Aldi The Exquisite Collection Picpoul de Pinet 2013

13%
€9.99

Plump and rich with clean pear and melon fruits cut through with just enough refreshing zesty citrus.

I featured this in my blog on the recent Aldi tasting, but thought it worth mention again. Picpoul de Pinet is becoming increasingly popular with the multiples as an inexpensive fruity dry white wine. Grown on fairly flat vineyards along the Mediterranean coast, right by the oyster farms of the Etang de Thau lagoon. Picpoul de Pinet is often called the Muscadet of the South because of its crisp light lemony fruits (and yes it does go very well with those oysters). Recently I have detected a change in style by many producers to a richer wine that is certainly less like a Muscadet. Most versions offer good value for money and perfect for inexpensive summer drinking. The Aldi Picpoul is made by Jean Claude Mas, who supplies a huge range of wines to various supermarkets, as well as producing some quite up-market wines from the Languedoc. Picpoul is also used to make Noilly Prat, that delicious French vermouth.

Moscato Secco 2012, IG

12.5%

€13.95

Very aromatic nose of elderflowers and rose-petals; light lively fresh peaches, honey and grapes on the palate. A perfect aperitif or for drinking on a summer’s day.

Muscat or Moscato is one of the few wines that can actually taste of grapes. The Moscato grape is grown in vast quantities in Piemonte in North-western Italy. Much of it goes into sparkling or semi-sparkling wine, but it can make really good vibrant refreshing light still wines.

Available from Searsons, Monkstown and Nolans Supermarket.

Caves Saint-Désirat Syrah 2013

Vin de pays d’Ardèche

€14.49

I am a bit of a sucker for Northern Rhône Syrah, even the cheap stuff. It has a light fresh savoury character that I really enjoy. Light fresh juicy peppery blackcurrant and damson fruits, with a mineral quality. You won’t mistake it for a Côte Rôtie, but this is a great easy-drinking wine that will please most Francophiles.

The Cave Saint-Désirat is a co-operative founded in 1960, based in St. Joseph, one of the appellations of the Northern Rhône. It is large, with control over 431 hectares of vines, and is responsible for 40% of all St. Joseph.

Available from O’Briens

A well-priced Gruner Veltliner

Grüner Veltliner ‘Löss’ 2014 Weingut Rabl, Kamptal

12%

€14.99 down from €20.99 until 31^st May

Delicious pure Grüner fruits, with light peaches and ginger spice, finishing dry. A great aperitif or to drink with seafood.

Available from O’Briens

A satisfying southern red

Ch. les Auzines Hautes Terres Rouge 2011

13.5%

€12.99 down from €14.99 until 4^th May

Laurent Miquel makes some good, very well-priced wines in this organic estate high up in the hills of Corbières, in the Languedoc. This has crunchy ripe blackcurrant fruits with a lovely herby note and a good clean lightly tannic finish. With red meats or firm cheeses.

Available from O’Briens

A great everyday Malbec

Pascual Toso Malbec 2013, Mendoza

14%

€13.95

Medium to full-bodied with ripe dark loganberry fruits, good concentration and a nice dry finish. Great value for money and perfect with beef dishes.

I managed an hour at the Argentina tasting in Dublin last week, and this year concentrated on Malbec. This is what the world wants at the moment, although I reckon Argentina makes some pretty tasty Cabernet as well. I have been a fan of the Pascual Toso Malbec for many years. It is consistent and reasonably priced, despite the dollar-euro exchange rate.

Available from: Jus de Vine, Portmarnock; Nolan’s, Clontarf; O’Donovans, Cork; 64wine, Glasthule; McCabes, Blackrock & Foxrock; World Wide Wines, Waterford; Drink Store, Manor St.; The Wine Centre, Kilkenny; Egan’s, Portlaoise;

Jean-François Mérieau Le Bois JacouTouraine Gamay 2014

Jean-François Mérieau Le Bois JacouTouraine Gamay 2014

12.5%  €14.95

Free-flowing fresh cherry fruits with a pleasant earthy edge. This would make great spring or summer wine for when you feel like something light and refreshing. I would serve it with cold meats, charcuterie and pates at lunch.

Gamay is the grape used in all Beaujolais. Most of the wines are fresh and full of vibrant fruits, great glugging wines.

Stockists: Terroirs, Donnybrook www.terroirs.ie

Petit Bourgeois Sauvignon Blanc 2013

Petit Bourgeois Sauvignon Blanc 2013

12.5% €11.99 for the month of April

An attractive fresh light crisp aromatic Sauvignon; a little drier than the Marlborough style, but perfect on its own as an aperitif or with seafood and salad dishes.Henri Bourgeois is one of the top producers in Sancerre, with a string of excellent soil or vineyard specific wines. His entry-level Sauvignon and Pinot Noir Rosé usually offer good value.

Stockists: O’Briens