Sometimes there’s nothing better. A pint or three (or whatever your fill may be) and some great craic in the pub followed by a salad loaded Chicken Kebab from the pizzeria next door. It just seems so right at the time. Yes, at the time.

Niall’s chicken kebab is a different type of kebab altogether. It’s light, fresh and healthy, with a very inventive skewer. Possibly not the ideal solution to 3am munchies, but I’ll let you be the judge of that.

A New World Cabernet Sauvignon is perfectly suitable for this dish. I reckon the Rosemary and Cajun flavouring, which would add a spicy peppery twist, would go hand-in-hand with the herbaceous Sierra Grande Cabernet Sauvignon, made from organic grapes grown in Chile’s Rapel Valley.

For white wine lovers, you could match spice with spice, and go for a well rounded Viognier, or if you’re in the mood for sparkling, a vibrant, refreshing Prosecco should hit the spot.

Video courtesy of Look and Taste.

On Sunday I said goodbye to Bandon and hello to Ballincollig. Perhaps I still have a bit of the student in me, but to be a stones throw away from the beating heart of Cork City is a great experience.

With living away from my dearest brother (and, might I add, I’m deeply saddened by the fact that I will no longer be awoken by three screaming children at 6 in the morning), I’ve had to think about starting a wine collection for myself, instead of raiding his.

So here’s the collection of my personal everyday favourites that are helping to make the wine rack look a bit more healthy… for now anyway.

The three whites:

Palazzi Chardonnay: Pure and simple, this white from the Piemonte region of Italy is all about the varietal. There’s been no contact with oak and fermentation was carried out in stainless steel tanks. The kind of Chardonnay that would convert any non-Chardonnay drinker.

Sierra Grande Sauvignon Blanc: It’s organic, but that’s not the reason I’ve picked it. I love New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, but I can’t afford to drink it everyday, so in this case Chile fills the role for a racy Sauvi to keep the NZ temptation at bay.

Domaine du Chateau d’Eau Viognier: Another organic white (honestly, I’m not usually this health conscious). Viognier just does it for me, and it’s a great alternative to any of the noble grape varieties. Elegant aromas of peach, apricot and flowers – although a natural match to pork, it’s stunning next to my once-a-week fish dish (there’s a great fishmonger in Bandon who I’ll keep going to).

The three reds:

Cuvee Jean Paul Rouge: The first I opened upon my arrival, and it coped well with a Guinness stew and my new house mates. I don’t think they were just being polite saying that they loved it as well. Simply good grape selection and great wine making.

Santa Alicia Reserve Malbec: This knocks the socks off any other Malbec at this price. Although I’m mad for the other reds in this range, the Malbec has something a little different. Naturally a little more vegetal (in a nice way) than the noble grape varieties, it’s had the treatment in the winery that you would expect of a €15 bottle.

Stickleback Red: Had to have the big Aussie in there somewhere. I love the almost milkshake-like consistency of warm climate Shiraz, which in this wine, is blended with Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon. Ben Glaetzer is one of the world’s top winemakers and Stickleback is his entry level range. Worth decanting.

So if you have a perfect six, feel free to tweet me or leave a comment. Bet they’re not as nice as mine.

Set to take Bandon, Cork and Ireland by storm, the Curious party had been meticulously planned to perfection. The heat lamps were set, the food was plated and the wine was waiting to be opened.

Half an hour before our first guests arrived we were plunged into darkness. Panic set in. Should we get our hands on candles, shine the car headlights through the shop front window or cancel all together? No. No way was this epic occasion going to be scrapped. Thank goodness it was only a blown fuse.

With the curtain being raised and the lights back on, the wine began to flow, and didn’t stop until the early hours. The wines opened received great feedback, and surprise that they were all under a tenner.

"Under a tenner? Even better!"

In the red corner, the Farnese Montepulciano was adored for its light body and drink ability, while the chocolatey Long Neck Merlot and fruity Last Stand Shiraz warmed the bellies of the frigid.

A few arrived with a stigma for Chardonnay, but were quickly converted by Santa Alicia’s Reserve Chardonnay, with its astonishing clean mineral and tropical flavours. A number of guests left at the end of the night with cases of Sierra Grande’s Sauvignon Blanc under arm, while Paarl Heights smooth Chenin Blanc held the South African flag high and proud.

A few sore heads the next day, but it was another opportunity for Curious Wines to let her hair down and have a bit of fun. Like we do everyday.

We would like to say a big thank-you to all who attended on the night, and to Andy, Donal and Edel of Honest Food for their superb contribution. Our great wine was well matched by their great canapés.