The social drinker

Curious about a recent survey of more than 70,000 blind tastings that scored organic wines higher than other wines, I broke old habits to try three organic wines, which are available nationwide through O’Brien’s.

Initial thoughts are that all three wines were superb, and all represented good value for money. The best was undoubtedly a 2012 Emiliana Coyam, which comes from the world’s biggest organic estate vineyard in Chile, and costs €23.

Coyam is made from a balanced blend of Syrah, Carmenere, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvedre, and Petit Verdot grapes to produce a big flavor that has hints of blackberries, strawberries and vanilla. Coyam (which means oak in one of Chile’s indigenous languages) is aged for 13 months in French and American oak barrels to ensure the sort of flavour we associate with New World wines — one which works so well as an accompaniment to meat and cheese.

Another organic wine from the same Emiliana vineyard as Coyam is Etnico, which sells for a very reasonable €11 at the moment (the normal price is €14). It is also the product of some cunning blending of grape varieties; this time Malbec, Merlot, Mourvedre, and Shiraz. An ideal starting point for an organic-wine sceptic who likes fruity wines.

Finally, for something completely different, I tried Domaine Begude Gewurztraminer (€17) which is an organic white wine from a 50-acre vineyard in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Like most wines made from the Gewurtztraminer grape, it comes with pungent flavours and a long, spicy finish that makes it perfect for hot dishes such as curries.

With fewer hangover-inducing chemicals and a smaller environmental footprint as well as some fantastic flavours, all three wines are well worth trying, especially the Coyam.