Which wine would you pick if you ran an award-winning off-licence?

The awards ceremony may not be quite as glamorous as the Oscars, but the competition for the various Noffla wine awards attracts nearly as much gossip and speculation among the competitors. Noffla is the National Off-Licence Association. Martins Off-Licence in Fairview, Dublin 3 had won various awards before, but this was the first year it carried off the supreme award of Off-Licence of the Year. Run by brothers Damian and Declan Martin, it was founded by their father Tom in 1978. Declan chose the Georgian wine below.

Dicey’s in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal won the award for best off-licence in Connaught/Ulster. This is a family-owned and run business, which is part of Dicey Reilly’s pub. Noted for its collection of whiskies, it also has a craft brewery behind the pub. Sinead O’Reilly selected the Chianti Classico below, and provided the tasting note.

64 Wine has won the best food award a number of times. Its on-site food offering is certainly popular with Glasthule locals, and it has some great deli items too, but I suspect manager Anthony Robineau would prefer to win the wine award for its excellent selection of wines, including fine wines. Robineau chose the Château du Cèdre below.

The Clonsilla, Dublin 15 branch of Molloy’s Liquor Stores won the customer service award. Managing director Richard Molloy was delighted. “I believe that exceptional customer service separates the best retailers from the rest. Molloy’s is a third-generation, family-run business, so the customer service ethos has been handed down from my dad and grandad’s era. Our staff have been trained in product knowledge, responsible trading and customer service.” Molloy chose the Montepulciano below.

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Unico Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva 2020

13.5%, €10.75

Medium-bodied with red fruits, dark chocolate and a spicy finish. This would go nicely with rich pasta dishes such as lasagne, or roast pork.

From Molloy’s Liquor Stores

Héritage du Cèdre Blanc 2024, Château du Cèdre, Vin de France

13%, €19.50

Lightly aromatic with white flowers, pears and tropical fruit held together by a fine minerality. Very good value. Pair it with some prawns or scallops.

From 64 Wine, Glasthule and Mount Merrion, Co Dublin; BaRossa, Dublin 4; Bradleys, Cork; Jus de Vine, Portmarnock, Co Dublin; Cappagh Stores, Galway; Ballymaloe Garden Shop, Co Cork; Grapevine, Dalkey, Co Dublin; Manning’s, Ballylickey, Co Cork

Bedoba Saperavi, Kakheti, Georgia 2023

13.5%, €23.95

Deep in colour with succulent dark plum fruits and blackcurrants edged with spice, with a rounded finish. Try it with aubergine rolls (badrijani) or grilled meats (mtsvadi).

From Martins, Dublin 3; TheNudeWineCo.ie; Jus de Vine, Portmarnock; Clontarf Wines, Dublin 3; Pinto Wines, Dublin 9; The Corkscrew, Dublin 2; Mitchell & Son, Glasthule, The Vaults, Dublin 2; Wineonline.ie; Redmonds, Dublin 6

Carpineto Chianti Classico 2022

13.5%, €25-28

Full palate of strawberries, raspberries, cherries and chocolate with hints of fennel and herb. It has a long and velvety mouthfeel. Drink alongside lamb, or tomato-based dishes.

From Dicey’s, Ballyshannon, Co Dublin; Drinkstore, Dublin 7; Baggot Street Wines, Dublin 4; Redmonds, Dublin 6; McHugh’s, Dublin 5; TheNudeWineCo.ie