Just to help us get over the "summer", as we breeze into autumn, Superquinn is holding its French wine sale from September 24th to October 14th, writes Pat Carroll
Five new wines are offered this year. Exclusive to Superquinn and branded with the SQ logo for the first time, they are from ACs Chablis, Sancerre, Pommard, St Joseph and St Emilion.
If you're looking for bargains, one white and one red stand out. The white, Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu Sur Lie Prieuré de la Fine 2006(€7.49), has lovely floral scents and a hint of lime. Dry, with a bit of spritz on the palate, it has refreshing flavours of stone fruits and green apples and a fresh, lemony finish. Vin de Pays des Ports de Méditerranée Grenache Domaine de Cristia 2007(€7.99) has a super-smooth palate with ultra-ripe damson fruit and mild tannins.
Also hard to beat for quality and value are the white Pouilly-Fumé Les Pierres Blanches 2007(€12.74), with its crystal-clear palate of juicy citrus fruit and lovely minerality, and the red Côtes du Rhône-Villages Signargues Domaine Grès St Vincent 2007(€8.24). It's a delicious mélange of dark fruits with a peppery kick at the end.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Tradition Alain Grangeon 2006(€19.99) is packed with smooth, rich damson and blackberry flavours and finishes with an earthy, herbal note. Château Belgrave Haut-Médoc 2004(€27.74) is better than ever, with hints of cedarwood and leather on the plummy palate.