The following is an excerpt from Shelflife Magazine's "My Favourites" column written by our own Neil Kelly. The article will appear in the June 2018 edition of the popular retail industry magazine.

It’s hard to beat dining and relaxing outside in the spring and summer nights; enjoying the balmy evenings waiting on the stars to come out, spending time with loved ones while sharing a tipple and some delicious food. It’s a fantastic way to unwind and I really look forward to those opportunities in the coming months; weather permitting. I decided to stray from the norm of what our customers would generally tend to trend towards like cooler lighter wines and icy cocktails for those evenings and go with two of my favourites that I feel are great for sharing and I think will go down a treat at dusk. A red wine that I particularly favour and recommend to our customers is the Chateau Paul Mas Clos de Mûres. The wine is a blend of Shiraz Grenache and Mourvedre grape that is simply superb and its quality high exceeds its retail price (€16.99 from our stores) and is an excellent alternative to the more pricey wines from Chateauneuf-du-Pape. This has a lovely floral aroma on the nose and tastes of juicy plummy fruit flavours, spicy oak (from the nine months of barrel aging and three types of barrel) and smooth persistent tannins. It pairs beautifully with full-bodied cheeses like Dubliner or Parmaigiano Reggiano and even the lighter creamier styles like Port Salut. A lovely bottle to savour and share; you won’t be disappointed.

Anyone who has worked with me knows how much I champion Green Spot whiskey. It has so much to offer and is a fantastic introduction to whiskey. Green Spot is a pot still whiskey which is the traditional method for whiskey production in Ireland. It is aged in new bourbon, second fill bourbon, and sherry casks for 7-11 years. Green Spot is a pretty versatile drink and caters to many tastes. It is not overpowering and has a rich complexity and smoothness which won’t offend. It has notes of fresh green apple, freshly cut grass, some peppery notes, toffee and some minerality. Who knew spring could come in a whiskey bottle! This is just unbelievably smooth on the palate and is full of fruits like apples, pears with some honey, oak, vanilla and some spicy heat. In fact, you will discover new flavours with every drop. It has a long, smooth oily finish. Great as an aperitif with some dark chocolate, share this with friends. There is no need for new whiskey drinkers to be intimidated. Green Spot has a fantastic history in Ireland going back over 100 years and I urge people to check it out. I hope you’ll give these a try. Green Spot is available for €57.

Neil Kelly one of Molloys most knowledgeable whiskey sellers with years and years experience in selling and sampling whiskey and a regular contributor to various drinks industry magazines and online publications.

Gordon's Pink Gin, 37.5%

Made with natural flavourings & inspired by Gordon's original 1880 pink gin recipe - Gordon's premium pink distilled gin balances the refreshing taste of Gordon's with the sweetness of raspberries and strawberries and a tang of redcurrant. One of our most popular products - right now you can get this Gin on sale. And if that’s not enough for this week only anyone who orders get a beautiful Gordon’s gin Copa glass (pictured) absolutely free.

Wexford Irish Strawberry Gin, 40%

The county of Wexford is located on the lower side of Ireland’s east coast, about a two hour drive away from Dublin. The region is known for their succulent strawberries come summertime and they sure do put them to good use - by infusing them into a bottle of delicious gin. The strawberries are grown just outside of Enniscorthy (of Brooklyn fame) and soaked in the gin to give it its delectable pink hue.

Whitley Neill Quince, 43%

While some gins are subtle, others have flavours that scream “notice me”. Made using real quince fruit juice, this gin is both sweet and strong. Ripe apple notes work well with the flavour of this gin which is delicious when drank neat and also with a mixer. Though you can mix with tonic or soda, the makers of Whitley Neill suggest a ‘Persian Cooler’ with orange juice and red wine. A gin you are not likely to forget in a hurry.

Pinksters Raspberry Gin, 37.5%

A kitchen table, a frustrated accountant and a bottle of gin. We love a product with humble beginnings and the Pinksters story is just that. It all came about when founder Stephen Marsh realized wine and beer no longer agreed with him. Stephen turned his attention to spirits and started experimenting at home, mashing assorted fruits with different spirit strengths. His intention was not to create a pink gin, it's just that after working his way through an entire fruit bowl, raspberry delivered the best flavour. As well as tasting great, this is the kind of gin we would purchase solely for the Instagram pics as it looks beautiful too.

Bathtub Gin, 43.3%

Bathtub gin is made using a traditional method called cold compounding. The striking flavour is made from hints of coriander, cardamom, juniper, cassia, orange peel and clove. This award-winning gin is one to add to your must-try list. Excellent with dry tonic and a dash of elderflower.

Boe Violet Gin, 41.5%

Boe Gin is an award winning Gin infused with violets to create Boe Violet Gin. The addition of violets creates a stylish gin with a light, delicate taste and beautiful colour and aroma. Best enjoyed with a light tonic this eye-catching gin is flying off our shelves since we started stocking it in recent weeks.

Hog-roasts and food trucks offering fish and chips, candy floss or ice-cream have become very popular at Irish weddings. However, when it comes to the main event, “Beef or salmon?” is the quintessential question which will be asked at many Irish weddings this year.

So how do you pair the ‘right’ food and wine? While most wines will go well with most dishes, with a small bit of thought you really ‘nail it’ when it comes to matching wine and food.

If you prefer to buy wedding wine and bring it to your venue, our managers in Molloys are happy to offer wedding wine advice. You can pop in, but ideally, phone ahead so we can devote plenty of time to help you choose the right wine.

How much wine per head? Allow 2-3 glasses per person, and expect to get 5 glasses per bottle. Generally speaking, white is more popular than red. How much red to white wine? A ratio of 3 white to 2 red is typical.

Our wine-buying team at Molloys, source wine directly from the suppliers, and pass the saving on to our customers. You can rest assured that many of our wines have been highly recommended by wine critics. Also, you won’t find these wines in supermarket shelves, so people will appreciate the effort you’ve gone to.

Here are some thoughts to help guide you choose a perfect wine for your perfect wedding day.

Fish & Wine

Salmon:

A popular wedding choice! Salmon is rich in flavour, as well as having an oily texture. The ideal wine is rich in flavour with round rather than pointed acidity. Chardonnay is a perfect marriage. Even if you don’t like the idea of Chardonnay, try an un-oaked or lighter-bodied style (eg. Macon, Chablis, St. Veran), with salmon, and you will be pleasantly surprised.

Monkfish:

Up there with salmon in terms of weight of flavour (often with the addition of cured ham), but less oily. Again, Chardonnay would be considered the best marriage.

Hake:

Another richly-flavoured fish. A Parma ham or chorizo dressing renders it a perfect fish to pair with red wines as well as white. For whites, rich, lightly oaked Chardonnays suit best.

Seabass:

Seabass is a little lighter in flavour, with salty/seashore flavours, usually brought to life with a citrusy sauce. Pair with a crisp refreshing wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Albarinho. Where you have punchy, herbal and/or spicy dressing, choose a New World Sauvignon Blanc over a French Sauvignon.

When it comes to red wine with fish, lighter-bodied reds, with smooth tannin are the best all-round choices for fish. Pinot Noir, or a mature Rioja are among the top choices.

Great white wines for weddings:

Lembranzas Albariňho Crisp and long; flavours of pear, tropical fruit, peaches and cream. A Berliner Gold medal winner. Albariňho and shellfish is also an excellent pairing, if you are planning a seafood starter.

Domaine Caude Val Sauvignon Blanc Crisp, with flinty, minerally characters, refreshing lemon.

Domaine de la Colline Touraine Sauvignon – best described as a half-way house between Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and a French Sauvignon - crisp & refreshing, balanced by plenty of elderflower, blackcurrant leaf, galia melon, peach and Golden Delicious apple.

Domaine Caude Val Chardonnay -dry with light buttery flavour, intense lime, some light toasty oak and mineral character.
Beauvignac Chardonnay "luscious & buttery chardonnay… an unexpected treat for those who like the more generous, toasty style… a must-have bargain" - Sunday Business Post.

Chicken and Wine

Chicken is usually cooked in a traditional style for weddings (ie. juicy meat with a crisp skin), this works equally well with white and reds. Richer round whites (Chardonnay) work best. In reds, a medium-bodied smooth red like Syrah/Shiraz (including Côtes du Rhône), Merlot or Rioja are the best wines for roast chicken.

Meat and Wine:
Roast beef: Plenty of weight, flavour and texture call out for fuller-bodied red wines, perhaps with noticeable tannin and/or vibrant acidity to cut through the richness. Cabernet Sauvignon (and that includes many Bordeaux), Malbec, Shiraz (including Rhône reds like Châteauneuf- du-Pape, Gigondas and Côtes du Rhône) are super with beef. A word of caution though – try not to serve very high alcohol reds – you want your guests to stay ‘til the wee hours!
Spanish reds (Rioja, Ribera del Duero) are also great wine pairings for beef.

Roast lamb has plenty of weight, flavour and more fat than beef. Where herbs like rosemary or mint are a strong component of the dish, pair lamb with Languedoc reds (Corbières, Minervois, Languedoc), Italian reds like Chianti, or minty Maipo Cabernet or Merlot from Chile. Otherwise, reds for beef work well with lamb.

Pork belly is high on fat, less flavour than beef/lamb, often served with a fruity sauce. If you’ve applesauce, Riesling is a great match. Lighter fruity reds work well, like Côtes du Rhône and Beaujolais.

Great red wines for weddings:
Sancho Garces Rioja Crianza would be a top favourite for meats as well as richer fish dishes, creating a great impression among guests. This wine is drinking beautifully. “Benchmark Rioja with its velvety smooth texture” as the Irish Independent described it.

Ch. Du Farel Côtes du Rhône has peppery, spicy notes lead into ripe red cherry, followed by slightly gamey earthy notes on the finish.

Ch. Du Donjon Minervois is medium-bodied, with layers of flavour (blackcurrant, blueberry, vanilla), and a lovely long spicy finish.

dA Malbec is a French Malbec; "Plummy or cherry red; earthy, peaty, forest floor smells with stewed blackberries, redcurrant and cherry." - Food & Wine magazine

Graves de Barrau Bordeaux “Dark berry fruit nose, well-structured palate, good depth of flavour, nice tannic grip on the finish." - Food & Wine, Jan 2017

Mommesin Cuvée St. Pierre Pinot Noir is a medium-bodied French Pinot Noir, with red cherry and coffee with subtly integrated toasted notes and smooth tannin.

Thank you for taking the time to read our blog. All wines mentioned here are available in store and online from Molloys.ie. If you are planning a wedding and would like advice on choosing wines we have a no fuss consultation service that takes the stress out of arranging wine for your special day. We also have one of Ireland's biggest ranges of spirit miniature which are quickly becoming the wedding favour of choice for Irish weddings. We even offer discounts on bulk purchases. Contact us at [email protected] for more information.

We are often asked about the difference between Prosecco and Champagne.

Prosecco is made in the Veneto area, near Venice, from the glera grape varietal. The wine is fermented as normal, and then fermented a second time, in a tank, producing bubbles. The wine is bottle under pressure, preserving the bubbles.
Prosecco is a light-bodied, easy to drink wine, with very subtle peach, melon and red apple flavours. It should be enjoyed while young and fresh.
So what are the pros and cons for Prosecco against its more illustrious rival, Champagne?

Pros
• Very affordable
• Easier to drink; less acidity & lighter pressure
• Some have screwcaps -easier to open

Cons
• Less flavour
• Goes flat more quickly
• Doesn’t always have a ‘pop’ sound
• Some reports of headaches
• Some are string closure – you need a corkscrew!

Champagne is a sparkling wine from the Champagne region, about 120km north-east of Paris. It is made usually from a blend of three varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier. Each varietal ripens at a different time, so each is harvested and fermented separately.

The following Spring, the winemaker makes a blend of all three varietal wines. Most Champagne is a blend of vintages (ie ‘non-vintage) – so the winemaker adds in some older Reserve wine from previous vintages, which adds complexity. The wine is then bottled, and a mixture of yeast and sugar is added to each individual bottle to create a second fermentation in the bottle. The long, slow fermentation which follows produces millions of tiny bubbles.
After this, the bottles are aged for at least 15 months. The dead yeast cells in the wine eventually break down and give bready, biscuit flavours.
A further process is required to remove the yeast cells from the wine, and finally the bottle is topped up with a mixture of wine and sugar.
Champagne is medium to full-bodied, with lots of tiny bubbles, crisp vibrant acidity, and flavours of fresh-baked bread, pastry, green apple. Non-vintage will improve with up to five years age. It is an aperitif before a meal, or at the start of an evening, to get the taste buds going. Serve with pastry canapés -vol- au-vents, cheese straws or gougeres.
Arguments FOR Champagne:
• Lots more flavour
• Lots more bubbles, much finer, and very long-lasting
• Most romantic wine on the planet
• People know you’ve spent a lot!

AGAINST Champagne:
• Expensive
• Some find it tastes bitter
• Difficult to open; especially with manicured nails!
• Possible heartburn

At Molloys, we are fans of both!
For value for money, you can’t beat Borgo da Sassi Prosecco Frizzante. Its silver label has a nice ‘bling’ factor. If you are a victim of headaches after drinking Prosecco, then try our Fascino Organic Prosecco. With organic wines, winemakers don’t need to add as many sulphites.  Again, it comes in a really cool bottle, and is very keenly priced.
Going up a notch in price, Botter Prosecco carries more flavour and more bubbles, as it’s a Spumante (fully-sparkling). All Spumante have a wire muzzle closure. Our La Marca Spumante is from the prestigious Conegliano di Valdobbiadene region, and is pretty much top of the range. (It’s been recommended several times by The Sunday Times).
If you find Champagne too bitter-tasting/heartburn-inducing, then choose ‘Extra Dry’ Prosecco. Why? ‘Extra Dry’ Prosecco has more sweetness (12-17g sugar per litre), which offsets the acidity. ‘Brut’ Champagne has less than 12g sugar.

Our exclusive Jean Comyn Champagne has been highly praised in The Irish Times, The Irish Independent, The Irish and The Daily Star. It’s also won a coveted Silver Medal at the International Wine Challenge.

Jean Comyn, exclusive to Molloys

So, which one gets your vote?

Studies show that even a short break from alcohol can improve your weight, skin, immune system, sleep and create healthier drinking habits. Personally, I’ve never felt an urge to completely give up alcohol. This January however, I decided to restrict myself to drinking only the 7 units of alcohol a weekly. This is the recommended weekly intake for women. So, although I can’t say my January was completely arid, it was a lot drier than usual. Here’s what I learned over the last month.

Going out is not the same

Restricting myself to a quota of 5 drinks on a night out proved far more difficult than I imagined. Although the fifth drink usually brought me to the cusp, it did not push me over the edge, which made dealing with people who had went over the edge, far more difficult. This meant having to bow out early on certain nights. On the bright side it made for a far less wicked hangover the following day.

Loads Of Room For Activities

I found that, even after a week, you have more time, and energy, to spend on more wholesome activities. So, for a start, I used my local gym more often than usual. But be warned, many people do so during this particular month, so, it means much longer wait times.The gym didn’t prove enough to fill the void, so I started doing hikes on Sunday. Typically a day of rest, (or being hungover beyond help) for me, I decided to start getting more fresh air and Ticknock hill provided this along with some amazing scenery. I also

Better skin

This is not something I’d normally think about but it was something that became really obvious as the month went on - your skin will feel much better! Yes, I normally have very dry skin but committing to the semi-dry January has sorted that out. The fact that alcohol dries out your skin is no secret, so go figure, I drank less alcohol and found my skin was less flaky and my cheeks were not as red as usual.

More Money For Your Pocket

Possibly the most significant finding of all is that I spend all my money on alcohol. For the first time ever I wasn’t sweating for this months pay cheque to come through.  Probably because so much of that pay cheque typically gets spent on nights out. Through observance, I also realized that a greater portion of people's money tends to get spent at the tail of the night, by which stage, people have all fallen in love with each other and forgot that there supply of money is finite.

New year, new drinks

Knowing that I only had 5 drinks to consume on any given night out, I decided I was going to make the most of the units I had at my disposal. For this reason, my approach changed to one of quality over quantity. Where normally I would I have just picked up a crate of whatever beer was cheapest, on a given week, I started to shop for craft beers. Similarly, in bars, I switched from pints of Heineken to craft beers and the occasional cocktail and, along with strolls up Ticknock, this is a habit I will look to continue long after this semi-dry January ends.

Unfortunately for us, drinks companies have yet to figure out how to make alcohol that’s actually good for us. Imagine that, a health elixir that also made us feel as though we can dance like Michael Jackson, sing like Steven Tyler, and express our deepest feelings to complete strangers. Maybe someday that will be a reality, but for now we need to be aware that alcohol is high in calories and can mess up a diet if your not careful. Not to fear however, as there are some tipples that are less deadly to your diet than others. Here are a few we think you should try.

“Diet” Beers

Hufi Gluten Free Beer

In general, beer has been considered the worst possible alcoholic drink one can consume. Packed with gluten, yeast and grains, beers commonly cause inflammation and bloating for those who imbibe in it. In recent years however, in an attempt to shake off the “unhealthy” label, beer makers have been coming up with calorie restricted beers that taste just like beer. Hufi is one such beer. With only 93 calories per bottle, this guilt free brew tastes great and considering with standard beers your ingesting between 144-220 calories, is a dieters best friend. Another low calorie beer we recommend is Skinny Lager. This is a full flavour, full strength lager with half the calories which has become hugely popular in the UK particularly among athletes trying to avoid empty calories.

Wines that won’t ruin a waistline

Although beer is considered the worst for your waistline, wines are not far behind. On average, your standard glass of wine has 125 calories but this can go all the way up to 200 depending on your bottle of choice. Much like beer, your body has to burn off alcohol and carbs from the wine before it can burn off any fat you’re storing, making it tough on your waistline. As a rule of thumb we recommend you drink white rather than red if your aim is to lower your calorie intake. Within white wines, those with lower alcohol (9-12 %ABV) will work out about 110-140 calories per 175ml glass. You will find these typically come from northern Europe or cooler regions. Seek out Pinot Grigio and other Italian whites, and also Spain's Albarino. One wine we can recommend is our Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which has only 70 calories per glass. It's also worth noting that a glass of Prosecco is actually lower in calories than a white wine. If that’s not an excuse to break out the bubbles we don’t know what is!

The best of a bad bunch

NorCal Margarita

While no alcohol is good for you, spirits have the least impact on the waistline according to most dietitians, as they contain the least amount of calories. On average a standard serving of the classic spirits contains about 64 calories. Again, there are a few do’s and don'ts with spirits. For instance, instead of using full fat soft drinks as mixers instead use diet and sugar-free alternatives, the best being soda water and sparkling water. Of all the classic spirits, tequila is said to be the least harm to your waistline, as its the only spirit not derived from grains. So our drink recommendation for all the “new year new me” types is the NorCal Margarita from Paleo pioneer Rob Wolfe. Here’s the recipe;

Ingredients:
1 Lime
Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila

Soda Water or Sparkling Mineral Water
Ice
1 Tall Glass

Directions:
Fill glass with ice
Add 3 ounces of tequila
Juice half of your lime into the glass
Top with soda water
Garnish with a lemon wedge

Six Gluten Free Beers That Actually Taste Like Beer

The growth in numbers of people subscribing to gluten free diets has lead to the creation of an entire industry where companies manufacture gluten free counterparts to everyday food and drink products to meet growing demand. Most beers are inherently gluten rich and for that reason we have seen the proliferation of gluten free beers and breweries in recent years. These beers range in quality from great to downright god awful. Here are six we can recommend.

Nick Stafford’s Hambleton Ales GFA, 4.8% - €4.19

Nick Stafford's Gluten Free Ale

This World Beer award winner is big on flavour. Full bodied, with initial sweetness giving way to pronounced fruit and hop character with strong citrus finish. A must try for craft beer lovers who are looking to sacrifice gluten without having to compromise on taste.

Estrella Damm Daura Gluten-Free Lager, 5.4% - €3.29

Estrella Damm Duara

The world's most popular and award winning gluten free beer, Estrella’s Duara is probably the least adventurous beer on this list in terms of flavour but a solid go to for lager drinkers looking for a gluten free tipple. It is fruity and floral on the nose with a hint of sweet spices and, while this beer is sessionable, it packs quite a punch at 5.4% ABV.

Peroni Nastro Azzurro Gluten Free, 5.1% - €2.50

Peroni Nastro Azzurro Gluten Free

This gluten-free beer uses the exact same ingredients as regular Peroni Nastro Azzurro. A specific enzyme is added at the end of the brewing process which removes the gluten, ensuring Peroni Nastro Azzurro Gluten Free can be enjoyed by coeliacs or those choosing to lead a gluten-free lifestyle. A must try for fans Peroni fans looking for a gluten free alternative.

Hufi Gluten Free Beer, 5.8% - €2.00

Hufi Gluten Free Beer

Probably my favourite beer on the list, Hufi is ideal for those people who are gluten averse and calorie conscious. Although it only contains 93 calories this beer does not lack in character or strength. Slightly hopped with citrus flavours and a smooth finish this beer is delicious served cold with a slice of lemon.

Against the Grain Gluten Free 500ml, 4.5% - €3.99

Against The Grain Gluten Free Beer

This gluten free beer is also suitable for vegans. It pours a pale straw colour with a billowing white head; and a grainy aroma with some citrus and grassy hops. The taste is bitter, with some sweet malt and citrus and a fresh green hopped bitterness to finish.

Dungarvan Comeragh Challenger Gluten Free 500ml, 3.8% - €3.40 

Dungarvan Comeragh Challenger

Named after a route on the Sean Kelly cycling tour that runs through the Comeragh Mountains, this English-style pale ale which is brewed using the naturally occurring hard water of West Waterford and hopped solely with Challenger hops to produce a traditional bitter. The malty profile and floral hops make for an elegant and understated ale. The best Irish-made gluten free beer.

Turkey & Ham wine pairings from Molloys

If you are wondering which wine to pair with turkey and ham, then  look no further.
Compared to other poultry, turkey is by nature quite dry.  Baked ham is quite juicy, with soft, pliable protein. When cooked properly, it should also have a certain richness and spiciness with its cloves and honey glaze.

A rich round white will add richness to both meats. Chardonnay is an excellent choice. That includes French Burgundy (eg. Macon, Meursault, Chablis). So too is Pinot Gris (a richer style of Pinot Grigio).

In red wines, that same dryness should be offset by something smooth (ie. low tannin) and fruity. This will match the weight of the flavour, and also complement the cranberry sauce.

Rhône blends and Languedoc-Roussillon reds (Corbières, Minervois, Languedoc AC) are great all-rounders. If you prefer New World wines, Merlot, Shiraz, Grenache and blends of these are a perfect match. 

Baked ham goes particularly well with Pinot Noir and Beaujolais. Another good choice would be a mature (therefore smooth) Rioja or Bordeaux (particularly St. Emilion).

So here are some recommendations from Molloys for your Christmas Day wines:

Ch. Martinolles Vieilles Vignes Chardonnay 2015 is from Limoux in the south of France. Barrel-fermentation & oak ageing add layers of cloves, sweet spice & smokiness to this creamy, buttery, richly-flavoured wine. An Irish Times “100 Best Wines” choice in 2016.

Le Grand Blanc 2012 Rich and round Chardonnay blend from the Languedoc, with a bouquet ranging from tropical fruit, peach, cinnamon and toast to butter and lemon.  An Irish Times Top 100 Wine.   Also recommended by The Sunday Business Post:  "Stunning wine.. Rich acacia and white flowers on the nose give way to the perfumed viognier. Then the nutty, toasty apricot and honey notes of a southern Burgundy star emerge. The finish is smooth and delicious.”

MWC Pinot Gris 2015 Flavours of ripe red apples, with a hint of spice. Generously flavoured (for a Pinot Grigio), nicely rounded acidity. “this Aussie is rich enough for a big meal, and a crowd-pleaser to boot.” – The Daily Star.

Ch. de Farel Côtes du Rhône Rouge 2015 This estate was known to supply the Papal Palace at Avignon in the fourteenth century. It’s beautifully smooth.  Subtle peppery, spicy notes lead into ripe red cherry, followed by slightly gamey earthy notes on the finish. This wine was awarded a Gold Medal by Gilbert & Gaillard.

MWC Shiraz Mourvedre 2014 is a Aussie blend of Shiraz (giving blackberry and pepper) and Mourvedre (offering smokiness). This is a rich fruit-driven red. Awarded 90 Points in James Halliday’s Wine Companion 2016 “Very good value, ready now.”

Sancho Garces Rioja Crianza 2014 is beautifully smooth and ready for drinking, as well as being undeniably great value. Mature slightly dried/stewed bramble fruits, vanilla and coconut, with a feint lick of sweet spice on the finish. Don’t let its inexpensive price put you off – it’s a cracker!

Ch. Chante Alouette 2012, St. Émilion Grand Cru: Situated next to the famous St. Émilion estates of Pavie & la Gaffeliere, old Merlot vines produce extremely concentrated and lengthy wine. Powerful, with ripe intense fruits, exploding to give great concentration of dark fruit, graphite & toastiness; finishing very long. “a St. Émilion Grand Cru with serious breeding” - The Daily Mail said.

Winter Warmers from Italy

One of the fastest-growing wine styles has been for rich, full-bodied red wines, which are smooth and fruity enough to be enjoyed with or without food.  These wines are made for this time of the year - perfect for wrapping yourself around on cold winter evenings.  Sharing is optional...!

Northern Italy is synonymous with this style. The production method involves drying the grapes for several months after harvest. This concentrates the flavours and sugars. Then the grapes are fermented very slowly, and usually aged for a year or more in old oak vats.

Amarone della Valpolicella is made in this method, using premium quality Valpolicella grapes (Corvina, Molinara and Rondinella). It’s full-bodied, about 16% alcohol, and smooth, with dried fruit, chocolate, dark rum, sweet spice and leather.

The dried grape skins left over from the Amarone fermentation hold so much flavour that they can be re-fermented with standard Valpolicella. This ‘passito’ (passing over/re-fermenting) results in Ripasso, or Ripassa della Valpolicella. It’s like a mini-Amarone in style, and almost half the price.

A similar technique is being used in other regions, and often producers leave some residual sugar in the wine, to make it even more palatable. Governo is a traditional Tuscan process, of setting aside bunches of grapes at harvest and drying them, then pressing them in November and introducing some juice into young wines that had just finished their alcoholic fermentation. This adds tannin, sweetness, and alcohol.

These rich full-bodied wines are amazingly good with hearty winter dishes like beef/lamb cooked in red wine, blue cheese. We also discovered at our staff wine course that Amarone is fantastic with plain chocolate! All are sure to be well-received as a wine gift.

We directly import quite a few of these, as part of Molloys Exclusive Wines range. Our Gran Passione is incredibly popular. A Food & Wine review says it all:
• "sexy, velvety, amazing".
• 5/5 would buy it again - as "a special gift for parents... "

Gran Passione Rosso del Veneto: Full-bodied, yet smooth, with generous dark and dried fruits, sweet spice, and a rich warm chocolate and fruity finish.

Oltre Passo Primitivo: A delicious sweet red, made from the Primitivo grape, in southern Italy. Flavours of cherry chocolate liqueur, stewed plums, vanilla, and hints of smoke.

Ca’ Vittoria Appassimento ‘Gold Release’ - This re-fermented red wine manages a superb balance between warm rum, and rich flavours of Christmas cake and chocolate, with a really long fruity, slightly smoky finish. (A longstanding customer told us it's the best wine we've ever brought in - that's good enough for us!)

‘Governo’ Rosso Toscano - Multi-layered flavours - roast coffee, chocolate, ripe baked plums and cherries, toasty, vanilla; quite vibrant, finishing with a nice grip of tannin, and light hint of sweetness. An ideal partner for rich foods.

Winter Warmers from Italy, from Molloys

PEARSE THE ORIGINAL – Molloys Liquor Stores

Taster thoughts by Lee Wilson

Having just opened their doors this past August, the Pearse distillery is Dublin's newest edition to the Irish Whiskey market. The first of four releases, The Original comes with a green label which helps showcase the copper bronze colour of this classic looking bottle.

 
It must be mentioned off the top, it is rare to find an Irish Whiskey that offers the lover of peaty Scotch an acceptable alternative. PEARSE THE ORIGINAL happily takes its place in the market where an opportunity certainly lies to fill in a void. On the nose, you will immediately recognize this pleasant peaty aroma straight away. Taking in a deeper second breath, you will pick up an added aroma of caramel as the whiskey gets closer to your tongue. The result when in your mouth reveals a flavourful burst with very little burn as it settles on your tongue. Once tasted, the wash is smoother than most, allowing that peatiness you originally sensed on the nose reappearing after the initial swallow.

An agreeably mild, polished whiskey that will satisfy the palate of any aficionado of peaty tasting whiskey. At a very reasonable 42.95 (Euro) and a perfectly balanced 42% ABV, this is a must Whiskey to accompany the others in your collection!
This is a definite recommend and alternative for anybody looking for a quality Irish Whiskey that stands up to any top Islay Scotch.