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Step into Spring with These Great Wines

We’re approximately two-thirds of the way through Lent, so thoughts will be turning to Easter feasting and the lighter, brighter days in general.

So below are some zippy fresh whites to enjoy, but there’s also a couple of red options to go great with spring lamb and other heartier dishes should the temperature stay low for a while.

Chateau Cassemiche ÇreChâteau De La Cassemichère, Muscadet Sèvre-Et-Maine Sur Lie

From the increasingly popular Muscadet-Sèvre et Maine appellation of the western Loire, Château de la Cassemichère’s sur lie offering is dry and mouth-wateringly fresh with lemon flavours and a mineral tang.

Ideal with all types of seafood, in particular shellfish, and also good with lighter white meat dishes, or as a mouth-watering aperitif.

The first grapes were planted at Château de la Cassemichère in 1740 and it is still family-owned today.

RSP €13.99 from Corks of Terenure, Dublin 6W; Village Stores, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare; O’Neills Off-Licence, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan; Redmonds of Ranelagh, Dublin 6; Cases of Galway; and other good independent off-licences nationwide

Jean Max Roger SancerreJean Max Roger Sancerre

The Roger family has been making wine in the Loire Valley since the 17th century and this bottle comes from an iconic French region beloved the world over.

Look for orchard fruits, freshly cut grass, mineral and citrus notes. It may be enjoyed on its own throughout the day or as an aperitif, as well as being excellent with seafood of course, especially shellfish, but also light white meats.

Or try the age-old pairing of Sancerre and goat’s cheese to experience one of the most classic, timeless combinations.

RSP €23.49 from Cashel Wine Cellar, Tipperary; Bradley’s of Cork; Arkeen Stores, Waterford; Old Orchard, Rathfarnham, Dublin; Egan’s Wines, Louth; Beaumont House Off-Licence, Dublin; and Dunnes Stores

Tormaresca ChardonnayTormaresca Chardonnay

A surprising one perhaps: this is a Chardonnay from Puglia, the scorching-hot ‘heel’ of Italy’s ‘boot’. But the Antinori family’s careful site selection and exacting vinification standards yield not a flabby, burnt white wine but a fresh and lively beauty instead.

Clean and tightly wound with citrus peel, green pears, white flowers and mineral“, wrote Antoni Gallioni in The Wine Advocate, “this steely Chardonnay is best enjoyed for its youthful freshness and exuberance.

Enjoy al fresco with seafood and light salads.

The name “Tormaresca” evokes the 580 historical fortified towers built to defend the Apulian coastline from pirates that for centuries threatened the local populations. These same invaders proved to be sources of important cultural contributions that left their mark in the area.

RSP €14.99 from Baggot Street Wines, Dublin, and other good independent off-licences nationwide

Gouleyant Malbec, Georges VigourouxGeorges Vigouroux, Cahors Gouleyant Malbec

Though Argentina is perhaps the location that first springs to mind when Malbec is mentioned, Cahors in the south-west of France is in fact its historical home.

It’s everything you expect and love about Malbec – blackberries, plums, wild raspberries and wild bramble fruits with hints of spice and smoke – but with a very French, earthy, rustic, je ne sais quoi as part of the package.

Enjoy with heartier roasts, stews and barbecues as well as charcuterie or even on its own.

Founded in 1887 in the Lot district, Georges Vigouroux company has much contributed to the promotion of the wines of South West France. Pioneer in the Cahors Appellation and specialist of the French Malbec, the company with its award winning estates and brands of renown has acquired a great deal of experience with the Malbec grape, orginally from the Lot area.

RSP €14.95 from O’Donovan’s, Clonakilty, Cork; Drinagh Superstore, Skibbereen, Cork; Jus de Vine, Dublin; O’Driscoll’s of Cork; and other good independent off-licences

Chateau Lagrange, Lussac St Emilion 1Château Lagrange, Lussac St Emilion

The Château Lagrange has become something of a cult favourite here in Ireland in the last few years, gaining a following amongst both connoisseurs and amateur enthusiasts alike.

Lamb and ‘Claret’ are one of the most classic combinations out there, so Château Lagrange would be the ideal red to pop this Easter, though it will be equally at home with summer barbecues too.

With a velvety texture and refreshing acidity to lift the black berry, lightly spiced plum and red berry fruit flavours, this is one of the best-value Bordeaux wines around.

RSP €17.95 in Green Man Wines, Terenure, Dublin; Deveney’s of Dundrum, Dublin; Jus de Vine, Dublin; Delaney’s Off-Licence, Rathfarnham, Dublin; Wine Well, Dunboyne, Meath; Amber Fermoy, Cork; The Vintage, Kanturk, Cork; Fallon & Byrne, Dublin; Matson’s Wine Store, Bandon, Cork; and other good independent off-licences

These wines are exclusively distributed by Findlater Wine & Spirit Group www.findlaterws.ie Follow Findlater on Twitter

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