WINE:These wines will stand up to the biggest flavours your barbecue can churn out, writes John Wilson
A BARBECUE DOES not always mean red wine. Grilled fish, be it salmon, tuna or a white fish, needs something assertive, but full-flavoured white wines can often do the trick as well as any red. Think of big, textured Chardonnay, Semillon or Viognier. Alternatively, you could experiment a little and serve a lighter red with fish. Barbecued red meats do require something substantial. Shiraz from Australia, pinotage from South Africa, southern Rhônes, or a Ribera del Duero from Spain will all do the trick.
Domaine de la Janasse Viognier, Vin de Pays de la Principauté d'Orange 2007, 14%, €19.50This domaine make some of the finest Châteauneuf-du-Pape, wines really worth seeking out if you want a real treat. But the Viognier, which is considerably cheaper, offers a mass of ripe rich apricot fruits, a touch of spice, and just enough acidity to keep it all together. This would be great with barbecued vegetables, peppers or root veg in particular, or grilled fish or chicken. Stockists: 64 Wine, Glasthule, Dublin; Cases Wine Warehouse, Galway; Cheers at the Wicklow Arms, Delgany, Co Wicklow; The Corkscrew, Dublin 2; Jus de Vine, Portmarnock, Co Dublin; Uncorked, Rathfarnham, Dublin
Mount Horrocks Watervale Semillon 2006, Clare Valley, Australia, €22.49 I adore this wine, despite or maybe because of its creamy, spicy, oaky flavours. They work perfectly with the zingy lime and plump young green fruits, adding another layer of complexity. It is not a big wine, but packs in plenty of flavour. Partner it with chicken kebabs, especially if they have an Asian spicing. Stockists: Enowine, Monkstown and IFSC, Dublin; 64 Wine, Glasthule, Dublin; Fallon & Byrne, Exchequer St, Dublin; Red Island Wines, Skerries, Co Dublin; On the Grapevine, Booterstown and Dalkey, Dublin
Château Camplazens Grenache 2006, Vin de Pays d'Oc 13%, €12.99Classic Grenache with its big ripe jammy strawberry fruits and lovely soft finish. This would make a great all-rounder for most barbecued foods, particularly kebabs, sausages and burgers. Stockists: The Corkscrew, Chatham St, Dublin; Clada Wines, Galway
Dom Rafael Mouchão 2005, Alentejo 15%, €14.50Lovely big swarthy wine with dried cranberries, chocolate and an earthy touch. Pair with steaks, lamb kebabs or anything beefy.
Stockists: Wicklow Wine Co, Wicklow; Red Island Wine, Skerries, Dublin; Partridges, Gorey, Co Wexford; McHugh's, Artane and Kilbarrack, Dublin; Jus de Vine, Portmarnock, Co Dublin; Redmond's, Ranelagh, Dublin; Power and Smullen, Lucan, Co Dublin; Probus Wines, Oughterard, Co Galway
Malbec-Syrah Bodegas del Fin del Mundo 2007, Patagonia, Argentina, 14%, €8.99Barbecues and Malbec are natural partners, but this version has some Syrah mixed in too. Patagonia has a cooler climate than most of Argentina, so the wines have a lovely elegance. This has juicy ripe damsons and cherries, with a lovely piquant touch. It would go perfectly with lamb kebabs, ribs or a hamburger. Stockists: Centra Courtney's, Fairview, Dublin; The Dew Drop, Athboy, Co Meath; Fresh, various outlets; MJ Wines, Dundalk,
Co Louth; Spar, Patrick Street, Dublin;
Spar, Rathgar, Dublin; SuperValu, Churchtown, Dublin; The Village, Castleknock, Dublin
Ravenswood Vintners Blend Zinfandel, California 2006, 13.5%, €12.99 An old reliable, and one that will go very nicely with your burgers, ribs, or, best of all, a steak. Rich loganberry fruits and red berries, with plenty of power, and well-integrated smooth tannins.
Stockists: Dunnes Stores, various outlets; O'Briens Wines; Portlaoise Wine Vault,
Co Laois; McHughs, Kilbarrack and Malahide, Dublin; Mitchells, Kildare Street, Dublin; The Lord Mayor, Swords, Co Dublin; Clelands, Abbeyleix, Co Laois; Butlers Tavern, Mullingar, Co Westmeath; Brackens, Glasnevin, Dublin; The Wine Centre, Kilkenny
Côtes du Rhône Domaine les Aphillanthes "Rouge Carmin" 2007, 14%, €12.95 Made from 50 per cent Syrah and 50 per cent Cinsault, this is a fruit bomb, packed with lots of soft, ripe black fruits plus a little bit of Provençal herbs - but no noticeable tannins. Drink it with any grilled or barbecued red meats, or maybe some hard cheese.
Stockists: Vanilla Grape, Kenmare, Co Kerry; Jus de Vine, Portmarnock, Co Dublin; Donnybrook Fair, Dublin; The Drinks Store, Manor Street, Dublin; www.thestoreroom.ie; Redmonds, Ranelagh, Dublin
Cusumano Benuara Nero d'Avola/Syrah 2006, IGT Sicily 14.5%, €17.99 Intense meaty ripe dark fruits in a big, muscular, structured wine that will stand up to any treatment, such as charred steaks or spicy sausages, and come away smiling. Stockists: Cellars, Naas Rd, Dublin; Donnybrook Fair, Dublin; Jus De Vine, Portmarnock, Co Dublin
The Father In Law Shiraz 2004, Charles Melton, South Australia, 14.5%, €19Charlie Melton is one of the greatest exponents of Shiraz, as well as a number of other grapes. The Father in Law has a lovely core of ripe plum fruits, balanced by some tannins kicking in on the finish. Nicely crafted, very moreish wine that will win you lots of friends, and should impress the father-in-law too. Stockists: The Old Stand, Mullingar, Co Westmeath; Redmonds, Ranelagh, Dublin; Parson's, Carrigaline, Co Cork; www.jnwine.com
Torres Salmos, Priorat 2006, Spain, 14.5%, €24.95Big, chewy, but very classy, with masses of dark forest fruits and a dry savoury mineral streak. Do not be put off, this is a lovely wine, which really needs your finest chargrilled lamb or steak to bring out its best. Stockists: The Corkscrew, Chatham St, Dublin; Lilac Wines, Fairview, Dublin; Sweeney's, Glasnevin, Dublin; Ardkeen Superstores, Waterford; selected O'Briens outlets