Latest news with #Tempranillo


The Irish Sun
09-05-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
Four refreshing summer wines from super €16.50 Verdejo and comeback Cinsault €23.99 pick
ONE of the most satisfying wines, red or white, is one that has been given the oak treatment. By that I mean wines that have been fermented and then left to age in this specific wood. 5 Bringing oak and wine together really is a fascinating subject Credit: Getty Oak in the hands of an experienced winemaker is one of the most important tools that they can use in crafting incredibly special wines. Barrels, made with French or American oak, help develop a specific style, aroma and flavour during fermentation or ageing, with virgin casks normally having the biggest influence on the Their use is nothing new. Before the first glass bottles were introduced some 600 years ago, wines were stored, and sold, in wooden barrels. We may have outgrown the need for barrels to store or transport wine - but we have come to acquire a taste for our favourite tipples developed and matured in them. Read more in Wine They can also be successfully reused, and influential on the wine in varying degrees, for up to four years. Just as well, as the smallest of French oak barrels used can cost upwards of €800 each! The price is understandable when you consider just two oak barrels can be made from a whole oak tree, which takes several decades to grow to maturity. To cut costs, winemakers sometimes use oak staves placed in fermentation vats to give an 'oaky' note. MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN An even cheaper option is to introduce large 'tea' bags containing oak saw dust to impart some kind of flavour into the proceedings. Cheaper wines with an 'oaky' note tend to suffer from the latter treatment. I tend to avoid these! European oak tends to be denser, thus allowing less oxygen to reach the wine. The American version is normally more porous and used with more structured and bold reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo and Malbec, imparting, in many cases, more robust flavours. Oak can add specific chemical compounds , which can include aromas of vanilla and smoke. It also provides a suitable environment for malolactic fermentation to occur, which makes white wines taste softer, and creamier. Putting wine in oak barrels can also create a variety of potential flavours from chemical compounds like furfural, guaicol, eugenol and vanillan. The finished wine can thus have notes of spices, dried fruits, citrus, almonds, coconut and vanilla. Bringing oak and wine together really is a fascinating subject and one I have only scratched the surface of here. My advice: spend a little more on a white Burgundy, slightly chill it… then sit back, sip and just enjoy the marvellous and magical melding blend of wood and wine. BLOB HERE PLEASE THERE are still some tickets available for a very special and exciting tasting of wines from the Canary Islands. On Wednesday next (May 14, 7-9pm), wine consultant Sinéad Smyth will host a Sinéad, in her own inimitable way, will take wine lovers on a journey to the volcanic vineyards of the The evening promises to be 'an immersive tasting experience that brings the island's dramatic landscapes pioneering winemakers to life.' It will be highlighted by a handpicked selection of wines made from indigenous varieties such as Malvasía Volcánica and Listán Negro, grown in the island's extraordinary black volcanic soils. Sinéad, a passionate advocate for Lanzarote wines, has spent time exploring the island's unique viticulture. Through her vivid storytelling and deep appreciation for the island's terroir, she'll guide guests through the region's history, winemaking techniques, and the resilient spirit of the growers who coax vines from the ash-covered ground. There are still a few tickets (at €50 each plus booking fee) available at eventbrite for what promises to be a most enjoyable evening at the Corkscrew, 4 Harry Street, Casa Ferreirinha Papa Figos Tinto 2023 (ABV 13.5%) 5 €18.99 @ good independents Grapes: Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Touriga Franca FROM vineyards high up Aromatic nose, with red berry and spice notes and a lively medium-bodied palate, but with rounded tannins, good acidity, and a long, elegant, red fruit finish. Enjoy with: Braised beef. Star rating: **** Montes Outer Limits Cinsault (ABV13.5%) 5 €23.99 @ good independents Grape: Cinsault CINSAULT, once grown throughout France's Rhone Valley and north Vineyards in the Itata Valley, are producing this stunning wine from well-established vines. From the perfumed nose of berry fruit through to the smooth palate, with soft tannins, spicy and oak notes this is a special red. Enjoy with : Rabbit stew. Star rating: **** Protos Verdejo 2023 (ABV 13%) 5 €16.50 @ good independents Grape: Verdejo A SUPER example of just how good Verdejo can be in the right hands. Here that characteristic freshness and unique aromatics of the variety are maintained throughout. A bright yellow straw colour, with aromas of tropical and citrus fruits. The palate continues with those citrus and tropical fruit notes, with a hint of fennel on the finish. Enjoy with: White fish dishes. Star rating: **** Taylor's Chip Dry White Port (ABV 20%) 5 €29.99 @ good independents Grapes: Malvasia Fina, Gouveio, Rabigato and Viosinho WHITE Port is my favourite of all the wonderful, fortified wines available. A pale straw colour, this has intense dried fruit and oak notes on the nose. The palate is fresh, lively, crisp and reasonably dry with citrus and stone fruit notes and a little nuttiness. Enjoy with: A super aperitif, but also good with shellfish. Star rating: ****
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Savannah Sips: 208 Wine Bar
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – Sunset views, sensational atmosphere and so many wines to sip on. These are just a few things you could use to describe 208 Wine Bar in downtown Savannah. Perfectly placed between Bay and River St., 208 Wine Bar is the result of a crazy idea owner Christina Pirovits had with a neighbor back in 2020. According to Pirovits, it was a long journey to where 208 is now but in the end, she feels nine months later it came together to become the bar that people wanted to see created. When asked what it is that makes 208 so special Pirovits had this to say: '208 has changed my entire life. I am not a risk-taker. This is the biggest risk I have ever taken in my life and it has not been easy but it has been the most incredible journey. Every friend I made in Savannah was in this bar. I met my fiance in this bar. I have an incredible team and an incredible community that I do so much good with. It is just an incredible community that has sprung out of what was once a completely beaten down room and now it is this beautiful bar.' 208 offers a wide range of events for everyone to enjoy. To see the full list of upcoming events click here. Whether you're a white wine, red wine or bubbly person, 208 has the atmosphere and the vintage to satisfy any palate. They also offer 'guided wine tours' to help those with adventurous tastes or those who haven't yet decided on their palate. Tip from the interviewer: I have it on good authority that you can not go wrong ordering the Tempranillo. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


The Independent
30-01-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Best wine deals for February 2025: Save on Whispering Angel, Campo Viejo, Bottega Vinai and more
If your wine rack is in need of a top-up now that Dry January is over, you've come to the right place, as we've tracked down the best wine deals on top-rated vinos. Whether you're looking for the perfect bottle of red to sip during cosy evenings in front of the TV or need a crisp white to accompany a fish dish at your next dinner party, we've found some real corkers. Don't worry, we haven't forgotten about the rosé, either – who says you have to wait for warm summer days to enjoy a glass of the pink stuff? Whichever option takes your fancy, when it comes to sniffing out top bargains, we pride ourselves on bringing you the best of the bunch, with wine offers to suit most palates and budgets. With excellent savings on bottles from around the world, you're spoilt for choice this month, as supermarkets and specialist retailers are dishing out the discounts. These wine deals might not stick around for long, though, so, now's the time to discover a new quaffable favourite for less. Chin chin. The best wine deals for February 2025 are: Of all the rosés out there, Whispering Angel is one of the most talked about – it's even had singer Adele's seal of approval. Said to feature notes of strawberries and cherries, it should pack quite a punch. Hailing from an award-winning winery, this rosé blends corvina, trebbiano di lugana, syrah and carmenére grapes, resulting in 'vivid citrus and white flowers, with gentle vanilla and toasted notes' according to our reviewer, who included this bottle in their guide to the best rosés. 'It's seductively soft and subtle, with perfect structure, freshness, and sophistication,' our wine buff added. Right now, you can save more than £35 on a case of six. Right now you can save 25 per cent on this delicious and indulgent red wine. This wine is a real crowd-pleaser in it's home country of Spain, made from Tempranillo grapes picked from all across the landscape. It is said to be bold, fruity and refreshingly modern. Our favourite budget buy white wine is now even more affordable thanks to an additional discount of more than 30 per cent. Our expert loved how light and crispy it was on the palette. 'Zero bitterness, beautiful green strokes of gooseberry, kiwi, lime and lemongrass, and an exquisite light crispness – delish,' they wrote.