IRISH migrants who departed these shores for a multitude of reasons since the 17th century, have left a significant imprint on the world of wine.
From the flight of the Wild Geese in 1691, they have carved out lasting reputations in vineyards across the globe.
It started in Bordeaux, where names like Phelan, Barton, McCarthy and Lynch are still mentioned in reverential tones and commemorated with iconic wines.
Chile and Argentina celebrate Irishmen who played a big part in their respective liberations, while some of Australia’s finest wines – Cullens, Clonakilla and Mount Horrocks – all have strong Irish connections.
And in recent years there has been a renewed interest by adventurous men and women who have paved a path across the world to stamp their own distinctive mark in Spanish, French and Slovenian vineyards.
The wines below are just a small representation of those who continue our fascinating wine heritage – and a great way to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.
Teác Mór Chardonnay 2017 (ABV 13%)
Currently €30.95 @ O’Briens Wine
Grape: Chardonnay
A BIODYNAMIC wine that has wonderful purity and focus with intense aromas of white flowers and citrus.
This super unoaked, Russian River Valley, California Chardonnay from the Moore family, originally from Leitra, Co Galway, is elegant, with good age ability.
It is crisp, with nice acidity and notes of citrus, pineapple, honey and vanilla flavours on the palate, with great acidity. It has a long, super mineral finish.
Enjoy with: Heavenly match with roast chicken
Star rating: ****
Chateau Puynard Côtes de Blaye The Steps 2020 (ABV 13%)
€20.50 @ good independents
Grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
CAVAN couple Andrew Eakin and Naomi Murtagh bought this chateau in Blaye, Bordeaux, in 2016 and have completed extensive work on the vineyards and cellar.
This is one of their top cuvée blends, vinified in stainless steel, and aged in French oak for around 15 months, before blending and bottling.
A deep, dark red in the glass, with aromas of ripe black fruit, toasted notes and a hint of vanilla.
The palate is dry, generous, refined and aromatic, with nicely integrating tannins, plenty of black fruit flavours and a dusting of vanilla.
Enjoy with: Beef sirloin roast
Star rating: ****
Geal Albariño 2023 (ABV 13%)
Currently €21.95 @ O’Briens Wine
Grape: Albarino
THIS Irish/Spanish collaboration – teaming O’Briens Wine Director Lynne Coyle MW with Sonia Costa of Bodega Lagar de Costa, the family-owned vineyard in Rías Baixas, Spain -has proved extremely successful.
The fruit comes from vines that grow in sandy soils right next to the sea. The hand-picked fruit is vinified with wild yeasts and then aged on its lees for eight months in a concrete egg.
The resultant wine has great complexity, with green apple, peach and citrus notes, with a wonderful, lingering, saline length.
Enjoy with: A joy with all kinds of seafood.
Star rating: ****
THIS WEEK’S IRISH SUN BARGAIN BOTTLE
WE promise to bring Irish Sun wine lovers a taste-tested vino each weekend that won’t hurt your pocket – and is under a tenner.
The cost of glass, packaging, labelling and transport have sky-rocketed in recent years.
Finding excellent value wines is getting harder, but we have managed to find some great bottles that would grace any dinner table or be a super mid-week couch sipper.
Castillo de Madax Tinto 2023 (ABV 13.5%)
Currently €8.95 @ O’Briens Wine
Grapes: Monastrell and Garnacha Tentoria
FROM Jumilla, southern Spain, comes this very quaffable, fruit driven wine with a deep, cherry red colour and appealing aromas of raspberries, cherries and spice.
The palate has good structure, some freshness, medium bodied, with good acidity, softening tannins and notes of soft ripe red summer fruits. Excellent, easy drinking bargain bottle.
Enjoy with: Black pepper stir fried beef
Star rating: ***
