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Christmas Crossword 2017: solution and winners
Thanks to everyone who has entered, tried and given up, or joined in the whole crossword conversation with us in any way during the last few weeks.
The competition has been great fun and certainly seems to have got people talking—we hope you enjoyed it.
The winning entries have been drawn, using a random number generator, from the fully correct crosswords received, and here, with our congratulations, are the names of the lucky winners:
Bottle of Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape: Miriam Murphy
€30 voucher: Aidan Tyrrell
€30 voucher: Lucia O'Donovan
€30 voucher: Úna Clarke
Well done! We'll be in touch with you shortly to arrange the prizes.
And there's more…
If you entered but are not one of the winners, don't be disappointed—all is not lost. We thought all the entrants deserved some recognition, so details of a small consolation prize will be sent to the e-mail address you provided on your entry form.
And now, without further ado, here is the completed grid and, beneath it, the original clues with answers.
ACROSS
1. Spanish term for a wine aged in oak (7)
CRIANZA
5. Organic compound not for sale to under-18s (7)
ALCOHOL
9. Shandon bells are these (7)
RINGERS
10. In report on fortified wine city (5)
PORTO
11. A good place for storage Down Under? (6)
CELLAR
12. French ways in on the menu? (7)
ENTREES
14. Châteauneuf-du-? (4)
PAPE
15. Munster anglers' delight—not so welcome in your glass? (10)
BLACKWATER
19. She may top the tree in country places (5,5)
RURAL FAIRY
20. Wine auf Deutsch (4)
WEIN
22. One of the things decanting does (7)
AERATES
25. Atmosphere from the distillery? (6)
SPIRIT
27. Another name for the ‘international varieties’ of grapes, including Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (5)
NOBLE
28. Appellation in the Southern Rhône (7)
RASTEAU
29. Sew-sew feature of a real Christmas tree (7)
NEEDLES
30. One of the céad míle fáilte (7)
WELCOME
DOWN
1. The real capital, some say (4)
CORK
2. Agoraphobic landlord? (9)
INNKEEPER (keeps in)
3. She sounds like Christmas (6)
NOELLE
4. Where the Margaret River flows into the sea (9)
AUSTRALIA
5. Essential ingredient in cider (5)
APPLE
6. Can we opt for this South African port (4,4)
CAPE TOWN
7. 1HP biodynamic tractor (5)
HORSE
8. Appears to have had one too many (5,5)
LOOKS DRUNK
13. The capital of Champagne? French disagreement follows (7,3)
EPERNAY, NON
16. Bottle opener—from the rebels' ship? (9)
CORKSCREW
17. One way of describing Bubble Brothers, cut short (3,4,2)
THE WINE CO
18. Synopsis of ‘Ten Green Bottles’ (1,3,4)
A LOT FELL
21. Dry, light, seasonal sparkler (6)
TINSEL
23. Spanish red aged in oak for less time than 1 across (5)
ROBLE
24. They're necessary for Bing's Christmas dreams to come true (5)
SNOWS (Bing Crosby sang about ‘dreaming of a white Christmas’)
