Frost in Burgundy & Loire - reduced crop likely!
We read this on the Wine Spectator website, and thought ye wine buffs would be interested!
Temperatures dipped below freezing in several of France's prized central wine regions this week, striking both Burgundy and the Loire Valley. In the Côte d'Or, Chablis to the north and Côte Chalonnaise, frost arrived early on the morning of April 25 and again the next night and the morning of April 27, resulting in frost that damaged the newly formed buds. Farther west, central regions of the Loire Valley, including Chinon, Bourgueil and Vouvray, were similarly hit.
"We cannot estimate the damage at the moment," said Alex Gambal, the Beaune-based négociant. "Everyone is calling everyone else and it will take a few days to see what results."
Brice de la Morinière, managing director of Domaine Leflaive in Puligny-Montrachet was in New York at the time. Checking in with his team, he learned that when the sun rose, the ice and water on the vines magnified the rays, burning the leaves and shoot tips. He told Wine Spectator that usually frost accumulates in low-lying areas, "but it rose right up Chevalier-Montrachet," at the top of the slope of the famous grands crus of Puligny.
Reports from numerous vintners say that Chardonnay vines were affected in the villages of Puligny, Meursault and Chassagne-Montrachet, while both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay were damaged in Pernand-Vergelesses and Savigny-lès-Beaune. However, the damage was widespread, and a full assessment of affected vineyards may take up to two weeks.
The frost comes on the heels of hail in the Mâconnais two weeks ago. At this stage of the growing season, the effect on quality is likely minimal. But the quantity of the eventual harvest may be significantly reduced. "The second buds will arrive in a few weeks, but with very little fruit, and the harvest will certainly be very late," said Claude de Nicolay-Drouhin of Domaine Chandon de Briailles in Savigny-lès-Beaune.
Special Offers this weekend!
It's a Bank Holiday this weekend so we've some Special offers to help you chill!
All great wines at great prices, these offers are available from Wednesday 27th April til Monday 02 May - or while stocks last!
SUGAR LOAF SAUVIGNON BLANC 2015, MARLBOROUGH, NEW ZEALAND
This wine was sourced from 3 Marlborough vineyards, 60% from the deep soils of our Sugar Loaf Home Block, 30% from a Stony Awatere Valley Site and a small portion from the lower Wairau Valley - a vineyard renowned for producing rich 'sweaty' characters.
GOLD MEDAL at INTERNATIONAL WINE CHALLANGE 2016!
Aromas packed with tropical fruit and fresh gooseberry. Palate is clean and crisp, polished with good length and lemon citrus flavours
NORMALLY €15.99 REDUCED TO €13.49 THIS WEEKEND
Save €2.50 per btl
SALICE SALENTINO RISERVA 2011, DUCA DEL SALENTO, PUGLIA, ITALY
Produced from a blend of Negroamaro and Malvasia selected grapes. It has great body and structure that aged for at least two years in wooden barrels.
It has a ruby red colour with floral fragrance and dry soft taste. Aromas of liquorice & stewed prunes with supple generous and lingering spicy fruit flavours, rich
The previous vintage won A GOLD STAR and was voted the overall winner - Best Wine in Ireland - at the Irish Wine Show. While we have moved on a vintage, we think it's just as good!
NORMALLY €15.99 REDUCED TO €13.49 THIS WEEKEND
Save €2.50 per btl
TOURAINE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2015, LOIRE, FRANCE
We visited the Salon de Loire (Loire Wine Show) a few years ago looking for a good Touraine Sauvignon at a sensible price - and didn't find one!
However, since then we found this one.
Vinified at low temperatures, the bouquet offers lovely aromas of apricots, orange blossoms and roses, followed by a hint of butter due to ageing on the lees. It's well balanced in the mouth with dried fruit and passion fruit flavours.
€13.50 per Btl
SPECIAL 6-PACK OFFER €66.00 (equiv. €11.00 per btl)
SANTORO PRIMITIVO 2013, PUGLIA, ITALY
One of our most popular wines, and for a good reason!
Ths wine displays a great purity yet with some robust flavours and ripe tannins. The wine is youthful in colour with some violet notes at the rim of the bright ruby centre. Aromas are dominated by red fruits with some spicy hints too. Well balanced on the palate there is great structure and a soft, fruity finish.
€11.99 per btl
SPECIAL 6-PACK OFFER €60.00 (equiv. €10.00 per btl)
Our next TASTING with Bites is on.......
Our next TASTING with BITES* is on
WEDNESDAY 25th MAY 2016
7.00pm€25.00 per person
WINES FROM SOUTHERN RHONE/FRANCE
While we'll have some Southern Rhone wines, we'll also have some from areas in the general area.
Check back here for the list of wines but remember - they'll all be good!
Our Tastings are designed as casual fun nights - goood wines & good food in a copnvivial atmosphere. Generally tables are shared by our guests but if you have any special requirements please let us know when booking - we always try to do our best!
*Tapas is Spanish, Petiscos in Portuguese, Bocas in Central America, Cicchetti in Italian and probably Hors d'Oeuvres in French but that sounds too formal!
Spanish Tasting & Tapas - Wednesday 13th April 2016
We moved our monthly TASTING & TAPAS from it's usual spot (normally the last Wednesday of the month) to coincide with SPANISH WEEK - a week long celebration of Spanish Food & Wine!
So of course we had Spanish Wines as the theme!
This Tasting & Tapas night cost €25.00 per person and was sold out (which we hope means you all thought it was great value - and fun!)
SPANISH TASTING & TAPAS, Wednesday 13th April 2016
7.00pm
€25.00 per person
As this was a tasting, we do look for less obvious wines to taste - different without being strange!
WINES
prices shown are current retail prices
MUREDA BLANCO ECOLOGICO 2015, TIERRA DE CASTILLA
11.5% Alc.Vol. €9.99
GOLD STAR WINNER at Irish Wine Show 2015. This Organic (and Vegan) wine was fresh & fruity - a real crowd pleaser at the price!
DAIMON BLANCO FERMENTADO EN BARRICA 2012, RIOJA
12.5% Alc. Vol. €16.99
A barrel fermented blend of Viura, Malvasia & Tempranillo Blanco.
EL PUNO VIOGNIER 2010, CALATAYUD
14.5% Alc. Vol. €27.00
Highly regarded Viognier from Calatayud, voted Best Viognier in Spain by Robert Parker.
MANGA DEL BRUJA 2012 CALATAYUD
14.5% Alc. Vol. €15.99
Garnacha dominated blend. Powerful, rich and a big hit on the night!
TOBIA GRACIANO 2010, RIOJA
13.5% Alc. Vol €19.99
A Rioja without Tempranillo! This 100% Graciano was another big hit, although we though it was quite young with loads of time left!
PORTIA CRIANZA 2012, RIBERA DEL DUERO
14% 9Alc. Vol. €19.99
A big powerful wine, 100% Tempranillo with 6 months in new American oak. A big brute that needs to calm down!
TAPAS
Tapas was served throughout the tasting
Ham Hock Terrine
Manchego with Walnuts & Honey
Chistorra & Quince
Croquetas Cabrales
Mussels in Gallician sauce
Salted Cod
Braised Pork Cheeks with Liquorice
Wild Mushroom Risotto & Oyster Beignet
We run a TASTING & TAPAS night every month. To automatically receive details of upcoming Tastings etc join our mailing list HERE
Irish Craft Beers - 6 for 5 offer
Buy any 6 Irish Craft Beers in our Blackrock Shop and
pay only for 5
We stock beers from the following Breweries so there is plenty of choice!
Breweries are listed in no particular order!
8 Degrees
Trouble Brewing
Galway Hooker
Carrig Brewing
Third Circle
Postcard
Black's of Kinsale
Rascals
Bo Bristle
OBrother
Independent
O'Hara's
Reel Deel
Gneas
Dungarvan
Arthurstown Brewing (pictured)
Wood Key
Donegal Blond
Clever Man
Jack Doyle's
Stone Barrel
Brehon Brewhouse
Mountain Man
and more each month!
Our next TASTING & TAPAS night features SPAIN - Wednesday 13th April 2016
To help celebrate SPANISH WEEK, we have moved our monthly TASTING & TAPAS night to Wednesday 13th April - right in the middle of Spanish Week!
We'll be tasting 6 Spanish Wines (details below) which will be accompanied with a selection of Tapas served during the tasting, and all for only €25.00 per person.
If you haven't attended one of our Tasting & Tapas nights, then this is your chance - great wines, Tapas & value!
ON ARRIVAL*
Bodedas Mureda Blanco Ecologico 2014, La Tierra de Castilla
A surprising wine for the price, this is not only Organic but as of the 2014 vintage it's now Vegan!
Finca La Colina Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Rueda
A big fresh Sauvignon from Spain, top marks from all the wine critics
El Puno Viognier 2010, Calatayud
Sold as Vino de Espana as Viognier is not recognised in Aragon! But.... voted the best ever Spanish Viognier by Robert Parker.com
Manga del Bruja 2012, Calatayud
Big fresh fruity Garnacha-based wine. Voted in top two Spanish Wines at the last two 'Wines of Spain' tastings.
Tobia Graciano 2010, Rioja
100% Graciano (no Tempranillo) from Rioja that scored 91 points from Robert Parker.com!
Portia Crianza, Ribera del Duero
14 months in American & French oak for this wine from the Faustino Group!
*We don't list the prices as it changes your perception of the wine. We'll tell you the selling prices at the tasting!
SPANISH WEEK TASTING & TAPAS
WEDNESDAY 13th APRIL 2016
7.00pm (til 8.30/9.00pm)
€25.00 per person
BOOKING Recommended HERE
The Perfect Mother's Day Gift!!
