A day in a wine writer’s life. I get up, dress, eat my porridge then phone the Guinness Storehouse to see if they have a wheelchair. Oh dear, apparently they don’t. I should maybe make it clear that my request stems not from the previous night’s over indulgence but from a knee operation. The Storehouse ...
But first… the AW, WTF THESE THINGS HAPPEN AWARD Anyone looking at the site earlier may have seen a list of the Noffla (National Off-Licence Association) Awards. Thanks to Evelyn Jones at the admirable Vintry in Rathgar I am now advised that the press release they sent me at my request (I couldn’t make the ...
One of my normal occupations at this time of year is to draw up a list of wine heroes – The ‘Grape Expectations’ Awards for those individuals or companies who’ve gone the extra mile to bring us decent drinking. It’s very much a virtual award, no plaques or tacky glassware, no framed certificates, just a ...
These bottles are one legacy of a boozy dinner party. The other is the happy memory! Domaine Langlois Chateau Saumur Vielles Vignes 2004 David Whelehan introduced me to this darling; hand-picked, carefully selected Chenin Blanc from 35 year old vines. Matured in oak casks. Sumptuous and supple, it’s a huge favourite of mine. O’Briens €17.99 ...
Tasting NotesAttended the Marks & Spencer tasting of their latest offerings, here are my notes. The tasting took place in the cellar of WHPR/Ogilvy & Mather building in Ely Place. Some of the whites were too chilled, some of the reds a tad soupy but otherwise the event was really well organised – spittoons, clipboards with ...
Tasting Notes, Wine & DrinkAt the interesting Celtic Whiskey shop tasting yesterday picked out some wines I liked very much and you might too. The La Multa Old Vine wines, particularly the Tempranillo, the Garnacha and the Syrah were fantastic value at around a tenner. Lovely easy drinking and a change from the usual suspects. I also liked the ...
Wine & DrinkAt the Four Seasons, O’Brien’s had assembled a collection of what many of us will be drinking this festive season and invited the wine scribes to preview same. Overall the quality was outstandingly high and the rise-and-rise of this progressive chain seems set to continue, thanks chiefly to the efforts of the buying team, skilfully ...
Tasting NotesThe Gilbeys Portfolio press tasting was one of the best organised and most enjoyable tastings of recent memory – hats off to Julia Kennedy, Lynne Coyle and Mary Dowey – despite the worst efforts of the Guinness Storehouse staff who did their best to sabotage the event by mopping the floor of the adjacent restaurant ...
Tasting NotesThis week, my top three tips for getting more enjoyment out of wine. One of the first things rookie wine writers feel obliged to do is to point out that the e9 bottle you are drinking only contains 37 cents worth of wine. I wish they wouldn’t. Nothing’s more certain to sunder the harmonious marriage ...
Wine & DrinkFound this song I wrote in 2004 on my South African trip – with the help of Cole Porter – in the back pages I was gonna dump. Thought it should be preserved for, well, if not quite posterity, a bit longer. Had to put it somewhere, so it’s here. LET’S DO IT, LET’S FALL ...
Wine & Drink