Summer nearly over and September beckons, Wine Mason has been trading for three months. This is our summer report, a round up of press coverage from summer 2014.
We sell some less obvious wines and in an article on new wines to try John Wilson in the Irish Times (9/8/2014) thought that Ziereisen Heugumber Gutedel was “charming, refreshing, light pure pear fruits, with a dry finish. A perfect aperitif” We still have some stocks left as well as the Visier Gutedel which is a real step up. Can be savoured at the Greenhouse Restaurant and stockists such as Listons of Camden Street.
In an Irish Times article on Riesling (10/5/2014) Emrich Schonleber Riesling received a tasting note which we think sums it up “dew drop fresh, flowers, spritzy green apples, lovely length”. Riesling again, but this time from Austria Gobelsburg Urgestein was featured in the Sunday Times (13/7/2014) where Ernie Whalley described it as “The wine of the tasting. Classy drinking with russet apple and citrus fruit in abundance” Geil Riesling made the cut for a place in one of the top 20 white wines for summer drinking (IT 19/7/2014) described as “Summer in a glass”, more July than August weather perhaps “fresh and spritzy with delicate apple fruits”. From the same producer, Leslie Williams described Weingut Geil Pinot Noir in the Irish Examiner as a “light fragrant pinot noir with some nice supple cherry and red fruit with a hint of structure”.
Portuguese whites are less popular than they should be. The Sunday Times (15/6/2014) gave some good coverage to Portuguese whites including Pinta Negra describing it as “Uncomplicated yet very well made wine that’s great value for the ask. Gutsy and refreshing with vibrant peach, citrus and greengage flavours” (EW) and Martin Moran picking up on the translation of “Black pint? Should succeed in Ireland, not just because of the name, but because of the lively fruity flavours.” The subject of the Irish Times on July 26 was an exploration of Portuguese wines which included Paco dos Cunhas “lovely wine with gentle but concentrated dark fruits and light fine grained tannins on the finish.” We think we may well be one of the two intrepid importers broadening the range of Portuguese reds in Ireland but yes the real breakthrough still awaits, we are working on it….
Wines to impress the wine lover according to the Irish Times (12/7/14) – Muhr Van der Niepoort Carnuntum “Fragrant nose and delicate silky Pinotesque fruit. Utterly delicious” and Cuvee Von Berg “Beguiling wine with refined savoury licquorice and red cherry fruits and a spiciness.”
We are looking forward to the next few months as we continue to develop the list of wines and enter the busy season. On that note, we we will be showing wines from a new supplier Bodegas Fontana at the Spanish Wine Fair in the Shelbourne Hotel on 15 September. Hope to see you there.
