WINES FOR THE TURKEY (and the pudding!).

 WINE MATCH FOR THE TURKEY

(Not forgetting the pudding)

Anxious about getting the correct wine match for your Christmas turkey? No need. Don’t worry too much about red or white. Most, unless they are sweet, will do the trick. Been reading up on the subject the last week or so and it looks as if the most popular red match is Pinot Noir while Pinot Grigio or Gris tops the white.

That was from the net but I also made contact with some real people, local wine people who have the wines in the shops or online for you, and their suggestions follow.

Classic Drinks are based in Little Island, just down the road from me, and Steve Dwyer has these hints: “For turkey – try Rioja – Zuazo Gaston Rioja (Alvesa) Joven €10.99 or Petalos – from Alvaro Palacios in Bierzo Spain €19.99. On the white side, try Spirit Hawk Chardonnay – from Rutherford in California €10.99 or Oveja Negra Chardonnay Viognier from Maule Valley in Chile €10.99.”

And he had a beauty for the pudding: “For desert – Sweet Agnes Ice Wine – from Seifried family in Nelson, NZ –375ml €19.99 spectacular with cheese (Decanter Trophy Winner 4^th time in a row) or El Candido PX Sherry from Spain – 750ml €29.99 / 375ml €13.99.”

All these are available from independents including Pinecroft in Grange, Brian Barry, Midleton, O'Driscoll's, Ballinlough, Bramley Lodge, Fota – Ovjea Negra and Zuazo Garton Rioja are also available in Carryouts Nationwide.

Got in touch with Emily at Karwig Wines and their Red tips were New Zealand Bilancia Pinot Noir (18.76) and, from France, Chatelard Beaujolais Village (10.99). The Whites recommended were Italy’s Concilio Pinot Grigio Mas Gua (part of gift pack), Germany’s Erbeldinger Weisser Burgunder Spatlese Trocken (12.50) and South Africa’s Kaapzicht Chenin Blanc (9.60).

Karwig's Fizz 

For pudding: Australia’s Pfeiffer Rutherglen Muscat (17.51 a half bottle). Kariwg wines may be ordered online or at their place in Carrigaline. 

Curious Matt

Curious Wines were just after a hectic Fair on Saturday but Matt unhesitatingly came up with these tips: “Pinot Noir serves as a good foil for the turkey. The Ned Pinot Noir (15.99) would be my first choice and if you wanted to go high end, try the Greenhough Hope Pinot Noir. (32.00).  Chateauneuf du Pape is another popular choice as there are so many flavours on the Christmas dinner plate. Chante Cigale (28.00) is the real deal, not just another generic wine with 'Chateauneuf' on the bottle for the sake of it.

For the sticky, the PX Sherry (30.00 for 50cl) is fantastic. Very sweet, it went down really well on Saturday, as did Woodstock's 20 year old fortified which I have yet to put on the site.” Curious have an unmissable green base near Smyths Toys at the Kinsale Road roundabout and also operate online.

Gary Gubbins of Tipperary’s Red Nose Wine took some time out to make these recommendations. “I personally think Pinot Noir is a great one for turkey. French are the best but they are also expensive. New Zealand is a good alternative. Here are a couple of good ones.

 NZ Pinot  (16.00)  and French Pinot  (54.00) - if you want to spoil yourself then this is simply superb.- 

“For white, try something like Pinot Gris or Chardonnay. For something different, try Domaine des Anges “Archange” white  (20.00).

 Red Nose operate out of the Clonmel Business Park and also online.

Wine Alliance  have Christmas well covered, according to Maurice O’Mahony. “Either the white or the red in the Mas de Vigneron will prove a good choice. Or why not try one of the Shirazes from the Kangarilla Road winery: either the Kangarilla Road Leaf Series Shiraz (15.99) or the 2Up (11.99).”

“Many people prefer white and I would recommend the Semillon Sauvignon Blanc (15.99) by Wines by Brad. If you have a few occasional wine drinkers in the group than why not try the Pinot Grigio (9.49) by Adria. This is fairly neutral, matches well and is keenly priced.”

“Turkey is often served cold later in the holiday and here you couldn't do better than pull out one or both of the Rojo Mojos, one Shiraz, the other Tempranillo, each 8.99. Both are light, soft and fruity and will go brilliantly with the cold meat!” 

Wine Alliance Stockists include 1601 Off Licence, Kinsale Cork; Bradleys Off Licence, North Main Street Cork; JJ O’Driscoll’s, Ballinlough, Cork; Barrys, Midleton, Cork; The Beer Garden, Turners Cross, Cork; Cases Wine Warehouse, Galway; Mortons of Galway, Salthill, Galway; World Wide Wines, Dunmore Road, Waterford; On The Grapevine, Dalkey, Dublin; Hollands of Bray, Bray, Wicklow; Der O’Sullivan, The Mall, Tralee, Co. Kerry; French Flair, Tralee, Co. Kerry; Partridges, Gorey, Wexford; Red Nose Wines, Clonmel, Co Tipperary; Foleys Wine Cellar, Cashel, Co. Tipperary.

What will I be drinking on Christmas Day? Not sure yet but probably a Semillon Sauvignon Blanc from the Bergerac AOC , Montravel, and I’m inclined to try the Brown Brothers Tarrango from Australia or perhaps a Beaujolais Nouveau or Villages. I have no Monbazillac left for the pud so I be buying from the list above.

There could be an argument about what to drink with the cold meat. One of us is strong on the Rojo Mojo Shiraz while the other favours the Tempranillo. Better get both, I suppose!

Hope the suggestions above help you this Christmas and, wine or no wine, I hope you and yours enjoy the festive break. And the best of cheer too to the wine professionals who helped with this post. I know it is a busy time for you and I appreciate the efforts.

BLAKE'S FESTIVE FIFTY

A guest post by Blake Creedon........

Blake’s Favourite Fifty Australians

My blog and my column in the Irish Examiner can never provide what they set out to inspire — namely, the pleasure of a glass of fine wine in good company.

So I was delighted to accept an opportunity offered to me by John McDonnell of Wine Australia Ireland earlier this summer.  They’ve given me free rein to pick a few dozen of my favourite wines from Australia, regardless of price, styles or retailer. In return, they’d provide the wine and the venue for a one-off wine-tasting evening, namely…

The list I’ve put together is a mouth-watering range of reds, whites, rosés, sparkling and dessert wines.  And, for once, instead of talking at you about how good a particular wine is, we’re  going to be bringing you the wine live and in 3-D.

Wednesday, December 1, from 6pm to 8.30pm
at Cork School of Music, Union Quay. 
Tickets are €20.
Booking (via Wine Australia Ireland on 065 7077264) is advisable.

The beautiful Cork School of Music - an inspirational venue.

For the price of a round of drinks, it promises to be a fun evening of tasting (and drinking) fifty top-class wines. We’ll be opening every one of them and serving them on the night along with some tasty bites of grub.

The practical side of the evening is represented by the brochure that everyone attending will get. This details each wine, its recommended retail price, and a  list of stockists — making it a handy shopping list if you’re inspired by any of the wines you encounter at the event.

One unusual aspect of the tasting is that the wines are drawn from right across the trade. We’ve been working with 19 Irish wine importers from well-established names (such as Findlater’s, and Barry & Fitzwilliam) to bright young firms like Classic Drinks who are also based in Cork.

All the wines are available to buy in Ireland, and the list of stockists spans a wide range of retailers from online wine stores and wine specialists such as Bubble Brothers, Curious Wines and O’Donovans, through to supermarkets and independent off-licences.

Another pretty cool aspect of the whole thing is the venue, the award-winning Cork School Of Music on Union Quay, designed by Murray O’Laoire architects and opened in 2007. 

This modern, elegant building is a great setting for any event, and I’m delighted we’re holding the tasting there. And there’s more. The School of Music  wouldn’t have been built without a long campaign waged by parents,  students and teachers and their trade unions. In uncertain times, it’s good to remember that with such spirit and effort,  ordinary people can create something so positive for our city. ♦

THE PIZZA CHALLENGE

WHEN IN ROMA...

A few months back, Adam Baker of Roma supplied quite a lot of food bloggers with Roma Pizza and Pasta Flour.

Unfortunately it got side-lined here until relatively recently. But we were delighted when we tackled it. Not just us. There are a few pizza eating twenty somethings around the house and they instantly spotted the difference. This homemade one (mozzarella and salami) was so much tastier.

Fairly easy to do and the results are excellent. Definitely worth a try. The flour is widely available as are a whole range of Roma products.

Whether you take up the pizza (or pasta) making challenge or not, be sure and take a look at the Roma Website at http://www.roma.ie Two cooks are featured here: Catherine Fulvio (well known to most of you) and Gianluca Pardini.

There are loads of recipes. Pasta and Pizza feature of course but there is so much more. The first one I saw was Fillet of Haddock with Patatas Bravas. There is a huge choice and quite a few videos, mainly featuring Catherine, including one where she does one of my favourites: Chicken Cacciatore

KANGARILLA ROAD ACES

KANGARILLA ROAD ACES

Kangarilla Road is the main road running past the vineyard towards the small village of Kangarilla; the name, a derivation of the local Aboriginal language, refers to the abundance of resources locally. And the O’Brien owned Kangarilla Road Winery is using those resources well and sending out some marvellous wines.

One of the partners is strong in PR and so there is bound to be, and there is, a bit of spin about the winery products but much more importantly there is a whole lot of quality emerging from the McLaren Vale enterprise. Enjoyed a couple recently, both imported here by Wine Alliance of Galway.

The 2008 Shiraz has an ABV of 14.5% and costs €15.99. It is a deep red colour with aromas of black (mainly plum) fruit. It is fruity on the palate, dark cherries to the fore. Spice is present, but pleasantly restrained, and the tannins are soft; it is well balanced with a smooth lingering finish. A serious player.

Apparently, there is a cheeky chappie called Charlie on the Kangarilla property. They say the Shiraz (75%) and Cab Sauv (25%) blend is named for him. Aside from blending the different grapes varieties, there are some four growing regions, all with different characteristics, involved.

Still, it is the result of the mixes that counts and here Kangarilla (and Wine Alliance of course) are on to yet another winner and at a very decent price. ABV is 14%. It has a fruity nose and the colour is crimson. In the mouth, this well-balanced wine – the tannins play their expected part - is smooth and fruity with hints of oak and lovely non-spiky spices. Nice one Charlie!

Kangarilla Road Shiraz 2008, 14.5%, €15.99, McLaren Vale (Aus.), PR: 90

Kangarilla Road Charlies Blend Shiraz Cabernet 2008, 14%, €11.99, McLaren Vale (Aus.),  PR: 85

THANKSGIVING AT THE CORNSTORE

Mary Murphy and Gertrude O'Brien from Rochestown
All photos by Ger McCarthy

THE CORNSTORE CORK CELEBRATES THANKSGIVING

The Cornstore, one of Cork’s culinary hotspots, has turned the delightful American tradition of Thanksgiving into an annual event in the Coal Quay and last Thursday the traditional Thanksgiving menu was given a delicious contemporary twist.

The Lord Mayor of Cork was represented by Cllr John Kelleher and a number of food writers and bloggers were in attendance, keen to sample Head Chef Mike Ryan’s outstanding menu that was hugely popular with diners.

Tim Clifford, Ballincollig, and Martina O'Donoghue, C103 FM

Starters included Quail terrine with a marinated boiled quail egg and spiced plum and grape chutney, Roast orange sweet potato soup with nutmeg froth or Flaked organic hand cured salmon (my choice), cherry tomato, avocado salad with lime and coriander dressing.  

This was followed by free range East Ferry roast turkey roulade wrapped in Kanturk pancetta, chestnut, prune, apricot and parsley with confit of the leg rissole and port jus. I thoroughly enjoyed that plateful.

Simon Whelband, Clonakilty and Clair McSweeney, Blackrock Castle Observatory

And all around me, diners were tucking into the turkey plus the other main dishes: Sea Bass with pumpkin fritters, okra grilled baby corn and carrot, orange and cardamom emulsion or Forest mushroom, toasted nuts and brown bread dumpling with roast crisp parsnips wilted spinach and clove cream sauce. All mains were served with creamed potato, red cabbage, braised carrots and Brussels sprouts.

Donna and Audrey Russell from Blackrock 

There were a number of mouth-watering desserts on the menu, including baked spiced pumpkin cheesecake with caramel ice cream, or Pecan nut, pear and Crozier blue cheese tart with local double cream.

Collette O'Connor, Manager, Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr. John Kelleher and Imelda Power

My choice here was Brandied cherry and apple wrapped with puff pastry and served with whipped cream and it was absolutely gorgeous and I hope it becomes a regular on the Cornstore menu.

A special selection of cocktails embodied the spirit of the occasion, created by Mario Falb, award winning mixologist at The Cornstore. These included a delicious Ginger pumpkin martini and Spiced apple martinis. Special house wines for the meal included Spirit Hawk Californian Pinot Grigio and Cabernet Sauvignon.

According to Head Chef, Mike Ryan, “Our Thanksgiving Dinner was aimed at families and friends. We are also very grateful to our loyal customer base during these very difficult times. We really appreciate their continued support,” he adds.

The Cornstore is now accepting bookings for Christmas parties and December dining. Please call 021 427 4777 to make a reservation or book online at www.cornstorecork.com.

ABANDONED IRELAND AT THE VISION CENTRE

Can’t get away from the wine. Came across a good story while visiting the Abandoned Ireland exhibition www.abandonedIreland.com in the Cork Vision Centre at the weekend. In one of the big houses, Doonass, the gardai moved in to confiscate some 1400 bottles of German wine. This was during the building of the Ardnacrusha Hydro-electric scheme.

Wikipedia: In 1924-25 the new Irish Free State's Minister for Industry and Commerce Patrick McGilligan commissioned the engineer Dr. Thomas McLoughlin to submit proposals. Dr McLoughlin had started working for Siemens-Schuckert, a large German engineering firm, in late 1922, and produced a scheme that would cost £5.2m. This caused considerable political controversy as the new state's entire budget in 1925 was £25m, but it was accepted.

Back to the wine. The bottles, worth £700, were seized and the house steward, who had been doing a roaring “duty-free” trade with German workers on the site and apparently with others, was fined ten pounds.  Is this idea for another video by Grapes of Sloth? read more....

THE WEEKEND CATCH

Award winner: Mahon Point Farmers Market

A bumper Weekend Catch, fresh from the Net.

THE WEEKEND CATCH 

Restaurant Wine & Food Scene

via Twitter & Facebook

Control and click to follow the links and find out more.

Ballyhoura Ballyhoura Fáilte  by deshocks Congratulations to Ballyhoura Apple Farm who won double silver for their Original Mulled Apple juice... http://fb.me/LEaktXjy

Robert Roberts coffee Diamonds from Tiffanys off the menu this year. Looking for a gift that will last longer than Wagner and that will mean more than an iron or socks...have a look at our coffeee connnoisseur club....

Food Safety Authority of Ireland There has been a lot of discussion recently about drinking raw milk. Our CEO, Alan Reilly was on Ear to the Ground last night taking part in the ‘raw milk debate’. Attached is the link to the show: http://www.rte.ie/player/#v=1084906 If you want more info on unpasteurised milk, click here: http://bit.ly/a0iRTN

DiscoveringCork Peter Conway Christmas craft & food fair. @Ballymaloehouse this weekend. Don't miss it. Smell those mince pies!!

The Bulman Kinsale PUT SOME SPICE INTO YOUR WINTER ON SATURDAY WITH A CARIBBEAN NIGHT !!!!! 8:30 HOTTEST REGGAE TUNES !!!!! KARMA PARKING !!!!
AUTTENTIC WEST INDIAN FOOD 10 EUROS A PLATE ( PROCEEDS GO TO HAITI FUND)

Liberty Grill Our new Brunch/Lunch specials for November now posted up on http://www.libertygrill.ie/facebook

Wine Alliance

Interview with Kevin O’Brien of Kangarilla Road

No.5 Fenns Quay Restaurant It's back due to popular demand!! Our sinful and delectable Flourless Chocolate pudding served with a wonderful Baileys ice cream. Heaven on a plate :)

It's the most wonderful time of the year..... http://www.hayfieldmanor.ie/specialoffers?oid=215&f=AC-5962-11130989-168478

Nash19Cork Nash19 Ho Ho Ho. Open Saturday 27th November and all the following Saturday till Christmas. 8.30 am to 4.30pm Food Shop till 5pm

Bordbia Bord Bia Anyone in need of comforting, sometimes you just need a choc hug :) Our recipe for Choc pots with nutty biscuits :) http://bit.ly/cAObPC

Red Nose Wine Jane Boyce MW tastes Domaine des Anges 2006 'archange' at recent Tipperary Food Producers evening http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lm1RR3KTd-0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Nash 19 Best of luck to our fantastic fish suppliers Kay O Connells, in the Cork Business Associations Award this Saturday night. Kay O'Connell's

Jacobs Onthemall Calling all office parties, we are serving Christmas Lunch 15/16/17/20/21/22/23/24th December 12.30PM-2.30PM
Check out jacobsonthemall.com for menu samples etc

Nautilus restaurant Need some comfort on those cold windy nights? Why not visit us for a Savoyarde cheese fondue? the perfect winter food.

kinvara_salmon Kinvara Salmon Kinvara Smoked Salmon recommendation  http://bit.ly/buyJh2

Vote for Your Cook Book of the Year (and other categories, if you wish): http://www.irishbookawards.ie/PublicVote.aspx

JustEatIreland Just-Eat.ie We're giving away 2 VIP tickets to the Taste of Christmas on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/JustEatIreland

Uvinum in English Learning to smell a wine

Control and click to follow the links and find out more.

We search the net, via Twitter and Facebook, each Thursday evening and early Friday morning, for the latest from the Cork restaurant and bar scene. If you don't have either of the above, reach us atcork.billy@gmail.com. Deadline 9.00am Friday.

O'DONOVAN'S WINE FAIR

Greenlea's Mark McCloskey.

O’DONOVAN’S WINE FAIR

Well done to O’Donovan’s on giving the ticket proceeds from Thursday’s Wine Fair in the Clarion to charity. That is the first thing to mention. The second is that I’m very sorry that I had to leave early as it looked like developing into a lovely evening.

Still didn't do too badly during my quick visit, meeting some old friends including deputy Lord Mayor John Kelleher (who opened the show), Len Speight, ace photographer Larry Hickey, and Wine Australia’s ace in Ireland Johnny McDonnell.

This is some show: 29 stands no less with 25 of them offering tastings of wine, beer and spirits. Cork Simon Community, who were benefitting from the event, had a stand as did On the Pig’s Back who were supplying the nibbles.

Decided to confine myself to a couple of stands and the first door I knocked on was answered by a  smiling Mark McCloskey of Greenlea Wines (part of the Boyne Valley Group). Concentrated on his Tempranillo and found myself a minor gem in Tochuelo Temp Selecction 2008.

Had started with an easy drinking Tochuelo Temp Garnacha 2008 but the second one, I thought was much better, smoother and more of it in the mouth, and a good example of the favourite Spanish grape. Moved up the scale slightly then with Camparron Novum Red, another Tempranillo, but sold as Tinta de Toro and, after that, a Camparron Crianza (€9.99) but neither knocked the first mentioned, selling at €7.99, off its perch.

O’Donovan’s recommend three wines from their extensive list to go with the Christmas turkey: Antares Merlot (Chile), Brown Bros Tarrango (Aus.) and the Y Series Shiraz Viognier (). I’d be tipping the Tarrango there.

After the turkey, the pudding, and here Greenlea's Mark came up with a sweet surprise for me. A Spanish Barbadillo Sticky Pudding Wine (€8.99 for 37.5cl). This is made from the famous PX and the branding is to draw the younger crowd but it is one that the silver sippers might also like.

I then made my way to the Searsons stand to check where I might find the South African Springfield Estate wines and was delighted to hear that O’Donovan’s stock them. While at Searsons, I tried  a quartet of their reds and not a dud amongst them.

First up was the Argentinean Finca la Linda Malbec 2008 (€9.99). Intense fruit and tannins enough with a lingering finish. Quite a decent wine for the price. Staying in South America, I essayed the Botalcura El Delirio Syrah Malbec 2008 (€11.99). Juicy with loads of blackberry and the necessary quota of tannins. The notes say “an unbelievably popular good-time wine”. No argument from me.

Moving on up the scale to €14.99 for the Luigi Bosca Pinot Noir Reserva 2008 from Argentina. A great nose, length and well balanced. Maybe not your typical Pinot Noir but tannins enough and a perfect finish. Worth a try for sure.

Kept the best 'til last. The Diemersfontein Estate Pinotage 2009 from South Africa sells at €18.99. This has a fantastic nose of coffee and toasted  nuts and continues through to the palate. Again the tannins play their part and it is so easy to drink. Quite  a wine. Something else again. Maybe something to give someone who says he or she doesn't like wine. Maybe not. Keep it for yourself!

Really sorry I had to go at that point but will be trying to ensure there is no clash next year! In any event, O’Donovan's have shops all over town.

ALL THE BOYS WOULD STAY AT HOME

IF WE ONLY HAD OLD IRELAND OVER HERE

It would be nice to be over there now, over by Adelaide and the McLaren Vale and sipping some of that 2UP Shiraz in the sun.

But stop dreaming. You can do that right here, thanks to Wine Alliance who has added this smashing Kangarilla Road 2008 to their range. Okay, you won't have the Aussie summer sunshine here in November but €11.99 will buy you some of it from two years back.

This South Australian beauty has seen maturation on oak for 12 months and has an ABV of 14%. The smell is fruity, mainly plum, and the colour an inviting ruby.

In the mouth it is juicy, fruity and moreish. It is smooth and full bodied with restrained spice and the finish is long with fine tannins. Very drinkable indeed, so fruity, it drew the attention of the resident fruit fly, indeed woke him or her (I couldn’t quite see) from hibernation. R: 90

Now where was I with that song?

If the Shandon Bells rang out in old Fremantle

And County Cork in Adelaide did appear

Erin's sons would never roam, all the boys would stay at home

If we only had old Ireland over here

For more words (not wine), click here

Note: The 2UP name comes from an Aussie game with two coins, possibly related to the Pitch and Toss game known to the more senior citizens amongst you.

South Africa Long Mountain 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon 13%. Distributed by Pernod Richard (Irish Distillers).

We stay in the southern hemisphere and in the Stellenbosch area, the heart of South Africa’s  wine industry, where wine has been made since 1659, the vines imported by a man who thought the wine would counter the scourge of scurvy. So there you are: another health reason to take your red wine.

Typically blackcurrant on the nose and the colour is a medium red. It is fruity and lightweight in the mouth with a  sufficient of tannin input to make it a well balanced drink with hints of spice (mint and clove, according to the label). Really smooth and pleasant Cab Sauv. R: 80

DINE ON! IN CORK

KEEP ON DINING

Dine in Cork Well may be officially over but you can still have your three course meal plus tea or coffee for €25.00. Washington’s Liberty Grill is the place to go. They have decided to keep the offer open for the rest of the month.

Twenty five euro will get you six courses at Augustine’s. This is their regular tasting menu (fantastic). But do hurry as it will be taken off before Christmas (though it will be re-installed early in the New Year).

If twenty five euro is your target spend, then check out the early bird offers. Quite a few of them are at or near that figure, e.g. The Cornstore  and Jacques . If you want to see more, check the restaurant websites or get your hands on Whazon magazine or check their website here

Milano's  are combining a good value Christmas menu with fund-raising for Oxfam and offer Intro, Starter, Main Course and Dessert all for €25.95 with a donation going to Oxfam’s goat-herd fund.

THE PINOT GRIGIO FIVE

Venice (above) in the NE of Italy where  the country's Pinot Grigio is grown

THE PINOT GRIGIO FIVE 

I have seen the wine made from Pinot Grigio described as “inoffensive”. As if there is something wrong with being inoffensive. Am I missing something here?  Is there a demand out there for offensive wines?

I am always suspicious of generalisations: the Irish are drunkards, the French are rude, the Scots are misers. It is the same with wine. People who hate Chardonnay are often surprised to find its many different expressions, most notably in Champagne and Chablis. It is much the same with Pinot Grigio. I picked up five examples recently and would have picked up many more had I visited places like Curious Wines and Karwig Wines.  This is the account of my little tour.

Mount Langi Ghiran Billi Billi Pinot Grigio 2008 12% (Bubble Bros) €12.50

Hard to pass Bubble Brothers in the English Market and harder still if they are selling a wine called Billi Billi. Glad I stopped and picked this honey coloured one up. Nose of peaches is followed by apples and pears on the palate. It is dry and clean with isolated clusters of micro bubbles clinging to the glass and giving an almost fizzy tingle. It is well balanced with a decent finish and very enjoyable indeed. PR: 7.0

Langi is one of Australia's most distinguished wine producers and the Billi Billi is named after a creek on the property.

Poggio al Sole Rose Colli Piacentini Pinot Grigio Frizzante 2009 11.5% ABV

Italy has been the traditional home of Pinot Grigio but this bottle is far from traditional. Colli Piacentini is an area known for its semi-sparkling wines and this is one. The nose is aromatic and the colour an inviting rose/gold. In the mouth, it is mainly apple and pears, dry, and bubbly of course, almost cidery. Just goes to show that there are so many variations.

Probably has its uses, as an aperitif or with an outdoor summertime salad. I wouldn’t say no to it in those circumstances. PR: 5.5

• Didn't note the cost but it was somewhere in the low teens. Got both this and Langi above from Bubble Bros in the Market for the advertised reduced price of €20.00.

Tim Adams Clare Valley Pinot Gris 2008 12.5%

Must say this was a disappointment. A few months back, I tasted the 2009 version and really liked it, even shook Tim’s hand (in Blackrock Castle) and told him so. The disappointment started when I poured the wine from the slightly darkened bottle. Had been expecting a distinctive rose gold hue, a pinkish colouration which is a natural phenomenon of the grape and which is retained by Adams in the 2009 version but not in this one!

The colour is your average straw and the nose a modest peach. But this 2008 version is more dry, more zesty, more tingly, than 2009 and I’m not happy that there is enough fruit (peaches, pear, citron) to balance.

The back label suggests that it is ideal with Asian food and it is probably worth a try. But leave me out of it.  PR: 5.5

But I will be looking out for the 2009 bottles in Tesco where this one cost €11.35.

Tesco Finest Murray Darling Pinot Grigio 10.5% €7.99

Surprisingly, I found this a much more satisfying drink than the Tim Adams. Again, the colour was strawy and it has a moderately pronounced aromatic nose. In the mouth, it tasted fruity, mainly grapefruit. It was crisp and clean and dry but not at all jaw-locking.

The info given says the heart of this wine “comes from Block 3”, “an exceptional growing area close to the Mildura, which has a long history of wine production “.  PR: 6

Adria Pinot Grigio (Italy) 2009 12.5% RRP: €9.49

Colour of this recent Wine Alliance import is quite pale while the nose is mildly aromatic, hints of lemons. On the palate, it gives up an inviting citrusy crispness, lemons and grapefruit for me, and is fresh and dry on the finish.

It is pretty close to the traditional. From the Venezia region, the wine has been bottled young after a period of 3 to 6 months aging on fine lees in stainless steel tanks. The best Muscadet is sur lies and the practice hasn’t done any harm at all to this Pinot Grigio. PR: 7.5%

Actually, I didn't get to finish the bottle as my wife was so taken with the wine, she grabbed the half-full bottle on her way to a family visit. While they were watching the X-Factor, I did have the consolation of polishing off the evening with Grand Marinier, one of my favourite liquors, while keeping an eye on Match of the Day.

EATING IN

CHEZ MOI

Níl aon tinteán mar do thinteán féin.

With so many top class food producers now operating in the area, plus the English Market on our doorstep, eating in can often be every bit as good as dining out.

Take last night for example. We have some brilliant soup makers locally, including Just Food in Cobh. Just a few miles over the road, we have Cully and Sully and it was their White Winter Vegetable Soup that we picked up in Dunne’s Stores. This winner of the Global Sial D’Or, for the World’s best new product, is made largely from potato, onion, celeriac, parsnip, leek and cauliflower and the Ballymaloe traditional essentials butter and cream.

The outside of the 400g pack, by the way, is packed with info and even a recipe and all for €2.49. Just pop it in the micro-wave for a few minutes and you have a gorgeous starter.

The main course, Mediterranean Fish, took a bit longer. Got some lovely hake from Ballycotton Seafood in the Market. The recipe came from the packed November edition of Easy Food, which cost just €3.00 and is well worth it. The other easily obtained ingredients were: cherry tomatoes, red onion, olive oil and basil pesto. This was satisfying dish and simple to make. Compliments to the chef and to Easy Food, not to mention the hunter gatherer!

We normally drink white wine with fish and we tried out a bottle of Adria Pinot Grigio 2009 (one of the new range being imported by Wine Alliance and available in quite a few outlets, including Bradley’s in North Main Street, for €9.49). It is an excellent example of this Italian wine and a great match for the hake.

THE CLUB BRASSERIE

CLUB BRASSERIE 

Don’t come across South African wines much but enjoyed one last night in the Club Brasserie on Lapps Quay: Kleinrivier Merlot Pinotage 2009, part of a long and interesting list and costing €19.95. It is easy drinking with good acidity, spicy with hints of oak and fruity. The bottle suggests it could be kept for a year or two but probably best to drink it young. It is supplied by Karwig Wines and if you are interested, they have 25 per cent off their South Africans at the moment.

The Dine in Cork Menu here was not the most expansive available. From the three starters, I picked the Curry Parsnip Soup which was quite satisfactory as was the Chicken Liver Pate with Red Onion Marmalade and Toasted Arbutus Bread. Nothing groundbreaking here but a good standard.

Four main courses were offered and we both picked the Confit of Duck with Creamy Flageolet Beans, Rustic Potatoes, Green Beans & a Red Wine Sauce. An excellent plate-full, well cooked and nicely presented. Top class.

There was just one dessert: Angel Pie, Meringue with Lemon Curd, Passion Fruit & Softly Whipped Cream. Even that one was fairly basic, a couple of small meringues sandwiched with lemon curd, topped with the cream and accompanied by a dash of Passionfruit. I know the Brasserie can do much better. A few months back, I enjoyed a classy dessert here: Crème Brûlée and a mix of summer berries.

When ordering the dessert we were informed (without asking) that the tea or coffee would be extra and again I think this charge isn’t quite in keeping with the spirit of the Dine in Cork Week which promised a three course meal plus tea or coffee.

Another eyebrow raising moment came early on when we had to ask for the Dine in Cork menu and a moment or two of doubt before we were given it. Maybe not the best start or finish but quite good in between.