One highlight of yesterday's launch of the International Wine Fair at the RDS was the presentation of awards in Ireland's first Wine Challenge. Twenty-eight importing companies entered 260 Chardonnays and Cabernets in four price categories, to be judged by 36 panellists - not quite the International Wine Challenge in scale, but a creditable beginning.
The results? Gold and silver medals for 15 wines. Chardonnay winners, in ascending order of price, were 1996 Trapiche Oaked, 1996 Tyrrell's, 1994 Stoneleigh, 1996 Santa Julia Oaked, 1995 Chatsfield and 1994 Joseph Phelps. The Cabernet-based stars were 1996 Manton's Run, 1996 Errazuriz, 1994 Fetzer Valley Oaks, 1995 Casillero del Diablo from Concha Y Toro, 1993 Maglieri, 1994 Peter Lehmann Cellar Reserve, 1994 Mitchelton Estate Reserve, 1994 Wolf Blass President's Selection and 1993 Domaine de l'Arjolle. You'll find most of them at the fair - open today 12-8 p.m. and tomorrow 126 p.m.
Mary Dowey is holding a tasting of Seven Favourite Wines Under £7 at the International Wine Fair today in the RDS at 2.30 p.m.