DUNNES: Palo Alta Reserva Cabernet-Carmenère- Syrah 2006 (13.5%, €7.99),with its high purple, notes of dark, dense berry, tobacco and vanilla, is classy stuff.
The same brand's Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2007(12.5%, €7.99) has a classic gooseberry and musk nose, is soft in the mouth and has a crisp and refreshing finish. Carino Malo Cabernet Sauvignon 2006(14%, €7.99), with its notes of raspberry, chocolate and vanilla, is a little too oaky ,and too alcoholic, but it does the job. Douglas Green Reserve Chardonnay 2007(14%, €6.99) has a light toast, citrus nose, sweet, mellow mouthfeel and a slightly metallic finish. Deux Pins Viognier Chardonnay 2006, Vin de Pays d'Oc(13.5%, €6.99) is a soft, inoffensive blend from the south of France with easy melon, pear and nut flavours. Perfect for a party.
SUPERQUINN
Tatachillamakes a welcome return to Ireland in Superquinn's revamped wine selection. Its entry-level Growers Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2006and Partners Cabernet Shiraz 2005clock in at a very good value €8.24, thanks to a Christmas offer of 25 per cent off. The Growers is a mild, tasty blend of tropical flavours and light acidity, a bit heady at 13.5 per cent but otherwise perfect for a party. The Partners, at 14.5 per cent, carries a serious wallop but is all too easy to drink, with its rich blackberry fruit. Dangerous. Chalkers Crossingis another new Australian brand; its 2006 Hilltops Riesling(reduced to €9.99, 12.5%) has a captivating nose of squeezed limes with a measured, rounded texture and a palate-cleansing finish. To match its light approach, how about a delicious, fruity Beaujolais-Villages 2006, Domaine André Cologne(down to €8.99 from €11.99)?
SUPERVALU
There are lots of offers on well-known and respected brands, such as Cono Sur- the Merlot, Chardonnayand Cabernet Sauvignonvarietals are down from €7.99 to €6.39 - Faustino VIIred and white (from €9.99 to €7.99) and Jacob's Creek Cabernet Merlotand Shiraz Rosé, (down from €8.99 to €7.19). SuperValu has cut the prices of the Black & White Chardonnay, Cabernetand Shirazof its very successful Nugan Estateimport from €9.99 to €7.49.
TESCO
The bulk of the supermarket's Christmas offers are from its Finest* range, such as Tapiwey Sauvignon Blanc, from Chile (down from €11.99 to €6.99), and Denman Vineyard Chardonnay, from Australia (down from €12.99 to €7.99), a buttery wine, with traces of minerality and citrus, that clocks in at 13 per cent. I wouldn't be so sure about Spier Discovery Sauvignon Blanc(€7.99 or two for €13, 12.5%), from South Africa, although at that price it might be worth a go. Howcroft Estate Cabernet Merlot 2005, another Australian (down from €12.99 to €7.99, 13.5%) is a soft, easy-drinking blend with hints of mint and tobacco. Tesco Finest* Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2006, with notes of light chocolate, pepper and spice, weighing in at a formidible 14.5 per cent, is reduced from a pretty steep €19.99 to a more plausible €13.99. Serve it at a party and your guests will be falling over themselves - not literally, we hope - to thank you.