More of a good thing

WINE:There are so many good Grenache wines that we just had to bring a few more to your attention

THERE ARE TIMES when I cannot find space for the wines I would like to feature. Last week was a case in point. I tasted a great range of Grenache/Garnacha but was forced to select only a few. Here is a further group.

WINES OF THE WEEK

Grenache Blanc 2010, Cristia Collection, Vin de pays de Méditerranée, 13.5%, €11.99I mentioned this in passing last week, but it is well worth looking out for, as I understand it will be selling for the bargain price of €7.99 for the next month or so. It is classic Grenache blanc with a floral nose, medium-bodied and crisp, with lovely citrus and peach, a slightly soapy touch, and a bone-dry finish. Stockist: Superquinn

Borsao Seleción 2009, Campo de Borja, 14%, €10.50I featured the Borsao Black Label Garnacha earlier this year, a great value wine at under €10. But the Seleción is a step up, a blend of 70 per cent Garnacha with some Syrah and Tempranillo. Smooth, rich, dark cherry fruits, lively, with a touch of spice and very decent length.Stockists: Next Door, outlets nationwide; Claudio's Wines, Newtownmountkennedy; Martin's, Fairview; 1601, Kinsale; Red Island, Skerries; Dicey Reilly's, Ballyshannon; Mac's, Limerick; The Wine Well, Dunboyne; Morton's, Ranelagh

Yalumba Bush Vine Grenache 2008, Barossa, 14.5%, €15.95Yalumba has some incredibly old Grenache vines in the Barossa Valley. This wine is made from bush-trained vines that are 30-70 years old. It is a beautifully-made wine, rich but never flabby, with intense spicy strawberry fruits, and a very good savoury finish. This would be great with grilled or barbecued red meats. Stockists: Baggot Street Wines; On the Grapevine, Dalkey; Wicklow Arms, Delgany; The Corkscrew, Chatham Street

Domaine La Sarabande 'Mysterioso' 2010, Faugères, 14%, €16.50I featured the rosé from Australian Paul Gordon and his Irish wife Isla earlier this year, but the red is even better. This has a seductive combination of elegant, ripe cherry and strawberry fruits, along with enough acidity to give it a pleasing freshness. A lovely wine. Stockists: Redmond's, Ranelagh; Jus de Vine, Portmarnock; The Wine Store, thewinestore.ie

Henschke Johann's Garden 2005, Barossa, 15%, €27.95Stephen and Prue Henschke are among the most highly-regarded producers in Australia. The legendary Hill of Grace Shiraz is the one everyone wants to try, but they also make a wide range of other wines, including a wonderful Riesling. The Johann's Garden is made from Barossa fruit, 70 per cent Grenache with some Mataro (Mourvèdre) and Shiraz blended in. A massive wine, almost port-like at times, maturing beautifully with a huge concentration of lush, sweet strawberries and other red fruits. This is a big, but perfectly crafted wine with excellent length. Stockist: The Corkscrew, Chatham Street

Mas Amiel Vintage 2008, 18%, €18 for a half bottle, €28.99 for a full bottleA legendary estate in the Catalan corner of France, where Grenache dominates. This part of France once produced large quantities of fortified wine. Made from 100 per cent Grenache grown on very stony soils, this is not unlike a young Port, with powerful young damson and other dark fruits, and a sweet/savoury finish. It is said by some to be the best wine to drink with dark chocolate. Stockists: Bubble Brothers, Cork; Morton's, Ranelagh; McCabe's, Foxrock; Morton's, Galway; Nude Food, Dungarvan; Urru, Bandon; The Stuffed Olive, Bantry

D'Arenberg Nostalgia Rare, McLaren Vale NV, 20%, €27.75for a half bottle Australia has a noble tradition in fortified wines. This is made by a semi-solera system with barrels of old wine being gradually topped up with new vintages. Made from Grenache, with the addition of small amounts of Shiraz, Mataro and white Muscat, the wine has an average age of 14 years, but contains wines up to 80 years old. This is serious wine with a huge intensity of rich, raisined strawberries and ripe red fruits. One to sip, as each mouthful lasts a few minutes. I tried a small, chilled glass after dinner, and it went down a treat. Stockists: O'Briens; Superquinn, and other independent off-licences

Clos de Papes 2008, Châteueneuf-du-Pape, 14.5%, €56If you look up your vintage charts, 2008 fares poorly compared to 2007 and 2009. Yet, in the right hands, you will find a balance and freshness not always evident in the hotter years. The 2006 Clos de Papes is a superb wine, not lacking power, but with a nose of violets and black cherries, delicious dark plums and liquorice on the palate, and excellent length. Drink now with substantial meat dishes or keep for five to 10 years. Clos des Papes also makes one of the greatest white wines of France, a wine which ages wonderfully. Stockists: Kelly's Resort Hotel imports Clos de Papes (there is a family connection), and offer the 2008 on a retail basis. They have a great offer of a mixed case that includes the 2008, the legendary 2007 and the white wine for €650. If you plan to visit Kelly's, it is available at a reasonable €65 from its wine list. Also available from thestoreroom.ie, and Jus de Vine, Portmarnock. I have seen older bottles in The Wicklow Arms, Delgany, Avoca in Rathcoole and The Vineyard in Galway

BEER OF THE WEEK

Brugse Zot Blonde, De Halve Maan, Belgium, 6%, €2.70-€3 The lightest of a range of beers from De Halve Maan brewery in the centre of Bruges, this is medium-bodied with a fruity centre palate, and a refreshing dry, lightly malty, bitter finish. Stockists: Molloy’s, Dublin; O’Briens; Chill, Limerick; Fine Wines, Galway, Limerick and Dublin; Bradley’s, Cork; Cooper’s, Cahir; Deveney’s, Dundrum; Holland’s, Bray; Redmond’s, Ranelagh; McHugh’s, Kilbarrack and Artane; Drink Store, Manor Street

Best Cellars

Mail-order importer Best Cellars is currently celebrating 20 years in business with a special offer of a mixed case of wines. All from France and Italy, it includes some of the finest producers, such as Aldo Conterno, La Spinetta and Henri Borugeois. It costs €200 including delivery in Dublin. Tel: 087-2598516 or email wine@bestcellars.ie for full details.

Summer wine quiz

Thanks to all of you for entering our summer wine quiz, sponsored by Torres.

The winner of a weekend trip for two to Barcelona is Jim Brindley. The runners-up, who receive a Torres Quizmaster game, are Cormac Nolan and Sarah-Jane Murray. The answers are available on irishtimes.com