What might an award-winning sommelier take home for Christmas? Here are Martina Delaney's seasonal choices
I have chosen one Champagne, two whites and three reds. I love a big winter warmer at this time of the year. Lots of spice and Christmas cake flavours always get me in the mood for the festive season.
No Christmas would be complete without Champagne. One of my favourites is, and has been for the past few years, Ruinart Blanc de BlancNV (€70, from Patrick Stewart, Sligo; Sweeney's, Glasnevin; Lonergan's, Clonmel; World Wide Wines, Waterford; Deveney's, Dundrum; Gables, Foxrock; Fallon & Byrne, Exchequer Street; Cheers, Delgany; Vintry, Rathgar; Fahy's, Ballina; Redmond's, Ranelagh; McCabe's, Blackrock; Kingdom Food & Wine, Tralee; McCambridge's, Galway).
Grüner Veltliner Charming Laurenz V 2006(€21, from Power and Smullen, Lucan; Fallon & Byrne; Sweeney's). This wine is, as the name suggests, a charmer. Grüner Veltliner is always the chameleon of grape varieties. Spicy, fruity and with a light body, it seems to go with all types of food, especially spicy cuisine such as Asian. The good thing about it is that it is not high in alcohol. Simply stunning.
Evel Grande Escolha 2004(€23.50, from Donnybrook Fair; Claudio's, Drury Street; Cellars, the Big Wine Warehouse, Naas Road). Made from port grape varieties, this is a recent discovery. It shows beautiful dark fruit with violet hints. Broad and rich, yet elegant and restrained, this wine needs food and decanting. A real find.
Domaine de la Citadelle 2004, Saint-Auban, Côtes du Luberon(€26.99, from Donnybrook Fair; Wicklow Wine Co; Cheers, Delgany; Redmond's, Ranelagh; Vanilla Grape, Kenmare; Cases Beers, Wines & Spirits, Galway). A wine made with great care in tiny yields. There is no fining or filtration. This wine is packed full of ripe, fruit-of-the-forest spice and also has great finesse.
Saint-Joseph Blanc, Domaine du Monteillet 2004(€22.99, from McCabe's; Cases Wines Beers & Spirits, Galway; 64 Wine, Glasthule; Redmond's; Donnybrook Fair). A blend of Marsanne and Rousanne, this wine is rich and spicy with a wonderful, honeyed palate. A real favourite of mine which never fails to impress.
Finca Dofi Priorat 2004, Domaine Alvaro Palacios(€62, from 64 Wine, Glasthule; Enowine, IFSC; O'Brien's; Karwig Wines, Carrigaline). This wine is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a wonderful cherry nose, leading to a spicy, luscious dark fruit palate.
Martina Delaney is sommelier at l'Ecrivain in Dublin