Irish Times wine of the week at Bubble Brothers

It's always good to get some recognition in the press for our efforts to bring interesting wines to Ireland, not least because flicking idly through the leisure pages of a computer over the weekend breakfast is still a minority pursuit. Here's an excerpt from Saturday's Irish Times, where John Wilson gives a push to the rustic Malbecs of Cahors in south-western France.

BOTTLES OF THE WEEK Cahors Clos Triguedina 2005, 13.5%, €25.90 One of the best-known names in Cahors, made by Jean-Luc Baldès. Elegant relatively ripe redcurrant and dark fruits, with some austerity, and good mineral length. Drink or keep. Try it with substantial red meat dishes. Stockist: Bubble Brothers, Cork.

You can read the rest of the article here, and enjoy some tips on two other 'C' wines: Cornas and Chinon. It's a pity I didn't have the chance to send John some samples of the terrific Chinons (here's one) we buy from Wilfrid Rousse, but since he and I are both enthusiasts of red wines from the Loire Valley, I hope we can revisit this common interest in the future. Since the article mentions Madiran, too, I should record that I still have up my sleeve, as it were, for fans of the sinewy authenticity of south-western French reds, a Madiran and a Fronton (discover the Négrette grape), both excellent value. I hope that one of these days we can feel justified in trying them out in Ireland. Bubble Brothers showed off the wines of Clos Triguedina in Cork at the end of last year (here's a link to an earlier post), and shortly after that, I spoke to the enthusiasts at www.french-malbec.com, and you can read/listen to that short interview here. Buy a duck, roast it, and pour a glass or two from Clos Triguedina (their Château de Flore is a good introduction at under €15) when you dine.