Showing posts with label O'Briens Wine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label O'Briens Wine. Show all posts

Thursday, January 30, 2025

Montepulciano D’Abbruzzo. One of the quintessential wines of Italy, enjoyed throughout the country and the world

Revino “Postcards from Italy” Montepulciano D’Abbruzzo (DOC) 2020,  13.0% ABV

€15.95 at O’Briens Wine



“one of the quintessential wines of Italy, enjoyed throughout the country and the world, and made in several styles” 



Vibrant tarty cherries lead in the aromas and continue on the palate of this organic vegan-friendly wine from Abruzzo. Importers and sellers O’Briens Wine :“This delightful organic red is part of a range called Postcards from Italy, a great value offering which was created to celebrate Italian grape varieties.”  It covers the length and breadth of the boot, from North to South, and features landmark buildings on the front label, as this one does.


Abruzzo is a region renowned for bold and fruity Montepulciano wines. This is a deep ruby red and vibrantly fruited; the crunchy, Italian red is the ideal accompaniment for an array of rich-flavoured dishes and meats and also pairs very well with aged cheese (think Hegarty’s Templegall) and pizzas, of course. Serve at 17 degrees.


Wines from the grape have quite a history and some influential “fans”. According to the Greek historian Polybius, the wine made from this varietal was very appreciated by the famous Carthaginian commander of the 3rd Century BC, Hannibal, who apparently used to give it to his soldiers to restore their strength after battles. What other excuse do you need to try a glass? Bon courage!

Thursday, January 23, 2025

L'Arjolle Équilibre Zéro Blanc. Pair this non alcoholic wine with shellfish, crustaceans, fish, and fresh cheeses.

 L'Arjolle Équilibre Zéro Blanc (Viognier, Sauvignon), 0.0% ABV

€8.45 on offer (normal 9.45)  at O’Briens Wine


"pair with shellfish, crustaceans, fish, and fresh cheeses"


L'Arjolle Équilibre Zéro Blanc is a good-quality, aromatic, alcohol-free white wine from France. De-alcoholized sustainably, it retains vibrant fruit notes, especially exotic fruit, and is exuberant in the mouth. A blend of Viognier and Sauvignon, it is refreshing. The producers suggest pairing it with shellfish, crustaceans, fish, and fresh cheeses or as an aperitif.

It is a bright straw colour in the glass, with quiet fruity aromas. In the mouth, it is vibrant with exotic fruit (from the Viognier), while the Sauvignon lends it exuberance. It is surprisingly refreshing. More of a food wine than a simple aperitif, I think.

Non-alcoholic wine, beer, and spirit alternatives are gaining popularity. The quality of non-alcoholic wines has significantly improved, offering enjoyable options for red, white, and sparkling varieties.


Our L'Arjolle Équilibre Zéro Blanc is from Domaine de l’Arjolle in Pouzolles, France. It is de-alcoholised using the “sustainable vacuum evaporation method” . 


By placing the wine under vacuum, the boiling point of the alcohol is reduced (35°C instead of 80°C) “which allows the wine to be heated very little and therefore to keep the vast majority of the initial aromas. By this method, it is possible to dealcoholise the wine down to 0.0% vol, to respect their original qualities, and to offer a real alcohol-free drink.”


Non-alcoholic wines are certainly having a moment, and I got a taste (just!) of a pretty decent one at St Luke's Wine Tavern a few nights ago. The Ara Zero Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand (€7.50 a glass) was refreshing and certainly had some of the characteristics of a Marlborough SB.


Friday, January 17, 2025

On the Craft Trail with Brehon Brewery, Western Herd, Third Barrel and Eight Degrees

 On the Craft Trail with Brehon Brewery, Western Herd, Third Barrel and Eight Degrees

Eight Degrees Howling Gale Pale Ale 4.5% ABV, 440 cl can 

Like a smack around the gills 

when you're "clain lifting it" down Ballyhoura hills


I'm not the only one to rate this Pale Ale highly. Howling Gale was the first beer Eight Degrees ever brewed. We’ve all changed a lot since then but not this superb ale, their first, and it is still their most popular beer.


They add: “It’s like blitzing down the Ballyhouras on a bike with an icy wind in your face, this pale ale delivers a refreshing crisp smack around the gills.” Never came down those hills on a bike but I can certainly relate to the smack around the gills, especially with the refreshing finish.


It pours a pale golden colour into the glass, with a white head. And yes, you do get that citrus on the nose, along with pine notes. It is smooth and crisp with that modest whack of bitterness in the finish.

Eight Degrees, now happily restored as a team, got this right from the start. And, also from the get-go, they provided food pairing hints. “Try with fish and chips, smoked salmon or anything off the barbecue…. With a pleasant grapefruit citrus aroma from Cascade and Simcoe hops, it is a great match with spicy or fried food”.

Malt: Irish pale malt, Carapils, Munich, Cara
Hops: Nugget, Cascade, Simcoe



Brehon Red Right Hand Barley Wine 11.0% ABV, 500 ml bottle Bradleys


“gentle to drink, clean, mellow and smooth”

A gorgeous ruby red is the colour of out Barley Wine from Monaghan’s Brehon brewery. It is crowned with a coffee coloured soft head. Despite the high abv, It is a bourbon-aged beer, earthy and sweet. The bourbon influence is unmistakable but quite subtle here. It also has a very high abv, but nonetheless, it is gentle and easy to drink, clean, mellow and smooth. Like any good wine, it comes with a lingering finish, leaving the taste buds anticipating the next sip

Brehon have made a name for themselves with barrel-aged beers, beginning with their Crann Beatha barrel-aged stout. This Barley Wine is well up to standard and, by the way, is a terrific match with Christmas pudding, with the Dunnes Stores Simply Better Black Barrel Whiskey edition in particular. Yum on the double.


Speaking of their strong beers, be sure and look out for the super Oak & Mirrors Cask Aged Imperial Porter.

They say: The red right hand is symbolic of the historic clans of Ulster. It embodies strength, unity and character, just like our Bourbon Barrel Aged Barley Wine. 



Western Herd Blue Jumper IPA, 6.2% ABV, 440 ml can Matsons


Baptised by Fr Dougal!


The bright amber colour and all those little bubbles of this Western Herd IPA is quite a come-on. The beer’s name is a Father Ted reference.


There’s a citrus and tropical fruit presence in the aromatics and palate, plus a hint of pine and resin, even a little dankness as well. And that vibrant hoppy edge continues all the way. After all, as the brewery indicates, India Pale Ale, or IPA, is a bigger, hoppier version of a pale ale. 


This one certainly is and that background bitterness is with you right to the finish, quite a good finish as it happens, with the malts having a say in the outcome ensuring that it is not all about the hops. But make no mistake, this a hoppy beer, an old school IPA.


Inspired by Father Ted! Yep, the name Blue Jumper comes straight out of the classic Fr. Ted episode where Sr. Assumpta is re-introduced to Fr. Dougal. “You were wearing your blue jumper? Ah Sister Assumpta!” An icon of Irish comedy meets an icon of West Clare brewing.


 The Clare brewery has been in good form on social media in eecent weeks. Having explained the beer’s name, they have a question. Spot the Coastline? “The can design features the stunning Clare Coast line, an epic slice of the Atlantic coast that’s as refreshing as the beer inside. But which part of the coast features on the can?”. Not too sure myself, but I think it is from Liscannor Bay up to Black Head.



Geek Bits


Style Indian Pale Ale

Colour/Appearance Amber in appearance with a clean white head

Aroma Orange and other citrus, pine, and light peach

Flavour Candied orange and a background bitterness

Hops Citra, Idaho 7, Centennial

Malts Pale, Stout Mix, Caramunich I, CaraPils, White Wheat

Yeast LAX

Original Gravity 1.059

ABV 6.2%



Third Barrel Texture Like Sun American Brown Ale, 5.5% ABV, 440 ml can, Bradleys


“absolutely SLAMMABLE American style brown ale”



The colour is a deep red, rather than brown, with a soft off-white head. Caramel and chocolate are in the aromatics, and they are also found in the mouth along with citrus flavours from the Centennial hops, the only one used. Quite an interesting example from Third Barrel and Highly Recommended. The brewers are very happy with this one: “Complex yet absolutely SLAMMABLE American style brown ale.”

 


The history of this style dates back to U.S. homebrewers being inspired by English-style brown ales and porters. US Craft brewers then took it up; while inspired by the English, the Americans weren’t content to be just imitators and took the style in different directions.


One of the Brit beers that came under the US focus was the Samuel Smith Nut Brown Ale. This “was a huge influence on a generation of American craft brewers.. in 1983,” according to Jeff Alworth in the Beer Bible. American-style brown ales generally have evident low to medium hop flavour and aroma and medium to high hop bitterness.


Not many Brown Ales are being produced by Irish brewers, and most have been once-offs. Look out for examples from Ballykilcavan (Bambricks), Lough Gill (McNuttys), Lineman (Big Calm), and Outer Place (Silent Orbit). Samuel Smith is already mentioned but the first English Browne Ale to catch my attention was Newcastle Brown Ale, and that came in a generous 550cl bottle.






Friday, October 18, 2024

Altano Organic Red Douro. An appealing little beauty.

Altano Organic Red Douro (DOC) 2021, 13.5% ABV

€18.95 O’Briens


An appealing little beauty


This organic red wine is a beautiful, well-balanced wine with a deep

Thursday, August 8, 2024

Beer of the Week is O’Hara’s Irish Red Nitro, a terrific example of the style !

Beer of the Week

O’Hara’s Irish Red Nitro, 4.3% ABV, 400 ml can O’Briens Wine



Colour is one of the deepest ruby reds you are likely to see, and the head is off white and steady (especially after a robust pour!). Aromas come from the

Monday, July 1, 2024

A light-bodied charmer, perfect for a casual evening.

A light-bodied charmer, perfect for a casual evening.

Musella Valpolicella Superiore (DOC) 2020, 13% ABV

€21.95 O’Briens Wine


Forget that boring red juice – this Musella Valpolicella Superiore is here to shake things up!

Pour yourself a glass and check out the gorgeous ruby red colour – a touch deeper than the recent Monte Dall’ Ora Valpolicella Classico. Take a whiff, and you'll be greeted by a

Friday, June 28, 2024

Lunaria Coste di Moro Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. A wine more for conversation rather than contemplation!

Lunaria Coste di Moro Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (DOP) 2019, 14% ABV

€19.95 O’Briens Wine



a wine more for conversation rather than contemplation! 


There’s no seeing through the dark ruby red of this Montepulciano from Abruzzo. Red fruit on the nose. On the palate, it is soft and intense, slightly tannic with an

Thursday, May 23, 2024

Shake Up Your Summer with Mucchieto Soave: A Classic Italian with A New Attitude

“Mucchieto” Soave (DOC) 2022, 12.5% ABV

€16.95 (13.95) O’Briens Wines



Shake Up Your Summer with Mucchieto Soave: A Classic Italian with A New Attitude



Move over Pinot Grigio, there's a Soave comeback in town! This Mucchieto Soave (DOC) 2022 from O'Briens Wines  is an aromatic, light-bodied delight that's set to become your new summer go-to.

Sunshine in a Glass: 

This Soave

Monday, April 29, 2024

Highlighting a Lake Garda Gem: Guerrieri Rizzardi Cuvée XV Bardolino Classico

Guerrieri Rizzardi Cuvée XV Bardolino Classico (DOC) 2022, 13.5% ABV.

€15.95 O’Briens Wine 




Highlighting a Lake Garda Gem: Guerrieri Rizzardi Cuvée XV Bardolino Classico 2022

Escape to the picturesque shores of Lake Garda, Italy, with the Guerrieri Rizzardi Cuvée XV Bardolino Classico 2022. This delightful red hails from a region known for its stunning scenery and, of course, its delicious wines. While its neighbour, Valpolicella, may steal the spotlight, Bardolino offers a lighter, equally captivating red waiting to be discovered.

Crafted primarily from Corvina and Rondinella grapes, the lifeblood of Bardolino wines, this DOC Classico boasts a decades-long heritage.  Guerrieri Rizzardi's meticulous approach shines through, with grapes reaching the crusher within ten minutes of picking, maximising freshness – a cornerstone of Bardolino Classico.

Bardolino. Image by Tommy from Pixabay

A Feast for the Senses:

Expect a beautiful light ruby colour that sets the stage for an enticing bouquet of mixed red berries. The first sip unveils a delightful fruitiness, a wine light-bodied and approachable. Delicate tannins and bright acidity create a perfect balance, lingering pleasantly on the finish. Highly Recommended

This versatile red pairs beautifully with an array of lighter fare. Think vegetarian dishes, chicken, turkey, or a delectable charcuterie board.  Imagine enjoying a glass alongside a stunning lakeside view – pure Italian bliss!

A Budget-Friendly Delight:

At €15.95 at O’Briens Wine, the Guerrieri Rizzardi Cuvée XV Bardolino Classico offers exceptional value. So, next time you're seeking a refreshing red that won't break the bank, consider venturing beyond the usual suspects and exploring the charm of Bardolino. After all, sometimes the hidden gems offer the most delightful surprises. If you’re shopping for it and come across a rosé from the same area known as Chiaretto, don’t be shy! One of each, please!

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Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Drinking through some Portugal wine regions. Douro, Dão, Alentejo and Setubal.

Drinking through some Portugal wine regions. Douro, Dão, Alentejo and Setubal.

Portugal mini-series

Part IV (Vinho Verde, Lisboa and Alentejano).

Part III (Alentejo) 

Part 11 (Douro, Dão, Alentejo and Setubal.)  

Part 1 (Minho) 



Foot Trodden (2021), a recent book on Portuguese wine, covers these eight regions: Minho, Douro, Dao, Bairrada, Colares, Ribatejo, Alentejo and Madeira (home of one of the most age-worthy wines). Other regions noted are Algarve, Setubal, Beiras Interior, Tránsmontano, Bucelas, VR Lisbon and Carcavelos. This is part of an occasional focus on Portugal over the next month or two and I’ll try to get my hands on more of the country's wines. Thanks to O'Brien's for their help with this selection. Any tips or help will be most welcome!



Esporão Reserva Alentejo (DO) 2020, 14% ABV, €29.95  O’Briens Wine


Sparsely populated Alentejo, not as well known perhaps as the Douro or Dao, is a well regarded wine region in the east of Portugal and is where this multi grape blend, “typical of the best Alentejo wines”, comes from.  Colour is an intense ruby. Aromas are rich, of black fruit jam with toasty notes. Made with estate grown grapes, it has an intense rich character. Rich and complex with more black fruit, with spice, on the palate, tannins on the lips. Long and persistent finish.


Varieties used in this Esporão are: Alicante Bouschet, Aragonês, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz / Syrah, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Trincadeira. List may not be precise and may vary from year to year.


It has spent 12 months in American (60%) and French (40%) oak barrels. After bottling, at least another 4 months of aging in the bottle followed. Good match for roast and grilled red meats and stronger cheese. Very Highly Recommended.


Back to the current wine, the first wine made by Esporão in 1985. “A classic obtained exclusively from our organic grapes. The diversity of Herdade do Esporão, together with the different characteristics of the grape varieties, the soils, the maturity of the vines and the character of those who make this wine consistently over the years, results in a rich, intense but always harmonious wine.”


We are used to associating amphorae with wine in the likes of Georgia. These large clay vessels see wine rest on its pulp for long periods. Colour and flavour is enhanced and often the white wines produced are called orange wines. Alentejo is the home of amphorae in Portugal where they have a long history (since Roman times) and are called talha. As it happens Esporão make some wine by this method. See their short video here.


They say: Reflecting the characteristics of vineyards and carefully selected grape varieties, these wines are vinified in old clay amphorae (talhas as we call them in the Alentejo), using ancient local techniques brought to the Alentejo by the Romans. Using an artisanal process, and spurning the use of yeasts, we aim to produce natural wines that are straightforward, authentic and vibrant.


To read more about the history of the Talha in Alentejo (and the story of Portuguese wine in general) read the very informative Foot Trodden.





Setúbal with Península Das Vinhas Vinho Tinto (Vinho Regional Península De Setubal) 2021, 13.5% ABV,  €10.00 (down from €14.45) O’Briens Wine



This dry robust red from Setúbal, with its blue and white striped neck reminding me of a lighthouse, is a blend of a little of Alicante Bouschet and mostly of the local variety Castelão (that the World Wine Atlas says may be described as “warm-climate Pinot Noir”). 


Castelão’s reincarnation in the area in a lighter fresher style has led to it being widely planted in Setúbal where the sandy soils and plentiful sunshine suit it. According to the label, the Alicante Bouschet adds colour, body, black fruit fragrance and a hint of spice to Castelão’s fresher red fruit palate. Castleão is now a major red grape across Portugal's main areas of production, and used in a variety of wine colors, styles and blends.


The aromatics of our Tinto indicate ripe red fruit with a hint of smoke. And that rich fruit, now with a spicy spike, is part of full bodied tannic wine that has character enough to take on a host of dishes though Wine Searcher.com suggest hearty dishes such as Pork and Bean Soup or Mushroom risotto. “Grilled light meals such as grilled chicken thighs would also match well.” So bring it to the BBQ in the months ahead. Highly Recommended.


Made by Casa Ermelinda Freitas, a significant  family-owned established in the area in 1920 and run by successive generations of dynamic women, this is a supple, juicy red which may be enjoyed on its own or with a host of dishes. However, if you are lucky enough to have some Portuguese famous custard tarts at hand then the wine you need is the region’s famous Moscatel de Setúbal.


The Setúbal Peninsula is the Portuguese wine region immediately southeast of Lisbon, crossing the Tagus estuary. The terroir in the area ranges from the sandy coastal plains to the rugged, limestone-rich hills of the Serra Arribida.


I got my first taste of Setubal wines, and an indication of their quality and good value about ten years ago, when Maurice O’Mahony’s Wine Alliance imported quite a few to Ireland. The area has a long history of wine but only recently began making a name for itself abroad. More here 


Casa Ermelinda Freitas Vinhos was founded in 1920  and from the beginning made the quality of its vineyards and wines a top priority. The year of the company’s new beginning in wine making didn’t come 1997, when a red wine “Terras do Pó Tinto”, was the first to be produced and bottled on the premises of the Ermelinda Freitas winery.


Symington Altano Organic Douro (DOC) 2020, 13.5% ABV, €18.45 O’Briens Wine



The Douro is perhaps the best know of the Portuguese wine regions, mainly because if its historic connections with Port. And the Symington family are one of those old (originally) British families that were involved in the trade for no less than 130 years. But now, like quite a few other Port families, they are making more and more still wine.


The British love of Port goes back centuries, at least to the late 17th when it was used as a replacement for claret that the Brits couldn’t get their hands on due to war with France. And they fell in love with the fortified sweet wines.


Meanwhile, the locals were enjoying their own simple table wine, even the infants were drinking wine rather than water, according to the chapter on the Douro in Foot Trodden.


Back then, only the poorer grapes not wanted for Port were used for the local wine but it is a different story nowadays and the quality of Portuguese wines is rising all the time even if consumers don’t have the easy way of knowing the grapes as they do with mono-varietal wines from other countries, say Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand or Malbec from Argentina. But consumers are learning all the time and Portuguese wines are becoming widely appreciated.


The Douro Valley is a spectacular place and draws all kinds of tourists including of course wine lovers. As you know, much the same grapes are used for port as for still red wine. 


The grape varieties for our Altano are Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Touriga Nacional and Tinto Cão; it is one hundred percent organic. The advice is to serve it at 14 to 17 degrees centigrade. It is evidently ready for immediate consumption but “has the potential to continue developing favourably up to 6 years”.


Colour of this beautifully balanced organic red wine is a deep garnet. Scents of ripe red fruits are noted. On the palate it is fresh, smoothly intense, a sweet hint of smooth tannins and, with noticeably good acidity, is harmonious all the way through to a long finish. This elegant wine is Very Highly Recommended.



It has been and is a winner for the Symingtons whose expertise clearly shows in this gorgeous organic red.

.“For five generations we have combined our passion for producing premium ports and wines with a deep commitment to the region's land and people. Our family was amongst the pioneers of modern Douro wines. In the 1990s we began producing Douro DOC wines from the same vineyards and indigenous grape varieties that had always made great port. We released the first Altano red in 1999 and we haven't looked back. Today, the Altano range enjoys global distribution and the wines have received widespread recognition for their quality and distinctiveness.”


Dão


Fonte do Ouro Tinto Dão (DOC) 2020, 13.5% ABV, €17.25, O'Briens Wine 


Like many Portuguese wines, this is a blend. All three grapes used are popular in the region. The Alfrocheiro adds depth of colour, Touriga Nacional (with its expressive violet scent) is considered to be the country’s finest, while Jaen is the local name for the what the Spanish call Mencía. By the way, Touriga Nacional probably started “life” in the Dão, mostly a granite plateau with the eponymous river running through it.


Importers and distributors O’Brien’s: A delicious red, showcasing the quality of winemaking in the Dão region of Portugal. Aged for 6 months in French oak it is a blend of indigenous grapes: primarily Touriga Nacional. 


Dão is one of the oldest established wine regions of Portugal, located just south of the famous Douro Valley. The mountainous region is home to Touriga Nacional, the principle variety of port wine, and only became a DOC in 1990.


The region’s wine industry, for so long shackled by the dictator Salazar’s imposed cooperative system that rewarded quantity over quality, certainly needed the improvement in quality which has taken place in the last 30 years or so.

Ironically, Salazar himself had vines in the wild and rugged regiona and a string of coops were set up but the emphasis was always on quantity not quality. Even though Salazar departed in 1968 and the Carnation Revolution of six years later finally ended the influence of his policies and those of his like-minded successors, the Däo was in the doldrums until well into the 1990s when EU policy and its monetary help provided the kiss of life and the area began to put its reputation for producing what Jancis Robinson termed “some of the…. most uncharming wines in the world” behind it.


The top Dão wines are now some of the most highly rated in Europe, winning consistent praise on both sides of the Atlantic, says wine-searcher.com. “It is in the north of the country. It takes its name from the Dão river, along which the majority of the region's vineyards are located.” More praise from the World Atlas of Wine saying they are now “..far juicier, friendlier, more elegant wines”.


A government study in 2017 listed no fewer than 230 indigenous varieties in Portugal and, according to the marvellous Foot Trodden, there are many many more yet to be identified. No wonder there are so many blends in the country.


Our blend has a dark ruby colour. Fairly rich aromas of blackberry, dark cherry and plum. There’s a great mix of the fruit flavours on the palate, with a touch of spice, smooth with elegant tannins and a very satisfying and persistent finish. This supple and fresh wine, full of vitality, has spent six months in oak and should be served at 16 to 18 degrees and will go well with red meats. 


Full of Dão character and Very Highly Recommended as is the book Foot Trodden!.


Sociedade Agrícola Boas Quintas, born in 1991, was part of the revival. It all began when Nuno Cancela de Abreu, representative of the 4th generation of a family with farming and winemaking tradition of more than 130 years, decided to devote all of his experience and all of his knowledge in viticulture and oenology, to the service of the project that would allow him to create high quality wines, full of character and personality. See more here.


Boas Quintas also make an excellent Fonte do Ouro white, a blend of Arinto and Encruzado, more details here