In the lateste of my videos I taste a white wine from the south of france that is available in Superquinn.

Check it out and see you next time on robertfranciswine.ie

Matt @Curious Wines your time starts now …

Continuing with the recent interview with Wine Retailers I put my questions to Matt from Curiouswines – here is what he had to say

1.       How did you get into wine ?

When I was a student I loved going to the shop to select a bottle of wine for my girlfriend. We were both foodies well before wine drinkers, but that’s where it started to take off for me. I loved the variety in wine, as well as the packaging and the stories that come with it. My dad is also very fond of his wine, so we can now talk about wine, as well as football and cars.

2.       What are your favourite styles of wine/wine regions ?

My taste is constantly evolving. I started like a lot of people, drinking relatively thin, fruity easy drinking wines, but now I enjoy a wine that has everything on show. A big rich Borossan Shiraz or a pungent New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc are right up my alley, but lately I’ve been edging towards more restrained styles, with some very elegant examples from France being the main source of my curiosity.

3.       What up and coming varietals or regions are you most excited about ?

There are plenty of varietals and regions that are relatively untouched by the mass market. If you’re used to drinking the wines of Rioja, check out the reds of Ribera del Duero or the whites of Rueda. If you have a taste for Marlborough, look up the wines of Waipara or Hawkes Bay. There is some amazing value to be found in the French Languedoc, many of which are giving other wines at a similar price point a real run for their money.

In terms of varietals, it’s almost endless. I would always encourage people to branch out. Try the lesser known varietals such as the Italian Dolcetto, the French Marsanne or the Chilean Carmenere. I hope the Spanish white grape, Albarino, is the next big thing. It’s got all it takes to appeal to the masses, as well as delivering astonishing quality at the higher end.

 4.       What have been the major changes in the Irish Wine Industry over the last 10 years approx ?

As well as there being an increase in consumption of wine in Ireland, there is more choice than ever, and despite our high duty and VAT rates, wine is more affordable than ever, thus making it very accessible. There has been a shift from the pub culture to drinking at home, and in more moderate amounts at that. Also, more and more people are turning to the internet to buy wine online. This trend will continue to grow, as it has done and continues to do in the US and the UK.

5.       How did you end up with a career in the wine retail sector ?

Whilst travelling in 2008 I visited Hunter Valley in Australia and Marlborough in New Zealand. My love for wine was confirmed. I returned to Ireland and my brother, Michael, told me about his plans to turn the wine industry in Ireland upside-down. I couldn’t turn down the challenge.

 6.       What do  look to achieve with your own exclusive range ?

We look to differentiate ourselves. To offer something that you are not going to find in the local supermarket. Wine that you know little or nothing about, but when you get it in the glass it takes your breath away. Value for money is key and that’s what will be achieved. 

7.       Are critics scores or mass popularity more important in a wine that you selected for your exclusivity range ?

Of course, it helps if a wine has received good scores from the critics, but the most important thing is that it punches above its price tag. There are so many incredible wines out there that are unrecognised by consumers and overlooked by critics.

8.       The Closure debate – Screwcap or Cork – whats your opinion ?

Screwcap for wines that need to be drank young, cork for wines that need time to develop and evolve.

9.       Who is a wine hero of yours ?

Ben Glaetzer is my wine hero. From his entry level range to his fine wines, he has something for everyone.

Sunday Tribune – Lar Veale

1. St Hallett Faith Barossa Shiraz 2008 (€15)

This is from the south of the Barossa where cooler climes give more floral, softer and less spicy flavours. It’s probably more bing than bang, vibrant red fruits and less of the spice than its bigger Barossa brethren. Smooth and silky.

With food? Venison with chocolate sauce would be a real treat, but would work equally well with a more modest steak or lamb.

Available from: Imported by Gilbeys and on the shelves of leading independents soon

2. Glaetzer Wallace Shiraz-Grenache (€17)

The Glaetzer family is synonymous with Barossa. This one is a blend of 75% Shiraz, 25% Grenache, from a northernly pocket of the Barossa Valley called Ebenezer. Shiraz adds dark fruit and spice and the Grenache adds dusty raspberries into the mix.

With food? Lamb, beef, venison

Available from: The Wine Boutique, Ringsend, On the Grapevine, Dalkey. Searson’s Monkstown. Fahy’s Off Licence, Ballina. Jus du Vin, Portmarnock and from curiouswines.ie

3. St Hallett Old Block Shiraz 2006 (€39.89)

This is the much bigger brother to the St Hallett Gamekeeper’s Reserve featured a few weeks ago.

This is where things start to get expensive. Arguably, for good reason. Some of vines which make this wine are over 100 years old. Older vines mean fewer grapes and more concentrated flavours.

In terms of taste, this is an iron fist in a velvet glove, power and punch with balance and poise. You’re drinking more than wine, you’re drinking history.

With food? Forget food. This is a meditative wine. Perfect for by the fire with a book.

Available from: O’Briens; Dermot Nolan Wine Services; Woodberry’s Galway; Sweeney’s, Glasnevin; McPhail’s, Drogheda

In the latest of my video blogs I taste a fiano from Southern Italy.

Check it out and see you next time on robertfranciswine.ie

Irish Times – John Wilson

BOTTLES OF THE WEEK 

Bürgerspital Würzburger Stein Riesling Kabinett Trocken 2008, 12%, €19.99

Fresh and lively with zingy green apple fruits and a light spritz. Perfect with crab salad, or fishcakes. Stockists: Holland’s, Bray; Karwig Wines, Carrigaline and karwigwines.ie; Eugene’s of Kenmare; Cases Wine Warehouse, Galway.

Bürgerspital Würzburger Pfaffenberg Silvaner Trocken 2007, 11.5%, €17.99 Lovely light melon fruits with a delicious, subtle spiciness and a clean dry finish. Try it with lighter fish dishes. Stockists: Holland’s, Bray; Karwig Wines, Carrigaline and karwigwines.ie; Eugene’s of Kenmare; Cases Wine Warehouse.

TWO UNDER €12 

San Pedro Castillo de Molina Viognier 2007, 14.5%, €11.99

Just the sort of white wine you need for colder weather. Relatively full-bodied with rich peach fruits and plenty of refreshing acidity. This would go nicely with chicken and salmon dishes. Stockists: Dunnes Stores, nationwide; The Corkscrew, Chatham Street, Dublin 2; Fresh, Grand Canal Basin, Dublin 2; On The Grapevine, Dalkey, Co Dublin; Morton’s, Ranelagh, Dublin 6; Kelly’s, Clontarf, Dublin 3; Thomas Martin, Fairview, Dublin 3; Brady’s Off-Licence, Shankill, Co Dublin.

Artiga Old Vines Garnacha 2007, Campo de Borj 14%, €13.99

This is another great-value wine from Campo de Borja in north-eastern Spain. Big rich and full of red berry fruits, this smooth and supple wine slips down all to easily. Try it with grilled pork and lamb. Stockists: Dunnes Stores, Nationwide.

In the latest of my video blogs I try a very unusual blanc de noir white from Germany. Some of  the wines of Carl Ehrhardt [available from Karwig Wines] have been featured before and we liked them very much. So lets see how the latest effort gets on !

See you next time on robertfranciswine.ie

Julian @Bubblebrothers your time starts now …

Continuing with the recent interview with Wine Retailers I put my questions to Julian from Bubblebrothers – here is what he had to say

1.        How did you get into wine ?I just fell in.  I have a little French, and working for a wine merchant sounded interesting at a time when I needed a job.  It is interesting. Before that, though I drank wine, I hadn’t paid it any special attention.

 2.        What are your favourite styles of wine/wine regions ?Enthusiasms come and go, but when wine is your job it can be hard to separate wines you appreciate intellectually from wines you enjoy drinking just for themselves.  I try to keep an open mind and palate, but the people and places accompanying your drinking can make a good wine bad or a modest wine great.

 3.        What up and coming varietals or regions are you most excited about ?Argentina has been in the shadow of Chile for a very long time, in spite of the critics’ good opinions – it deserves a share of the limelight. The changes in climate are helping viticulture in some marginal regions; so Loire Valley reds, for instance, are more and more reliable.Australia is probably big and bold enough to succeed in its present mission of convincing us, contrary to common perception, that it can offer serious, regionally characteristic wines.

 4.        What have been the major changes in the Irish Wine Industry over the last 10 years approx ?

Apart from my joining it, you mean? I haven’t enough experience to comment, though I think anyone now in the industry without an eye on the world of wine online is very brave or very foolish.

5.        What do you look to achieve with your own exclusive range?

Some exciting alternatives to the brands for the customer, no duds, and accountability: if something’s not right, we answer ourselves or can ask the producer direct.

6.        Are critics scores or mass popularity more important in a wine that you selected for your exclusivity range ?Neither, I’m afraid, really.  We become conscious of gaps in the range in a number of different ways, and then base any purchasing decision on our own assessment of samples from as many suppliers as the circumstances demand.  I suppose we respond more to our customers’ requests than to reviews, so mass popularity is the closer answer.

 7.        The Closure debate – Screwcap or Cork – whats your opinion?It’s an interesting and illuminating debate, but I suspect that the majority of wine drinkers don’t mind how their bottles are stoppered, so long as the contents are in good condition. I think that the different closures will all be around for a while yet, so there’s plenty of choice for people with a strong view.  I’m with the majority and don’t really mind, as a consumer.  As a wine merchant, I follow the discussions pro and con, and their ramifications, with interest.

 8.        Who is a wine hero of yours?Once again, I don’t feel that I have the experience to say anything constructive about this.  I do admire what Gary Vaynerchuk has done in making the appreciation of wine acceptable to and enjoyable by a very diverse audience.

Just a quick video to give all you fans of robertfranciswine a sneaky peak of something coming very soon !!

I am hugely excited about tasting this wine and seeing if it lives up to its hype with previous vintages scoring 100 points from Robert Parker !

For those of you not familiar with the label – the wine is the Amon ra from Australia available from Curiouswines.ie . Click here for more information.

Sunday Tribune – Lar Veale

1. Montana Reserve Pinot Noir, Marlborough 2008 (€14.35)

A suberb example of the quality and value coming out of New Zealand. Cherries, plums, combined with velvet and savoury spices. The winemaker spends a lot of time tending to his vines, and this care and attention shows in the glass.

With food? A wide range of possible matches: roast chicken, red meats, and mushroom risotto.

Available in Tesco and many other wine shops nationwide

2. Clocktower Pinot Noir, Marlborough 2008 (€16.49)

This one is slowly creeping up the price scale. More action hero than femme fatale while still being well balanced. This richness resembles Cherry Coke or Dr Pepper but makes no apologies for it. Full of flavour with no room for sublety, yet still maintaining low tannins and high acidity that we associate with Pinot Noir.

With food? Salmon, duck with hoisin sauce.

Available from M&S nationwide

 3. Waipara Springs Premo Pinot Noir, Waipara 2008 (€19.99)

 I’m leaving the best until last. I’ve tried this wine a couple of times from one of Ireland’s favourite online wine shops, curiouswines.ie. Imported by Blackrock native Joyce Austin who runs New Zealand Boutique Wines, and splits her time between Ireland and New Zealand.

This is produced naturally, with minimum intervention, which allows for a great expression of the fruit, cherries, raspberries, plums. There’s also a gamey character you often get with classic Pinot Noir styles. Great acidity with smooth silky tannins. Very classy.

Good value at €20? For what you’re getting, I think so.

With food? Roast lamb.

Available online from curiouswines.ie

Lar Veale runs Irish wine blog, sourgrapes.ie

Irish Times – John Wilson

Chardonnay, Domaine Couillaud 2008 Vin de pays du Val de Loire, 12%, €10.95 

The Loire Valley can produce some very tasty Chardonnay. This one is from Château de la Ragotière, one of the very best Muscadet producers. It is light and mineral, with subtle oak, racy green fruits and a crisp dry finish. Think Chablis in other words. Perfect with salmon or chicken dishes. Stockist : Terroirs, Donnybrook, Dublin 4.

Chianti La Pieve 2007, Tuscany, 13.5%, €11.95 

The phrase “cheap Chianti” strikes a note of pure terror in the minds of most wine-lovers; it can frequently mean bitter, acidic and watery, all at the same time. There are those who argue the only Chianti worth buying comes from either Chianti Classico or Rufina. However, the La Pieve lacks nothing; this is a full-bodied wine with concentrated cassis fruit and some drying tannins on the finish. It is also keenly priced. I can see it going nicely with game and red meats. Stockists : 64 Wine, Glasthule, Co Dublin; Lilac Wines, Dublin 3; Redmond’s, Ranelagh, Dublin 6.

Bergerie de l’Hortus, Pic Saint Loup 2007, 13.5%, €13.34 

This is almost the second wine of Domaine de l’Hortus, in my opinion one of the greatest wines of the Languedoc, and one of my all-time favourite wines. Year after year Jean Orliac manages to combine the rich herbiness of the Languedoc with wonderful purity of fruit. At a time when too many winemakers still think extra alcohol and extra oak mean quality wine, his wines stand out as beacons of light.  The Grand Cuvée costs just over €22. The Bergerie is made from a blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache, some sourced from other local vineyards. It is smooth, elegant and rounded with clean, slightly savoury, plummy dark fruits. At this price it is a steal. Another excellent 2007 from the south of France, one of the very best recent vintages. Stockist : Wines Direct, 1890-579579, winesdirect.ie.