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ON THE GRAPEVINE
Ten great wines to enjoy for end of summer including Aldi and Lidl €9.99 bargains
They all represent excellent value at their respective price points
BEWARE, we are just a couple of weeks away from the official end of summer, on August 31. What summer, I hear you say. Totally agree with that sentiment.
On top of that it’s back to school time, and that means the stress of trying to search out new tuition books and replace now too-small uniforms.
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Oh, and Christmas is just around the corner!
But look on the bright side: If there is any chance of one of those Indian Summers, then September is the month it will surely arrive – and to go with it I bring you ten of the wines that have particularly impressed over the past four months.
The last of the Summer Wine if you will.
Six of the best newbies, and four of the latest vintages of wines that impress every vintage.
Read more in Fabulous
From under a tenner to €24, they all represent excellent value at their respective price points. Enjoy.
Athlon Assyrtiko 2023 (ABV 12%)
10
€9.99 @ Aldi
Grape: Assyrtiko
THIS is a great introduction to Greece’s finest white grape variety.
MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN
The best elaborations tend to come from the volcanic island of Santorini, but its growing popularity is such that the island’s wine has almost become too expensive.
So, this well-priced example, from the northwest area of the mainland (Macedonia) is a perfect taster at a very affordable price point.
A bright straw colour, with citrus and honeysuckle aromas, the unoaked palate has great acidity and crispness, with mouth-watering citrus notes, and a wisp of pear and white peach.
Enjoy with: Go Greek with fish kebabs.
Exquisite Grenache Prestige Rosé 2022 (ABV 13%)
10
Currently €9.99 @ Lidl outlets
Grape: Grenache
LOVELY, elegant Languedoc blush rosé colour in the glass, with delicate aromas of crushed strawberries, raspberries and pomegranates.
The bouquet has notes of lightly spiced, ripe berries, while the well-balanced, clean and rounded palate oozes concentrated soft berry fruits and a little minerality on the finish, which has a slight saline note.
Enjoy with: Fish, shellfish and light white meat dishes.
Star rating: ****
Unico Montepulciano D'Abruzzo (ABV 13.5%)
10
€10.75 @ Molloys Liqour Stores
Grape: Montepulciano
MONTEPULCIANO d'Abruzzo, an Italian red wine from the Abruzzo region of east-central Italy, has long been a firm favourite in Ireland.
This example delivers a nice wisp of crushed ripe cherry fruit on the nose, leading into a medium-bodied, quite dry, and cherry fruit-forward palate.
But it also has a twist of peppery spice and smooth tannins that makes it a winner at a very affordable price point. Very much a food friendly bottle.
Enjoy with: Perfect with pasta and meat ragu.
Star rating: ****
Specially Selected Chassaux et Fils Luberon 2023 (ABV 13%)
10
€10.99 on offer @ Aldi outlets
Grapes: Rolle (Vermentino), Grenache Blanc, Roussanne
SURPRISINGLY complex, but still very approachable and satisfying southern Rhône white blend.
Here each variety contributes something uniquely special to the table.
It has discernible notes of citrus and stone fruit on the nose.
The zippy palate has a nice freshness, with notes of nectarine, peach and wild herbs. It also has good weight, and a slight waxiness, with crisp acidity, and a nice streak of minerality on the finish.
Enjoy with: Roasted pork fillet.
Star rating: ****
La Borie Blanche Minervois La Livinière 2020 (ABV 13.5%)
10
Around €16 in good independent wine shops
Grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre
A LONG-TIME favourite since I first visited La Livinière, a sub-appellation of the outstanding Minervois region of France’s Languedoc, many years ago.
Hand-harvested fruit from selected plots on higher slopes (350 metres and up) of the region are vinified separately, with minimal intervention.
The resultant medium-bodied wine has a deep garnet colour, with a complex and powerful bouquet that contains hints of cherries, cloves and dried dark fruit.
Generous, smooth and surprisingly fresh in the mouth with excellent depth.
Softening tannins, with rich black fruit notes, coffee, black pepper and a wisp of wood.
Extremely pleasing and long finish.
Enjoy with: Smoked duck salad.
Star rating: *****
Willunga 100 McLaren Vale Grenache 2022 (ABV 14.5%)
10
€20 approx in good independent wine shops
Grape: Grenache
GRENACHE certainly thrives Down Under, particularly in the McLaren Vale, south of Adelaide.
Indeed, because of its ability to withstand consistently hot conditions and with little or no irrigation, it could become the saviour of many a wine region.
The fruit for this, savoury red comes from vines aged 50 plus years. Fermented in stainless steel, with 14% whole bunches, it spends ten days on skins, helping the wine develop its intense ruby red colour.
Much of the wine (60 per cent) was transferred to old French oak barrels to mature over ten months.
With a bouquet of cherries, raspberries and a little spice, the palate has great structure and balance, smooth tannins and soft red summer fruit notes.
A perfect, juicy summer red for serious sipping.
Enjoy with: Roast duck.
Star rating: *****
Entreflores Albariño 2023 (ABV 12.5%)
10
€20 approx in good independents
Grape: Albariño
SUPERB Spanish white delivered in a smart electric blue bottle. This may well be a marketing ploy to win sales in an increasingly competitive Albariño market – but the wine is actually exceptionally good.
It has wonderful aromatics, depth and texture, with A yellow straw colour in the glass.
It has alluring aromas of pineapple and white flowers, while the medium palate is nicely rounded and has mouth-watering acidity.
Flavour profile includes notes of apricot, white peach, citrus, and green apple, culminating with a super streak of salinity.
Surprisingly, satisfying length.
Enjoy with: Shellfish, or lemon chicken.
Star rating: ****
Zull Zweigelt 2021 (ABV 13.5%)
10
Currently €20.95 @ O’Briens Wine
Grape: Zweigelt
FROM Austria’s Weinviertel region, some 75 kilometres north of the capital Vienna, comes this decidedly delicious wine made with that nation’s favourite red grape variety.
It oozes flavourful and refreshing crushed soft dark summer fruit notes - plums, blueberries and blackberries - with just a wisp of spice, silky tannins, good acidity, and well-integrated oak.
Perfectly balanced and good length on the finish.
Enjoy with: Great served slightly chilled with BBQ fare.
Star rating: ****
Lorgeril O de Rosé 2023 (ABV 12.5%)
10
€22.99 RRP @ Good independents
Grapes: Grenache, Syrah & Viognier
THIS beautiful peachy pink-hued wine is one of Languedoc’s great Rosés. An annual favourite since its release some years ago by the Lorgeril estate in Cabardes.
The elegant, alluring bouquet features citrus and floral notes, along with hints of strawberries, and rhubarb.
The ample and crisp palate is finely balanced, with plenty of ripe red fruit, mouthwatering saline notes, and a crisp and persistent finish.
Enjoy with: Light pasta and rice dishes.
Star rating: *****