Today (30/7/03) on the Dublin Life show on News Talk 106 FM, after the 3pm
news, Martin will be discussing the
most fashionable grapes and wines – what’s in and what’s out. So
don’t miss out if you don’t want to be a social outcast.
Bordeaux and Burgundy are the French classics as timeless and understated
as a Chanel black dress. But big brand Australian chardonnay is probably
in danger of becoming the vinous shell suit - practical, ubiquitous and a
style disaster.
Chardonnay is still hip
though, if it comes from somewhere new and exciting like Central Otago or
Orange.
The trendy white grapes
all seem to be aromatic :
Riesling – but only from Australia and with a screwcap
Albarino – North West Spain and particularly Martin Codex
Verdelho – Australia has fallen in love with it and we love the
Aussies
Pinot Gris – but not the dull Italian ones – look to Oregon or
New Zealand and Australia.
Sauvignon Blanc - but make it a South African and preferably Springfield, but a
screw cap New Zealander will do.
Viognier –the trendiest grape and championed by Yalumba in Australia and
various Chileans but can still generate excitement in the midi or original
home the Rhone.
My tip for the future
are Italian white grapes like fiano, arneis and greco di tufo
This week’s wine of
the week is Laurent Miquel Viognier 2002 'Nord-Sud'
is €10.99 at Dunnes, 87/100 and is pretty rich with ripe
Williams pear fruit and apricot but finishes fresh.
For reds, size matters.
The Rhone rangers are all hip – that’s to say big spicy reds made
using syrah/shiraz, mourvèdre and grenache are all
popular, as are big Southern Italian reds like primitivo or negroamaro.
However some people are trying to start a backlash and terroir wines from
Southern France are gaining in hipness- so much more elegant than the
Aussie reds. Aussies in turn are heading for the hills and cooler climates
to make more restrained styles.
Avoid merlot though –
as comfortable and as hip as old sweatpants.
Sparkling could and
should be more popular in Ireland but tax is the killer. We can’t afford
to drink it from snipes with a straw as fashion models do in London clubs.
The
single trendiest grape? No question - pinot noir. It’s as
difficult and expensive to work with as Naomi Campbell, but oh what
a stunner when it comes right.
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