NEW TOP ACCOLADE FOR INVIVO X, SARAH JESSICA PARKER WINE AS SALES SOAR IN IRELAND

press release

NEW TOP ACCOLADE FOR INVIVO X, SARAH JESSICA PARKER WINE AS SALES SOAR IN IRELAND

And Just Like That... Award-winning wine brand Invivo X, Sarah Jessica Parker (SJP) is awarded a 92-point rating by global wine authority Wine Spectator, the third consecutive year the wine has received 90 points or more since its 2019 launch. Sarah Jessica Parker announced Invivo X, SJP’s highest score to date to her 7.7 million followers on Instagram recently, with the post clocking up more than 315,000 likes.

Wine Spectator editors review more than 15,000 wines each year in blind tastings and wines scored with 90-94 points are deemed ‘Outstanding: a wine of superior character and style’. The new 2021 vintage release of Invivo X, SJP Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand, has already been awarded 90 points by USA critic James Suckling, and comes hot off the heels of a successful second (2020) and first vintage (2019) release.

The Invivo X, SJP Sauvignon Blanc 2021 vintage is now widely available in Ireland including SuperValu & Centra Stores nationwide, selected Carryout stores and all good Independent Off Licenses. Sales of the award-winning drop have increased by 169% in volume from 2019 to 2021 in Ireland, as customers return to repeat purchase the wine due to its outstanding quality.

Invivo Cofounder Tim Lightbourne comments “To see the people of Ireland get behind Invivo X, SJP means the world to myself, my Cofounder Rob and Sarah Jessica. The community really got behind Invivo when we launched our Invivo brand back in 2008 and then Invivo X, SJP in 2019, and we’ve really enjoyed our visits to Ireland over the years. Together with Sarah Jessica, we’ve developed a style of Sauvignon Blanc

that is soft with a subtle oak influence. While it has some classic flavors of ripe citrus, tropical fruits, it has a hint of something savory that offers something different to the breadth of Sauvignon Blancs on the market. We’re looking forward to driving further growth of Invivo X, SJP and we will be releasing a whole new wine collection with Sarah Jessica later this year.”

Sarah Jessica is closely involved in developing her wines with her partners Tim Lightbourne and Rob Cameron, based in New Zealand, from blending to bottle and merchandise design, and even serving on the board of Invivo & Co. Giving back to the community is also important to the Invivo X, SJP team which

is why they partnered with FEED to provide 330,000 meals to school children in 2021 through FEED’s on- the-ground-giving partners. FEED is an impact-driven brand on a mission to create products that do a lot of good, founded by Lauren Bush Lauren. SJP Wines are distributed in Ireland by Barry & Fitzwilliam.

The Invivo X, SJP Sauvignon Blanc is offered at €18 RRP, and is available nationally at SuperValu & Centra, selected Carryout stores and all independent Off Licenses.

NEW. Graham Norton West Cork Marmalade Gin lands just in time for Christmas

press release

NEW Graham Norton West Cork Marmalade Gin lands just in time for Christmas

With his Own Irish and Own Pink GiN stacking up awards and accolades, Graham Norton has turned his attention to a taste of nostalgia to launch a brand-new variant, Graham Norton’s Own West Cork Marmalade GiN.

 

Available in store in SuperValu(RRP €39), the West Cork Marmalade GiN is carefully crafted in West Cork with Irish grains, locally sourced botanicals, and Spanish oranges. The perfect balance of premium Seville oranges and classic aromas of botanicals and is a refreshing surprise for all gin lovers. Dry in style, with a citrus twist of marmalade creates a refreshing drink that lingers on after the last drop.

 

On his newest addition, Graham says: “You’ve tried it on toast, now enjoy it as a toast! Spain’s famous Seville oranges give the best marmalade its unique citrus tang; now those same oranges take centre stage in my latest Irish GiN. Starting with Irish grains and locally foraged botanicals, this new variety is infused with marmalade made from premium Seville oranges and made in Ireland.”

 

SERVING SUGGESTION: Pour over ice with a premium tonic, with a twist of orange and a garnish of orange zest.

Sparkling or Still. SuperValu Have You Covered With Christmas Offers

Sparkling or Still. SuperValu Have You Covered With Christmas Offers

Instore from 9^th – 31^st Dec 2021

Check out some of the SuperValu Christmas Offers

Bubbles are always on the menu for festival celebrations Locally though, it is mostly  Champagne or Prosecco. But there’s some terrific Cava out there also so why money give the Spanish bubbles a try. Cava is a different distinctive under-rated sparkling wine, made using the same method as Champagne. You’ll find one in the Christmas offer from Supervalu. Gran Troya is the name and it is reduced to €12 ( from 26). 

With its citrus flavours blended with a delightful biscuit like finish, the pale gold Gran Troya is a terrific celebratory drink at an affordable price. Great for just sharing with family and friends. If you haven’t tried Cava before, this is an apt introduction. The grapes used are the traditional Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada “from our own vineyards”. Try with olives, grilled almonds. Serve at 6-8 degrees.

Winemaker Jon Usabiaga has developed quite a range of wines for Aresti in Chile. His Aresti Trisquel Sauvignon Blanc 10.70 (was 15.99) is typical, well made and very approachable and will keep your white wine drinkers happy before and during Christmas.

The palate is fresh and firm with a crisp acidity, leading to a lingering aftertaste. This is a perfectly balanced wine. It comes from a cool climate vineyard and is similar in style and quality to a good Marlborough, the fruit, the punchiness and the overall lushness, balanced by mouth-watering acidity.

Fleurie is perhaps the best loved and also one of the very best of the Beaujolais area’s ten crus.  I’m quite a Fleurie fan and always look forward to opening a bottle and this Andre Guichot Fleurie  (at 10.00 instead of 14.99) was no exception.

Made from the Gamay grape, it is mid to dark ruby in colour. Cherry scents are prominent when you nose it and on the palate it is deliciously fruity with a hint of spice and, importantly, a refreshing acidity that helps create harmony, right through to the finish. 

Medium bodied, it is soft and easy drinking, not a blockbuster or anywhere close to blockbusting, but it has character enough to pair well with a wide range of lighter dishes. The label recommends hard and soft cheeses and classic roasts, be it red or white meat. Worth a try also with spicy food. A very versatile partner at your festive table!

Sometimes an Australian winemaker, if he or she is hinting at more finesse in Shiraz, will call it by the French name Syrah. Not the case here and that, plus 12 months on oak, means so you can expect  a rich and full-bodied wine with no shortage of fruit flavours. No fiddling around here, one to drink and enjoy, just what you need when the Christmas conversation is into the higher decibels! The Nugan Shiraz has been reduced from €15.99 to 10.70.

6-pack offers include Campo Viejo Reserva(€96),Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc (€99), Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc (96), Santa Rita 120 Sauvignon Blanc  (€75) and Torres Sangre de Toro (€68.94). These pack offers are for one week only 16th - 22nd December.

Others to Note

The above are just a fraction of the wines in the Christmas offer. Here's few more and do keep an eye on the usual leaflets from SuperValu.

Bubbles:

Champagne Pierre Darcys Brut NV €20.00 (29.99)

Made in the traditional styled is it ideal as an aperitif or as an accompaniment to shellfish or smoked salmon. Best served chilled. While stocks last!

White:

Pouilly Fuisse Goichot 15.00 (22.99)

Elegant and full of charm, this aromatic white, is also quite versatile at the table and will go with with seafood, with white meat like veal or poultry, and goat cheese.

Red:

Looking out for another red? Then this Tour Baladoz St Emillon  Grand Cru €25.00 (39.99) is just the job. A very pleasant fruity wine indeed. Merlot is the main grape here with both Cabernets also in the mix, Franc at 20%, Sauvignon at 10%.

Colour is purple and the aromas are concentrated, ripe dark fruits plus fragrant floral notes. Full bodied for sure, sublime soft fruits with great balance, this well-rounded rich and splendid wine provides a beautiful lingering finish. One to take your time with, small sips recommended.

Clean, deep red. Nose of ripe cherries with notes of wild plums. Fleshy, firm mouthfeel with relatively polished tannins. A pleasant fruity wine.

I rest my Portuguese case!

Beautiful Barolo Among SuperValu’s Easter Stars

Beautiful Barolo Among SuperValu’s Easter Stars

The Ricossa Barolo (2015) is a stellar attraction in SuperValu’s Easter offering which sees dozens of wines on offer until April 14th.

The vintage of 2015 was very good. It followed a difficult 2014 and preceded an outstanding 2016 (watch out for that!). The label tells us that this Barolo is produced with Nebbiolo grapes grown in the eleven municipalities of the DOCG. Its great structure is ennobled by a 3 year maturation of which at least 2 years is in wooden barrels.

It has a mid to dark ruby colour. Aromas, a melange of cherries and red berries, are exquisite. On the palate it is quite hearty and concentrated but with an excellent acidity that helps bring a harmonious quality right through to the lengthy finish. There is a little tannic grip, you notice it, just about, on the lips. Reduced from €24.99 to €20.00.

Serve at 16 - 18 °C. It is very versatile at the table (avoid it with fish though) and you’ll find quite a few suggestions (including your Easter lamb) here.

Barolo is situated in the Italian region of Piedmont in the north-west corner of the country bordering France and Switzerland. The area is sandwiched between the Alps to the north and the Mediterranean to the south, resulting in warm summers and cool winters which result in elegant, beautifully balanced wines with long ageing potential as is well illustrated by this Ricossa.

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The Barolo is one of a handful of “Cracking Easter Wines” headlining the current offers until April 14th. If I had to pick just one more, I’d be getting the Lady de Mour (Margaux). This has a deep ruby colour. Red Berries on the nose, touch of vanilla too. Super-smooth blackcurrant,  elegant palate, terrific body and texture, harmony reigns between fruit and smooth tannin, persisting all the way to the impressive finalé. Impressive all round actually. Was €34.99, now €25.00.

Dozens of Wines on Offer!

Just flicking through the dozens of wines on offer Thursday 25th March – Wednesday 14th April 2021, and I spotted two from the highly respected Spanish wine family Torres, two that have on shelves around here for decades: Vina Sol and Sangre de Toro. This couple have stood the test of time and are down to just nine euro each in the offer. They were regulars in this house decades ago and I must get myself a couple for old time’s sake!

How about a few whites? Check out the Martin Codax Albariño (was 17.99, now 15). A lovely light gold is the colour. Aromas are intense - floral, fruity, herbaceous. No shortage of citrus-y fruits on the palate, quite a bracing acidity here and then that long minerally finish.  Ideal for those Atlantic shellfish. Then there’s a Chablis from André Guichot (was 19.99, now 15.00) and the well-known well-loved Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc (was 14.99, now 11.00). Look out also for reliable Chilean producers Cono Sur and Santa Rita.

Wines from Finca Labarca in Rioja feature regularly on the SuperValu shelves. The Pagos AEX is a favourite of customers and also of wine buyer Kevin O’Callaghan. This blockbuster, produced from some exceptional Tempranillo grapes,  is smooth and rounded, concentrated fruit, hints of spice and oak, fine tannins, and a persistent finish. Great with the beef! Reduced from 22.99 to 20.00.

The Barone Montalto Ammasso (was 18.99, now 15.00) is from Sicily and uses partially dried grapes, the method known here as Ammasso. The varieties blended in this gorgeous and complex wine are Nero d’Avola, Nerello Mascalese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon (two local, two international). The result is a rather plush wine and the finish is long. Go for it!

Nugan Estate Alfredo Dried Grape Shiraz (15.99 down to 12.00) is all the way from Australia and it too is made from partially dried grapes which give more flavour, more concentrated aromas. Great with cured meats, big steaks or your favourite pizza.

Remy Ferbras Vacqueyras. Wine of the month.

This Southern Rhone has a ruby red colour;  cherries stand out in the inviting mix of aromas. There is lively fruit and spices plus a hint of liquorice; it is full bodied and rounded. The village itself is small and tree lined. Indeed, when I called there a few years back, the canopy of leaves had the centre in deep shade in the early afternoon. Looked a bit unreal. Shade or no shade, this wine will be a friend to your table.  A friend to your wallet as well as it is now available at €12.00 (normal price 20.99).

More details on all SuperValu wines here.

 

Cheers . Beer, Wine, Spirits with Bertha's Revenge, Supervalu, Chateau Feely, Wines of the World, Lough Gill, Rascals

Cheers 210502

Beer, Wine, Spirits with Bertha's Revenge, Supervalu, Chateau Feely, Wines of the World, Lough Gill, Rascals

Bertha’s Revenge Navy Strength Gin

Ballyvolane House Spirits Company are delighted to introduce you to a new nautical member of our little herd Bertha’s Revenge Navy Strength Gin.  We have raised the ABV to a lip-pursing 57.1%, and have shuffled the botanical blend slightly to accentuate one or two of the more pronounced flavour notes.  The extra strength gives our merry crew of spices a megaphone through which to convey their message, which is as smooth and as well-balanced as you would expect from a cow riding at anchor.

Bertha’s Navy Strength gin tastes divine when sipped over ice.  She is also an excellent base to gin-forward cocktails, especially a Gimlet.

What is Navy Strength?  Britain historically boasted the largest and most powerful navy in the world and during the Napoleonic wars, more than a quarter of the Royal Navy’s 17,000 men were Irish including including one of Justin’s ancestors, Vice-Admiral Sylverius Moriarty who was born in 1735 at Ballyferriter on the Dingle Peninsula in Co. Kerry.  He was also one of the only Irish-speaking Vice-Admirals in the Royal Navy. More here.

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Meet the Special Guests at Supervalu's Spanish Wine Sale that begins 11th February.

Just a small selection of the many Spanish wines on offer.

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NATURAL APHRODISIACS: LOVE BOXES & VIRTUAL VALENTINE FUN

Natural aphrodisiacs are great for passion and for health. In this article you’ll discover some of these wonders, Chateau Feely’s Aphrodisiac Love Box, a love potion secret from Cleopatra, treats and wines to pair with them AND the Virtual Valentine Party to kick off your Valentine weekend with sizzle and laughter. Check out the Love Box here!

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Monthly Wine Subscription

Wines Of The World

 

You are one of the first in Ireland to know…

 

Our Monthly Wine Subscription now live on our website......Click here for more.

 

We are delighted to introduce our new Monthly Wine Subscription. The perfect subscription for you - The Wine Lover!

Our wine experts carefully select 6 delicious wines and send them to you each month.

These will include:

•            6 Wines (Mix of Red, White & Rosé)

•            Free Delivery Nationwide

•            Tasting Notes for each wine

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Lough Gill Have A Discount For You!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN 2020

10% DISCOUNT CODE: GOODBYEDRYJAN

As an independent, family-run craft brewery, your support is what keeps us alive and allows us to do what we love and we are very grateful. Thanks to you, we were able to continue creating exciting new beers in 2020. Use the above discount code at the checkout to receive 10% off your next order. This code is valid for until 14th February 2021.

Order here

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Rascals Got A Whole Lot Of Love. In A Box

If you’re looking for a St. Valentine’s Day gift that says ‘Hey, I decided to express my love for you through the medium of beers and chocolates’, well you’re not going to believe this, but we can sort you out! The Love Box is a collection of eight beautiful Rascals beers, sixteen beautiful chocolates, one sizzling hot love songs playlist and a beer-chocolate pairing guide. It’s yours for just €29.95 and we deliver nationwide. It’s the perfect gift for when you want to do that thing where you buy someone a gift but really you’re buying it for yourself too. Don’t pretend you’ve never done that! Buy The Love Box

€1 from every webshop order this month will be donated to our local National Council for The Blind shop. You can read more about the initiative here.

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This Portuguese’s A Good One In Latest Supervalu Offers. (21/1 to 10/2)

This Portuguese’s A Good One In Latest Supervalu Offers

Paço das Côrtes Friendship FADO Reserva (Vinho Regional Lisbon) 2018, 13.5%, €10.00 (21/1 to 10/2), was €13.76.

There’s a promise on the label: Every sensation will be more intense. 

The aromas certainly are intense, ripe red fruits plus a note or two of balsamic. And so it continues on the palate. Fruit is forward, welcomed by the eager taste buds, spice (perhaps from the Shiraz), smooth and warm as it makes its way to the persistent finish. A very pleasing wine and one that I always enjoy. Great value too by the way, especially during the offer period.

The blend of Tinta Roriz (40%), Alicante Bouschet (30), and Syrah (30) has been aged in oak for 4 months. Pairings suggested are Steak, red meat and cheese. Serve at 16 degrees.

They say: In cooperation with one of the most prestigious Portuguese Enologist, António Ventura (The Enologist of the Year 2006 and 2013), we have managed to create fine wines, with a modern style and excellent quality price relationship.

So, nice and satisfying with approachable ripe fruit, this ticks a lot of boxes and well worth looking out for on the SuperValu shelves. And, with that spectacular (trade-marked) label you should find it easily enough! 

Where did the name come from? Fado music is a form of Portuguese singing that is often associated with pubs, cafés and restaurants. It is often profoundly melancholic, a European form of the blues. 

Still, Fado and friends and a bottle of good wine make for a great night out. The colourful label shows a couple sharing a bottle of wine while listening to a Fado performer, perhaps singing of lost love or exile (there is a caravel sailing away in the distance), subjects familiar to an Irish audience.

If you're feeling flush, the Lady De Mour Margaux is tempting, now at €25 (was 34.43).  I enjoyed this last month. Super-smooth fruit,  elegant palate, terrific body and texture, with an  impressive finalé. Impressive all round actually.

There's another favourite of mine in the reduced list also and that's the Abellio Albarino  at ten euro (was 13.76).  The Spanish white, with its excellent aromas and flavours, is a terrific seafood wine. 

And There's More...21/1 to 10/2:

On January 21^st, Supervalu have a selection of 6 wines on offer at Better than Half Price: Canto Novo Pinot Grigio, Alterra Special Reserve Chardonnay, Alterra Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Willow Hill Chardonnay, Willow Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, and Gran Troya Cava Brut. That Cava could be a handy one for Valentine's, Night or Day!

NUGAN ESTATE ALFREDO DRIED GRAPE SHIRAZ takes over as Wine of the Month and is on offer at €12 (was €15.73). This wine is made from partially dried grapes which give more flavour, more concentrated aromas. “Plenty of oak, full flavour, acidity, juiciness, long finish, good balance, high in alcohol but no heat.” Great with cured meats, big steaks or your favourite pizza.

Offers from 21/1 to 10/2

Cheers 210111 -Wine, Beer, Spirits- Rascals, Supervalu, O'Briens Wine, Clonakilty Distillery, Blacks Brewery and Distillery

Cheers 210111

Wine, Beer, Spirits

Rascals, Supervalu, O'Briens Wine, Clonakilty Distillery, Local Enterprise Office, Blacks Brewery and Distillery, Wines of the World, Klaas de Jong

RASCALS: YOU BUY THE BEER, WE’LL MAKE THE DONATION

 

For every webshop order in January we’re donating €1 to The Irish Blue Cross. 

Less than a hundred feet from us here in Goldenbridge Estate, Inchicore, is the headquarters for The Irish Blue Cross. Pets need their help and they need your help! Due to COVID-19 government restrictions, their operations have changed significantly. The Irish Blue Cross is already extremely stretched due to the global pandemic and they are working around the clock to treat the tens of thousands of patients already on their files.

The Irish Blue Cross is an animal welfare charity with a practical and caring approach at the heart of their clinical work. The veterinary team provide information, support and education on how to be a responsible pet owner and ensure precious pets have a happy and healthy life.

More info here

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Supervalu's Current Wine Offers Focus on Organic and Vegan, also on Alcohol Free

Supervalu's first wine offer of the year focuses on a selection of Vegan wines plus a range of Low Alcohol wines for January. It is up and running and due to end on January 20th after which another tempting offer will kick in. Just remember that, just like O'Briens below, Loyalty points will not be earned on the purchase of alcohol products.

The WINE OF THE MONTH is GIGONDAS REMY FERBRAS 75cl at only €12, was €19.66. This excellent wine from the Lower Rhone grows on a rocky argillaceous limestone terroir, to allow the best expression of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. The classic vinification preserves the authenticity and elegance of this wine. To be served with roast lamb, game and casseroles, also perfect with mature cheese.

Rioja, with two from Finca Labarca and one by plus the La Maldita Garnacha, is well worth a try. I have my eye on the Abellio Albarino (now at €10.00 instead of 13.76). Made entirely from hand-harvested Albarino grapes, this Spanish wine, from the Rias Baixas area, has a mid-gold colour. Quite rich aromas of white fruit, apple and pear, and also peach. There is a striking refreshing minerality on the palate where the same fruit flavours shine through fresh and crisp.

The Albarino grape is a distinctive Northern Spanish variety. Its refreshing characteristics make it very versatile with fish and particularly with seafood. Often recommended for Asian also.

On the dry for January? Then help is at hand from two well-known producers. Torres feature with Naturo Muscat and Syrah while Freixenet have a Cava on offer, all non alcoholic.

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More info here

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Tour Experience Temporarily Closed   After a very different kind of Christmas to previous ones, we have entered in to 2021 with wishful thoughts and high hopes for a great new year.   Due to the most recent government guidelines we have temporarily closed our Visitor Experience, and distillery shop.   Our online shop still remains open, to purchase any gift vouchers or products.   We appreciate all your support and understanding during these uncertain times. We are looking forward to reopening again soon and welcoming you back.   Wishing you a happy and safe new year! ****** From: Local Enterprise Office South Cork Register here ****** Hopefully this post isn't too long for you guys, a hell of a lot happened in 2020! We also have a special offer on Spirits so im  going to put that in here first as these deals always sell out super fast. Once you have yours you can read this Annual wrap up at your leisure! All the news from Blacks + January specials here  ******

Happy New Year from Wines of the World!

 Wishing you all the best for 2021.

Two New Organic Wines by Michel Lynch.

 

We have two new organic wines available on Wines Of The World from the Bordeaux region of France supplied by our top French winery. The Michel Lynch Organic White and the Michel Lynch Organic Red. Click here for more details.

NEW! Complete Season WineMasters Spain now available!

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by Klaas de Jong. See free trailer here

A still (not a video!) from the series