Wine

‘Snapper Rock wines are focused on delivering the fruit driven styles of wine that has made Marlborough famous, while the cool climate of the most southern valley of the Marlborough region adds something special not found anywhere else in Marlborough. We have developed a long term strategy, which is both fair and sustainable, for present and future generations.’

This vintage faced the challenge of three significant tropical storms, but the Snapper Rock winemakers have triumphed with a fresh and fragrant wine displaying peach, citrus and tropical character and bright, juicy flavours with lively, youthful intensity before a long, crisply defined finish.

Gorgeously fruity, fresh white with an exuberant nose of passionfruit, hawthorn and honey, followed by a medium-bodied, zingy palate of citrus fruits. Clean, minerally finish with the faintest suggestion of maritime Galicia.

Enjoy this perennial customer and staff favourite with seafood or as an aperitif.

“Full on flavours of gooseberry, peaches, and white flowers. Inviting creaminess.”

Decanter World Wine Awards , Silver Medal (2010 vintage)

Peñín Guide 2012 - Silver Medal, 86/100

“Pale gold. Bright and energetic on the nose, displaying fresh Meyer lemon and green apple scents that give way to a deeper melon quality on the back half. Juicy and focused on the palate, offering sappy citrus and orchard fruit flavors and a touch of honeysuckle. The floral quality carries through a long, mineral-tinged finish that emphatically echoes the orchard fruit note.”
Vinous, 90/100 (May 2017, 2015 vintage)

“Aromas of fresh citrus fruits, crushed vitamins and nectarine are pleasant and welcoming. This offers good acidic cut and overall balance. Flavors of stone fruits focus on apricot and nectarine, while the finish is elegant.”
Wine Enthusiast 90 points (December 2016, 2015 vintage)

Albariño is synonymous with the rainy DO of Rías Baixas in north-west Spain, where it accounts for 90% of all plantings. Officially, 12 varieties are allowed in the DO, but little is seen of the other whites - Loureiro, Caiño blanco, Treixadura, Godello, Torrontés - and less again of the six permitted red grapes.

Lightly-oaked, pure Tempranillo with medium body, soft tannins and ripe flavours of soft fruits, brown sugar and a pinch of allspice.

Plenty of fresh raspberry and strawberry notes make this an easy-going wine to be enjoyed on its own or with a wide range of savoury foods. The hint of oak gives it just enough depth to make an ideal table wine for vegetable, poultry and pork dishes too.

Bodegas Altanza, located in Rioja Alta, was established by a group of wine-loving businessmen in 1988. It has a modern approach to winemaking and its wines are known for their keen price-quality ratio.

A perennial favourite, this delicately flavoured, chalky, French Sauvignon is fresh and lively on the palate with intense flavours of grapefruit, herbs and green apple.

Sancerre and goat’s cheese is a match made in heaven, although the wine goes very well too with light-bodied fish like sole, or a simple roast chicken.

Sancerre is the Loire’s most famous appellation, producing distinctively smoky, flinty Sauvignon. In the Eastern Loire, in fact, many people refer to Sauvignon as blanc fumé.

Until phylloxera wiped out most of the vineyards in the mid nineteenth century, Sancerre grew mostly red grapes Gamay and Pinot Noir. But, in the aftermath of the louse infestation, Sauvignon proved more amenable to grafting than these red varieties, and so it subsequently surged ahead of its two dark-skinned rivals. (The rest is history!)

Limestone and flint are the two most important soil types in Sancerre, both having great heat-retaining and light-reflecting properties, which help the grapes to ripen in what is viticulturally a cold region.

Fashionable, medium-bodied and refreshingly mineral Languedoc white, full of fresh aromas and flavours of apple, grapefruit, and wet stones. Supple and invigorating, with a dry, briny finish, it's a great aperitif or seafood wine.

‘Picpoul de Pinet will be familiar to any of you who travel to the Languedoc, where it is the perfect partner for all things fishy. It seems to be growing in popularity here too. This fine example has lots of clean, zippy, citrus and green apple fruits with a refreshing minerality. Perfect on its own or with seafood.’
John Wilson, Irish Times, April 2012

Picpoul Blanc is the grape of Picpoul de Pinet, one of the named 'crus' of the Coteaux du Languedoc in the south of France. Picpoul means ‘lip stinger’, in reference to the variety's potentially formidable acidity. Instead of acidity or, indeed, stung lips, the wine trade prefers to talk about Picpoul's ‘freshness’, ‘verve’, and ‘attractive liveliness’.

An extravagant bouquet of sweet spices and pepper, followed by a full-throttle, firm-tannined wash of ripe blackberry, menthol and minerals. A very serious wine! So treat like a Bordeaux, and aerate well, before enjoying alongside roast beef, mature cheeses or chargrilled vegetables.

Cabardès is a relatively small red-and-rosé appellation in the hills north of Carcassonne. Its catchment area is on the climatic border between balmy Languedoc-Roussillon and the more inclement South-West, in the foothills of the Montagne Noir. This double identity is manifested in the grape varieties which make up the appellation's wines: Grenache and Syrah from the SE; Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon, and Merlot, from the SW/Bordeaux. The result is some genuinely unique wines, the majority of which are red.

‘At this price it's a steal!’
Mary Dowey, The Irish Times

The appassimento method of making wine from grapes dried in the sun is a way of adding texture and raisiny intensity to the fresh fruit flavours of the juice.

The most famous wines made by this method are probably the Amarones and Valpolicella Ripassos of the Veneto region of northern Italy, but there is a similar tradition in Sicily, and this luscious red demonstrates that the island's indigenous Nero d'Avola is also an excellent candidate for the drying treatment.

Because the grapes for 'Siccari' (a dialect word for 'sun-dried') come from the relatively higher and cooler vineyards of Sicily's south-east, there's an invigorating freshness in the fruit that balances the enriching, concentrating influence of the appassimento.

The result is a voluptuous but not overpowering wine, silky-smooth and succulent, with plum and cherry character and just a hint of residual sugar. It's a perfect, full-flavoured partner for meat dishes, and its rich, very slightly off-dry finish and gentle tannins make it ideal with good cheese too.

DRINK OF THE WEEK ‘…smooth and round but not in any way jammy. Layered, intense, lovely’
Tom Doorley, Irish Mail on Sunday, May 2020

Expressively scented Piedmont red with juicy black cherry, sweet blueberry, and dark chocolate notes. Inky and concentrated, with a sleek texture, seductive style and superb length.

There's good, muscular concentration and balance with the typical acidity of Barbera keeping this a refreshing, appetizing wine throughout a meal.

Barbera d'Asti is always made from Barbera, which is Italy’s third most planted red grape variety after Sangiovese and Montepulciano.

It was given DOC (appellation) status in 1970, and was upgraded to the top DOCG tier in 2008. Under the rules, at least 85% Barbera must be used; the balance may be made up with Freisa, Grignolino or Dolcetto grapes.

A rich and satisfying reserva from Portugal, with intense ruby colour and floral and toasty hints woven through its rich fruit aromas.

There’s lovely balance in the mouth, the added complexity of old vines, a mellow, velvety texture and soft, discreet tannins rounding off an accomplished bottle.

Made from selected grapes from the Valpolicella hills, this cherry-and-damson scented wine is light and fruity, with barely-there tannins and a clean, fresh finish—a beautiful option for warm summer evenings.

'You wouldn’t normally expect much of a Valpolicella unless it were at least a superiore, but here’s a basic level one that’s head and shoulders ahead of its peers: lovely cherry and vanilla on the nose and lipsmackingly tart and savoury on the palate.'
Blake Creedon, Irish Examiner, January 2012

The Tezza family's 25-hectare estate is just outside the historic heart of Valpolicella in the sheltered microclimate of the Valpantena valley. Their cantina is an intriguing mix of modern and traditional, with ancient cement cisterns alongside gleaming steel vats and giant oak casks. Some of the vines are planted in the classic pergola method, where the grapes hang high, protected from both sun and humidity, while the rest have been converted to the much lower French guyot system, which is tantamount to heresy for old-fashioned winemakers.

The three Tezza brothers began their winery in 1965, and now it is run by their three sons, cousins Flavio, Vanio and Federico. Vanio says: "We are against the present trend of a dolce Valpolicella and Amarone, which many winemakers seem to think the market wants, and we prefer to produce wines to our own principles, with plenty of tannin to age well, and drier."

Guardian travel article here.

Intense red colour with fresh, healthy fruit aromas and a hint of oak. Well rounded on the palate, this aromatic red has ripe concentration, with notes of black cherry, blackberry, liquorice and tobacco. The firm tannins fade into a long, spicy finish. Vinified in stainless steel tanks before a light oaking (twelve months) in French and American barrels.

Good with all sorts of food, this is a superb match for barbecued meats, roast lamb, and kebabs.

An approachable Rhône blend, fruity and plump, with a beguiling flavour profile of grapefruit, pear, summer wheat, almond and lemon zest.

It's fresh and crisp, so good as an aperitif, or with fish, poultry or salads.

Ten per cent of the blend is fermented in new oak barrels, with lees-stirring, for added richness and complexity.

‘La Vieille Ferme produces exuberant and delicious wines’
James Suckling, The Wine Spectator

‘This is a wine for those who want great quality and delicious drinking’
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

‘A pleasure to taste something you know that's good—excellent value’
Decanter

Intense, lemony Touraine with lip-smacking freshness and oodles of grapefruit, gooseberry, and nettle flavours. Clean and bright, with nice weight for this style.
Drink as an aperitif or with salads, tangy cheeses (e.g. goat's), fish, chicken, or curry.

The 2018 vintage was awarded a gold medal at the 2019 Concours Mondial du Sauvignon.

Christophe Godet and his wife Nathalie manage the day-to-day running of the vineyards and cellar.

‘…elegant, moderately pungent, with a lovely mineral streak’
Tom Doorley, Irish Mail on Sunday, May 2020

‘This Touraine Sauvignon is slightly softer than others, making it a bit easier to drink without food. It has flavours of apple, citrus and peppery spice with a lovely mineral acidity. A good alternative to pricier Sancerre.’
[2016 vintage] 88/100 James Button, Decanter, March 2017

There is no mistaking the commitment of the Purato range—certified carbon neutral— to minimizing the environmental impact of its excellent everyday wines.

Not only are the wines themselves made from organically grown grapes, but the bottles, labels and cartons for the range are as far as possible made from recycled materials, with pure vegetable inks used in printing.

Nero d'Avola is indigenous to Sicily and an ideal choice for organic production because it is suited to the conditions of the island and has evolved to resist the particular challenges posed by the local climate and soils.

This is a medium-bodied dry red with soft tannins and attractive red fruit character. Its layers of flavour make it an excellent accompaniment to meat and tomato dishes—so it's perfect with lasagne, pizza and spaghetti bolognese as well as vegetarian meals. Of course, if you're trying your hand at some Sicilian specialities, so much the better.

‘…rich, supple, cherry-scented and fresh’
Tom Doorley, Irish Mail on Sunday, May 2020

Full-bodied, supple, dark-fruited red blend from the vertiginous slopes of Montsant, a DO in Cataluña that encircles the better-known and more expensive Priorat.

An inviting and invigorating fragrance of cedar, spice box, and black cherry leads on to a smooth, ripe-berried palate of considerable complexity and power. Silky tannins imbue this Samsó (Carignan) based Penedès blend with a dusty plushness that is very appealing.

Enjoy Acùstic with hearty casseroles and grilled meats, or to make an impression at any gathering where good wine is called for.

Acustic produces wines from 40- to 65-year-old Samsó, the local name for Cariñena, and Garnacha. The wine offers the aromas and flavours of Priorat at a far more friendly price. The Wine Buyer's Guide

Offers up a lightly roasted bouquet of spice box, earthy minerals, tobacco, and black cherry. Sweetly-fruited, dense, layered wine that has years of ageing potential! An outstanding value proposition that will deliver prime drinking from 2012 to 2019. Wine Advocate, 91 points

Catalonia’s Montsant DO was carved out of the Tarragona DO in 2001. This promotion came about as a result of the region's consistent ability to produce high-quality wines, and a need to establish a separate identity for its prime high-altitude vineyards. Monsant, which lies west of Tarragona, almost completely surrounds the more well-known Priorat.

Most of the prized sites within Monsant are located on elevated steep slopes, where the vines enjoy long Mediterranean sunshine during the day and cold temperatures at night, assisting in the development of aromas while maintaining vital acidity in the grapes. The soil here is a local specialty known as llicorella, which is high in granite and slate components.

Montsant has earned a reputation for its high-quality red wines in particular; especially those based on old Garnacha (Grenache) and Samsó (Carignan) vines. Tempranillo (called Ull de Llebre locally) and international varieties also do well here. A small quantity of white (Chardonnay, Macabeo and Garnacha Blanca) is produced, along with rosé and sweet wines.

An all-time favourite at Bubble Brothers and fantastic value.

Ripe and juicy with good weight, moderate tannins and attractive notes of sweet blackberry, farmyard and thyme in a fresh, attractive red. Impressive length and complexity for a wine at this price.

The judges at the Paris Concours Général Agricole regularly award the estate's wines in recognition of their overall excellence and exemplary Cabardès character.

‘This is another wine that won me over on the first sniff: its delicious sweet farmyard scent giving way to a well-weighted medium mouthful’.
Blake Creedon, Irish Examiner, January 2012

The Cabardès appellation was established only in 1999 and covers red and rosé wines made in the hills north of Carcassonne. The appellation's slogan “Vent d'Est, Vent d'Ouest” reflects its catchment area: on the climatic border between balmy Languedoc-Roussillon and the more inclement South-West, in the foothills of the Montagne Noir. This double identity is manifested in the grape varieties which make up the appellation's wines: Grenache and Syrah from the Mediterranean; Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon, and Merlot, from the Atlantic side. The result is some unique wines, the majority of which are red.

The Jouclary history goes back as far as 1530, when Guilhaume de Jouclary was the Consul of Carcassonne. Pascal Gianesini, succeeding his father Robert who took over the estate in 1969, is currently in charge of coaxing out its wonderful, expressive wines.

This delicately coloured pale pink wine is made by Mark Perrin, who also makes Brad and Angelina's famous, and much more expensive, Provençal rosé at Château Miraval.

The inviting floral nose of this blushing beauty offers hints of aniseed and watermelon too, with summer fruits—red apples, strawberry, cherry—on the palate. There's no need to have food with this easy-going and ever so slightly romantic wine, but it does go very well with picnic food, tapas, or a buffet.

Judged top rosé in Irish Times staff tasting with John Wilson, it would make a great alternative to 'red or white' for your next function or get-together.

‘“Smells really fruity, and is a bit more robust, has a bit more body than your usual rosé”, said one taster. This was the most popular of all the wines tasted. Medium bodied, with plenty of ripe but tangy cherry fruits.’
(From the Irish Times magazine, June, 2012)

‘Tried and trusted southern Rhône pink, with masses of light, fruity, yet lip-smacking red berry verve.’

Jane MacQuitty, The Times, 26th May 2018

The imposing Château Vieux Manoir was a former hunting house of the Duke of Epernon, and features on the label of this delicious classic, one of our best-sellers because of its elegant, medium-bodied appeal and traditional Merlot/Cabernet blend at an attractively affordable price.

With praise in recent vintages from leading critics as well as a steady haul of competition medals, this is a crowd-pleasing wine that will add a touch of luxury to any meal or gathering.

Those looking for a great wedding wine should snap it up!