Specially Selected Buenas Vides Viognier €8.99, Aldi
Here’s hoping the sunny days we had in May will last all summer long. But let’s be realistic, we live in Ireland and a few dreary, wet spells are inevitable. On those cosy evenings, this rich Viognier is going to do just the trick, especially if you pair it with a Thai curry, a creamy risotto or barbecued pork chops. A viognier from Argentina is not one you’d usually find on Irish wine shelves, but its aromatic flavours should be explored; especially at this price point. It’s got exotic fruit flavours of apricot and peach, with a touch of lemon and jasmine adding nice balance. Some minerality adds to a smooth finish. Mendoza is a region famous for its red wines, but its whites are also well worth trying.
Specially Selected Baron Amarillo Godello €11.99, Aldi
Let’s head to another part of the world known for its red grapes but which also has some notable whites to offer. Bierzo, in north-west Spain, is known for its mencía grape, but the vibrant godollo (once nearly extinct) is now making a comeback. It could be one to watch in the same way albariño was a few years ago.
A crisp white wine, it has fresh fruit flavours of Granny Smith apples, peaches and pears, with a zingy acidity. Plenty of vibrancy and a lingering minerality gives this youthful wine some nice complexity and a clean finish.
Think Spanish and tapas when planning your food pairings – try seafood, like grilled white fish or gambas with chorizo. This wine can handle a bit of spice.
Tesco Finest Monteforte Pinot Grigio €12 on Clubcard, Tesco
I’m all about pairing wine with the finest of fresh ingredients, but sometimes, you just want to chill with a movie, some salty crisps and a nice glass of wine. Time to pour an easy-going Pinot Grigio. Pinot gets a bad rep for being a bit insipid, but there are plenty of good bottles out there to challenge this. Grown on the Cantina di Monteforte’s vineyard, the grapes for this wine are picked slightly later to ensure peak ripeness. As a result, refreshing crisp flavours of apple and pear are complemented by lime and tropical notes. Notably, it has a long, smooth finish. If you want more from your wine pairing then crisps, think Italian – a creamy carbonara or pesto pasta, or throw on a prosciutto and mozzarella pizza.
Geal Albariño €27.95, on offer at €21.95 until 3 June, O’Briens Wines
A few years ago, I was at the airport on my way home from the Galicia area of Spain when we bumped into O’Briens Wines director Lynne Coyle. She was working on something special, and the result has been Geal Albariño, one of the most talked about albariños on our wine shelves. Many of the vineyards in the Rías Baixas region are family-owned and small including Lagar de Costa winery where this wine is produced. Hand-picked from traditional pergolas and aged on lees for eight months, the result is a memorable wine. Up front, you get all those fresh green apple and peach flavours with citrus adding a nice zesty acidity. But it is the saline notes which really make it distinctive, with a creamy mouthfeel on the finish.
Les Cinq Rameaux €9.99, Lidl
Provence has become one of most popular areas in the world to source good rosé. Back to the basic economics of supply and demand, unsurprisingly, the price point can get steep. But it is still possible to find good value.
At €9.99, Les Cinq Rameaux has all those characteristic flavours of a nice rosé, including lots of wild strawberry and raspberry, a decent pop of peach and subtle citrus acidity to give balance. It’s not overly complex, but good value for money. Light and easy, this is one to sip in the sun. If you’re serving with food, keep it simple. A piece of baked salmon or a
cheeky plate of fish and chips will go down a treat with this rosé.
Gaia Rosé 4-6H €19.95, on special at €14.96 until the end Of summer, O’Briens Wines
From a very popular area for rosé to a lesser known one, Greek rosé isn’t too widely available here, but this Gaia 4-6h is worth sampling. The 4-6h on the label refers to the skin contact time, which, at four to six hours, is relatively short. The result is a wine with a pale colour but still plenty of vibrancy.
You’ll pick up the usual strawberry flavours, but others, too: some blackcurrant and pomegranate. A hint of wild cherry adds an interesting subtle sour note, with a little spicy feel in the finish. Let’s just embrace the Greek vibe here. I’m thinking a Mediterranean mezze plate with roasted vegetables, hummus and crudités. It’ll put a whole new flavour on your rosé night.
Les Magnolias Languedoc Rosé €16.95, on special at €12.71 until the end of summer, O’Briens Wines
While Provence has the name, the Languedoc region also produces exceptional rosé and the price tag can be a bit more forgiving. So it’s really worth exploring this region, with its terroir-driven wines that are aromatic and expressive. The stylish bottle is just the start of this elegant Languedoc experience. Wild strawberries and redcurrants draw you in, but it’s the creamy berry mouthfeel and distinctively crisp finish that makes this wine really stand out. This rosé will work great with Thai food, but seafood is where it really meets its match. For our tasting, we paired it with some crispy calamari, spritzed with fresh lemon. Simple, but with a little bit of wow.
Tesco Finest Prosecco Doc €15 on ClubCard, Tesco
Let’s finish with a pop, and a great prosecco to round out our summer review. From prestigious producer Cantine Maschio, who uses innovative techniques for optimal freshness, this prosecco hits all of our summer tasting notes. It has lots of citrus and pear flavours with peach blossom aromas. A vibrant and consistent bead with good longevity and a lingering finish makes this a party favourite. This is one to pop open if you’re serving aperitifs, as it’s a real crowd pleaser. Alternatively, if you’re chilling out in the garden with friends, consider serving up a charcuterie board with some creamy Camembert, and round it off with a delicate dessert. A strawberry cheesecake or some light pastries are a great match for prosecco.
Tesco Finest Prosecco Doc, €15 on ClubCard, Tesco.
Whispering Angel 2024 €26.65, Avoca Stores, Brown Thomas, O’Brien’s Wines and Molloys
Back to Provence, and one of the most popular rosé wines to come out of the region in recent years, Whispering Angel. There has been a lot of hype about it – is it really as good as they say?
At its core, it’s a quality and enjoyable wine with interesting flavours of raspberry, cherry and lavender that elevate that berries and cream experience, with a subtle spicy minerality on the finish. Try pairing it with some sushi; especially seared tuna or salmon. The 2024 vintage may feel a little lighter – but that’s not due to less wine. The bottle itself is lighter, a 20% weight reduction as part of the company’s commitment to reducing its carbon dioxide emissions by 50% before 2030.
Specially Selected Buenas Vides Viognier €8.99, Aldi
Here’s hoping the sunny days we had in May will last all summer long. But let’s be realistic, we live in Ireland and a few dreary, wet spells are inevitable. On those cosy evenings, this rich Viognier is going to do just the trick, especially if you pair it with a Thai curry, a creamy risotto or barbecued pork chops. A viognier from Argentina is not one you’d usually find on Irish wine shelves, but its aromatic flavours should be explored; especially at this price point. It’s got exotic fruit flavours of apricot and peach, with a touch of lemon and jasmine adding nice balance. Some minerality adds to a smooth finish. Mendoza is a region famous for its red wines, but its whites are also well worth trying.
Specially Selected Baron Amarillo Godello €11.99, Aldi
Let’s head to another part of the world known for its red grapes but which also has some notable whites to offer. Bierzo, in north-west Spain, is known for its mencía grape, but the vibrant godollo (once nearly extinct) is now making a comeback. It could be one to watch in the same way albariño was a few years ago.
A crisp white wine, it has fresh fruit flavours of Granny Smith apples, peaches and pears, with a zingy acidity. Plenty of vibrancy and a lingering minerality gives this youthful wine some nice complexity and a clean finish.
Think Spanish and tapas when planning your food pairings – try seafood, like grilled white fish or gambas with chorizo. This wine can handle a bit of spice.
Tesco Finest Monteforte Pinot Grigio €12 on Clubcard, Tesco
I’m all about pairing wine with the finest of fresh ingredients, but sometimes, you just want to chill with a movie, some salty crisps and a nice glass of wine. Time to pour an easy-going Pinot Grigio. Pinot gets a bad rep for being a bit insipid, but there are plenty of good bottles out there to challenge this. Grown on the Cantina di Monteforte’s vineyard, the grapes for this wine are picked slightly later to ensure peak ripeness. As a result, refreshing crisp flavours of apple and pear are complemented by lime and tropical notes. Notably, it has a long, smooth finish. If you want more from your wine pairing then crisps, think Italian – a creamy carbonara or pesto pasta, or throw on a prosciutto and mozzarella pizza.
Geal Albariño €27.95, on offer at €21.95 until 3 June, O’Briens Wines
A few years ago, I was at the airport on my way home from the Galicia area of Spain when we bumped into O’Briens Wines director Lynne Coyle. She was working on something special, and the result has been Geal Albariño, one of the most talked about albariños on our wine shelves. Many of the vineyards in the Rías Baixas region are family-owned and small including Lagar de Costa winery where this wine is produced. Hand-picked from traditional pergolas and aged on lees for eight months, the result is a memorable wine. Up front, you get all those fresh green apple and peach flavours with citrus adding a nice zesty acidity. But it is the saline notes which really make it distinctive, with a creamy mouthfeel on the finish.
Les Cinq Rameaux €9.99, Lidl
Provence has become one of most popular areas in the world to source good rosé. Back to the basic economics of supply and demand, unsurprisingly, the price point can get steep. But it is still possible to find good value.
At €9.99, Les Cinq Rameaux has all those characteristic flavours of a nice rosé, including lots of wild strawberry and raspberry, a decent pop of peach and subtle citrus acidity to give balance. It’s not overly complex, but good value for money. Light and easy, this is one to sip in the sun. If you’re serving with food, keep it simple. A piece of baked salmon or a
cheeky plate of fish and chips will go down a treat with this rosé.
Gaia Rosé 4-6H €19.95, on special at €14.96 until the end Of summer, O’Briens Wines
From a very popular area for rosé to a lesser known one, Greek rosé isn’t too widely available here, but this Gaia 4-6h is worth sampling. The 4-6h on the label refers to the skin contact time, which, at four to six hours, is relatively short. The result is a wine with a pale colour but still plenty of vibrancy.
You’ll pick up the usual strawberry flavours, but others, too: some blackcurrant and pomegranate. A hint of wild cherry adds an interesting subtle sour note, with a little spicy feel in the finish. Let’s just embrace the Greek vibe here. I’m thinking a Mediterranean mezze plate with roasted vegetables, hummus and crudités. It’ll put a whole new flavour on your rosé night.
Les Magnolias Languedoc Rosé €16.95, on special at €12.71 until the end of summer, O’Briens Wines
While Provence has the name, the Languedoc region also produces exceptional rosé and the price tag can be a bit more forgiving. So it’s really worth exploring this region, with its terroir-driven wines that are aromatic and expressive. The stylish bottle is just the start of this elegant Languedoc experience. Wild strawberries and redcurrants draw you in, but it’s the creamy berry mouthfeel and distinctively crisp finish that makes this wine really stand out. This rosé will work great with Thai food, but seafood is where it really meets its match. For our tasting, we paired it with some crispy calamari, spritzed with fresh lemon. Simple, but with a little bit of wow.
Tesco Finest Prosecco Doc €15 on ClubCard, Tesco
Let’s finish with a pop, and a great prosecco to round out our summer review. From prestigious producer Cantine Maschio, who uses innovative techniques for optimal freshness, this prosecco hits all of our summer tasting notes. It has lots of citrus and pear flavours with peach blossom aromas. A vibrant and consistent bead with good longevity and a lingering finish makes this a party favourite. This is one to pop open if you’re serving aperitifs, as it’s a real crowd pleaser. Alternatively, if you’re chilling out in the garden with friends, consider serving up a charcuterie board with some creamy Camembert, and round it off with a delicate dessert. A strawberry cheesecake or some light pastries are a great match for prosecco.
Tesco Finest Prosecco Doc, €15 on ClubCard, Tesco.
Whispering Angel 2024 €26.65, Avoca Stores, Brown Thomas, O’Brien’s Wines and Molloys
Back to Provence, and one of the most popular rosé wines to come out of the region in recent years, Whispering Angel. There has been a lot of hype about it – is it really as good as they say?
At its core, it’s a quality and enjoyable wine with interesting flavours of raspberry, cherry and lavender that elevate that berries and cream experience, with a subtle spicy minerality on the finish. Try pairing it with some sushi; especially seared tuna or salmon. The 2024 vintage may feel a little lighter – but that’s not due to less wine. The bottle itself is lighter, a 20% weight reduction as part of the company’s commitment to reducing its carbon dioxide emissions by 50% before 2030.
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