O'Briens Wine Blog

Love them or hate them wine labels can be one of the most influential factors in choosing a wine. Some of the finest wines in the world have very plain labels, offering no clue as to the quality of the wine inside.

If you didn’t know your Pomerols from your Médoc then what conclusions might you draw from these two Le Pins?

The one on the right costs around €9 the one on the left would set you back €1800!

The label on the left from Le Pin (Pomerol) has a simple, classic style that doesn’t need to catch the eye; it is not designed to lure a roaming buyer in a fine wine store. The buyers of this blue chip know well in advance exactly what they are looking for and getting.  The Le Pin on the right however is trying hard to say “I am venerable Bordeaux Château – look at these gates, and the crest!- buy me!”

For lesser known wines and new producers the label design is a big deal, it is that all important first contact with the wine drinker and first impressions do count. Unfortunately there are some very average wines out there that have been dressed up to look the business with fancy embossed labels and engraved bottles but contain, at best, a mediocre wine.

Thankfully though, there are wines made whose labels scream out “try me I am as good as I look!” Labels that openly flirt with you as you browse the shelves and once tasted back up their claims with a wine that engages and delights the nose and palate.

Which brings me to the point of all this….my favourite new wine label: Jaspi Blanc.

Smart, eye catching and simplistically original. Made from Grenache Blanc and Malvasia from the DO of Terra Alta in north east Spain, it is every bit as good as it looks. Jaspi has a superb intensity of cool citrus and apple fruit and a remarkable minerality that underscores the wine but is reluctant to ever leave the palate.

The red equivalent (Jaspi Negre) almost equals the white in its balance of fantastic packaging and stunning wine. Hailing from the Monsant Mountains it’s a deeply coloured, rich red with superb acidity to balance the core of ripe, dark-berried fruit. It bears a striking similarity to the expensive wines of neighbouring Priorat but leaves these wines miles behind in the quality for money stakes.

Impressive labels are not the most reliable guide to choosing wines but sometimes the first impression is an honest one and the wine that follows more than lives up to the billing.

In a huge awards ceremony in New York at the end of January a select group of hopefuls will find out if they have made it from the shortlist to the Grand Prize at The Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Awards.

Amongst those shortlisted are some of O’Briens’ most important exclusive imports.

Gérard at Château L'Hospitalet

Up for European Winery of the Year is Languedoc superstar Gérard Bertrand.

“Both landowner and partner of the best winegrowers in the South of France, Gérard Bertrand manages over 325 hectares of vineyards across varying Languedoc terroirs. He fully understands the movement toward expressive, well-balanced and elegant wines that remain accessible and affordable.” Wine Enthusiast

Gérards best loved wines here are Château Remaury, Pic St. Loup, Fitou Cascastel and his home estate Domaine de Villemajou.

Another major prize is up for grabs with Bodegas Norton shortlisted for New World Winery of the Year - no doubt their flagship Norton Privada and stunning Reserva range  has a lot to do with that.

“Owned since 1989 by the Austrian family that runs Swarovski Crystal, Bodega Norton is one of the grand names in Argentinean wine. Under the management of Michael Halstrick, Norton exports to more than 60 countries” Wine Enthusiast

Alvaro Espinoza

and finally Alvaro Espinoza is in for Winemaker of the Year and with the like of Etnico, Coyam and G and the new Chono range serving as his credentials he stands a pretty good chance of winning.

“As Chile’s most sought-after winemaking consultant, Espinoza’s clients include Emiliana and Pérez Cruz in Chile and Cruz Andina in Argentina. A staunch proponent of organic and biodynamic viticulture, he runs his own wine labels, Antiyal and Kuyen, and is a founding partner in Geo Wines.” Wine Enthusiast

Good luck to all three and we hope we’ll be celebrating the winners on the 30th of January.

As it’s early January it seems fitting to look back at some of the highlights of 2011. From late November through to early January wine critics and journalists worldwide compile detailed year end lists of their favourite wines; top 5s 10s or 100 best wines of the year. What you will find below is a selection of wines exclusive to O’Briens that have done pretty well in the vinous pop-charts.

The Big One: Wine Spectator’s Top 100 - No.4 Campogiovanni Brunello 2006

Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 Best Buys – No.2 Protocolo 2009

…and a little closer to home: Matt Nugent’s Fab Five for 2011 – Irish Daily Maily 

Man O’ War Dreadnought 2009

“By far the most exciting – and elegant – red I tasted all year”

 Delheim Chardonnay Sur Lie 2010

“A real favourite…Great balance.”

 Oh and not forgetting a big number one from the Sunday Business Post’s Tomás Clancy:

Best Multiple Wine Chain 2011: O’Briens Wine.Beer.Spirits

 “O’Briens takes the gong again out of sheer exuberant joy in offering easily the smartest set of wines of any multiple retailers in Ireland, Britain or France.”

Can’t resist putting in a few of my own so here goes:

• Best Value Red of the Year: Longview Bucket Shiraz Cabernet 2009 (Australia)
• Best Value White of the Year: Rabl Grüner Veltliner 2010 (Austria)
• Most Exciting New Wine of the Year: Gaia S 2009 (Greece)
• Best Big, Rich, Powerhouse Red of the Year:  Coyam 2009 (Chile)
• Weird but Wonderful Wine of the Year: Castra Rubra Dominant 2009 (Bulgaria)
• Best New Vintage of an Old Favourite: Astrolabe Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (New Zealand)
• Mind-Blowing Wine of the Year: Borie de Maurel Cuvée Sylla 2008 (France)

Make a wine resolution in 2012, here are some suggestions :-

1. If you are hooked on Sauvignon or Pinot Grigio try an Adventure With Albarino – its dry with a refreshing delicate peachy fruit character, unoaked and great alone or with food Nessa Albarino

 
2. If you are maxed out on Cabernet Sauvignon discover the Nuances Of Nero d’Avola – the grape is a native to Sicliy medium bodied with ripe summery fruit character Purato Nero d’Avola

3.Take a few notes on the new wines you love and you will very quickly discover your new best friends for 2012 Borie de Maurel Cuvee Sylla
4. Try something totally different Greece Wine ???  Gaia

5.Try a mad food match Yakka Shiraz with Chocolate pudding – it will change your life
6.Drink at least one bottle of Champagne every month with friends for the sheer pleasure of it  Canard Duchene 

7. Visit an amazing wine region enjoy its people, its scenery, its food and of course its wines 

                                                              Happy New Year 2012

 

 

Our Ultimate Christmas Case containes our fail-safe suggestions for Christmas day wines but what about the rest of the holidays.  Here are some ideas on what should be nestling in our wine racks and fridges over the festivities -  easy drinking styles at very accessable prices.

Fizz First

Every time for parties, aperitifs and unexpected guests La Pieve Prosecco should be kept in the fridge at all times. Its delicate sparkle and off dry style appeals to all and adds to the occasion. Its great with nibbles and tapas but also with desserts and fruit.

The Banker White
This Christmas it is without doubt Domaine Duffour from Gascony in France. Zingy on the nose and palate with a ripe but dry flavour its perfect alone or with pasta, white meats, fish and cheese and amazing value if you have a crowd to cater for.

Red Red Wine
Stay close to Chateau Reumary - it not only looks classy but it punches above its price in terms of quality. From the Languedoc in France its has plenty of ripe red berry fruits but critically it has supple soft tannins that add structure but dont dominate the wine. Great with any pasta, meat dishes and cheeses may even convert some people who dont like red wine.

Sweet Surrender
For a sweet treat over the holidays the Longview Epitome Late Harvest Riesling is the clear winner. Its also perfect with blue cheeses such as Roquefort or Cashel Blue for a food match to impress foodie friends.

Now is the time to stock up on your favourite bubbles for the festive season – there is a wine here to suit all tastes and budgets…especially with 25% off all sparkling wines and Champagnes until Sunday!

The best sparkling wine is still Champagne, despite the efforts of many fine produces around the world nothing quite compares to the complexity, finesse and the sensory delight of fine Champagne. My two top tips this weekend are not dissimilar in style but are oceans apart in terms of image and price. The first which retails at €29.99 (now €22.99) is Beaumont des Crayères Grande Reserve, this has been a regular favourite with wine critics, journalists and competition judges over the years. Made in a rich, toasty style it belies its lowly pricepoint and puts many of the fashionable big names to shame!

However the big names (or Grand Marques) have some seriously weighty Champagnes to champion their cause and no more so than the House of Bollinger. Bollinger’s Special Cuvée with its broad, honey and brioche style is arguably the finest non-vintage you can buy (with the exception of Krug at €165 a bottle!). With the 25% off this is the perfect time to do an Ab-Fab and stock up on some Bolly! (€41.24 reduced from €54.99).

Champagne-style cork

There are  however plenty of peoplewho prefer fruitier, softer styles of sparkling wines and this is exactly what Ireland’s favourite effervescent tipple Prosecco was designed for. Made to be full of lively peach/pear flavours, frothy and lower in acidity it is the perfect bubbles to drink without food making it ideal for party season. At this time of year you really want a proper “pop” so opt for a bottle with the traditional champagne-style cork on your Prosecco. My personal favourite is Rizzardi’s Extra Dry Prosecco (€11.24 was €14.99), while delicious on its own it’s also a terrific food wine especially with anything slightly sweet and spicey – mince pies mmm.

Lastly if you want some of the style and flavour associated with Champagne but without the wallet weight-loss then opt for traditional or “Champagne – method” sparkling wines. The best of these can be absolutely delicious. There are versions made all over the world but the following three are my top tips, depending on your persona that is.

For the Classicist :  Langlois Crémant de Loire – A  dry style made by this Bollinger owned Loire estate, due to its extended cellaring it has a lovely touch of hazel and nougat on the finish. (€14.24 was €18.99)

For the Sweet tooth : Taltarni Brut Taché – Although technically still dry there is a touch of sweet ripe fruit to this cool climate Australian. Very fine bubbles and good acidity balanced by that very ripe fruit. (€14.24 was €18.99)

For the Wine Buff who likes to stun friends with unusual/exciting finds: Ridgeview Cavendish This comes from one of the coolest (climatically speaking) wine regions in the world –Sussex! The vineyards enjoy  the same chalky bedrock that feeds Champagne vines  and the wine is one of the most floral, elegant, finely balanced sparklers made anywhere. (€20.99 was €27.00)

So pop into your local store or order online and avail of the 25% off all bubbles until 10pm Sunday.

That time of year is upon us again! No, not Christmas but Beaujolais Nouveau Day!

The 3^rd Thursday of November is the official release day for Beaujolais Nouveau – in fact it is illegal to sell a single bottle before today.

What used to be a huge day in the wine calendar worldwide reached its heyday in the late 80’s but after a slow decline it has been rejuvenated in recent years by overall better wine making practices and a string of very good vintages.

The 2011 vintage is no exception, the Gamay grapes grown on Beaujolais’ granitic soils reached perfect maturity giving a juicy vibrancy to the wines that is all too clear to see. After a quick fermentation these wines are bottled early and designed to be drunk young whilst still full of vibrant fruit

George Duboeuf has long been hailed the King of Beaujolais, not only is he the largest producer in the region he has also been the driving force in improving the both the region’s image and the quality of the wines. Duboeuf’s  2011 is an explosion of bright raspberry and cherry fruit, very juicy and lively on the palate with not a single tannin in sight. This is really gluggable stuff and will make a super, easy-drinking bottle over the next few months – particularly good served lightly chilled with slices of cold, baked ham or dare I say it turkey and cranberry sauce sandwiches!

So pop into your local O’Briens and grab yourself a bottle of shiny new Beaujolais Nouveau today!

The O’Briens Annual Fine Wine Sale starts this Thursday 17th November and runs until Sunday 20th. With up to 43% off specially selected Bordeaux, Burgundy, Amarone & more, this is a unique opportunity to pick up some exceptional gifts and treats for the festive season!

This offer is not currently available online due to limited stocks, but please contact our sales team on 1850 269777  who will be happy to facilitate your order.

Ascheri Barolo Coste & Bricco 2006 Was €44.99 Now €26.99 Save 40%

4**** Decanter Magazine,  Aug 2011 - “Coffee, chocolate, spice, sage, cedar and cherry    fruit bouquet. Bright and uplifting palate with chewy tannins. A seamless traditional style and lovely dark berried fruit quality. Elegant and inviting.”

Château Cordeillan-Bages 1997 Was €39.99 Now €22.99 Save 43%

Owned and run by the Cazes family of Château Lynch-Bages, this is a beautiful, fragrant, truffley Pauillac that is drinking perfectly right now. Everything about this shows that it is at ideal maturity, decant and enjoy over Christmas.

Château Lynch Moussas 2008 Was €35 Now €24.99 Save 29%

 “A dark plum/ruby garnet colour is accompanied by aromas of damp earth, forest floor and sweet red and black currant fruit, ripe tannin and medium body. This well-made effort can be enjoyed now and over the next 7-10 years.” - Robert Parker’s  Wine Advocate, May 2011.

Château Giscours 2008 Was €49.00 Now €34.99 Save 29%

Rated ‘Outstanding’ 90 Points Robert Parker - “Dark plum/garnet, this elegant, medium to full-bodied, beguiling, seductive 2008 is a sleeper of the vintage. Round and silky-smooth with lovely black cherry and black currant fruit imbued with touches of smoke, herbs and earth, this relatively evolved effort is best consumed over the next 15-17 years.” RP

Château Lynch Bages 2008 Was €115 Now €65 Save 43%

Rated ‘Outstanding’ 94 Points Robert Parker - “A sensational effort for the vintage, this textured, opulent, superb Lynch Bages is already strutting its stuff and should easily last for 20 years. Medium to full-bodied with an opaque dense purple colour, notes of flowers and cassis, a layered texture that builds incrementally in the mouth and tremendous purity and depth, it can be drunk now or cellared for two decades or more. Bravo!” RP

Musella Amarone Riserva 2006 Was €48.99 Now €28.99 Save 41%

Rated ‘Outstanding’ 94 Points Wine Spectator - “A lovely wine, displaying overall style and elegance, as well as a core of intriguing spice flavours that are wrapped in layers of cherry compote, damson plum preserves, dark chocolate shavings and spicy tobacco notes. There’s fine integration here, with an overall vibrancy. The long, spicy finish shows just a hint of tannins” AN

Sierra Cantabria Coleccion Privada 2007 Was €36.99 Now €23.99 Save 35%

Rated ‘Outstanding’ 94 Parker Points - “…exceptionally perfumed nose of sandalwood, incense, violets, truffle, and wild black berries. Opulent and succulently-fruited on the palate, this already complex wine will blossom over the next 5-6 years and offer a drinking window extending from 2015 to 2027 if not longer.” JM

Campogiovanni Brunello 2006 Was €34.99 Now €24.99 Save 29%

Rated ‘Extraordinary’ 96 Points Wine Spectator – “Liquorice, sweet spices, toast, smoke and sanguine aromas and flavours envelop a kernel of raspberry in this intense, extroverted red, which is complex, focused and structured, with an expansive finish. There’s fine potential, but needs time. Best from 2014 through 2027″

Antinori Tignanello 2008 Was €80 Now €55 Save 31%

Rated ‘Outstanding’ 94 Parker Points - “The 2008 Tignanello is unquestionably one of the wines of the vintage. The 2008 isn’t a huge or obvious Tignanello, rather it is a wine that impresses for its sublime elegance and precision. …. In 2008 the Tignanello has more energy, focus and length than the Solaia. It is a fabulous achievement!” BS

Torres Mas la Plana 2007 Was €44.99 Now €32.00 Save 29%

Rated ‘Outstanding’ 93 Parker Points - “It opens in the glass to reveal a smooth texture, elegant personality, and enough structure to evolve for 2-3 years. Nicely proportioned and with excellent volume, it has a drinking window that extends from 2014 to 2027″ JM

Smith Woodhouse Vintage 2007 Was €59.99 Now €34.99 Save 42%

Rated ‘Outstanding’ 91 Parker Points - “An alluring bouquet of mineral, pencil lead, espresso, violets, black currant, and fruitcake. Dense and structured on the palate, it has an excellent integration of alcohol, acidity, and tannin. It should be one of the longer lived wines of the vintage with 12-15+ years of aging potential and a drinking window extending through 2037″ JM

 And many more fine wines available instore!

Promotion ends Sunday 20th November. Shop stocks only. Quotas apply. Instore Only.

Great Uncle Bulgaria

Bulgaria; famous for weightlifting, a very recent and very short-lived property bubble and as the name of many people’s favourite Womble….

However go back to the 1980s and early 90s and internationally Bulgaria stood for affordable, easy drinking wines, made from familiar grapes such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

A series of bad financial choices, poor decisions regarding production and the rise of brand Australia brought the old Bulgarian wine industry to its knees.

Castra Rubra Winery

It has taken a while but over the last decade a totally new Bulgaria has arisen. While there are cheap and cheerful wines being made, the real excitement is around a number of top quality producers making wines that are truly world class.

One of these new wave sensations has just landed in Ireland: Castra Rubra.

The CR

Hailing from Thracia, a region with an important vinous history, the winery is state of the art and the vineyards pristine and carefully managed. However there is an instantly recognisable class and international feel to these wines and that is down to the signature of  renowned French consultant; Michel Rolland. These are bold, ambitious, reds of great purity and layer upon layer of dark fruit backed by intelligent oak ageing.

Although the flagship wine (CR) can be compared to great St. Emilion and the Nimbus Pinot Noir has a brightness of fruit that would not be out of place is Central Otago these wines are still very unique. There is a distinct accent to these reds that could only be described as, well …Bulgarian.

Try something truly different this weekend – it’s the closest thing we have to Transylvanian wine!   The Dominant is available to order here and the full range is already available in the following stores: Donnybrook Greystones, Rathmines, Ballybrack, The Beacon, Carrickmines, Galway, Malahide, Sandymount, Newbridge, Blanchardstown, Athlone, Limerick , Naas, Glasnevin and Blackrock.

Ranked No.2 in the World!

Ranked No.2 in the Top 100 Best Buys in the World by  influential magazine Wine Enthusiast. 

“One of the best deals in Spanish red wine you’re likely to find. Protocolo has always delivered value but this vintage sets a new high standard”

“It’s deep, ripe and minty on the nose, with berry power foretelling a pure, lush palate that’s packed with berry flavors and light herbal shadings. Impressive and super tasty, especially given the price.”

A long term favourite with staff and customers alike, Protocolo is celebrated winemaker Marcus Eguren’s tribute to great, everyday wine. Made from 100% Tempranillo and aged 6 months in oak the 2009 vintage is in store now or order on line here.