GRAPE & GRAIN SPY JEAN SMULLEN
This week, a new edition of a classic wine, and we recommend one or two hugely popular summer favorites.
Black Tower Club Edition Sauvignon Blanc €12
There are a generation of Irish wine drinkers with fond memories of Black Tower, THE wine to drink in the 1980s. This summer, Black Tower celebrate the launch of their Club Edition Sauvignon Blanc.
The wine is made in the regions of Rheinhessen and Pfalz in Germany and is 100% vegan. Look out for its very distinctive cut glass bottle. With zesty lemon flavours and a beautiful freshness, serve this with white fish. On offer for €10 until May 22 in SuperValu and Centra.
Italo Cescon Pinot Grigio DOC Friuli Grave “Il Tralcetto” €18
A fine, well-made example of a classic style, from the cool climate of Alpine Italy. This is a dry, elegant example of Italy’s most popular grape variety. It has lovely stone fruit aromas and flavours of pear and red apple.
Serve with Risotto, asparagus and peas for a fresh summery treat. Available from independent off licences including Jus De Vine, Portmarnock; Drinkstore Manor St; Redmond, Ranelagh; Nolans, Clontarf; Morton’s, Ranelagh, and Molloys Liquor Stores.
2022 Pablo Old Vine Garnacha €17.99
This exclusive to SuperValu and Centra is made from very old bush trained vines, some of which were planted nearly 100 years ago. Garnacha (Grenache), a native Spanish grape, has been the mainstay of wine production in the mountainous Calatayud region for generations.
This wine has soft red cherry fruit flavours and a hint of blackcurrant. Serve this with stir-fried chicken cooked with red peppers and paprika. On offer for €8.99 until May 22.
Madrí Excepcional 4 Pack (330 ml) €8.50
This very modern Spanish lager has developed a cult following since it first launched in 2020. It’s brewed by beer giant Coors who bought the Spanish brewery La Sagra to create this very modern larger.
This Mediterranean-style lighter lager is beautifully fresh with an ABV of 4.6% and a nice bitter twist, making it ideal for summer drinking. Since it was launched a few years ago this relatively new beer brand has become enormously popular. The four pack is on offer in SuperValu for €7.50 until May 22.