Wines to fool a snob

Wines to keep the connoisseurs happy, without breaking the bank, writes JOHN WILSON

WINES OF THE YEAR

John Wilson's top wines of 2010 will be published next Friday in a booklet, free with The Irish Times

WE ALL KNOW the wine snob. As far as he (and it usually is a he) is concerned, only the well-known names can produce great wines. Most of these are in France, but these days not exclusively. The more famous regions of the world can charge more for their wines. Sometimes the extra premium is well worth it – there are good reasons why the Côte de Beaune produces the finest white Burgundy and why Chianti Classico produces the greatest Chianti.

However, none of us can afford to drink the very best wines all the time, and with a little knowledge it is possible to get a very close approximation without breaking the bank. This week I suggest a few wines to fool the wine snob in your life.

There are a few simple ways to make any wine taste better. Firstly, serve it at the right temperature so that the fruit shows through. Use a nice decanter, even for white wines. Make sure you have decent, large, tulip-shaped glasses. The Riedel Sangiovese glass is perfect, but expensive, the Wine Star range is much cheaper and almost as good. Finally, serve it with the right food.

BOTTLES OF THE WEEK

Joel Delaunay Touraine Sauvignon Blanc 2009, 12.5%, €9.99Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé are two of the most widely acclaimed regions of the Loire Valley. But plenty of other parts of the Loire also grow Sauvignon Blanc, some every bit as good. Look out for names such as Quincy, Menetou-Salon, Reuilly or, currently very fashionable, Touraine Sauvignon. Generally priced at €9-€13 a bottle, some have that lovely flintiness found in a Sancerre or Pouilly-Fumé; others are more fruit-driven, but equally enjoyable. The Delaunay Touraine is fresh, and brimming with crisp, green fruits. Stockist: O'Briens

Bourgogne Blanc 2009, Domaine Boyer-Martenot, 13%, €25A Meursault or Puligny-Montrachet from a decent producer will set you back €40 or more. Vincent Boyer-Martenot owns vineyards in both these appellations. As with other top domaines, the bargain lies with his Bourgogne Blanc, made from lesser grapes but still retaining some of the class. A delicious medium-to-rich Chardonnay, with deft use of oak that gives a real sense of Côte de Beaune. Stockists: McCabes, Mount Merrion and Foxrock; La Touche Wines, Greystones; Vanilla Grape, Kenmare

Château de Francs, Côtes de Francs 2007, 13.5%, €11.52 (by the case, until 30th November)Hubert de Boüard owns Château l'Angélus, one of the great wines of Saint Émilion. Unfortunately, a bottle will set you back €100 or more. However, de Boüard also makes wine in a number of other less fashionable areas, including a La Fleur de Boüard in Lalande-de-Pomerol, and Château de Francs in the Côtes de Francs. The latter wine is an absolute bargain, a delicious elegant mature claret with soft plummy fruits. Stockists: winesdirect.ie, which has a great Bordeaux offer running until November 30th

Bethany G6 Barossa Shiraz, 14%, €12.99 (down from €17.99 for Christmas)The standard Bethany Barossa Shiraz is one of my regular favourites – a great combination of elegance and ripe fruit. But the G6, a relatively new arrival, is classic Barossa Shiraz with super rich, rounded, ripe plum fruits, hints of coffee and chocolate, and far more flavour than you would expect from a wine at this price. Stockists: O'Briens