01-08-2025
The must-try €8.99 easy drinking Aldi wine with cherry aromas & the 2 intense Portuguese reds from lesser-known regions
AN INCREASINGLY common site these days, amongst the rows of stainless-steel fermenters and storage tanks in wineries, are concrete eggs.
While the emergence of these odd-shaped concrete receptacles might seem like a modern innovation, they have actually been around for a long, long time.
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Wine can move more freely than it would in a traditional barrel or tank during fermentation
Archaeologists in Georgia found the ancient remains of large, earthen vessels containing the remnants of wine inside.
Radiocarbon dating and chemical analysis of the residue confirmed these findings.
After further tests boffins at the prestigious National Academy of Sciences, in
These egg-shaped vessels, called qvevri, are still in use in
The eggs are made from sand, gravel, spring water and cement.
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The unlined concrete is then treated with tartaric acid to prevent corrosion or any reactions with the wine during fermentation and ageing.
But why this egg shape? Science suggests that as all fermentation creates heat, and that in turn creates convection currents that encourage the fermenting wine to move around, which is most effective in an egg.
Without corners, it provides a smooth, continuous surface, thus allowing the wine to move more freely than it would in a traditional barrel or tank during fermentation.
This process allows complex flavours to develop through continuous contact with the lees (spent yeast cells) after it has finished its job of turning the grape juice into alcohol.
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The concrete walls of the egg provide excellent insulation, keeping the wine's temperature stable, thus cutting out the need for any artificial cooling systems.
The unlined eggs also allow a tiny amount of oxygen to meet the wine, softening tannins, and developing more complex flavours.
Wines aged in the inert and airless environment of stainless-steel take much longer to achieve similar levels of aging.
So, what about the
But wines made in this way tend to be more expensive because, for now, the eggs are small, thus producing small batches of wine from better vineyard plots.
Expert reveals the top everyday food pairings for bargain supermarket wine
Talk to your friendly, local off-licence proprietor for a recommendation.
FIVE wines reviewed this week, with two excellent, beefy reds from
I have also re-visited two
Herdade da Mingorra Reserva 2021 (ABV 14.5%)
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Currently €17.99 on promo @ Molloys Liqour Stores
Grapes: Touriga Nacional, Syrah & Alicante Bouschet
FROM the family owned Mingorra estate in Portugal's Alentejo region, comes this deep ruby, almost purple palate pleaser.
With intense aromas of ripe red and black fruit and dark chocolate, the palate is full-bodied and quite complex, with dark fruit flavours to the fore, good acidity and integrated tannins, with a nice persistent finish. Let wine breathe for 30 minutes for pouring.
Enjoy with:
Grilled, bone-in pork chop
Irish Sun Star rating:
***
Herdade da Mingorra Touriga Nacional 2021 (ABV 14.5%)
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Currently €16.99 on promo @ Molloys Liqour Stores
Grape: Touriga Nacional
THE backbone of all the great Ports from the Douro, but here a super tantalising, single varietal Touriga.
An intense and powerful red wine with a deep garnet colour when poured, with jammy red fruit, blackberry and blueberry aromas.
The palate is rich and juicy delivering spicy, black-fruit flavours. Very noticeable firm tannin kick, balanced acidity, and persistent but enjoyable finish. Let wine breathe for 30 minutes for pouring.
Enjoy with:
Super with roast beef.
Irish Sun Star rating:
****
Specially Selected Caladoc Rouge 2024 (ABV 14%)
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€11.99 @ Aldi outlets
Grape: Caladoc
ONE of the joys of my life is tasting, and then writing about a new wine grape varietal.
In this case its Caladoc, a cross between Grenache and Malbec, created in 1958 in
Here it produces a deep red wine, with complexity, and a little rusticity.
The fruit, grown in the Languedoc, delivers blackcurrant and plum flavours, along with wild herb notes.
The palate is juicy and fruit forward with grainy tannins. Nice length and a satisfying finish.
Enjoy with:
A feast of hard cheese and crusty bread.
Irish Sun Star rating:
****
Classic Martinolles Gris de Gris 2024 (ABV 12.5%)
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Currently €11.99 on promo @ Molloys Liqour Stores
Grape: Grenache Gris
NOW here is something of a rarity, a pinkish-grey mutation of the Grenache grape, with limited plantings in the Languedoc and Roussillon, southern France.
A pale salmon pink colour, with a lovely floral bouquet of roses, peach and cherries on the nose.
Nice dry, mid-weight, fresh palate, nice acidity, with wisps of raspberry and stone fruit. Refreshing, lingering length.
Enjoy with:
Smoked haddock or salmon.
Irish Sun Star rating:
***
THIS WEEK'S MUST TRY BARGAIN BOTTLE UNDER A TENNER
OUR promise is to bring Irish Sun wine lovers a taste-tested wine each weekend for under a tenner.
The cost of glass, packaging, labelling and transport have sky-rocketed in recent years.
So, finding excellent value tipples is getting harder - but we have sourced some great wines and will bring you a super sipper recommendation every weekend.
Macedonian Primitivo Kratosija 2023 (ABV 13.5%)
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€8.99 @ Aldi Outlets
Grapes: Kratosija & Primitivo
NORTH
A blend of the Balkan grape Kratosija and Italy's Primitivo – with very many similarities – has aromas of ripe redcurrants and cherries.
The palate is rich and soft, with plum and blackcurrant notes and supple tannins. Deliciously satisfying finish.
Enjoy with:
Pasta.
Irish Sun Star rating:
***
