In vino veritas - what wine are you drinking?

odyssey06 · 14-10-2022 5:45pm

Yeah I made a point this week to pick that up in LIDL.

In ALDI I got a Pinot Noir from Switzerland and a red from Lebanon.

https://groceries.aldi.ie/en-GB/ALDIIE/p-lebanese-red-bekaa-valley-75cl-specially-selected/4088600404745

Haven't opened any yet though!

Buddy97mm · 14-10-2022 9:20pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119745090#Comment_119745090

The Lebanese red is decent, they had it around this time last year. Hardly mainstream, not sure I've had too many Lebanese wines, but this was very enjoyable as I recall, and will be buying again.

The Nal · 15-10-2022 8:47am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119746126#Comment_119746126

Chateau Musar and Chateau Ksara have been around for a whiles in Ireland and both lovely. Musar quite overpriced though.

Very interesting production history though. Battles being stopped during the civil war to allow the trucks full of grapes to pass by etc

the beer revolu · 15-10-2022 9:27am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119747226#Comment_119747226

Messiah has been around quite a while, too. We had it as our red at our wedding in 2007

fmul9798 · 15-10-2022 12:45pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119744815#Comment_119744815

Thanks, picked up 2. Price on shelf was actually 16.99 but scanned at 13.99.

odyssey06 · 15-10-2022 1:29pm

Has anyone seen this red on shelves in Marks and Spencer here?

I had a look in Santry but they only have a very limited selection.

A wine from Israel - Recanti petit sirah.

https://www.internationalwinechallenge.com/canopy/beverage_details?wid=95342

odyssey06 · 15-10-2022 6:36pm

In M&S, I picked up Tangled Knot Lodi Zinfandel.

Bit of a disappointment for me. If I tasted it blind I would have thought it was Pinotage, tobacco and cigar and smoky flavours... I haven't tasted many other Zinfandels, but they didn't taste like this... I wonder if it could be something to do with wildfires in California. But I won't be going back for another bottle.

https://www.ocado.com/products/m-s-tangled-knot-zinfandel-529245011

odyssey06 · 18-10-2022 11:20am

Some picks from ALDI's Autumn Wine range

https://www.thesun.ie/fabulous/9580989/wine-expert-six-excellent-aldi-under-twelve-euro-sale/

MICKEYG · 21-10-2022 10:58am

Any chance of a list without clicking on that link. Sorry, just can't do it.

odyssey06 · 21-10-2022 11:03am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119774189#Comment_119774189

You're in luck, I'm on a desktop :)

Whites

Castellore Italian Verdicchio (ABV 12.5 per cent) €7.49

Castellore Ribolla Gialla (ABV 11.5 per cent) €7.49

Specially Selected Portuguese Encruzado (ABV 12.5 per cent) €11.99

Reds

Specially Selected Italian Aglianico (ABV 14.5 per cent) €9.99

Pierre Jaurant Costières de Nîmes (ABV 13.5 per cent) €8.99

Mimo Moutinho Portuguese Dão (ABV 12 per cent) €7.99

odyssey06 · 21-10-2022 2:41pm

Dunnes have Grahams Mini Port Selection 5 x 20ml for €12 ... nice stocking filler :)

This is the set.

https://www.portugalvineyards.com/en/tawny-port/4532-grahams-mini-selection-pack-5010867402423.html

The Nal · 24-10-2022 6:01pm

Enjoying the Aldi Gigondas

And the Valpol

GY A1 · 24-10-2022 7:29pm

How much is the gigondas

hows it going down

odyssey06 · 11-11-2022 7:20pm

Heard about this via the Supervalu bargains thread...

La Unica 4th edition - on offer at €20 reduced from €50. While I wouldn't be paying €50 for it, at €20 it is a steal. A lovely Spanish blend based around Tinta del Pais, Tempranillo and Tinta de Toro. Seems to be stocked in ex-Superquinns such as Sutton.

I also picked up Albert Glas Pinot Noir from Pfalz region in Germany at €10 down from €15.

Favourable review here...

https://frankstero.com/tag/la-unica/

Caranica · 15-11-2022 11:30pm

Joined the quarterly wine club with Sipster off licence in NI. The top white from the last box was definitely

Domaine Des 7 Lieus, Sauvignon Blanc, 2020, Touraine, Loire, France

"The aroma is packed full of soft fresh-fruit, tropical fruits, a little bramble, and citrus as well as some floral aromas. The palate is refreshing and light with citrus, grapefruit, and peach flavours, with a zingy lemon note. Nice length with some mineral character on the finish.

12% ALC, Vegetarian and Vegan Friendly, Organic"

I'm not usually a sauvignon drinker but this was interesting at first taste and then rather fabulous after that! I got a mixed box, must change my preference to all white for the next one, I've a fair few bottles of red.

deisedude · 21-11-2022 12:34pm

Hi all, recently switched to doing the weekly shop in Lidl from Aldi as its much closer to us.

We had a tried and trusted Pinot Grigio in Aldi but so far the bottles of wine in Lidl we have tried haven't been great so any recommendations for nice Sauvignon Blancs or Pinot Grigios in Lidl would be appreciated

odyssey06 · 21-11-2022 12:40pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119901049#Comment_119901049

The LIDL thread might be good place to enquire if you don't get any replies here - vinho verde being discussed unfavourably right now.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2057482448/lidl-recommendations/p87

deisedude · 21-11-2022 12:51pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119901080#Comment_119901080

Perfect, thanks for pointing me in the right direction

the beer revolu · 21-11-2022 4:37pm

Lidl have a very nice, inexpensive, Alsace Reisling.

odyssey06 · 23-11-2022 12:04pm

Interesting article on French wine consumption patterns:

Red wine consumption in France has dropped by a third in the past 10 years, according to French publication, RTL, whose recent investigation found wine drinking was down almost across the board.

"Never has there been so little wine sold in France," it said in report published on Thursday. "Consumers under 50 are down by six percent in the last 10 years, according to the Kantar Institute. Worse still if we look at red wine: the French have reduced their consumption by 32 percent compared to 2011."

Explanations abound. One is the generational difference, with wine consumption among retirees barely changed while the 18-35 year-old demographic is down by seven percent. Another is the "Two glasses a day and not every day" public health initiative, as well as the "explosion" of single-parent homes where "drinking alone is rare".

The red wine sector has clearly borne the brunt of the changes in consumption. Champagne remains in growth mode, according to an earlier report by the same publication, while consumption of sparkling wine generally hasn't budged. White and rosé wines have been broadly stable over the last five to six years.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2022/11/french-turn-their-backs-on-wine?rss=Y&utm_source=AfternoonBrief&utm_medium=newsletter

Buddy97mm · 23-11-2022 2:42pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119910453#Comment_119910453

Proud to be one of those bucking the trend.

Beanstalk · 23-11-2022 4:01pm

I can't unsee the suggestion that more are more people are drinking Champagne while fewer are drinking red wine.

Bawnmore · 04-12-2022 10:27pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119731830#Comment_119731830

Playing with the idea of buying 6 bottles of wine from this list as a Christmas gift for my parents (the wine of the year + white wine of the year + 4 of the other winners) - is it a safe enough route as a gift? I like the idea that they're all award winning wines. Any reason not to pick this way?

odyssey06 · 04-12-2022 10:30pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119957249#Comment_119957249

I think its a great idea and safe enough as a gift. I was half toying with a similar idea myself.

snowgal · 05-12-2022 11:21pm

Me too,, can’t go wrong if you know a wine drinker

mrm · 07-12-2022 12:52am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119862764#Comment_119862764

This offer is still on, if you can find stock.

Castlebar SV never seemed to stock/ restock the shelf but the price label remains on the shelf. But found some in SV Claremorris today. I nabbed 6 bottles. A few auld ladies spotted me, asked me about it and and took a few (left back whatever they had in hand when they saw the price reduction of this). Maybe some left but also may be worth asking in store if they have any more stock. Opened a bottle tonight, for research purposes...damn fine wine! Great value at €20.

Caquas · 07-12-2022 3:11pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119910453#Comment_119910453

Surprisingly, wine consumption per adult in Ireland fell in 2021 by 14% from 3.26 litres to 2.8 litres. But there was no change in the consumption breakdown between white (47%), red (45%) and rose (7%) last year.

There was a COVID lockdown effect i.e. we drank more wine during lockdown with wine sales in 2020 rising by 12% to over 10 million cases. But last year's decline brings wine sales back below the pre-COVID level.

https://www.drinksindustryireland.ie/wine-sales-down-9-last-year/

the beer revolu · 07-12-2022 3:20pm

Our alcohol consumption, generally, is on a downward trend since 2000.

Although, if you were to listen to anti alcohol zealots, you might imagine the opposite!

odyssey06 · 22-12-2022 6:59pm

Make it Big - Californian Pinot Noir.

One of those wines, you're surprised by the end of the dinner how much of the bottle has diseappeared...

A quaffable, juicy Pinot Noir. Perfect to pair with overcooked turkey :)

€15 from indies such as Grapevine Glasnevin

https://thegrapevinedublin.ie/products/make-it-big-pinot-noir

Black Sheep · 24-12-2022 8:54am

Two bottles of D'Arenberg Dead Arm for Christmas day and St Stephens Day ready for launch. It's pricy but goddammit it's good.

A Kopke 10 tawny for desert.

the beer revolu · 24-12-2022 11:38pm

Haven't had The Dead Arm in years!

Absolutely loved it at the time. As good as it was 15 odd years ago??

Black Sheep · 25-12-2022 9:27am

I don't know! Fifteen years ago I would have been disgusted to be offered wine if there was beer available.

Only had one previous bottle, and that was last year.

Black Sheep · 27-12-2022 8:43am

Last night... I used to drink mainly LBV if I bought port, but a factor in switching to tawny is that it keeps for several weeks.

the beer revolu · 27-12-2022 10:58pm

I much rather tawney, seems less sweet and more complex to me.

I didn't know there was a difference in its once open shelf life.

I can't help suspecting that the idea that port/sherry/vermouth spoiling once opened is overstated - particularly for the average palate.

Black Sheep · 28-12-2022 12:51am

It's not that LBVs suddenly become undrinkable after a couple of weeks, they just gradually lose vibrancy and just aren't very pleasant. I gather there are quicker deteriorating older ports but I've bought LBVs mainly.

If a tawny lasts an extra few weeks compared to an LBV in a fridge that's enough to take the pressure off us in terms of drinking it while its at its best.

Bawnmore · 03-01-2023 1:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119957249#Comment_119957249

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119957259#Comment_119957259

This went down a treat - they're making their way through them the last week or so and all good reviews. I thought there might be some bottles in there that weren't to their taste, but all good so far.

Buddy97mm · 18-02-2023 11:57pm

Supervalue is not a place I generally visit too frequently, but called there on Friday to avail of Three Swallows for €30. Browsed their wines and saw a very intriguing looking bottle of a wine called 200 gallons Reserva from Portugal. Never heard of it, but was quite taken with the blurb so bought a bottle for €10, allegedly reduced from €15 I think. Opened tonight and am really enjoying, very rich, silky opulent cherry, went down a treat with steak. Will be going back for a few more bottles.

Beanstalk · 22-02-2023 11:32am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120039578#Comment_120039578

I had a Ferreria Dawn Antonia tawny port opened about three and a half years ago and sprayed with Argon hiding in the back of my press which i reopened at Christmas and it tasted amazing. Love that argon spray stuff though its hard to get...

The Nal · 22-02-2023 11:38am

Any good Zin knocking around? Theres none in OBriens at the moment, which is crazy.

odyssey06 · 22-02-2023 11:52am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120274217#Comment_120274217

2020 can be tricky for California with smoke taint.

You could try Italian primitivo with is supposed to be same grape

https://thegrapevinedublin.ie/products/pasqua-primitivo-desire-lush-zin

odyssey06 · 07-03-2023 7:30pm

LIDL Vino Nobile de Montepulciano 2018, very nice Italian, not too much oak.

Think it was about €10-€12. If you see any bottles knocking around in the LIDL special bins, worth a try.

Black Sheep · 18-03-2023 9:10am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120274217#Comment_120274217

I'm very late to this but I'd suggest trying De Loach zinfandel. It's available in many of the indie off licences around the place... McHughs, Sweeney's, Clontarf Wines, Fallon & Byrne etc.

Lately I'm still drinking a lot of Australian shiraz, shiraz viognier, cabernet shiraz, cabernet sauvignon etc.

I like d'Arenberg Dead Arm if I'm full of money, and I have a bottle of that I'm saving for some special weekend, but in the meantime d'Arenberg The Footbolt is becoming a favourite... 15 euros in SuperValu, 3-4 euros cheaper than I've seen it in smaller off licences.

Splurged on a bottle of Cloudy Bay Te Koko for the missus for mothers' day. The ultimate safe purchase for her, I think.

limnam · 21-03-2023 10:36am

Not sure if this one has come up before.

It's often on the 20% off in Dunnes and comes in at that time at 11.20 and at that price it's an absolute bargain imo

Some really nice very well balanced fruit. Can be hard to find in some Dunnes when it's at the 20% off so I guess the secret is out somewhere

odyssey06 · 21-06-2023 9:21pm

In this heavy weather I enjoy a slightly chilled red.

An ordinary red 'plonk' from Bordeaux or Alicante Bouschet work well.

dmeehan · 07-07-2023 12:03pm

Now that there is a slight cooling in the weather I have gone back to drinking this Cote du Rhones Villages.

"A red made from 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah, aged for 12 months in barrel. This is a velvety-textured wine, with lively notes of peppery spice enlivening the core elements of black cherry, plum and liquorice. A fresh wine with a long finish and silky tannins."

https://www.thewinebuff.com/les-mas-des-flauzieres-seguret

Black Sheep · 09-07-2023 11:53am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120746648#Comment_120746648

It's quite normal to serve red slightly chilled in Portugal, Greece of course... When you're sitting at a patio table and someone serves you something that's not from a fridge it really stands out as soupy.

In Ireland we don't have the 30-40 degree summer heat, but I think serving it cool, if not cold, makes sense on a hot day. I'd do this even with a decent red.

Drank all Greek wine the past few weeks. They have some nice varietals (Malagousia for one) but it's hard to say Greek wine is on a par with, say, Italy or Portugal. It was a bit hit and miss.

the beer revolu · 10-07-2023 11:44am

But of a cork issue with this one.

Very nice, all the same.

limnam · 10-07-2023 12:14pm

‘Quona’ Chianti Rùfina Riserva 2018

I had forgotten to drop the wine fridge by a few degrees so had this warmer than I would have liked.

Fairly big Chianti at 15% which is unexpected as in the glass it's almost translucent.

Big rich mouthfeel and the alcohol is fairly hidden on the taste and finish.

Lots of very balanced winter fruits. In fact. I'm sorry I didn't keep it for a colder month.

20% off italy in curious wines at the moment so comes in still a bit saucy just over 27e

odyssey06 · 10-07-2023 6:07pm

I picked up a nice organic Bordeaux in the Dunnes organic wine sale - alas seems to finish today :(

GRAND VIN DE BORDEAUX CHÂTEAU ROC DE VILLEPREUX

Reduced from €11 to €8.50.

I was a bit worried when I first opened it, didn't get any 'nose', just a faint hint of vanilla. But after an hour or so it came to life, and even nicer the next day.

It is 14.5% so a small glass goes a long way. Good with food or on its own.

Well worth picking up again if similar offer or during their 20% off deals.

https://www.dunnesstoresgrocery.com/sm/delivery/rsid/258/product/grand-vin-de-bordeaux-chteau-roc-de-villepreux-75cl-100887887

limnam · 10-07-2023 7:11pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120831391#Comment_120831391

Have you tried https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120382243/#Comment_120382243 ?

Was wiped out again in my local Dunnes during the 20% off

In vino veritas - what wine are you drinking?

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