WINE:Some fruity and round wines to go with the al fresco summer lunch or an evening soirée, writes John Wilson.
THIS WEEK, 10 wines with a bit more flavour, still not too big, but full of exuberant fresh ripe fruits. You could drink them on their own, but they will really start to shine when you are serving food.
Most of the following would go nicely with lunch, or a light evening meal - salads based on salmon or chicken, or maybe some cold meats or charcuterie.
Brandl Pfaffenberg Grüner Veltliner 2007, Kamptal, Austria, 12.5%, €13.35.Both the Brandl Riesling and Grüner Veltliner are very impressive wines, matching a mouth-watering freshness with plenty of fruit. The Grüner has very attractive plump melon fruits with a hint of spice and a bone dry finish. Serve with a seafood salad; it is superb with scallops and prawns.
Stockists: Wines Direct, 1890-579579, www.winesdirect.ie
Pesquié Rosé, 2006, Côtes de Ventoux, 13%, €11.99.I featured the excellent red a few weeks back; the rosé is well worth trying too. A light, crisp mineral wine, with cleansing redcurrant fruits, and plenty of minerality as well. Grown-up rosé that would do very nicely with light meat dishes and fish.
Stockists: Donnybrook Fair, Morehampton Road, Dublin 4
Bourgogne Rouge Cuvée Gerard Potel 2006, Nicolas Potel, 13%. €16.99.Nicolas Potel makes a range of very tasty Burgundies, but I reckon his basic Bourgogne rouge to be among the best. This has very tasty cool dark cherry fruits, and a seductive freshness. Serve cool either with tuna, or a salad tiède with duck breast or chicken livers - just go easy on the vinegar, or maybe use wine in your dressing instead.
Stockists: Wines on the Green, Dawson St, Dublin 2
Tursan 2006 Baron de Bachen Michel Guérard, 13%, €26.50.Serve this alongside baked or poached fish. It will go very nicely with salmon, trout or sea bass. There are lovely rich smooth pears, always backed up by a firm acidity, and subtle oak. Delicious and different.
Stockists: Terroirs, Morehampton Road, Donnybrook, Dublin 4
Bourgogne Blanc Domaine Fichet, 2005, 13%, €19.95.Top domaines in Burgundy often produce great value Bourgogne blanc. The 2004 vintage of this wine was one of the most enjoyable wines I have tried this year; the 2005 follows on very nicely. Cool mineral and green apple fruits, medium-bodied, long and dry. If only all Burgundy could be like this. Serve with white fish, salmon, chicken or even lighter pork dishes.
Stockists: Lilac Wines, Fairview; Jus de Vine, Portmarnock, Co Dublin; McCabes, Blackrock, Dublin; www.thestoreroom.ie; Vanilla Grape, Kenmare, Co Kerry
Viognier, Domaine de Coudoulet 2006, 13.50%, €12.95.Excellent textbook Viognier at a keen price; pure apricots and peaches with a slightly bitter touch, the alcohol is perfectly integrated, and there is a beautiful balance to the wine. Try it with chicken dishes, particularly those with a spicy dressing or sauce.
Stockists: Berry Bros & Rudd, Harry St, Dublin
Bollinger Rosé NV, 12%, €79.95.A new release from the Bollinger stable, and one that should take the luxury market by storm. The rich fruits, raspberry in this case, and full-on, complex biscuity flavours are very stylish and very Bollinger. While I would drink this just about any time I could get my hands on a bottle, I reckon it would go perfectly with fish salads, particularly prawns or salmon.
Stockists: It has only just arrived in the country, but you could try your usual Bollinger stockist, including McCabes; Berry Bros; Redmonds, Ranelagh, Dublin; The Corkscrew, Chatham St, Dublin; selected O'Briens
Domaine Saladin Paul 2006, Côtes du Rhône, 14%, €15.99A new arrival to these shores, this has really seductive, plump, silky ripe fruits and a rounded finish; it is very hard to stop drinking. This would be great with most red or white meats, served hot or cold.
Stockists: On The Grapevine, Dalkey and Booterstown, Dublin; Cabot and Co, Westport, Co Mayo; Mount Gable Gifts, Clonbur, Co Galway; Ferguson Fine Wines, Clifden, Co Galway
Coney Pizzicato Pinot Noir 2006, Martinborough, New Zealand 14% €25.95.A sensational Pinot from one of the up-and-coming stars of New Zealand. Rich aromas of coffee, damsons and cherries, a meaty mouthful of dark fruits, rich yet elegant and with very good persistence. Serve it with spicy salmon or tuna steaks, but it would stand up to most meat dishes too.
Stockists: Redmond's; McHugh's, Artane and Kilbarrack, Dublin; Lilac Wines, Fairview, Dublin; 64 Wine, Glasthule, Dublin; Wicklow Wine Co; The Wine Centre, Kilkenny; Masters Wine Warehouse, Waterford; Thomas Woodberry, Galway; Ferguson Fine Wines, Clifden, Co Galway; Cellars, Naas Road, Dublin
Berry Brother's Own Selection, Rioja Crianza 2001, 13%, €14.95.I was bowled over by this wonderful Rioja; it tastes far younger than the vintage, with delicious ripe rich red berries and a real elegance. There is some oak, but it is very tastefully done, and the finish is very smooth.
Stockists: Berry Brothers & Rudd
OTHER SUMMER DRINKS
I rarely tire of wine, but if you do fancy something ice cold and fizzy, here are a few alternative summery ideas.
Chip ChipThis is an utterly delicious drink, perfect as an aperitif or a sun-downer. Mix 1/3 white port, with 2/3 tonic water, add plenty of ice and a few mint leaves.
Pimm's No 1Nothing evokes summer more than a glass of Pimm's, served with plenty of ice and lemonade, garnished with mint or (preferably) borage, and slices of cucumber. Be careful though - they are deceptively powerful.
Gin & TonicChange the habit of a lifetime - leave aside the Cork Dry or Gordon's, and try the full-flavoured Cork Crimson or Bombay Sapphire to put some real oomph into your G&T.
