March 2013

Seriously impressed with whats come back from out Taste-Tester panel so far. If you havent been following this on facebook or twitter, have a look at the Taste-Tester page on the website here and see if you think you are up to the job. We do include notes on how to taste to give you some idea of where to start, so welcome complete novices as well as the more experienced. We have sent out 8 bottles so far, to 8 different Taste-testers and the feedback has been great wine critics every one of you. The wines of Paul and Isla Gordon featured on Nationwide this month. Co. Carlow native Isla and her Australian husband Paul are making wine in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France and the programme was aired on 6th March. If you missed it you can watch it on RTE Player (available to watch online until the end of March) or here on Paul and Islas site:

This months special offers to run until mid April or while stocks last:

The Spring mixed case (as reviewed by February TasteTesters): Reds: 3 bottles Domaine M. et S. Ogier dAmpuis, Ctes du Rhne Villages, Plan de Dieu Le Temps est Venu 2011 RRP 18.95 (Grenache, Syrah) 3 bottles Les Vignerons dEsterzargues, Ctes du Rhne, Les Amies Chanteuses 2010 RRP 12.95 (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvdre and Carignan) Whites: 3 bottles Lionel Osmin et Cie, Pyrne 2011 RRP 12.95 (Colombard, Gros Manseng, Sauvignon Blanc) 3 bottles Domaine Franois Chidaine, Sauvignon de Touraine 2011 RRP 15.95 (Sauvignon Blanc) These 12 bottles, including FREE delivery, for 144.00 SAVE 20% To read more on these wines please turn to page 3

http://sarabandewines.blogspot.ie/
This months special offers are based on the wines of Domaine de la Sarabande as well as those tasted by the February Taste-Testing panel, see right, and your extra Subscriber Offer is detailed on page 6. To read more on what were up to please have a look at our blog, we update intermittently: http://grapesandapples.wordpress.com/

The Sarabande mixed case of reds: 6 bottles of Domaine de la Sarabande, Faugres 2011 RRP 22.45 (Grenache, Carignan, Syrah and Mourvdre) and 6 bottles of Domaine de la Sarabande, Vin de Pays dOc Misterioso 2010 RRP 17.45 (Grenache) This 12 bottles, including FREE delivery, for 180.00 SAVE 25% To read more on the domaine please turn to pages 4 and 5

Photo: Inter Rhne

Bag-in-Box news
We have also started bringing in some quality Bag-inBox wine. And no, this is not an oxymoron. Just as screwcaps are no longer seen as an indication of the quality of the wine in the bottle, so too are bag-in-box wines now accepted as showing great value for money. While we are happy enough to order a carafe of wine while on holiday abroad we seem reluctant to put this into practice once home again, but bag-in-box wines can be just as good, if not better than some bottled wine, as always it depends entirely on the producer. If you are not sure about buying a 10 litre bag-in-box, it is a LOT of wine admittedly; you can always try the bottled version first and take it from there. We had a 10 litre open for over two weeks and it was as good on the 14th day as it was on the first because of the tap/opening being so airtight the wine will keep for far, far longer than it would in the bottle. For ordinary home consumption we would however advise decanting (into a clean empty bottle or jug or decanter) your wine though, unless you are very good at counting glasses, its all too easy to drink and before you know where you are the bag is suddenly a lot lighter than when you started. But they are a great way to buy if you are entertaining a large group, set the box up on the counter and away you go, or pour into a decanter or carafe if you prefer to put on the table. More bag-in-box wines are on their way, we have some 3 litre Spanish which we will add to the website as soon as theyre available. To keep up to date with the latest news you can keep an eye out on facebook and twitter.

10 litre Ctes du Rhne Bag-in-Box over 13 bottles, delivered for 133.20 this wine is also available in the normal 75cl bottle and was Taste-Tested by a member of the February panel. For more click here.

Keep those empties.

Photo: Patrick Heusser

Taste-testers mixed box so what did they say about the wines?
Lionel Osmin et Cie, Pyrne Vin de France 2011 RRP 12.95 found myself thoroughly enjoying this sweet and fruity white blended from Colombard, Gros Manseng and Sauvignon Blanc. This finely balanced wine felt smooth and easy to drink, carrying the citrus tones of grapefruit and lemon accentuated by a lingering flowery scent reminiscent of jasmine and Elderflower for more click here.

Domaine M. et S. Ogier dAmpuis, Ctes du Rhne Villages, Plan de Dieu, Le Temps est Venu 2011 RRP 18.95 "A rich, robust red. High enough in alcohol but actually didn't feel as strong as it was. A lovely ripe, rich berry nose and flavour... Well balanced, good tannins but not too tart. Nice length. Actually a very memorable French red" For more on this wine, click here. Les Vignerons dEsterzargues Ctes du Rhne, Les Amies Chanteuses 2011 RRP 12.95 "This is a power house of a wine. It was slightly peppery and spicy. It was almost bloodlike (I am no vampire but that is the nearest description I can give) It had what I understand is called a good finish. I had not checked the alcohol content before but it was a whopping 14.5% BUT did not taste that way. It was more like a 12% the fruit far outweighing the alcohol. This is a serious wine with a brooding edge." For more on this wine, click here. The Spring Mixed Case of 12 bottles is delivered FREE of charge to anywhere in the ROI.

Domaine Franois Chidaine, Sauvignon de Touraine 2011 RRP 15.95 "I could detect apple and plum. It has a very distinctive taste; a bolder hit than the lighter Sauvignon Blancs I am used to drinking. A little citrusy, but the taste of orchard fruits is more pronounced. It is very pleasant on the palate, fresh and fruity. It has a strong, dry finish; I would remember this wine if I tasted it again." For more on this wine, click here.

Save 20% - The offer price is 144.00 and

this is available until mid-April or while stocks last. To place an order click here or email: 3 wine@thewinestore.ie

Domaine de la Sarabande
Domaine la Sarabande was created in 2008 by Paul and Isla Gordon. Paul hails from Sydney whilst Isla is a Co. Carlow native. The two met in New Zealand where Paul was working as a winemaker for Whitehaven Vineyards in Blenheim and Isla was on her travels around the world. Having both spent time in working in vineyards in Spain and the South of France they settled upon Faugres as their ideal place to make wine due to its geographical position in the foothills of the Cevennes mountains in the Languedoc region and its wonderful schist soils. Their estate comprises of 5 hectares of vineyards and theirs is probably the most artisan-like production with whom we work. Normally we dont get too excited about the whole Irish Wine Geese thing as the most important thing is that the wines be good in the first place however we dont think in all our experience that we have seen a more exciting debut from any producer whether they have an Irish connection or not. Paul and Isla have managed to tame and harness the potential excesses of the warm climate of the South of France and have really brought to the fore all that is elegant, fruit driven and fine in their wines. 2009 was their first vintage to be released on to the market and the wines are outstanding. 2010 reached an even higher quality level with still greater freshness and elegance and with the 2011 this wine just continues to get better. Due to the size of the estates production, the wines are only available in very small quantities. http://sarabandewines.blogspot.ie/
4

Paul and Isla getting stuck in. (photo: Sarabande)

Domaine de la Sarabande

Domaine de la Sarabande, Vin de Pays dOc Misterioso 2010 RRP 17.45

This Grenache was sourced from the Domaine's 'Mas de Lanus' vineyard in Autignac. This Grenache vineyard os on a north west facing slope that consists of fine grey schist. The wine has a deep rich crimson appearance. The aromas are of baked cherries, leather and spice. The palate is again dominated by cherries but there is some attractive strawberry characters combined with fine tannins.

Domaine de la Sarabande, Faugres 2010 RRP 22.45

The 2010 A.O.C. Faugres is a blend of 60% Grenache, 25% Carignan and 15% Syrah and Mourvdre soucred from the 'Mas de Lanus' and 'La Clavel' vineyards. The wine has a deep rich ripe cherry apprearance. The aromas are dominated by an elevated fruit character reminiscent of plums with a layer of wild herbs. The Carignan adds a forest floor character with wet earth. 50% of the Carignan underwent malolactic fermentaion in a 50DL French barrique. This adds a very slight intrigue to the aroma and a strength to the palate. The palate is packed with fruit but finishes with smooth tannins and a lingering after taste.

The Sarabande Mixed Case of 12 bottles is delivered FREE of charge to anywhere in the ROI.

Save 25%

- The offer price is 180.00 and this

is available until mid-April or while stocks last. To place an order please click here or email: wine@thewinestore.ie

Wine Tasting, 22nd March:

the ely wine bar annual Big Tasting takes place later this month. Some of the wines included in this months newsletter as well as many, many others will be open for you to try. If you will be in Dublin on Friday 22 nd March make sure you get your ticket, you can email Ian ian@elywinebar.com or call (01) 6787867. There are two sessions, the first runs from 6 7.30pm and the second from 8 9.30pm. Tickets are 25 or 20 if you have an ely loyalty card.

SUBSCRIBER OFFER: the seasonal case at the moment through the website is the Spring Mixed Case, as feature on page 3 here, the price for this is 144.00 and includes free delivery to anywhere in the ROI. As a Newsletter Subscriber this month you can avail of a further 5.00 off this sale price. All you need to do is buy online and enter this code at the checkout: SM0313ET this offer is valid until 22nd March.

If you are interested in finding out more about the wines of the Rhne Valley have a look at the official website of the region: www.rhone-wines.com
Map: Inter-Rhne

the Wine Store

www.thewinestore.ie

tel: 1890 252 624

Photo: Inter-Rhne

This newsletter has been emailed to you but this one is also available in print version. If you know somebody who might like to receive a hard copy please ask them to get in touch with their details and we will post one out. They can call us on the locall number: 1890 252 624 or send us an email to wine@thewinestore.ie Other ways to keep up to date on offers and new wines is to like our facebook page and/or follow us on twitter
. 6