10 Great Wines from Wines on The Green.

Celtic Whiskey is best known as one of the leading sprits specialists in the country. Led by Scotsman Ally Alpine they have been to the fore of the Irish whiskey revolution. Celtic also import a very good range of wines, including what is probably the best selection of fortified wines in the country. The entire range is good though, with lots of interesting wines, and often very keenly priced. Their wine name is Wines in the Green, although the two seem interchangeable at times. The wines below are a small selection taken from their full range. Some of their wines are also available elsewhere in specialist retailers such as Mitchell & Son, Jus de Vine, Sweeney’s D3, Clontarf Wines and Grapevine, Dalkey.

Gran Barquero
Gran Barquero is a Montilla-Moriles – wine made in a very similar way to sherry, but in a neighbouring region. It cannot therefore call itself sherry. The soils are albariza and the winemaking is identical. The big difference is the grape; instead of Palomino as in Jerez, Montilla is made exclusively from Pedro Ximénez. The wines, including the two below, offer amazing value for money.

Gran Barquero 10-year-old Fino Montilla-Moriles
15%
€24

Briny, green olives, very bready with a real fruitiness, an attractive earthiness; bone dry and quite delicious. A bargain price too.

Grand Barquero 25-year-old Palo Cortado, Montilla-Moriles
19%
€42

Refined aromas of almonds and orange zest, full-bodied yet fresh with rich peach fruits, lightly toasty, some citrus and a lingering dry finish. Wonderful wine.

Cantina Tramin Cuvée Bianco 2022, Alto Adige
12.5%
€18.00

I have been a big fan of the Tramin Pinot Grigio and Pinot Blanc for some time. Both sell for around €20. The Cuvée, made from a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Sauvignon seems to offer equally good value. Lightly aromatic, with textured pears and apples finishing dry. A great aperitif or with seafood.

I featured both of these Montepulciano d’Abruzzo in an earlier blog. Both represent excellent value for money.

Lupi Reali Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2022, Organic
€13.75

Light, juicy and so easy to drink with fresh black cherries and an attractive earthy touch. The perfect midweek wine and a steal at this price.

Valle Reale Montepulicano d’Abruzzo 2022, Organic
€22.50

Made by the same producer as the Lupi Reali above, this is a big step up. Concentrated dark cherry fruit, good acidity and some very well integrated tannins on the finish. This has real grip and style.

Andeluna 1300 Malbec 2022 Mendoza, Argentina
14.5%
€17

This is seriously good value for money. Violet aromas, concentrated dark fruits – loganberries, cassis and dark cherries with a touch of vanilla, and well-integrated tannins on the finish.

Villa Blanche Picpoul de Pinet 2022, Calmel & Jospeh
12.5%
€18

Picpoul is ubiquitous these days, having taken over from Muscadfet as our favourite wine to drink with shellfish and other seafood. This is a very well-made fairly priced Picpoul with clean concentrated apple fruits and a good finish. It is certainly worth the premium over less expensive supermarket versions.

Ànima Negra ÀN/2, 2021, Mallorca
13.5%
€30-34

Ànima Negra was founded in 1994 by two self-taught winemakers who wanted to showcase the indigenous grape varieties of Mallorca. Made primarily from three local varieties – Callet, Mantonegro and Fogoneu, with 15% Syrah, this is a delicious wine packed with pure ripe supple dark fruits set off by an attractive minerality.

Castell d’Encus Acusp 2020, Costers del Segre
€51

Founded by Raül Bobet in 2001, Castell d’Encus has vineyards at 800 – 1,200 metres in Costers del Segre, in the Catalan Pyrenees. The estate produces a range of wonderful, elegant refreshing wines made from various grape varieties. The Ekam Riesling is a personal favourite, but I hadn’t tasted the Acusp, a Pinot Noir, for some years. It is a great wine, refined, pure and expressive, with delicate dark cherry fruits and a fine mineral note. Given current Burgundy prices, it offers value for money.

Quinta do Noval Single Vineyard Unfiltered LBV Port
19.5%
€30

A very delicious vintage-style port, bursting with fresh ripe cassis, dark plums and black cherries. There is nice spicy touch and well-integrated tannins.