O'DONOVAN'S WINE FAIR

Greenlea's Mark McCloskey.

O’DONOVAN’S WINE FAIR

Well done to O’Donovan’s on giving the ticket proceeds from Thursday’s Wine Fair in the Clarion to charity. That is the first thing to mention. The second is that I’m very sorry that I had to leave early as it looked like developing into a lovely evening.

Still didn't do too badly during my quick visit, meeting some old friends including deputy Lord Mayor John Kelleher (who opened the show), Len Speight, ace photographer Larry Hickey, and Wine Australia’s ace in Ireland Johnny McDonnell.

This is some show: 29 stands no less with 25 of them offering tastings of wine, beer and spirits. Cork Simon Community, who were benefitting from the event, had a stand as did On the Pig’s Back who were supplying the nibbles.

Decided to confine myself to a couple of stands and the first door I knocked on was answered by a  smiling Mark McCloskey of Greenlea Wines (part of the Boyne Valley Group). Concentrated on his Tempranillo and found myself a minor gem in Tochuelo Temp Selecction 2008.

Had started with an easy drinking Tochuelo Temp Garnacha 2008 but the second one, I thought was much better, smoother and more of it in the mouth, and a good example of the favourite Spanish grape. Moved up the scale slightly then with Camparron Novum Red, another Tempranillo, but sold as Tinta de Toro and, after that, a Camparron Crianza (€9.99) but neither knocked the first mentioned, selling at €7.99, off its perch.

O’Donovan’s recommend three wines from their extensive list to go with the Christmas turkey: Antares Merlot (Chile), Brown Bros Tarrango (Aus.) and the Y Series Shiraz Viognier (). I’d be tipping the Tarrango there.

After the turkey, the pudding, and here Greenlea's Mark came up with a sweet surprise for me. A Spanish Barbadillo Sticky Pudding Wine (€8.99 for 37.5cl). This is made from the famous PX and the branding is to draw the younger crowd but it is one that the silver sippers might also like.

I then made my way to the Searsons stand to check where I might find the South African Springfield Estate wines and was delighted to hear that O’Donovan’s stock them. While at Searsons, I tried  a quartet of their reds and not a dud amongst them.

First up was the Argentinean Finca la Linda Malbec 2008 (€9.99). Intense fruit and tannins enough with a lingering finish. Quite a decent wine for the price. Staying in South America, I essayed the Botalcura El Delirio Syrah Malbec 2008 (€11.99). Juicy with loads of blackberry and the necessary quota of tannins. The notes say “an unbelievably popular good-time wine”. No argument from me.

Moving on up the scale to €14.99 for the Luigi Bosca Pinot Noir Reserva 2008 from Argentina. A great nose, length and well balanced. Maybe not your typical Pinot Noir but tannins enough and a perfect finish. Worth a try for sure.

Kept the best 'til last. The Diemersfontein Estate Pinotage 2009 from South Africa sells at €18.99. This has a fantastic nose of coffee and toasted  nuts and continues through to the palate. Again the tannins play their part and it is so easy to drink. Quite  a wine. Something else again. Maybe something to give someone who says he or she doesn't like wine. Maybe not. Keep it for yourself!

Really sorry I had to go at that point but will be trying to ensure there is no clash next year! In any event, O’Donovan's have shops all over town.