RAISE A GLASS

I’VE been reading a lot about Irish whiskey recently and it’s a fascinating subject. As we approach St Patrick’s Day it seems a good time to suggest you try one (if you haven’t already).

Irish whiskey production and sales have seen a resurgence in recent years after a chequered history.

There was a loss of market share in the mid to late 1800s when Scotch whisky sales boomed as producers adopted a new, quicker distillation method. This allowed them to match global demand; but the Irish were determined to be loyal to their production methods. And then American Prohibition hit Irish whiskey sales; and then on top of that, later trade restrictions meant Irish products couldn’t be sold anywhere in the British Empire. By 1975 just two Irish distilleries remained. But that is all turning around now. And I’ve discovered Irish whiskey and I love it.

The secret is the method most Irish whiskey producers use to create their styles: the triple pot still distillation. That means most Irish whiskey is light, fruity and approachable.

Not all producers follow the method, and it’s not enshrined in law.

The most famous Irish whiskey is Jamesons and you’ll find it in many retailers. A great website for Irish whiskey is The Whiskey Exchange – and there are at least six styles of Jamesons there; the traditional style being £22.95. Interesting brands to look for include

Kilbeggan (Kilbeggan Traditional Irish Whiskey is £26.95) and of course Bushmills. The Bushmills Black Bush Original (£27.25) is aged in Oloroso sherry casks for around eight years which means it has fruity, velvety notes.

Aldi is selling an Irish whiskey: 12 Year Old Irish Malt Whiskey (£24.99), left. With a splash of water it reveals malty notes with citrus and a hint of orange; and a creamy finish with flashes of spice.

Go on, seek out an Irish whiskey.

■ Also in my glass …. Here are two contrasting sauvignon blanc wines; one to mark International Women’s Day and another to herald the last day of Fairtrade Fortnight (both on March 8). My nod to International Women’s Day is Mellot Sancerre la

Gravelière 2018 (RRP £25, Morrisons), crafted by a family business run by Catherine Corbeau-Mellot, from sauvignon blanc grapes in the Loire Valley.

The wine tingles with citrus and tropical fruits. Goodness, my mouth is watering after a sip which leaves lingering flavours and a refreshing acidity.

By contrast, the Fairtrade wine Santa Digna Sauvignon Blanc

2018 (RRP £9-£12), below, from Chile’s Central Valley delivers a powerhouse variation of this very popular grape variety. The aromas aren’t backward in coming forward! There are ripe tropical fruits, and gooseberry reaches out and says “I’m here too!” The flavours zest along in your mouth and give your palate a refreshing wake-up call. You can find it online at Tanners Wine Merchants and Wine Direct.