M&S WINES FOR €7

Two wines at €7

For the most part, Marks & Spencer avoid the heavy discounting and spurious special offers favoured by some of the other chains. However, even here discounted wines seem to be on the increase. I have no objection to real offers, but in many cases the wines are simply over-priced to allow later discounting. In most instances, the real price lies somewhere between the original and offer price. I also have reservations about really cheap wines; very few are worth the money. However, if you buy direct from the producer, €7 does allow a retailer pay a reasonable €1.50 and still make a 25% margin. Included in this €7 is €4.10 on government taxes and duties, leaving €2.91 for retailer and producer margin, as well as the wine, bottle, cork, label and transport. The M&S wines I tasted are not bad (this is part of a range they have introduced at €7), and considerably better than some currently being sold at €5-7 elsewhere.  The Reserve de la Saurine has nice peach fruit and good acidity although it does fall away a bit on the finish. The red Marques de Alarcorn, a Tempranillo/Syrah blend is ok too; a little bit light and scrawny but just enough fruit to cover the cracks.  Both wines were reasonable value for €7,and thankfully didn’t have the syrupy confected flavors I find in so many wines at this price.

MUSCADET FROM DUNNES STORES

Domaine du Bois Perron 2011, Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine

12%

On offer for €10 until 9^th April, down from €11.50

I am very fond of Muscadet and look forward to the day when it returns to some sort of popularity in this country. A few years ago, I tasted some thrilling wines at a fair in Angers, but it is not easy to fid good example sin this country. Dunnes Stores are to be commended for brining in this decent well-made Muscadet. It is light and fresh with a good intensity of green fruits, a slight prickle on the tongue, and a dry finish. Very good everyday drinking on its own or with shellfish.

Stockists: Dunnes Stores

TWO SUMMER WINES

A pair of inexpensive wines from Wines Direct – usually I enjoy the white wines of the Côtes de Gascogne, and find the reds hard going. On this occasion the white was fine, but I preferred the delicious red. Wines Direct have a retail outlet in Mullingar, but most of their business is online. Their website, www.winesdirect.ie is well worth looking at; they have some great wines.

 Domaine Horgelus Columbard-Sauvignon 2011, Côtes de Gascogne

11.5%

€9.65

Good fresh easy-drinking dry wine, with plenty of Sauvignon Blanc character, and clean green fruits. Great value summer drinking.

Wines Direct, www.winesdirect.ie 1890 579 579

Domaine Horgelus 2010, Merlot-Tannat, Côtes de Gascogne

12.5%

€10.00

A tame Tannat – this grape is usually fairly severe and tannic, but this was an excellent light juicy tannin-free (just a little dryness on the finish) wine with amazingly supple ripe fruit. One to sip on its own or with lighter food.

Wines Direct, www.winesdirect.ie 1890 579 579

A tasty white from Marks & Spencer

Saint Mont 2010, V.D.Q.S.

€10.99  13%

Made by the Producteurs de Plaimont, a large company based in south-west France, this is a really interesting and enjoyable wine at a very good price. A blend of three local white grapes  – Gros Manseng, Petit Courbu, Arrufiac, it has delicious peach and pear fruits, a touch of grilled nuts, good firm acidity, and a dry finish. Try it with white fish or  chicken.

Stockists: Marks & Spencer

A refreshing red form the Loire.

Domaine de la Renaudie Cabernet 2010, Touraine

12% €13.95

Possibly a bit expensive for an everyday wine, but I bought myself a half-dozen bottles of this recently and have been motoring through it at an alarming rate. It hits all the right buttons for me; first of all it is refreshing, and makes you want to have another sip, and then a second glass; it is light enough to enable you to do this without keeling over; and lastly it tastes great, with supple fresh blackcurrant fruits and a clean tannin-free finish. The perfect mid-week pick-me-up to have with dinner. The Chenin Blanc (see pic.) is pretty good too.

Stockists: www.thewinestore.ie ; Wicklow Arms Delgany; On the Grapevine, Dalkey; 64 wine, Glasthule

DRINKABLE RED BURGUNDY FOR €8?

Bourgogne Rouge 2010 Les Coteaux des Anges
12.5%
€8 or 3 for €20

Lovers of Burgundy should head straight to Superquinn for this delightful Pinot Noir – light and refreshing with smooth easy cherry fruits. Given that it is not easy to find any drinkable red Burgundy at under €10, this is a real bargain.