A selection of four wines worth trying.
Chablis 1er cru Fourchaume, Domaine du Colombier 2006, 13%, €13.95 half bottle.
A classy Chablis with some lovely rich apple fruits, held together by a solid core of mineral acidity. Crisp, dry and mouth-watering. A few oysters would turn it into a real treat. Stockist: Berry Brothers & Rudd
Qupé Syrah, Central Coast, California 2005, 13.5%, €10.95 half bottle.
Delicious mature, plump, dark fruits. We arrived in our hotel too late for room service, and so had this with a mini picnic hamper in our hotel bedroom - an adult midnight feast. Berry Brothers & Rudd
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Jérome Quiot 2006, 14.5%, €13.75 half bottle.
Jérome Quiot makes fresh, fruit-driven wines that are ready to drink early. This is a perfect example, with rich, rounded strawberry fruits with a real kick of alcohol. Grilled steak with plenty of mushrooms on the side. Searson's Wine Merchants, Monkstown; Jus de Vine, Portmanock; Daly's, Boyle; Interior Living, Cork; Sweeney's, Fairview.
Château Rauzan-Despagne Bordeaux 2006, 13%, €8.65 half bottle.
Fine pure blackcurrant fruits with a nice lightly tannic kick on the finish. Perfect with cheese, red and white meats. I had mine with grilled pork chops slathered with garlic and lemon. Redmond's, Ranelagh; The Corkscrew; Holland's of Bray; Searson's, Monkstown; Interior Living, Cork.