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Five Interesting Italian Wines from O’Briens

Despite the huge amounts of uninspiring Prosecco and Pinot Grigio, a little bit of looking will turn up some Italian whites which are actually interesting. Here are three table whites, a big red and a sweet white wine that are all interesting and worth a try – especially while on offer:

Mucchietto Organic Soave 2023

Mucchietto Soave bottle shot

Soave used to be best known as the cheap-and-not-that-cheerful cheap Italian white wine available in supermarkets and corner shops. A few have kept the flag flying for quality wines in the area, but thankfully many more are available these days. This one comes from Pasqua Vigneti e Cantine, or just Pasqua for short. Among their many wines I have always had a soft spot for their 11 Minutes Rosé, one of the few rosés I will buy for myself.

Made from 100% Garganega, this is made in a clean but aromatic style. Those aromas are peach, nectarine and melon, notes that continue onto the palate. There’s plenty of zippy acidity, and a hint of minerality which keeps the fruit from getting ahead of itself. A great example of Soave.

  • ABV: 12.5%
  • RRP: €14.49 down from €16.95 from 28th Oct 25 to 5th Jan 2025
  • Source: O’Briens stores and obrienswine.ie

Rizzardi Lugana 2023

Rizzardi Lugana bottle shot

Guerrieri Rizzardi is a family-run winery in the Veneto with roots back to the first half of the seventeenth century. As well as the more famous areas of Valpolicella, Soave and Bardolino, they also make wines in the Lugana region around Lake Garda. The local grape here is a version of Trebbiano, though a little more flavoursome than other types.

The grapes for this bottling are sourced from twenty five year old vines – not old, but getting towards middle age – which gives added concentration of flavours. Another arrow in the winemaker’s quivver is extended ageing on fine lees (mainly dead yeast cells from fermentation) which gives a creaminess to the wine’s texture. There are also floral and fruit notes here, with citrus and subtle apricot. Overall this is nicely done, a fresh and engaging wine that’s worth a try.

  • ABV: 13.0%
  • RRP: €16.99 down from €21.99 from 28th Oct 25 to 5th Jan 2025
  • Source: O’Briens stores and obrienswine.ie

Cusumano Alta Mora Etna Bianco 2022

Cusumano alta mora etna bianco bottle shot

As Monty Python once said, “And now for something completely different”. This wine is made in one of most southerly of all Italian wine regions, but at altitude and on the side of a volcano – and hence on distinctive volcanic soil. It’s a monovarietal, made wholly from the local Carricante grape. In contrast to many Italian white varieties, including the two above, is that it is naturally deep yellow in colour, which increases with ageing.

This wine just has so much character! It is broad, tangy and interesting, full of contrasts. There’s orange peel and herbs, minerality and lemon, great freshness and tangy acidity. Among all the fruit there’s also a smokiness which comes through from the volcanic soil. All these elements weave a magic spell leaving the drinker entranced and enhanced. This wine is also one that gains in complexity with ageing, so don’t be afraid to tuck a few away.

ABV: 12.5%
RRP: €22.99 down from €26.99 from 28th Oct 25 to 5th Jan 2025
Source: O’Briens stores and obrienswine.ie

Musella Amarone Riserva 2017

Musella Amarone Riserva bottle shot

I’d forgotten how good Amarone could be. When I first discovered Amarone many years ago it was a real show-stopper, but there are mainly lesser bottles around these days which, although certainly not bad wines, do the area a disservice in their mediocrity.

As with most wines, it’s the producer as well as the appellation that is key. Musella is one of the top “Amarone 13” producers, a family-run outfit and organic too.

This is (natch) a powerful wine, coming in at 16.0%, robust in flavour and texture as well as alcohol. But that’s not the full story, as it is also smooth and well-balanced, with fine tannins and acidity a counterpoint to the dried black and red fruits. With eight years on the clock it’s nicely aged and singing well.

  • ABV: 16.0%
  • RRP: €43.99 down from €57.99 from 28th Oct 25 to 5th Jan 2025
  • Source: O’Briens stores and obrienswine.ie

San Felice Belcaro Vin Santo 2016 (half bottle)

San Felice Belcaro Vin Santo bottle shot

Another rapid change of direction, enough to give you whiplash, moving to an oxidative style of sweet wine from Tuscany. Vin Santo is a traditional style of sweet wine made from air-dried white grapes. The drying allows water to evaporate, and hence leaves highly concentrated sugars and flavours. Once pressed, the wine is matured over several years in small oak barrels; oxygen getting into the barrels gives a “rancio” character to the wine, not unlike a tawny Port in nature, though obviously very different in style.

It’s that oxidative aspect which is most obvious on the nose, but the palate is rich yet restrained. With nuts and candied fruits, this is very much a winner for Christmas fare, and – so I understand – even with some cheeses.

  • ABV: 16.5%
  • RRP: €19.99 down from €25.99 from 28th Oct 25 to 5th Jan 2025
  • Source: O’Briens stores and obrienswine.ie

Conclusion

The first two whites are nice, but the Etna Bianco is amazing, and that’s the one that I will be picking up several of for myself – with perhaps a couple of Amarone for some relaxed supping in front of the fire.

 

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Three German and Austrian wines from O’Briens

Now it might seem a little disrespectful to both countries’ great wine-making traditions, but there is some continuity between the two in terms of grape varieties and wine styles. There are differences, too, and those are what add to the world’s delicious vinous tapestry.

Here is a fine trio of white wines in tall, fluted bottles that I tried at the O’Briens press tasting:

Lingenfelder Bird Label Pfalz Riesling 2023

Lingenfelder Bird Label Riesling bottle shot

Although Alsace-nerds know about the Franco-German border moving several times to bring Alsace within each country, it’s lesser known that the Pfalz was annexed by France for a time under Napoleon. The Lingenfelder family have grown grapes in the Pfalz for centuries before Napoleon’s time, and centuries since, reaching thirteen generations with current winemaker Rainer Karl Lingenfelder. Their wines are divided into two distinct ranges. Estate wines focus on the main four varieties grown on Lingenfelder’s own vineyards, being Riesling and Scheurebe whites plus Dornfelder and Pinot Noir reds. The Creature range consists of six approachable varietal wines, each named after a local wild animal.

And this little Birdie is 100% Riesling, made in a rich and juicy style. It’s highly aromatic, with tropical and mouth-wateringly fresh and juicy peach, pear and red apple. There’s a little residual sugar here too, but that balances the acidity and the finish is still nice and crisp. This is a delicious wine and a real crowd-pleaser.

ABV: 10.5%
RRP: €14.99 down from €17.99 from 28th Oct 25 to 5th Jan 2025
Source: O’Briens stores and obrienswine.ie

Rabl Grüner Veltliner Löss 2024

Rabl Grüner Veltliner Löss bottle shot

Weingut Rabl also have a storied history behind them, dating back to 1750. The family farms around a hundred hectares around the town of Langenlois in the region of Kamptal, with a focus on sustainability. In the hands of Rudolf Rabl Jr they have received recognition for both the quality of their wines and their commitment to sustainability.

This bottle – with its pair of umlauts – represents an example of both Austria’s signature grape and a typical soil type. Löss (or Loess in English) is a mixture of sand and silt and a small proportion of clay, usually formed by winds over millennia. It is very fertile and can produce wines on the richer side.

Due to Grüner’s moderate acidity this is a gentle wine, mineral yet fruity; grapefruit and gooseberry along with yellow plum, framed by a mineral edge. An excellent introduction to the grape for those who haven’t tried it before.

ABV: 12.0%
RRP: €15.99 down from €19.99 from 28th Oct 25 to 5th Jan 2025
Source: O’Briens stores and obrienswine.ie

Robert Weil Rheingau Riesling Trocken 2022

Robert Weil Riesling Trocken bottle shot

Back to Germany again, this time in the more northerly region of the Rheingau. Riesling is the king here, with three quarters of all plantings being that noble variety. Weingut Robert Weil has taken this even further, with all of their vineyards being planted to Riesling. Their lands amount around a hundred hectares around the family winery, all farmed sustainably.

On the nose this couldn’t be anything other than Riesling, intense fresh lime infused with herbs. It’s intense enough to clear your sinuses!

Although this wine is labelled as “Trocken”, or “Dry” in English, it has such juicy fruit that it tastes just a smidgen off-dry. It’s fresher than a mountain top, with all manner of citrus and crisp orchard fruits. This isn’t an introduction to Riesling, it is Riesling!

ABV: 12.0%
RRP: €25.99 down from €30.99 from 28th Oct 25 to 5th Jan 2025
Source: O’Briens stores and obrienswine.ie

Conclusion

These three wines are all great, but quite different in character. If I was opening a bottle for casual wine drinkers, I’d plump for the bird, but for wine enthusiasts it would have to be the Robert Weil; even though it’s more expensive it represents excellent value for money.

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3 Superior Sauvignons from O’Briens

Sauvignon Blanc makes very popular easy-drinking wines across the globe, but in the right places and in the right hands it can make serious and interesting wines.

Here are three from O’Briens, one from Bordeaux which is a blend, and two from opposite sides of the Loire River.

Domaine de Bel Air Pouilly-Fumé 2023

Domaine de Bel Air Pouilly Fumé bottle shot

You don’t have to be a Fresh Prince to drink this wine, though you may end up feeling fresh if you imbibe too much! OK, I’ll lay off the dad jokes now.

Pouilly-Fumé is less well known than its competitor across the river, but can produce some excellent wines. Its soils have consistently more flint than Sancerre which gives a typical wine more smokey (“fumé”) characteristics. And of course, less renown often means a lower price tag for the same quality, and I’m all for that.

Domaine de Bel Air covers 14 hectares and is farmer sustainably by the Maroy family. The grapes for this wine come from vines planted on three different soil types (stoney “caillotte”  limestone,  marly “terre blanches” limestone and flint). This blend of origins gives the wine a complex palate – citrus, orchard fruit and smoky mineral notes. It has a little more flesh than a Sancerre, making it a rounder and less lean wine. This is a great example of Pouilly-Fumé!

  • ABV: 13.5%
  • RRP: €21.99 down from €25.99 from 28th Oct 25 to 5th Jan 2025
  • Source: O’Briens stores and obrienswine.ie

Château Villa de Bel-Air Graves Blanc 2023

Chateau Villa Bel Air Blanc bottle shot

The Graves region of south west Bordeaux has actually been making quality wine for far longer than its northern neighbour the Médoc, primarily down to the later being naturally swampy and therefore unsuitable for viticulture. For centuries since the draining of the swamp, Graves – including its premium sub-region of Pessac-Léognan – have played second fiddle to their northerly neighbours. But this lack of recognition is a bonus for wine lovers who can find well made wines at good prices. As this wine itself shows, that includes white wines; Graves is the main source of premium dry wines in Bordeaux.

Château Villa Bel-Air has origins in the 1700s and lies on gravel soils in the centre of the Graves region. It’s a blend of the two most important white varieties in Bordeaux: Sauvignon Blanc (65%) and Sémillon (35%). The grapes are only part of the story; fermentation in oak and maturation on fine lees give roundness, richness and complexity to the palate. It doesn’t result in a buttery mess, however, as the acidity from the Sauvignon gives freshness and balance.

On pouring, the oak is noticeable on the nose, though likely very few of the oak barrels were new as there is restraint in their power. There’s fruit there, too, with citrus and light melon notes. The palate is lovely and round, with green and yellow fruit intermingled with oak notes.

The Pesac-Léognan sub-region was created for good reason, but this is a Graves that would be worthy of that label in terms of quality. Even staunch Burgundy fans owe it to themselves to try this wine.

  • ABV: 13.0%
  • RRP: €21.99 down from €25.99 from 28th Oct 25 to 5th Jan 2025
  • Source: O’Briens stores and obrienswine.ie

Henri Bourgeois ES-56 Silex Sancerre 2022

Henri Bourgeois Sancerre ES-56 bottle shot

Domaine Henri Bourgeois is a standout producer from the central Loire. Among the many wines made by the Domaine, this Sancerre is a real standout. The grapes are sourced solely from vines grown on silex (flint) soils which were formed 56 million years ago, known as the Eocene period, giving this bottle its name.

After picking and pressing, part of the must is fermented in stainless steel tanks (to retain freshness) and part is fermented in Tronçais oak barrels. the young wine matures on fine lees – which are stirred periodically – for seven to eight months.

The nose is intensely mineral and smoky, and really couldn’t be anything else. The palate also has delicious smoky notes, with a tang from the oak as well as a citrus tang from the fruit itself. The oak ageing and lees stirring add lots of texture to the wine, making it quite savoury in nature.

At three years from harvest this is already opening nicely, but should continue to evolve for another five to seven years. It’s definitely not for the casual drinker, and is carries a premium price, but is an amazing example of what can be done with the grape.

  • ABV: 13.5%
  • RRP: €33.99 down from €43.99 in the O’Briens December Fine Wine Sale
  • Source: O’Briens stores and obrienswine.ie

Conclusion

While having a grape in common, these wines are entirely different in style. The Pouilly-Fumé is unoaked and straight forward, though very tasty. The Graves is more complex and even better value. The Sancerre is an amazing wine, one of the best I tried at the O’Briens tasting, and it’s the one I will be picking up for myself.

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5 Value Reds from O’Briens

We’ve already looked at some great value whites, and now it’s time to look at some great value reds from O’Briens.

Wildflower Pinot Noir 2022

Wildflower Pinot Noir bottle shot

As I mentioned previously, the whole Wildflower range is pretty good. This Pinot Noir is a light, easy-drinking style. There’s a blast of red and black berries on the nose, with just a touch of spice and sous bois.

The palate is fruit forward, with fresh raspberry and strawberry fruits, and just a touch of bramble. The tannins are soft and silky, preventing jamminess, but keeping it an easy-drinking wine.

Pinot Noir is known as being very particular about its growing conditions, but Wildflower have cracked it.

ABV: 12.5%
RRP: €9.49 down from €14.99 from 28th Oct 25 to 5th Jan 2025
Source: O’Briens stores and obrienswine.ie

Wildflower Merlot 2023

Wildflower Merlot bottle shot

The Wildflower Merlot is again an easy drinking, varietally-typical wine from Romania’s Viile Timisului region.

This time the fruits range more into the darker end of the spectrum, with purple plums and blackberries. It’s soft and inviting, with hints of chocolate on the finish.

This is the perfect wine for sipping in front of an open fire and ignoring the weather outside.

ABV: 13.0%
RRP: €9.49 down from €14.99 from 28th Oct 25 to 5th Jan 2025
Source: O’Briens stores and obrienswine.ie

Cidade Branco (White Town) Alentejo 2023

Cidade Branca Alentejo bottle shot

From Romania we now move to the far west of Europe with this hearty red blend from the Alentejo in Portugal. The name of the wine is taken from the nickname of the town of Estremoz, whose buildings are built with white marble.

The wine itself is a blend of local varieties Alicante Bouschet, Aragonês and Touriga Nacional. I say local, though Aragonês does appear in many other Portuguese and Spanish regions under different names, the most well known being Tempranillo!

Despite the chunky 14.0% alcohol this is an un-oaked, juicy, approachable style of wine. The nose shows lots of fresh red fruits, which feed through to the palate. There, they are joined by hints of liquorice and fine tannins, making this a proper grown-up wine.

Try this with lamb or beef to show it at its best.

ABV: 14.0%
RRP: €8.99 down from €13.99 from 28th Oct 25 to 5th Jan 2025
Source: O’Briens stores and obrienswine.ie

Belles Eaux Mistral Syrah

Belles Eaux Mistral Syrah bottle shot

Compared to Pinot Noir, Syrah can shine in a wider variety of climatic conditions, particularly with respect to sunshine and temperature. At its boldest in hot locations such as Australia’s Barossa Valley, it can also shine in cooler and windier places such as the northern Rhône. Belles Eaux Syrah is from the Languedoc, and using its ABV as a guide it falls a little closer to the Rhône style.

Despite being an easy-drinking style, this is a proper Syrah. There are lovely red berry fruits on the nose and the palate, but also light notes of the grapes typical spice and pepper, and just a little black olive. These savoury touches make it very food friendly, though it doesn’t need food. According to the good folks at O’Briens this would be great with cheeses, but I’d have to defer to them on that one.

ABV: 13.5%
RRP: €10.00 down from €15.99 from 28th Oct 25 to 5th Jan 2025
Source: O’Briens stores and obrienswine.ie

JP Ramos Alentejo Reserva 2023

JP Ramos Reserva Alentejo bottle shot

Another wine from the Ramos family, this time with their name front and centre. This blend introduces a new grape to this post: Trincadeira, which is apparently “difficult to grow, and is sensitive to rot”. I’m no expert on the climate of the Alentejo, but I expect it is dry enough for rot to be a minor issue. The other main grape is our friend Aragonês, with a small amount of Syrah added for complexity and depth.

If the White Town is a grown up wine then this is even more senior. The fruit is even more concentrated and there’s more body and spice – possibly from some ageing in oak, though I wasn’t able to confirm that. The array of fruits include raspberry, blackberry, blackcurrant, red and black cherries and plums. Although the mid palate is a little jammy, there’s still enough tannin and acidity to keep everything well integrated and balanced.

For me this is well worth the normal price, and a veritable bargain at the promotional offer.

ABV: 13.5%
RRP: €10.99 down from €15.95 from 28th Oct 25 to 5th Jan 2025
Source: O’Briens stores and obrienswine.ie

Conclusion

Any of these wines would be a great buy, especially at the offer prices, so it’s hard to pick just one. I’ll pick two then: the Wildflower Pinot Noir if you fancy something light, or the JP Ramos if you fancy something a bit more substantial.

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6 Great Value Whites from O’Briens

With the cost of socialising in bars, pubs and restaurants continuing to rise (the reasons for which I will leave for another day), entertaining at home is seeing a corresponding boost. If your tastes in wine are fairly straightforward, then retail outlets have a great selection of well made, tasty wines at modest prices.

Alternatively,  if you’re into more complex or premium wines which wouldn’t necessarily be appreciated (or even liked) by “normie” visitors, what do you do? My personal wine tastes wouldn’t be liked by everyone, so I like to have some wines in that both guests and myself can enjoy together.

The selection below fulfills both criteria. They are all fresh, easy-drinking styles which I recently tried in the O’Briens press tasting. The description that O’Briens themselves use for this category is “Everyday friendly wines” which is apt, and a lot more concise that I have been above!

Wildflower Sauvignon Blanc 2023

Wildflower Sauvignon Blanc bottle shot

Old timers such as myself will remember Romanian wines on the UK supermarket shelves back in the ’90s, particularly Pinot Noir from the Dealu Mare region. At that point the country was just emerging from decades of dictatorship, but wine has been made their for millenia. Today the industry has modernised significantly, often with investment from other countries who have already been through the process.

Wildflower wines are made in the Viile Timisului region by Englishman Philip Cox and his wife Elvira. They are generally very clean, fruit-forward and accessible in style (also see my reviews of the Pinot Noir and Merlot).

This Sauvignon Blanc is intensely aromatic, varietally correct but not a fascimile of either Loire or Marlborough styles. On the palate there’s lots of sweet, juicy citrus fruits, but with a crisp, fresh finish. This would be a great wine to convert some who “don’t like Sauvignon Blanc” – and very enjoyable for those who do. It’s not a bargain at the full price, but an absolute steal with the promotional reduction.

ABV: 11.5%
RRP: €9.49 down from €14.99 from 28th Oct 25 to 5th Jan 2025
Source: O’Briens stores and obrienswine.ie

Mistral Belles Eaux Sauvignon Blanc

Belles Eaux Mistral Sauvignon Blanc bottle shot

Another Sauvignon Blanc, but this time from the Langedoc in the south of France. If your French isn’t up to scratch then “Belles Eaux” means something like “Beautiful Waters” and “Mistral” is th name of a major wind which affects the region.

The nose is more restrained than the Wildflower, with mineral notes joining fruity and floral aromas.

The palate is full of juicy grapefruit and gooseberry, ripe but fresh. This is a nicely balanced wine, great for sipping on its own, but would be perfect for seafood and salads at the table.

As with the Windflower, the regular price is a little too high in my opinion, but this wine is great value during the promotion.

ABV: 12.0%
RRP: €10.00 down from €15.99 from 28th Oct 25 to 5th Jan 2025
Source: O’Briens stores and obrienswine.ie

Cave de Lugny Mâcon 3 Litre bag-in-box

Bag In Box wine

Yes this is box wine! No, it’s not a joke! With the cost of glass bottles and corks making up a higher proportion of the cost of inexpensive wines, it makes sense for other packaging formats to be used. Bag-in-box (often shortened to BIB) is popular in France and other European wine producing countries where wine is seen as a part of everyday life rather than a luxury.

If you have the space for one in the fridge then you have chilled white wine on tap – what’s not to like? BIBs really come into play if your home’s wine consumption is irregular over a few weeks – as there’s very little oxygen getting in contact with the undispensed wine then the wine stays fresher than opened bottles which are put back into the fridge after a few glasses are poured. This is the perfect solution for drop in guests during the festive season.

Cave de Lugny is regarded as one of France’s top co-operatives and is the largest producer within Burgundy. Its roots go back several centuries and it now vinifies wines from 200 growers who farm 1,300 across 25 villages of the most southerly Burgundy region, the Mâconnais.

Of course as we’re in the Mâconnais this is a 100% Chardonnay. It’s unoaked and clean, though with a little more oomph than wines from further north. The nose is softly floral and fruity – Chardonnay without oak isn’t often highly aromatic. The palate is lovely and round, with ripe melon and sweet apples, but all brought back together with a fresh, lemony finish.

ABV: 12.5%
RRP: €54 down from €60 from 28th Oct 25 to 5th Jan 2025
Source: O’Briens stores and obrienswine.ie

Bougrier  Touraine “Les Secrets de Sophie” 2023

The region around the city of Tour – Touraine – offers some of the best value wines of the Loire Valley, though they rarely hit the heights of more illustrious neighbours such as Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. That doesn’t mean that diligent vignerons can’t produce very good wines here, with this wine being case in point.

The Bougrier family have been farmers in the Loire for six generations and make a wide variety of wines. You don’t need to know any French to see that this label means “Sophie’s Secrets”! Grapes are reserved from the family’s best plots. After fermentation the young wines are aged on fine lees (basically dead yeast cells, but no skins) to give added compexity and depth.

On the nose this wine is refined, mineral and elegant – classier than a typical Touraine. The palate is tangy, with grapefuit, gooseberry and green pepper notes, though not as raw as others; it’s the lees ageing in full effect. There’s Sauvignon’s usual fresh, acidic finish which brings the wine back into focus.

ABV: 12.5%
RRP: €13.99 down from €19.99 from 28th Oct 25 to 5th Jan 2025
Source: O’Briens stores and obrienswine.ie

Caves Molière Entracte Piquepoul 2024

Caves Molière Picpoul bottle shot

We’re back into coop territory again, this time from the Languedoc in the south of France. Piquepoul has muscled-in on the fresh, easy-drinking white wine space that Pinot Grigio had to itself for a while. For me they can be somewhat generic, meaning I find it difficult to differentiate one Piquepoul from another, but I’m always willing to try!

Caves Molière is a “super co-op”, meaning it was formed from five existing co-operative producers. It now has 410 growers with a total of 2,200 hectares of wines under its banner. These wines fall under five labels: AOP Languedoc Penezas, IGP Pays Côtes de Thongues,  IGP Pays de Caux, IGP Pays d’Oc and Vin de France.

Entracte Piquepoul is one of 13 different wines that Caves Molière make in the Pays d’Oc, of which seven are varietal Entracte label wines. The nose is saline and mineral, which evokes the lagoons close to the coast. Those notes continue through onto the tangy palate, with juicy citrus and hints of melon (only hints, though) on the mid palate.

This is a refreshing wine that is somewhat reminiscent of a Loire Sauvignon, but more restrained. It is definitely more expressive than a typical Piquepoul, so worth a try.

ABV: 12.0%
RRP: €12.99 down from €18.99 from 28th Oct 25 to 5th Jan 2025
Source: O’Briens stores and obrienswine.ie

Domaine Duffour Père et Fils Côtes de Gascogne 2024

Duffour Père et fils Côtes de Gascogne bottle shot

Gascony’s best known beverages are probably its Armagnacs rather than its table wines. Indeed, two of the three grapes in this blend – Ugni Blanc and Colombard – are better known for their use in brandy production. Gros Manseng is the third grape, firmly rooted in the south west. The wine is produced at the Duffour family’s Domaine Saint-Lannes operation, one they have owned since 1955.

The nose is grassy and herby, so much that I had to check the assemblage as Sauvignon Blanc is also permitted in Côtes de Gascogne wines. The palate is vastly different, a revelation of intensely juicy fruit. There’s every kind of tropical fruit you can think of in here, but all bound together by a fresh acidic structure. With so much pleasure in the glass, I’d buy this without hesitation at the regular price, so it goes without saying that it’s a total steal at just €10 on promotion.

ABV: 11.0%
RRP: €10.00 down from €14.99 from 28th Oct 25 to 5th Jan 2025
Source: O’Briens stores and obrienswine.ie

Conclusion

If you didn’t already notice, these wines are all fairly modest in alcohol, ranging between 11.0% and 12.5%, making them perfect for a lunchtime tipple during the holidays.

Quality and enjoyment wise, I would be perfectly happy to sup any of these. In terms of drinking pleasure and value for money, there is a clear winner for me. Regular readers will express no surprise when I say that the aromatic blend from Domaine Duffour is the one that’s going in my fridge – it’s a cracker!

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Perfect Pinots from O’Briens

To kick off my reviews of the wines on promotion at O’Briens this winter, here’s a look at four Pinot Noirs, four from Burgundy and one from the USA.

Why Pinot Noir

In terms of seasons, Pinot Noir is more autumnal than a classic winter red variety. Compared to Bordeaux and Rhône varieties, Pinot Noir is lighter and, while often great with food, is easier to drink on its own. This makes it a great choice as a sipping wine, especially as it very rarely comes with a blockbuster alcohol content.

What it does have is the combination of lightness and fresh acidity which makes it perfect for pairing with both red meat and poulty at the table (and plenty of vegetarian options, for that matter.) Here in Ireland the most common Xmas dinner is turkey and ham with all the trimmings, so Pinot is perfect.

For the wine geek there’s an additional attraction; Pinot Noir is very expressive of the place in which it is grown, just as Riesling is among white varieties. Pinot was one of the two varieties which Burgundian monks used to map out the demarcations of vineyards by the differences in character in the wines that they yielded. This terroir transparency is increasingly utilised in the new world, though has a long way to catch up.

So now onto the wines themselves:

Seguin-Manuel Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2022

Seguin-Manuel Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2022 bottle shot

Having talked about the terroir-transparency of Pinot Noir, it’s also important to note that the producer of a particular bottle is also key in Burgundy. Domaine Seguin-Manuel was founded back in 1824 and today has a compact and bijoux eight and a half hectares of vineyards across the Côte d’Or. The Domaine was bought by Thibaut Marion – himself a tenth generation winemaker – in 2004, with a focus on continuously improving quality and expressing the local terrior.

This simple Bourgogne includes fruit from more prestigious appellations. Declassifying fruit like this improves the quality of the posher wine (only the best berries are kept for that) and the humbler wine (as the grapes blended into the basic cuvée are still better than those from the basic appellation. This is the Burgundy equivalent of the second (and sometimes third) wines of the Médoc’s top chateaux.

The result in the glass is a red Burgundy with more structure and depth than we’d have any right to expect. It has floral and red fruit notes on the nose, with a juicy and thick palate. This is definitely more of a winter Pinot than a summer Pinot – and all the better for it in my opinion.

  • ABV: 13.0%
  • RRP: €27.99 down from €29.95 from 28th Oct 25 to 5th Jan 2025
  • Source: O’Briens stores and obrienswine.ie

Domaine Antoine Olivier Santenay Temps des C(e)rises 2023

Santenay Rouge Le Temps des C(e)rises bottle shot

Santenay is an appellation surrounding the village of the same name in the Côte de Beaune, the southern half of Burgundy’s Côte d’Or. Around 85% of production is red and the balance white, with the usual Pinot Noir and Chardonnay taking the respective lead roles. What is relatively unusual is that the AOC regulations allow Pinot Blanc to be used for whites, and up to 15% Pinot Blanc and / or Pinot Gris used for red wines. There are no Grand Cru climats within Santenay and a dozen Premier Crus.

Antoine Olivier follows in the footsteps of his winemaking father and grandfather, taking over in 2003. The Domaine has been slowly expanded to include sites in the nearby villages of Savigny, Pommard and Rully, and has included replanting in previously abandoned vineyard sites. Antoine is now the most significant producer of Santenay Blanc.

This Santenay Rouge has a lifted, floral nose with fragrant red fruits. The titular cherries appear on the palate, along with strawberries and raspberries. This is the proper Burgundy experience in a glass. It’s not cheap, but you pay for the elegance and delight in it.

  • ABV: 13.0%
  • RRP: €34.99 down from €40.99 from 28th Oct 25 to 5th Jan 2025
  • Source: O’Briens stores and obrienswine.ie

La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2022

la crema sonoma coast pinot noir bottle shot

Sideways fans will think of the Santa Barbara area for California Pinot, but the Sonoma Coast also does well with the variety. The AVA is at the western part of Sonoma County, running along the Pacific coast. There are nine sub-regions of which the Russian River Valley AVA is the most well known. Cool coastal breezes and banks of chilly fog both help to reduce temperatures compared to further inland.

La Crema makes wines in five regions in the northern half of California – from Monterey up to Anderson Valley – plus Willamette Valley in Oregon. Their Sonoma Coast wines include “regional” bottlings of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, topped by single vineyard expressions of each variety.

This Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is intensely aromatic, with punnets of fresh red fruits and a few black berries too. The palate is also complex, with bright fruits and mocha notes. There’s spice here too, though everything is well balanced and harmonious. If your opinion of California wines is that they lack subtlety then you owe it to yourself to try this wine.

  • ABV: 13.5%
  • RRP: €30.99 down from €40.99 via the O’Briens app in December
  • Source: O’Briens stores and obrienswine.ie

Seguin-Manuel Nuits-Saint-Georges “Vieilles Vignes” 2021

Seguin-Manuel Nuits Saint Georges Vieilles Vignes bottle shot

Seguin-Manuel bottle over 50 different wines, including seven Grands Crus. This old vine Nuits-Saint-Georges sits somewhere around the middle of the range in terms of quality – but this is no middling wine. The vines are over 30 years old and sit on clay and limestone soils south of the town itself. After hand harvesting, the grapes are pressed and allowed to ferment over two and a half weeks. The young wine is then matured for 14 months in a mix of new (25%) and older (75%) oak casks.

Just a sniff of this wine is enough to let you know it’s the real deal. When wine geeks talk about the chase for great Burgundy, this is what they mean. Everything is lifted, heightened, powerful, yet purposeful. It tastes just heavenly, but the experience is more about how it makes you feel – special. This is a special wine that would make an amazing Xmas treat.

  • ABV: 13.0%
  • RRP: €65 down from €79 in the O’Briens December Fine Wine Sale
  • Source: O’Briens stores

Conclusion

These wines are all at appropriate price points, and you really do get what you pay for. The La Crema is a total bargain at the promotional price, but the Nuits-Saint-George is a really special wine that would make an amazing gift for any Pinot fan.

Make Mine A Double

SuperValu French Wine Sale 2025 (3) Classic whites

So far from the 2025 edition of the SuperValu French Wine Event we’ve had a standout red from the Rhône and a pair of party wines.

Now we have a pair of classic white wines. I’ve tasted and even reviewed several previous vintages of these wines

Domaine de Terres Blanches “Alchimie” Coteaux Giennois Sauvignon Blanc 2023

Coteaux du Giennois Alchimie bottle shot

From a lesser-known Loire appellation comes this great value Sauvignon Blanc. You’d hope that an AOC without the cachet of its famous neighbours (Sancerre and others) would be more moderately priced, and thankfully that’s the case.

In the glass it shows a light lemon colour with green flecks, reflecting the variety and relatively young age. The nose has notes of freshly-mown grass, grapefuit, green pepper, lemon and lime.

The palate is initially tangy, though not sharp. The mid palate is delightful, with a mix of tangy green elements and an interlaced web of light tropical notes. Everything is woven together in a fine mesh, such that no single element stands out from the blend. It’s wrapped up by a precise, clean finish.

This is a great example of Loire Sauvignon, falling midway between entry level Touraines and premium Sancerres.

  • RRP: €15 down to €10 in the SuperValu French Wine Event (Thurs 4th Sept to Weds 24th Sept)
  • ABV: 12.5%
  • Source: sample
  • Stockists: SuperValu stores and supervalu.ie

André Goichot Chablis 2023

André Goichot Chablis bottle shot

André Goichot is a negociant business, buying grapes throughout Burgundy for their own label. This AOC Chablis is their bread and butter, and given the price rises in Bourgogne wines over the past half decade, it’s a great way to get into the area’s wine.

The colour of this Chablis is mid lemon, a tiny bit darker than the Alchimie, most probably just down to the difference in grape varieties (this is, of course, a Chardonnay). A good sniff reveals roundness but not plumpness; there’s a little melon and pear, and a whole range of apples. It’s like an orchard on the nose.

The palate is round again, but with a crisp finish. This is riper than some of the Chablis of yesteryear, but it’s still identifiably Chablis – “typique”, as the locals would say. Even with global warming, this northern outpost of Burgundy is on the leaner side.

  • RRP: €21 down to €15 in the SuperValu French Wine Event (Thurs 4th Sept to Weds 24th Sept)
  • ABV: 12.5%
  • Source: sample
  • Stockists: SuperValu stores and supervalu.ie

Conclusion

In my opinion these two wines are of about the same quality and offer good value for money at their sale prices. I’d probably hesitate to buy the Chablis at it’s full price, but the Alchimie is a great little quaffer even at €15. At the offer price, I’d be emptying the shelves of the Alchimie!

 

 

 

 

 

Make Mine A Double

SuperValu French Wine Event 2025 (2) Party Fizz

As a dedicated wine geek with a serious interest in wine, I sometimes have to remind myself that some people – probably the majority of wine drinkers, in fact – don’t take wine as seriously. Many folk just like a glass of wine to relax or while having fun with friends.

It is in that spirit that I present two more wines from the 2025 SuperValu French Wine Event, both sparkling:

Louis Couturier Crémant de Bordeaux Brut Blanc NV

 

Louis Couturier Crémant de Bordeaux NV bottle shot

Bordeaux is one of the eight French wine regions that produce a Crémant, but these traditional method sparkling wines receive little publicity compared to the reds, or even the whites, of the region. Unlike many of the other Crémant AOCs, the permitted grape varieties are the same as those for still wines, with no exception made for Chardonnay which can be so useful for making fizz.

This example is made from 90% Merlot, the most widely planted black grape, with 10% Sémillon, the most widely planted white grape. Early removal from the Merlot skins ensures that this remains a white and not a rosé.

Just as Merlot is known for producing fruit-driven reds, so it is here in this Crémant; red cherries, strawberries and raspberries flow through the mid-palate, with a lemon edge provided by the Semillon. The 12 grams of residual sugar are on the high side for modern Crémants, but they reinforce the fruitiness.

This wine is not aimed at Champagne enthusiasts, but it would be great for Prosecco fans who want to try something a little more serious, but still very approachable and very drinkable.

  • RRP: €22 down to €15 in French wine sale
  • ABV: 12.0%
  • RS: 12.0 g/L
  • Source: sample
  • Stockists: SuperValu stores and supervalu.ie

Screaming Devil Bubbalicious Rose Spritz NV

Screaming Devil Bubbalicious Rosé Spritz bottle shot

Whereas the Crémant above is made during the traditional method, and the vast majority of Prosecco is made with the less expensive tank method, this bottle discloses no information on how the bubbles were produced. And that is fine! I suspect the bubbles might even be added by carbonation (a.k.a. the “soda stream method”). And that is also fine. Because the target market for this wine don’t give a hoot.*

So what is this wine? It’s an off-dry, lightly sparkling rosé. And it’s fun! And delicious! The palate is crammed full of cherries and strawberries, more than seems possible without throwing in a few actual fruits. The residual sugar isn’t mentioned, but given the calories per glass I reckon it’s somewhere around 11.5 g/L – and that sugar emphasizes the fruit rather than coming across as sugariness.

The screwcap makes it ideal for enjoying a glass or two then putting it back in the fridge.

  • RRP: €10 down to €8 in French wine sale
  • ABV: 10.0%
  • Source: sample
  • Stockists: SuperValu stores and supervalu.ie

Conclusion

The Louis Couturier is good value at the offer price of €15, though at the regular price of €22 I’d personally spend a little more and buy the Arthur Metz Crémant d’Alsace. For Prosecco drinkers looking to trade up to something a little more elegant then it really fits the bill.

At a regular price of €10 or offer price of €8 the Bubbalicious is well worth a punt. I’d share a picture of its lovely pink colour, but my bottle was finished too quickly!

* Just like Honey Badger – ask Randall

Single Bottle Review

SuperValu French Wine Event 2025 (1) Rémy Ferbras Vacqueras

It’s that time of year again, time for the SuperValu French Wine Event.

My friends at SuperValu sent me several wines to try, and this was my favourite by a margin, so it deserves a post all of its own.

Rémy Ferbras Vacqueras 2022

Remy Ferbras Vacqueyras bottle shot

Vacqueras is generally considered to be the third-ranked AOC of the Southern Rhône, behind the world famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape and then Gigondas. Living in the shadow of such an estimed neighbour might make it harded for vignerons to sell their wine, but it does represent good value for those drinkers in the know.

Red wines in the Rhône méridional are often blends of Grenache Noir, Syrah and Mourvèdre, known as a GSM blend for short. The percentage in each wine varies – and can be augmented by any of the appelations 18 (!) permitted varieties – but is often 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. The exact blend for this wine isn’t given, but as the grapes are mentioned in the GSM order we can assume that the assemblage is close to the usual.

Located at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail mountains, one of the most important topographical features of the Southern Rhône, the soils of Vacqueras are composed of clay and sand with rolled galet stones. Clay gives the wines power, sand gives smoothness and galet stones add power. Like many producers, Rémy Ferbras makes wines from a host of different AOCs, including big brother Châteauneuf-du-Pape (which is listed at €30 at SuperValu).

The grapes are harvested when fully ripe, then sorted to remove any unhealthy berries. After destemming, the grapes are crushed then vinified separately. Alcoholic fermentaiton is temperture controlled between 26°C and 28°C with 3 weeks of maceration. The young wines are then aged in a mixture of stainless steel tank, barrels and demi-muids. Grenache is not a fan of oxygen so my guess is that the Grenache is aged in steel and the other varieties are aged in wood. All the elements are blended together before bottling.

In the glass this Vacqueras looks vibrant, juicy and inviting. The nose is (unironically) intoxicating, warming and enticing. It shows deep black and red fruits (from the Grenache) with exotic spices from the Syrah.

The palate is rich, comforting and cosseting; velvet and heady, even hedonistic. There’s luscious, tangy fruit and some black olive notes coming in from the Mourvèdre, and just a little bit of vanilla from the partial fermentation in oak. There’s a natural aspect to this wine, though it’s not what you’d expect from a “natural wine”; more that it tastes like a wine made in a winery rather than a factory, which isn’t always the case at this price point.

Conclusion

This is SuperValu’s wine of the month, and that’s a great choice in my opinion. I think it’s a good buy at the regular price of €20, but at the promotional price of €10 it’s an absolute steal!

  • RRP: €20 down to €10 in the SuperValu French Wine Event (Thurs 4th Sept to Weds 24th Sept)
  • ABV: 14.5%
  • Source: sample
  • Stockists: SuperValu stores and supervalu.ie
Make Mine A Double

O’Briens Summer Sips (2) Juicy reds

After two fresh whites, now it’s time to look at a couple of juicy red wines in the O’Briens French wine sale:

Belles Eaux Gloriette Syrah 2022

wine label

Belles Eaux is another Languedoc producer bottled by Les Grands Chais de France (GCF). Whereas Château wines are AOC, those without the prefix are simpler varietal IGP wine.

For those not aware – and that group included myself until very recently – a Gloriette is an outdoor room, raised above its surroundings. Francophiles might twig that Gloriette is the diminutive of “Gloire”, an alternative word for “room” in French.

Syrah is an important grape in the Languedoc, though rarely seen as a single varietal – it’s often blended with Grenache, Mourvèdre, Carignan and Cinsault, among others. This is a clean, unoaked and fruit forward example. Given the ample 13.5% alcohol, one might think that this is a bold and weighty wine, but it’s actually more medium in heft, and a little lighter in colour than typical for the grape.

There’s fruit and spice here, but it’s red cherry rather than warmer climate Shiraz’s blackberry and black cherry. On a warm day this was a tasty and refreshing wine after being chilled for 30 minutes. If you’re not a rosé lover then this makes for a great outdoor alternative.

  • RRP: €14.95 down to €10.00 in French wine sale
  • ABV: 13.5%
  • Source: sample
  • Stockists: O’Briens stores and obrienswine.ie

Belles Eaux Mistral Merlot 2023

wine label

This Merlot is named after the Mistral wind which hits the Languedoc and Provence from the south. It’s somewhat bigger and bolder than it’s Syrah counterpart above – deeper in colour, a little higher in alcohol and more weighty. There’s even a little tannin on the finish which helps keeep the fruit from becoming too jammy.

Although obviously not suitable for Merlot-avoiders, this is a very quaffable wine that is enjoyable on its own or with hearty food…it’s barbecue season at the moment so worth buying while on offer.

  • RRP: €14.95 down to €10.00 in French wine sale
  • ABV: 14.0%
  • Source: sample
  • Stockists: O’Briens stores and obrienswine.ie

Conclusion

I really liked both of these wines, and I think they are worth the regular price tag. Choosing between them is a preference of style rather than a difference in quality. At the offer price I’d snap both of them up!


**Click here to see more posts in the Make Mine a Double Series**