As yet, there aren't many exciting wines with synthetic corks on the Irish market, but here are two goodies:
White: Vin de Pays des Cotes de Gascogne, Patrick Azcue, 1997 (Marks & Spencer, reduced from £4.49 to £3.99 until end January). This hugely aromatic, light white from southwest France smells like a summer fruit salad but comes across crisp and dry on the palate. Extremely pleasant, exceptionally well priced.
Red: Cono Sur Pinot Noir 1996 (McCabes, some SuperValus incl. Raheny, Oddbins and other outlets, £5.49£5.99). A bargain from Chile to demonstrate that a few rare corners of the New World are capable of producing tasty Pinot that doesn't cost the usual £12£15. Exuberant raspberry and cherry fruit, a whack of vanilla and plenty of acidity to give a tangy, lipsmacking finish. OK, it's not Burgundy, and not overburdened with complexity - but neither are lots of others at twice this price. Thoroughly enjoyable.