Mixed case miscellany

Raid the piggy bank – these wines may be pricey, but they are worth splurging on for a special occasion, writes JOHN WILSON

THIS WEEK, a miscellany of great wines that I have tasted over the past few months, and would like to have featured earlier. But either they didn’t quite fit with the subject in hand, or they were not yet in the country. Some are a little on the pricey side, but I can assure you they are well worth raiding the piggy bank for a special occasion, or just a bit of luxury at home with a good dinner.

BOTTLES OF THE WEEK

Clos Petite Bellane Côtes du Rhône Villages Valréas "les Echalas" Blanc 2007, 13.5%, €24This was one of my star wines of the summer – a superb, rich white wine, packed with peaches and apricots, subtle vanillin oak, and a streak of mineral acidity. It fills the mouth with flavour and lingers beautifully. Not cheap, but well worth a splurge. Try it with full-flavoured fish dishes, or grilled chicken. The red version is equally good, too. Stockists: Cabot and Co, Westport (cabotandco.com); On The Grapevine, Dalkey (onthegrapevine.ie)

Clos Petite Bellane Côtes du Rhône Rouge 2007, 13.5%, €12.99A 50/50 blend of Syrah and Grenache, this is a beautifully made wine with plenty of warm dark fruits. Unlike many southern Rhônes, it also has a lovely, clean elegance and soft purity of fruit. Stockists: On The Grapevine, Dalkey; Pery Square, Limerick; Mount Gable Gifts, Clonbur; Cabot and Co, Westport; Poppy Seed, Clarinbridge

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colle Morino 2008, Barba, 13%, €13.95Montepluciano d'Abruzzo is available at anything from €6 to €20. Generally, a few extra euro deliver a very superior wine. This is a lovely red that impresses with its crunchy, dark cherry fruits, a touch of refreshing acidity, and lightly tannic finish. Drink it with food, lighter red meats, or pork. Stockists: Sheridans Galway, Carnaross and Dublin; Vanilla Pod, Killarney; John R's, Listowel; Lettercollum Kitchen Project, Clonakilty; Marlay Wines, Grange Road, Rathfarnham; Vanilla Grape, Kenmare

Emrich-Schönleber Mineral Riesling, Nahe, Germany 2007, 12.5%, €24.95Having tasted this wine at the estate and back here in Ireland, I bought a few bottles. A lovely forward, rich but elegant nose, beautiful polished, crisp, clean pear fruits, with a strong mineral streak. This could be drunk on its own, but would probably be best with crab. Stockists: Jus de Vine, Portmarnock; Redmond's Ranelagh; The Wicklow Wine Co

Craggy Range Syrah Block 14, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand 2006, 13.5%, €36New Zealand is starting to make some seriously good Syrah; Craggy Range is one of the leaders. A lovely deep, sweet/savoury nose leading on to a lean palate of liquorice and dark cherries. The finish is good, too. Drink now or lay down for a year or two. Stockists: Egan's Off-Licence, Portlaoise; Thomas's Deli, Foxrock; Redmond's, Ranelagh; Bin No 9, Clonskeagh; Wicklow Arms, Delgany; Sweeney's, Glasnevin; McCabes, Mount Merrion; The Gables, Foxrock; Donnybrook Fair; O'Donovan's, Cork; Morton's, Ranelagh

Charles Melton Nine Popes, Barossa Valley 2006, 14.5%, €35.99Charlie Melton never takes himself too seriously. However, he is one of Australia's great winemakers. Nine Popes, modelled on a Châteauneuf-du-Pape, is beautifully perfumed, with superb, elegant fruit that makes the rest of the Barossa look clumsy. Pure dark fruits, a touch of brown sugar, and amazing length. Try it with grilled red meats. Stockists: James Nicholson (jnwines.com); Cheers, Delgany; Power and Smullen, Lucan; Wicklow Wine Co. Also available in Northern Ireland at £27 from Lighthouse Wine Store, Whiteabbey; Blake's Fine Wine, Derrylin

TWO UNDER €10

Château Cazal Viel Saint Chinian 2008, 13%, €9.35If you have a decanter handy, I would suggest using it on this wine. It opens out to reveal lovely, smooth, savoury dark plum fruits. Stockist: Tesco

Domaine les Auzines 'fleurs blanches' 2008, 13.5%, €9.99Laurent Miquel is one of the most dynamic winemakers in the Languedoc, generally favouring local grapes for his range of wines. This is a new acquisition, just arrived on the Irish market. This is a very attractive medium-bodied white, with plenty of lemon acidity to counter the mouth-filling lanolin, grilled nuts and peach fruits. Serve this with creamy pasta dishes, or chicken. Stockists: O'Briens

BEER OF THE WEEK

Thwaites Wainwright Golden Ale, 4.1%, €2.89for a 500ml bottle From a renowned Lancashire brewery, a deliciously light beer, with rounded pear and banana fruit, a toasty mid-palate, with a nice hoppy bite on the finish. jwilson@irishtimes.com