There are plenty of reasons to crack open wines for the weekend at home: the big one, Dry January is gone, baby gone, so if you stuck to it, congratulations, you’ve made it. Then, we have the start of the 6 Nations with Ireland battling France as the team’s first rival. Another sports big one, the Super Bowl finale, with see the United States stop for an evening to watch the most important match of the North American calendar.
On a more vinous note, this week we attended the highly anticipated Australia Day Tasting 2018, revisited the prestigious and discovered some new Aussie gems worth sharing.
Below, three wines for the weekend for a winning glass…
Misterioso, Domaine La Sarabande
14.5% ABV
€16.95 – Available at O’Briens Wine
No need to choose sides as this red from the Languedoc might come from France, but has a very strong Irish connection. It’s made by Carlow Woman Isla Gordon and her husband Paul, who moved to the sunny warm region in 2009 with a winemaking dream.
A blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre, it has aromas of ripe cranberries, sour cherries and a pleasant earthy, herbal note. Fruity and juicy, is one everyone will root for!
Jansz Premium Cuvée Tasmania
12.5% ABV
€32.95 – Available at The Corkscrew, Redmonds
This Traditional Method sparkling wine from Australia’s cool kid Tasmania combines Chardonnay and Pinot Noir into a sophisticated fizz that hits many of the notes we know and love in Champagne.
Vibrant, crisp and with a harmonious balance between the freshness of zesty lemons and nectarines and an “almond croissant” toasty and creamy character, it is a complex and indulgent fizz that stands out.
Au Bon climat Wild Boy Chardonnay
13.5% ABV
€39.95 – Available at Green Man Wines, Baggot Street Wines
Whether you’ll be rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles or the New England Patriots (or, like most people this side of the pond, just eager to get a glimpse at the spectacular halftime show), if you are sipping on this gorgeous, buttery Chardonnay from California, you already won.
Creamy as few, with a generous palate of tropical fruits (think pineapples, passion fruit and lemon curd), this full bodied white wine is a golden trophy of delight.
Gabriela’s passion for writing is only matched by her love for food and wine. Journalist, confectioner and sommelier, she fell in love with Ireland years ago and moved from Venezuela to Dublin in 2014.
Since then, she has written about and worked in the local food scene, and she’s determined to discover and share the different traditions, flavours and places that have led Irish food and drink to fascinate her.
Gabriela Guédez Gabriela Guédez