WINTER CASE SELECTION: JOHN WILSON’S THE WINES TO DRINK 2020 IRISH TIMES BOOKS

We have picked out some of our favourite wines from John Wilson’s ‘The Wines to Drink this Year’ 2020. All quotes are from the book and are referenced ‘JW’ where relevant.

WHITE WINES

Château du Coing de Saint Fiacre, Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine sur lie AC 2017 (FRANCE)

Grape: Melon de Bourgogne. Abv: 12% abv.

Style: Crisp, refreshing white wines

Farming: Lutte raisonnée

Suggested Food pairing: classic moules frites or smoked salmon. €17

“Lively white apple and pear fruit, subtle lemon zest and a fine mineral acidity. …if you are tiring of Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, these wines are well worth trying out” (JW)

Bodegas y Viñedos Ponce, ’Reto’ D.O. 2018 ()

Grape: Albilla. Abv: 12.5%

Style: Fresh and fruity

Farming: Biodynamic (uncertified)

Suggested Food pairing: Shellfish risotto or a hearty paella Valenciana. €22

“Juan Antonio Ponce is something of a magician. In the baking hot and arid climate of Jumilla, he somehow succeeds in producing elegant, fruity wines, including the amazing Reto…delightful floral aromas leading to a rich but refreshing palate with clean mineral lines and subtle peach fruits.” (JW)

Bodegas Forjas del Salnés ‘Leirana’ Albariño, Rías Baixas D.O. 2018 (SPAIN)

Grape: Albariño. Abv: 13% abv

Farming/vinification: organic, vegan.

Style: Fresh and fruity white wines

Suggested food pairing: “Dublin bay prawns with homemade lemony mayonnaise” (JW) or a vibrant salad of brassicas with hazelnuts. €25

“As Rías Baixas/ Albariño becomes more popular, we are seeing more small producers emerge, some are making some really thrilling wines that get the heart beating that little bit faster. This is one such producer…Wonderful, subtle wine with plump, ripe peach fruits, a touch of orange peel and lemon zest, and a wonderful saline edge” (JW)

Domaine André Bonhomme, Viré-Clessé, ‘Les Pierres Blanches’ Viré-Clessé AC 2017 (FRANCE)

Grape: . Abv: 13.5%

Farming: Organic

Style: Rich and rounded white wines

Suggested Food pairing: This would go nicely with chicken dishes –either roast or in a creamy tarragon sauce (JW) Or with scallops/ smoked salmon canapés.

€26

“Gorgeous, generous, textured apple and pear fruits with a reviving, crisp mineral streak, finishing dry. Lovely, pure, unoaked Chardonnay…I have been a fan of Bonhomme wines for many years: they drink well when young and can also age very impressively. In the sea of indifferent wines found in the Mâconnais, they stand out as special –and are very well priced given the quality.” (JW).

Immich-Baterieberg ‘Detonation’ Riesling, Mosel 2017 (GERMANY)

Grape: Riesling. Abv: 11.5% abv.

Farming: organic

Style: Crisp refreshing white wines

Suggested Food pairing: smoked salmon with horseradish blinis or fat, juicy Dublin Bay prawns.

€26

“I love everything about this wine; the pristine fresh peach and zingy lemon fruits, the wonderful cleansing mineral acidity, the wonderful cleansing mineral acidity, the whiff of smoke and the excellent length…One of the most renowned winemakers in Germany, Gernot Kollmann made historic Mosel estate of Immich-Batterieberg in 2009. The four vineyards include ancient ungrafted pre-phlloxera vines. The wines are an incredible mix of stunning complex, succulent fruit and mouth-watering refreshing acidity.” (JW)

Les Deux Cols, Côtes-du-Rhône Blanc AC ‘Cuvée Zéphyr’ 2016 (FRANCE)

Grapes: Roussanne with a small percentage of Ugni Blanc to add freshness. Abv: 13.5%

Farming: organic non-certified

Style: Rich and rounded white wines

Suggested food pairing: Crab cakes or shellfish risotto.

€28

“This is gorgeous and worth every cent. Honey and honeysuckle aromas; medium-bodied, textured with opulent pear fruits, a touch of toasted almonds and marzipan with a glorious finish.” (JW)

RED WINES

Bodegas Fontana, ‘Las Meriñas’ Old Vine , Uclés D.O. 2018 (SPAIN)

Grape: Tempranillo. Abv: 14%

Farming/winemaking: organic. Vegan-friendly too.

Style: Rich & Full-bodied Red Wines

Suggested Food Pairing: “lamb chops with roasted lightly spicy red peppers and aubergines would be a fantastic match” (JW) or falafels. €13

“Uclés is part of La Mancha, the vast central plain of Spain. It is noted for producing high-quality Tempranillo, known here as Cencibel. They are often made in an easy-drinking, fruity style, such as the one above. They are among my favourite ‘glugging’ wines. A medium to full-bodied wine packed with supple, pure red-cherry fruits and a tannin-free rounded finish. Amazing value for money”. (JW)

Saladini Pilastri, Rosso Piceno DOC 2018 (ITALY)

Grapes: Montepulciano, Sangiovese. Abv: 13% abv

Farming: Certified organic, vegan.

Style: Light and elegant red wines.

Suggested food pairing: roasted porchetta, spaghetti Bolognese or lentil stew. €16

“Seductive, smooth and elegant red with toothsome red cherry fruits, a touch of spice and a dry finish. Great value for money…This is one of those wines that every restaurant should stock, not too expensive and a good match for a wide variety of foods.” (JW)

Quinta de Saes, ‘Tobias’ Tinto, Dão 2016 (PORTUGAL)

Grapes: 25% Tinto Roriz, 25% Touriga Nacional, 25% Alfrocheiro, 25% Jaen. Abv: 13%

Farming: organic, non-certified. Vegan.

Style: Light and elegant red wines.

Suggested food pairing: braised beef cheeks with roasted root vegetables. €19

“Classic Dão flavours of sweet/sour dark cherries, blackberries and damsons. A very moreish refreshing red wine. Dão is one of Portugal’s great wine regions, but is not well-known outside the country. A relatively cool area, it produces inviting, fresh mineral wines, both red and white, with a lovely purity of fruit” (JW)

Y. Amirault, ‘La Coudraye’ Bourgeuil AC 2017 (Loire Valley, FRANCE)

Grapes: . Abv: 13%

Farming: Organic

Style: Light and elegant reds

Food/occasion: turkey or roast chicken with cranberry sauce. Or with a rich dahl.

€24

“This is one of a brace of Cab Francs featured in the guide this year. These thirst-quenching food-friendly reds deserve to be more popular in this country. Abundant blackcurrants and other dark ripe fruits, with light tannins on the impressive finish. A charming wine.” (JW)

Domaine des Lises, ‘Cuvée Équinoxe’ Crozes-Hermitage AOP 2017 (Northern Rhône, FRANCE)

Grape: . Abv: 13.5% abv

Farming: organic principles.

Style: Rounded and fruity red wines.

Suggested Food Pairing: With friends, sharing plates of good charcuterie, cheese, tapenade and crusty bread.

€26

“A light, refreshing, supple wine with exuberant savoury dark cherry fruits and a tannin-free finish. Domaine des Lises is owned by the Graillot family, owners of some of the finest Syrah in the Northern Rhône” (JW)

Guímaro, ‘Camiño Real’, Ribeira Sacra D.O. 2017 (, SPAIN)

Grapes: Mencía. Abv: 13.5%

Farming: organic non-certified, neither fined nor filtered.

Style: Light and elegant reds.

Suggested food pairing: A seared breast of duck, or maybe pork belly.

€26.

“Pedro Rodríguez is one of the rising stars of Ribeira Sacra, a region in Galicia that has attracted huge interest in recent years – for amazing scenery as well as the unique wines. Made from primarily from ancient Mencía vines clinging to the slate soils on vertiginous slopes sweeping down to the rivers Miño and Sil, the wines can be spectacularly good. `lightly aromatic with seductive perfectly ripe dark cherry fruits, a spicy savoury edge and a freshness, an elegance that draws you back for another sip. Delicious wine.” (JW).