What to drink?
We ask wine writer Aoife Carrigy to share her top tips on what we should be drinking this month...
There’s a comforting familiarity about this time of year, a sense of bedding down. The darker evenings call for a bottle of something warming in front of a cosy fire. Our wine choices are often weather dependent but especially so at this mercurial time of year, so it’s good to have a bit of choice to hand.
It’s a great time to stock upon some day-to-day drinking as well as one or two treats, whether you’re a fan of classic regions like Chablis in Burgundy or a more intrepid drinker willing to explore some lesser-known regions. Fans of Sancerre in the Loire, for example, will be rewarded for wandering into neighbouring Loire regions such as Touraine or Coteaux du Giennois, where quality comes without the price-tag of prestige. For red wine drinkers, the Languedoc is good hunting ground for well-made, value-focussed wines which often take their lead from classic regions: Bordeaux blends Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon perhaps, or Rhone blends of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre.
Consider celebrating with a quality rosé or with Ireland’s closest thing to wine: a home-grown Irish craft cider.
1. Alchimie Sauvignon Blanc, Coteaux du Giennois Loire, France
€10in Supervalu French Wine Sale from 3rd September (normally €14.99) This smart Sauvignon Blanc is a great value alternative to neighbouring Sancerre, with elegant minerality, herbaceous notes and a crisp citrus peel finish. A classic with goat’s cheese, it also pairs well with roast autumnal vegetables or herb-scented seafood stews.
2. Lot 03 Cru de Pezenas 2013, Languedoc, France €12.99 (Aldi)
One of several decent small-parcel additions to Aldi’s range, this juicy blend of Syrah, Grenache, Carignan and Mourvedre combines sweet clove spice and caramelised forest fruits with smooth tannins and a dry finish. Try with barbecued or curried lamb or beef.
3. Premiere de Figuiere Rosé 2014, Cotes de Provence, France €18 (64 Wines; Clontarf Wines; Green Man Wine; Wine World Wines)
As its delicate blush pink tone suggests, this complex and food-friendly rosé acts more like a fragrant white wine than a bubblegum-pink quaffer of a rosé. Pair its subtle summer fruits and refreshing citrus notes with chargrilled shellfish or whole grilled fish.
4. Treintamil Maravedies 2012, Spain €20.50 (Whelehans Wines, Black Pig, Red Island Wines, Blackrock Cellar, Ennis SCR, 64Wine, Baggot Street Wines, Clontarf Wines, Green Man Wines)
An elegant Garnacha-Syrah blend with rich aromas of caramelised red fruits leading to ripe fruits, juicy acidity and smooth tannins on the dry palate. A versatile, food-friendly wine with enough weight for red and white meats or even meaty fish.
5. Stonewell Medium-Dry Cider €3.99 for 50cl (Widely available in independent off-licences including Jus de Vine, McHughs, Next Door, Martins, Baggot Street Wines, Fresh, Whelans, Molloys, Deveneys, McCambridges, Ardkeen)
An excellent introduction to what is a broad range of Irish craft ciders, this complex yet quaffable medium-dry cider was inspired by Celtic cider producers in Wales and Brittany. Its blend of Dabinett, Michelin and Elstar/Falstaff apples is surprisingly food friendly.