Wine: Joe Breensuggests wines for last-minute shoppers
And so we reach the last chance saloon. If you haven't invested in your favourite wines, beers and spirits by now, all is not lost, but chances are, your choice will be more limited. If the years have taught me anything, it is that leaving everything to the last minute is a loser's paradise, populated by frazzled-looking individuals with desperation in their eyes, and crumpled notes in their claws.
Make a resolution that next year you will shop smart and let your euros make their mark on the many wine sales held in October and November. In the meantime, what to do if the cupboard is bare and the natives are getting restless?
The supermarkets remain safe, but equally reliable are the big chains such as O'Brien's, O'Donovans, Next Door, and shops such as McCabes, Jus De Vine, Donnybrook Fair, Mitchell's, Sweeney's, Glasnevin, 64 Wine, On the Grapevine, Cheers in Delgany, Wicklow Wine Company, Berry Brothers & Rudd and Redmonds in Ranelagh. And then there is the growing list of convenience stores such as Spar, Centra and On The Run, where the chances of picking up a reasonable bottle at a reasonable price have increased.
Superquinn has travelled a long distance in the past year, shaking up its portfolio and introducing some cracking wines in the process. Check out the high end EQ Syrah 2005 (€31.99) from the cool climate San Antonio region, easily my favourite Chilean wine this year, or the rather more everyday Falernia Syrah (€8.99). Neither will feel uncomfortable at the table with the big bird.
Dunnes is rarely found wanting when it comes to bargains and it has the very good Chilean Palo Alta, both Cabernet and Sauvignon Blanc, on special offer at €7.99, while the very good southern French producer Laurent Miquel's Chardonnay Viognier, Cabernet Syrah and Cinsault Syrah are available at three for €20.
Tesco is trying to muscle in on the fine wine market by stocking iconic bottles such as Penfolds Grange (€190) and Graham's Vintage Port 2000 (€140) in selected stores, along with their house range and well-known brands. An inadvertent grasping of the wrong bottle could result in a seriously painful shopping bill. Better to lean in the direction of Tesco Finest's Vina Mara Reserva Rioja (on offer at €11.55).
Supervalu is attempting to put some sparkle in to life with offers on Champagne and Aussie fizz such as Wolf Blass Sparkling Red Label Chardonnay/Pinot Noir at €12.79 each. Brown Brothers's very respectable basic range is also on offer at €10.49.
M&S has some very interesting wines including a Saint Véran - Les Monts 2006 (€12.49) and a new organic Châteauneuf-du-Pape white called Bois du Pied Redon 2006 (€21.99). Gérard Bertrand, whose own wines are sold in O'Brien's, made a 2006 Minervois for M&S (€8.99), while Lauren Miquel, whose wines are stocked by Dunnes and Tesco, made a Saint Chinian Syrah des Garrigues 2005 (€22) for M&S.
O'Brien's has lots to interest all pockets. It is to this fast-growing chain's credit that it takes as much care with its budget offerings as it does with its premium-priced bottles. The basic Brocard Chablis (€13.99) and the deep, rich flavours of the organic Corbières estate, Château Caraguilhes 2004 (€10.69) contrast well with the glorious opulence of the San Vicente 2001 from Rioja (€42) and the fragrant elegance of the Chanson Beaune Clos des Mouches Blanc 2002 (€55).
At this stage, there is no guarantee of any particular wine being left on the shelves, though such is the abundance of outlets there is little chance of anybody going thirsty over the festive season.