Bottled Poetry, Sept 2006

Merlot, a cobalt coloured, ample grape, is Bordeaux’s most planted vine. It gives softness and roundness to red wine.

Often found in mixed varietal wines (different types of grapes combined to create a wine) it enjoys popularity almost everywhere now. On its own, it makes good dark fruited wines in Northern Italy, South Africa, Chile, Australia and California.

I’ve picked three from around the world, in the €1O-€12 price range, which are worthy!

They would have been a perfect accompaniment to a banquet of spit roast inside the walled town of Athenry yesteryear. For today’s Athenry, it’s good with steaks, roasts and hard chesses!

Concha y Toro – Chile 2004

Full flavoured with all the ripe berry flavours synonymous with Chilean merlot. This is a young, easy drinking wine. € 9.95

Wakefield — Australia 2004

This wine has flavours of ripe berries, rich fruitcake, with an earthy mocha complexity and soft tannins. Being aged in French oak gives it a toasty cedar-like complexity. €l 1.99

Turning Leaf – California

Medium bodied, rich, balanced with hints of oak, soft ripe black berries and raspberry flavours accented with hints of herbs. €lO.95

Next Door @ Iggy’s, Cross Street, Athenry.

Email: athenry@nextdoor.ie

This article was first published in News and Views Sept. 2006