claude Lapalu's Brouilly Vieilles Vignes, 2005 (from €19.95 to €15.95) and the Pfalz Riesling Trocken, Dr von Bassermann-Jordan 2006 (from €15.95 to €12.95) are well worth investigation. www.wicklowwineco.ie
SALES TIMES (2):The Vintage wine store at Blackrock, Co Dublin ( www.vintage.ie), is holding a sale of fine wine until November 17th. Lots of high-end bottles at attractive prices such as Bordeaux third growth Ch Lagrange 1998, St Julien (from €54.99 to €47.99); Ch Gloria 2003, Cru Bourgeois, St Julien (€39.99 to €29.99) and the lovely Burgundy, Olivier Leflaive Monthelie Premier Cru 2004 (from €29.99 to €23.99).
LEARNING CURVEOne of the most respected wine educators, Mary Gaynor, is part of the team behind www.sublimewines.ie, where "all the wines are individually picked by myself and our taste panel." Gaynor was the first Irish person to pass the Wines and Spirits Diploma and the first Irish woman to be awarded an MBA in Wine from Bordeaux Business School. Well worth checking out.