TOM’S PICK OF THE BUNCH

DRINK OF THE WEEK

Age before beauty Hidalgo Pastrana Manzanilla Pasada

jnwine.com, 64Wine Glasthule What a magnificent sherry! An aged Manzanilla — about 12 years — but still as fresh and salty as a dip in the cool sea.

Out on its own

Specially Selected Cairanne 2019 Aldi

Cairanne used to be a kind of Côtes du Rhône on anabolic steroids but has its own DOC. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, dark, soft.

Sensual skin contact

Les Auzines Alaina Rosé 2020

O’Briens

Lovely Languedoc fruit and immensely versatile, from Laurent Miquel and his wife, Dubliner Neasa Corish.

Red, ripe, round

Paolo Leo Primitivo di Manduria Passo del Cardinale 2020 Blackrock Cellar, Deveney’s, Higgins’, Mitchell’s, Pinto Wine Blackcurrant and bramble with liquorice and spice. Velvet.

Sparkling performer Ferrari Brut NV

Dunnes Stores

No relation of the prancing horses of Maranello, but 100% Chardonnay from Trentino, made in the same way as a Blanc de Blancs Champagne from Reims or Epernay.