On The Grapevine

Tasting of the month was the spectacular event held in the Berkeley Court by Bacchus - the Irish wine and spirit merchants, not the god, although many of the wines proved divine. Nine leading Bordeaux chateaux were showcased in an array of classic vintages - among them Gruaud-Larose, Haut-Bages Liberal, Citran and Chasse-Spleen, poured by the young chatelaine Claire Villars; Durfort-Vivens, from the hand of her husband Gonzague Lurton; and Du Tertre introduced by the winemaker, former Glenstal pupil David Fennelly. If there are any wine merchants out there in search of top-drawer claret for Christmas, Henry Anderson of Bacchus is your man, tel: 01-2941466; fax: 01-295 7375.