Tinedo Cala N.1 Casilla. Embodying the essence of an almost unknown Mancha.

Tinedo Cala N.1 (Vin de la Tierra Castilla) 2018, 14.5% ABV  Price: €15.00 at Matsons (Bandon, Grange, Youghal)

"embodying the essence of an almost unknown Mancha"

The colour of this wine from Castilla, Spain, is a dark ruby, transitioning to a lighter earthy red at the rim. The nose is outstanding and intense, featuring aromatic notes of cherry and strawberry. This impressive and well-rounded wine has a velvety mouthfeel. It is powerful yet well-balanced, making it a gem that is Very Highly Recommended. Incredible value at this price.

This wine is certified organic, as indicated by the Demeter sticker on the back of the bottle. It is crafted from a blend of 85% Tempranillo, 15% Syrah, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon (according to the producer’s website). They add: “We only use grapes from Finca Tinedo itself. It is a terroir wine, where all the original vines share the same climate, soil, natural nutrients, and care conditions, resulting in unique and stable flavours and nuances from each harvest.”

CALA N.1 “has been aged in concrete tanks, which help retain the grapes’ freshness and preserve the floral and red fruit aromas. This method results in a balanced and well-structured wine, highlighting the qualities of the terroir and showcasing the authenticity of a single-vineyard wine with personality.” I wholeheartedly agree with this assessment.

La Mancha is well known for its association with the famous author Cervantes (1547-1616) and is less recognized for its wines. Finca Tinedo is one of the oldest wineries in La Mancha. Since 1846, this family-owned winery has exclusively produced single-vineyard and single-plot wines, embodying “the essence of an almost unknown Mancha.” 

Pacheco Monastrell Jumilla. Excellent Excellent example of an unoaked Monastrell

Pacheco Monastrell Jumilla (DOP) 2021, 14.5% ABV

€15.00 Matsons Wine Store (Bandon, Grange, Youghal)

Excellent example of an unoaked Monastrell

The organic Monastrell from the lesser-known Spanish wine region of Jumilla features a mid-ruby colour. It offers aromas of red berries and hints of balsamic. A warming wine, it is balanced and full-bodied while remaining soft and fresh all the way through to its super-long finish. 

Pacheco aimed to create a versatile and appealing organic wine, representing an excellent example of an unoaked Monastrell at a reasonable price point. With its easy-drinking nature and well-balanced character, I believe they have hit the mark perfectly with this one. It pairs wonderfully with tapas and paella.

Very Highly Recommended.

Jumilla

Jumilla is a three-hour drive south of Madrid and less than an hour by car from Alicante Airport (gateway to the Costa Blanca). The Jumilla DOP (Denominación de Origen Protegida) extends from the southeastern part of the province of Albacete, through Murcia, down to the border with Alicante province. In this region, Monastrell is celebrated as the “queen grape."

Monastrell

Monastrell is a black-skinned grape variety indigenous to Spain, where it is widely cultivated. It is also found across the border in Southern France, where it is known as Mourvèdre and plays a significant role in the Rhone GSM (Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre) blends.

The Producer:

Bodegas Viña Elena produces two main wine ranges: the traditional Familia Pacheco range and the Bruma del Estrecho de Marín collection.

The Familia Pacheco range includes wines like this Monastrell, which was first produced in 2005. These wines are made using grapes from their own vineyards, located near the bodega, and grapes sourced from local farmers who have been supplying them for over 40 years.

On the Craft Trail. Session time with Whiplash, Wicklow Wolf, Boundary, and Lough Gill

On the Craft Trail.

Session Time with 

Whiplash, Wicklow Wolf, 

Boundary, and Lough Gill

Whiplash Rollover Session IPA, 3.8% ABV, 330 ml can 

“Hoppy little short-arsed banger rocking the Citra, Mosaic, Simcoe, Ekuanot hops”

I'm not too sure about the short-arsed bit, but it does come in a short can and packs quite an IPA despite being short on ABV. It is ideal in a session, though, where it is Very Highly Recommended.

For a decent session, this Whiplash Rollover is my go-to choice. Murky orange is the colour - no way you’re going to see through this haze! This was our session beer of 2020 and this most recent tasting confirmed it’s as likeable as ever.

Pale yellow colour with a short-lived white head over a hazy body. Citrus fronts the aromatics. And the quartet of hops dominate the palate. Amazing that this has so much hops and still weighs in at less than 4.00% ABV. Quite a concentration of hops then, before a lip-smacking finalé.

They say: Same hop rate as our DIPA’s, less than half the alcohol. A very heavily hopped Session IPA: this comes at you with buckets of Simcoe, Ekuanot, Citra and Mosaic hops with a light touch of malts and an easy crushable body. Unfiltered, hazy, hoppy and juicy – Rollover is a New England inspired IPA without the heavy alcohol in tow.

Wicklow Wolf Elevation Pale Ale 4.8% ABV, 440 ml can 

“An independent pale ale for independent minds.”

This light gold, slightly hazy beer pours with a mild hoppy aroma. The first sip reveals juicy pineapple flavours that lead to a moderate yet noticeable hop bitterness. The bitterness is balanced by the sweetness of the pineapple, making for a very refreshing and easy-drinking beer.

This beer is a sessionable crowd-pleaser, and it's no wonder that it's the brewery's best-seller. You'll have no trouble finding a can of this beer, and it's easy to find on draught in its home county.

This beer is perfect for any occasion. It's light enough to enjoy on a hot day and flavourful enough to pair with a meal. Whether you're having a barbecue with friends or just relaxing at home, it is a banker.

This refreshing and flavourful beer is Very Highly Recommended.

The Wolf speaks: “We have reached a new level with Elevation Pale ale. An incredibly drinkable Pale ale bursting with juicy fruits of pineapple and grapefruit from an abundance of hop additions. Refreshing with a savage finish. An independent pale ale for independent minds.”

Boundary Camper Session IPA, 4.8%, 440 ml can Bradleys

This Camper Session IPA has an almost clear gold colour and a bubbly white head. Its aromas are citrus and pine. On the palate, it packs quite a citrus punch with a marmalade knuckle, and it has a refreshing finish.

The brewers say Camper was inspired “by our time on the West Coast of America.” It comfortably fits into the session category and is Recommended.

Lough Gill Cutback IPA, 4.5% ABV, 440 ml can Matsons

light in body and pale in colour, bountiful fruit

“If you can’t visit Sligo, let us bring Sligo to you!” That was how Lough Gill introduced their Cutback New England IPA.

Brewed with Comet, Azacca, and El Dorado hops to just 4.5% ABV, this NEIPA tempts with distinct tropical aromas and a fruity, hoppy flavour. Hazy and aromatic, those tropical fruit flavours dance easily on the palate. 

This is another very drinkable NEIPA from the Sligo brewery and, with an ABV of 4.5%, a very sessional one as well. Highly Recommended

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On the craft trail - with Lineman, Western Herd and Lough Gill

On the craft trail - with Lineman, Western Herd and Lough Gill 

Lineman Reflector Pils 4.2% ABV, 440 ml can Bradleys

Lineman resurrected their Reflector Pils recently. “And why not?”, they ask: “We absolutely love this stuff, and it seems you do too, because you voted it #1 in style in 2023 on untappd.”

It certainly looks the part in the glass. That golden colour you'd expect

Yalumba Organic Shiraz South Australia. Additions? Only what’s required to preserve the natural flavours.

Yalumba Organic Shiraz South Australia 2020, 14% ABV

€17.00 Matsons (Bandon, Grange and Youghal)

Additions? Only what’s required to preserve the natural flavours.

It has been quite a while since I had the pleasure of drinking an Australian Shiraz, an organic and vegan-friendly one at that. The grapes are gathered from various vineyards in the area. No oak is used. Very few additions are

Pig Rouge 2021 Faugeres - pair with cremated sausages at a rainy BBQ!

Pig Rouge 2021 Faugeres (AOP) 2021, 14% ABV

€15.00 Matson’s (Bandon, Grange and Youghal)

pair with cremated sausages at a rainy, miserable SUMMER BBQ!

Why would you call your wine Pig? Quite simple, really. The producers are Paul and Isla Gordon (PIG)!  This is one of their wines that come from thinking outside the box. “No rules, no regs, just tasty, well-made booze!” And their food pairing suggestion is also outside the small parallelogram: cremated sausages* at a rainy, miserable Summer BBQ!

So there, you get the hang of it. This wine is for enjoyment - don't get too serious about it. It is a blend of Grenache Noir 50%, Mourverde 20% and Syrah 30%. Nico, at Matson’s, says that it is part of a small-scale production, and he is very happy with it: “Great wine, fresh with a little spice, loads and loads of fruit.”

The colour is a mid-to-dark ruby. There are strong aromas of dark fruit and spice. The fruit is forward and deep, with power and finesse in equal measure. That spice, too, has excellent acidity. The finish is pure, long, and balanced. Very Highly Recommended.

I see that they also have an orange version—that should be interesting. I must keep an eye out for it.

Our winemakers are an Irish-Australian combination. Paul is Australian, and he and his Irish wife Isla work (and I mean work) at Domaine la Sarabande, a vineyard in the Languedoc about twenty minutes' drive from Beziers.

The dynamic wine couple is based in the Faugéres appellation in the South of France. Paul honed his winemaking skills in New Zealand’s vineyards. Isla, from Carlow, brings her knowledge and commitment to quality grape growing, which she learned during several years of working with some of the best viticulturists in New Zealand, where they met.

* If the rain quenches the flame, you might like Cold meats/pâtés, Duck, hard mature cheese, Roast lamb/beef, or slow-cooked shoulder of lamb instead.

Famille Fabre Chateau De Reiux showcases the vibrant character of sunny Minervois

Famille Fabre Chateau De Reiux (demi muid) Minervois (AOC) 2020, 14.5% ABV

RRP: €24.00  at Matsons Bandon, Grange, Youghal

Showcases the vibrant character of sunny Minervois

This Minervois from Famille Fabre is a bold and expressive wine that showcases the

A Very Highly Recommended Reserva Double from Portugal's Vale De Lobos

A Very Highly Recommended Reserva Double from Portugal's Vale De Lobos 

Vale De Lobos Touriga Nacional Reserva Tejo 2021, 13.5% ABV.

€20.00 (on offer 16) Matson's Bandon, Grange and Youghal

“a round, persistent and balanced wine”

The colour of this 100% Touriga Nacional from Portugal’s Tejo, is a dense ruby. Aromas are complex (plum and blueberry) and the intense violet (typical of the variety) heading the posse.  And they remain through the palate where you will most definitely note spices and vanilla (it has spent 8 months ageing in French oak barrels).

A round, persistent and balanced wine with a

Very pleasant from start to finish. Vale de Cabanas Vinho Branca Tejo.

Quinta Da Ribeirinha Vale de Cabanas Vinho Branca Tejo (Vinho Regional) 2023, 12% ABV.

€13.00 (€10.00 on offer) at Matson's Bandon, Grange, Youghal.

very pleasant from start to finish

It comes in a light citrus colour and the aromas also have you thinking “citrus”. It is fresh and young and that shows on a relatively lively palate, a simple everyday wine for conversation rather than contemplation. It may be simple but is very pleasant from start to finish.

Serve at 10 degrees especially with grilled fish (get a bunch of sardines midweek from Pat O’Connell), shellfish (mussels from Ballycotton Seafood) and Japanese food (sushi from Maki Sushi). You might want two bottles but is also very affordable at the reduced price of ten euro. Highly Recommended.

The label says the fruit is Fernao Pires while I read on their website that it’s a blend of the Fernâo (70%) and Arinto. Don’t worry too much about the details. I visited a cidery a few years back and saw they had two varieties in the orchard. I asked how much of each went into the cider. The cidermaker just smiled and said it could be fifty-fifty but wasn’t too sure. In any case, the cider was top-class, and still is!

The Tejo refers to the Tejo river (best-known to us as Tagus) and the wine lands here lie either side of the river as it runs southwest from the Spanish border in central eastern Portugal to Lisbon and the Atlantic Ocean. According to Wine-Searcher.com, it had two apellations DO Tejo and IG Tejo.

We enjoyed this grape Farnão Pires a few weeks ago in a different expression in the orange wine Contracena Curtimenta by the same producer. A very different wine indeed, a few extra details here.

Quinta Da Ribeirinha Vale de Cabanas. An easy-drinking Tejo treasure!!

Quinta Da Ribeirinha Vale de Cabanas, 

Vinho Regional Tejo, 2022, 13% ABV.

€13.00, now 10 euro on offer at Matsons (Bandon Grange Youghal)

An easy-drinking Tejo treasure!

Looking for a Portuguese red that won't break the bank? Look no further than Quinta Da

A Golden Gem from Portugal. Quinta Da Ribeirinha Contracena Curtimenta Tejo

Quinta Da Ribeirinha Contracena Curtimenta Tejo (DO) 2022, 11% ABV

€22.00, on offer €17.60, Matsons (Bandon, Grange, Youghal)

Quinta Da Ribeirinha Contracena Curtimenta Tejo (DO) 2022

A Golden Gem from Portugal

This "orange" wine from Quinta Da Ribeirinha is a refreshing change from the norm. Made from 100% Fernão Pires grapes, it boasts a unique golden hue and a vibrant citrusy flavour profile.

The winemaking process is equally intriguing. The grapes spend seven

BBQ Wines With A Sicot Surprise Or Two. Matson’s June Tasting Event

BBQ Wines With A Sicot 

Surprise Or Two

Matson’s Grange June Tasting Event

“Expand your wine knowledge, uncover hidden gems, and connect with fellow wine enthusiasts in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.” That was the promise from Matson’s Nicolas Sicot ahead of last week’s June Tasting in their Grange store. 

He certainly came up with six rather special wines to complement your sizzling barbeque and summer dining. And that six included no less than three from highly rated importer Mary Pawle and all three went down very well indeed.

Ready to go at Grange!

Nic started with a surprise, a Sauvignon Blanc from Germany! It was by Hans Bear. Nic had been impressed with the company's Riesling and so asked to try the Sauvignon Blanc and now it's on the Matson shelves. It has aromas of tropical fruit paired with a slight hint of green pepper, fresh and fruity on the palate. “I’m a big fan," said Nic, “…close to a Marlborough or one from the Touraine.” All for eleven euro! One to enjoy as you ease into the BBQ evening.

Next up was Mary Pawle’s Timorasso from Italy’s Colli Tortonesi. This is delicately aromatic, mainly floral. Full-bodied and dry, with melon flavours, it is immediately refreshing on the palate with fresh and herby acidity. “Interesting, super super clean,” enthused Nic. “Quite full-bodied. Good with BBQ scallops or with fresh mackerel also from the BBQ.”

It wouldn't be summer without rosé and Nic had one, not from Provence but from nearby French Catalonia and produced by Domaine Laflage. Very little colour but with aromas of strawberry, raspberry, white grapefruit and orange blossom. It is light-bodied, fresh and clean. Quite a few rosés now on offer here in Matson’s.

The Garciano, via Mary Pawle, was next. The fruit comes from an amazing area, the Bardenas Reales, a semi-desert or badlands in Navarra. The very poor and arid clay-calcareous soil, the dry weather and the big contrast of temperature between the day and the night provide grapes with high concentration and a perfect balance and also offers distinctive character and great expression. Producers Azul y Garanza are organic but go further, planting fruit trees and native aromatic plants around the vineyards.

The fruity and spicy Garnacha (60%) with the “subtle acidity” of the Graciano make a great match as you can sense on the palate where it is quite intense, berry and plum, spicy but smooth and balanced. “Great acidity and soft tannins,” says Nic. “I can see it with lamb chops!”.

On then to the Lignum by Penedes producers Albet Y Noya (who have a long relationship with Mary Pawle). Nic loved its balance and super clean fruit. “It is smooth on the palate.. with just a little hint of the oak.”

The blend is of Xarel-lo, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay and they come together very well indeed. The winery itself says: There are two sides to this wine. The Sauvignon gives it a perfumed, floral nose. Xarel·lo and Chardonnay together with a hint of oak (where the Chardonnay spends 2 months) give it a little body and complexity in the mouth with a long finish.

GD Vajra, producers of our final wine, the Dolcetto D’Alba, have been farming organically since 1971 but they didn’t get off to the best of starts. Giuseppe, during an April 2002 online masterclass via importers Liberty Wine, said he was dragged away from his soccer games (he was playing too much of it - well he was just 15) to plant his first vineyard. 

He and his current team are still youthful and he is proud of their work. “We hope we get wiser as we go on. We started organically and our first vintage in 1972 was not a good one, not worth ageing!” The whole extended family are at work here in this “multicultural team” near the village of Barolo. Perhaps, that first vintage was a disappointment but there have been many good ones since.

Nicolas Sicot, centre of attention at an earlier tasting in Matson's Bandon store.

“Dolcetto means Little Sweet One,” said Nic. “It is food friendly, including with the BBQ.”

It is not certain that the name originally carried any reference to the grape’s sugar levels which are not notably high. In any case, the wines produced are nearly always dry. Even the hugely experienced Oz Clark admits, in Grapes and Wines, that he hasn’t found a Dolcetto wine that deserves the “little sweet one” tag.

Don't worry too much about it. It, and the other five, certainly fit the bill for the rest of the summer and, hopefully, many more barbeques. Nic certainly kept his promise!

* Nicolas is responsible for the development of wine for the Matson's group, including purchasing, sales, promotion planning, training and marketing.