We’re back at last with our third Secret Parcel Sale: ‘Les Trois’. Same bad French grammar, same ridiculously good deal.

This time, our secret parcel is made up of 12 ‘hot tickets’: 12 new wines that will knock the pants off their supermarket equivalents and (hopefully) have you coming back for a taste of more.

Some are brand new additions to the Curious line-up, some are exciting new vintages of established favourites. What you’re guaranteed is the best value you’re ever likely to see for these wines – so good, we can’t announce publicly what’s in the box. All wines, as ever, are backed by our 100% guarantee – great value or your money back.

Each case contains 12 bottles, 6 reds, 6 whites, with a combined regular retail price of €148.88. For 48 hours only, we’re hitting the floor on these wines: €105 including delivery. That’s over €40 off and only €8.75 per bottle, with some of the wines normally retailing at €15!

We have only 100 cases available at this knock-down price and when they’re gone, they’re gone. Sale ends 1pm Thursday 12th May or when all cases are sold out, whichever happens first.

It’s 1pm Tuesday, and it’s go, go, go!

We’ve some May madness in store for you with delicious deals done on some of our biggest selling wines!

First up, Chile, with 20% off every wine in May and June.

Since we began in 2008, our barometer for success has been the response of our customers and no winery has received more positive feedback than Santa Alicia. We’ve a container of new vintages, and a few new lines, just landed, so whether you’re already a fan or just destined to become one, there’s no better time to get stuck in.

We’ve the Santa Gloria range from €6.39, Santa Alicia from €7.99 and the highly accomplished Tabalí from €9.59.

Just before Christmas we introduced the Gassac range from Mas de Daumas Gassac in the Languedoc. With their Grand Cru described as a ‘Lafite in the Languedoc’ by French authority Gault Millau and ‘one of the 10 best wines in the world’ by Michael Broadbent, we thought we might be onto something special.

An instant hit with customers, the new vintages are in and we’ve negotiated some extra special prices to celebrate. We’ve the sensational Moulin de Gassac Classic range at €7.49 (€2 off), the soft and succulent Guilhem at €7.99 (€2 off), ‘Les Grand Terroirs’ Faune and Albaran at €9.99 (€2 off), and the exquisite Pont de Gassacs (previously Reserve de Gassac) at only €12.49 (€3 off). You do not want to miss these prices!

Finally for May, we’ve two hugely popular Italians for you from the northern region of Piemonte. Savoury, smoky Barbera Monferrato and crisp, elegant Gavi di Gavi from the 50 hectare Bricco dei Guazzi estate – this is Piemonte with passion and we’ve €3 off each of them for the month of May.

See all this month’s specials here:

The Easter Bunny’s feverishly wrapping the last eggs for delivery in three weeks’ time, and we’re on hand for the best in Easter wine deals.

Our Spanish fiesta continues for another month, so we’re complimenting those rich, silky reds from Rioja and beyond with a beleaguered hero of white wines. For the month of April, we’re inviting you to Rediscover Chardonnay.

Arguably the greatest white grape of them all, it’s time to forget the bad old days of cheap, badly oaked Chardonnay and discover the wonderful array of great wines that this grape can produce. From cool climate Burgundy and New Zealand, to the rich, tropical fruit styles of South Australia and Chile, we’ve something for every palate. You’ve just got to dip in and try.

As ever, we’ve a tasty incentive: 20% off all Chardonnay for the month of April. Was there ever a better time to do some discovering?

All the month’s specials below.

Chardonnay promotion applies to Chardonnay single varietal and dominant-blends only, and ends 30th April or while stocks last.

With a long, cold winter behind us, spring is officially here and we’ve a warehouse of sunshine to welcome it in.

We start our March specials with the long awaited return of Spain to our headline promotion, this month and next. We’ve added eight new wines to the range since the start of the year, from Rioja, Bierzo and Carinena, with more in the pipeline in the weeks ahead. We’ve 20% off across the board* so some dazzling discounts on established favourites and great introductory prices on the newbies.

Check out the full range of Spanish wines here, or all the new boys here.

And, as if Spain wasn’t enough for great deals on world class reds, we’ve a double header with 20% off the Rhône as well! Just in, we’ve a new 89 Parker point Côtes du Rhône that’s knock-out for the normal RRP of €8.99 down to €7.19, and a 94+ Parker Chateauneuf with almost €10 off.

And, finally, we’ve brand new vintages of two old steadfasts in our Curious New World Mix, well worth having a fresh look at. We’ve the 2010 Paarl Heights Chenin Blanc and Shiraz, in new go-faster bottles, reduced by €2 to only €6.99 a pop.

Spanish promotion runs until end of April, Rhône and Paarl Heights offers until end of March only. Click below for all this month’s special offers.

Anyone taking the pledge for January it’s time to get over it! February’s here and we’ve another barrel-full of tasty temptations to whisk you around the wonderful world of wine.

First up is a new look and new blend for the great value Tesoro de los Andes from Argentina. Previously a Malbec-Shiraz blend, the 2010 Mendoza red is now 100% Malbec – expect dark, savoury damson – with it’s counterpart 2010 white the same fleshy, aromatic Torrontes-Chardonnay as in previous vintages. You can try both for only €7.50 per bottle this month.

Next it’s to McLaren Vale, South Australia, and a lesson in playing to individual strengths. In 1999, Woodstock owner Scott Collett joined forces with Ben Glaetzer – Scott in the vineyard, Ben in the cellar and together in the tasting room – and over a decade shaped Woodstock into one of the region’s finest single-estate wineries.  With six grape varieties planted over 16 hectares, including 31 rows of 110 year-old, dry-grown Shiraz vines that go into the flagship ‘Stocks’, Woodstock capture the essence of McLaren Vale in every wine they produce.

We’ve €3 off each of the table wines* from Woodstock in February.

And we stay in South Australia for another of Ben Glaetzer’s portfolios, the Heartland range from Langhorne Creek and Limestone Coast. Customer favourites from day one in Curious, little has changed bar the vintages. Oh, and the price in February: up to €3 off a bottle across the range. Time to rekindle old acquaintances?

Finally, our February case of the month brings together the best of this month’s specials into a 12 bottle party medley. 6 red/6 white, 4 from Australia, 2 Argentinians and 3 each from France and Italy, and a saucy €23.88 off, you can get February’s finest for €115 or just €9.58 a bottle delivered. We’ve even put together all red and all white versions in case you’d prefer one or t’other.

Our 20% off Italy promotion continues, along with all the specials outlined above, until 28th February, so you’ve the chance to buy, try and buy again before the first buds of Spring.

Enjoy

*Woodstock promotion excludes dessert wines and fortifieds.

As you’ve been easing yourself back into the grind after a well earned break, we’re here to ease you back into drinking nothing but the best for 2011. Added to the ranks, a range of wines from Australia that might make you wet your pants with excitement. Prepare yourself.

Kicking off the year in style, we have a pretty impressive 20% off our very impressive range of Italian wines for the months of January and February, from the crisp easy-drinking whites of Friuli and Abruzzo, to the winter-warming concentration found in the reds of Piemonte, Tuscany and Sicily.

We believe there’s no one better when it comes to Italy. Check out our wines from Poggiobello if you’re not yet convinced – the Friulano being a real surprise package. For the truly curious palates, our amazing Barbera will have you moaning and groaning with pleasure.

Say hello to Bleasdale – and over 160 years of family wine making. We’re absolutely delighted to be importing one of Australia’s true gems. After Yalumba, this is the country’s oldest winery, with a portfolio that has evolved, developed and perfected to a level that you’ll find hard to find elsewhere. No surprise that they’ve made their way into James Halliday’s elite 5 star category.

To feed your curiousity, we’re knocking off 20% over the entire range (bar one allocation wine), although take advantage of it while you can, because this offer is only valid until the end of January. Keep your eyes on the blog over the coming weeks for more on this historic winery.

With listings in the top restaurants of Gordon Ramsay and Rick Stein, we go back to France for one of Bordeaux’s most accessible new-age wineries – Château Bauduc.

“Excellent red, white and rosé, all marked by their sheer drinkability. Affordable, approachable, Bordeaux needs another 100 Bauducs – and fast.” Oz Clarke’s Wine Buying Guide.

Save €3 per bottle on the ever-popular house white of Gordon Ramsay, Bauduc’s Bordeaux Blanc, and on the equally impressive red partner, Clos des Quinze, down from €14.99 to €11.99. This chef’s selection offer is running until the end of January or while stocks last.

If you’re having trouble deciding, our mixed case of the month might be the answer. There’s a taste of Italy and France, plus you’ll have the chance to critique two from Bleasdale and two newbies from the Spanish Las Corazas. If you prefer either white or red, no problem. You can pick from an all-red or all-white mix. Normally €135.88, yours for just €112.

Oh, and did we mention we have no nasty delivery charges? But you knew that already.

Above offers valid up to and including January 31st, with the exception of 20% off Italy, which will run until February 28th.

With just seven days ’til the big man sets off on the most famous round-the-world trip of them all, we’re still frantically sending out the best wines from around the world all over Ireland.

Last orders in the Curious Wines grotto, for guaranteed* delivery in time for Christmas, is 1pm Wednesday 22nd December. With a second cold snap embracing the country however, we’re encouraging wine lovers to get your orders in now to ensure we get your wine to you in good time.

All our Christmas specials are accessible from the website homepage.

We’ve seasonal mixed cases from €49, 20% off Chile, 20% off all sparkling wines, and a host of other Christmas crackers on special including Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from €7.99, Rioja from €8.99, Italian Pinot Grigio from €6.99 and our best-selling Cuvee Jean-Paul also only €6.99.

You can order online or by calling the mad house, sorry warehouse, on 021 432 0233.

(* Guaranteed delivery still, ultimately, subject to the weather so please try not to leave it to the last minute!)

Finally, and most importantly…

We’ve had an incredible second full year in business and it’s all down to the fantastic support, and repeat purchasing, from our growing and exceptionally loyal customer base.

To everyone that’s had a taste of Curious, we thank you so, so much for the valued patronage and we hope to continue to deliver better wines, better service and better value than ever in 2011.

Wishing you a safe and happy Christmas, and a positive and prosperous New Year.

Christmas hugs, Mike & Matt

Starting RIGHT NOW, 12pm Friday 3rd December, ending tomorrow Saturday 4th at 6pm sharp, we’re presenting our top 30 wines for the Yule, with our best ever prices across the board. There’s a minimum 20% off all 30 wines and, thanks to a few tasty bulk buys, up to 30% off on certain case deals.

All wines will be open for tasting tomorrow in the Curious Wines warehouse, Kinsale Road, Cork (weather permitting!).

Here’s the line-up!

The whites

Cuvée Jean-Paul Blanc Sec (South-West France) normally €7.99, 30 hour price = €6.39
Bonus case deal: buy 12 for €75.00 = €6.25 per bottle, save 22%

Mirabello Pinot Grigio (Lombardia, Italy) normally €8.99, 30 hour price = €6.99

*NEW* Gassac Classic White (Languedoc, France) normally €9.49, 30 hour price = €7.59
Bonus case deal: buy 12 for €90.00 = €7.50 per bottle, save 21%

Santa Alicia Reserva Chardonnay (Maipo Valley, Chile) normally €9.99, 30 hour price = €7.99

Fairhall Cliffs Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand) normally €10.99, 30 hour price = €7.99
Bonus case deal: buy 12 for €92.00 = €7.67 per bottle, save 30%

The Ned Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand) normally €12.99, 30 hour price = €10.39
Bonus case deal: buy 12 for €120.00 = €10.00 per bottle, save 23%

*NEW* Chablis La Colombe (Burgundy, France) normally €13.99, 30 hour price = €11.19

*NEW* Poggiobello Friulano (Friuli, Italy) normally €13.99, 30 hour price = €11.19

Chateau Bauduc Bordeaux Blanc (Bordeaux, France) normally €14.99, 30 hour price = €11.99

Woodstock Semillon Sauvignon (McLaren Vale, Australia) normally €14.99, 30 hour price = €11.99

*NEW* Sancerre La Clochette (Loire, France) normally €14.99, 30 hour price = €11.99

The reds

Cuvée Jean-Paul Rouge (South-West France) normally €7.99, 30 hour price = €6.39
Bonus case deal: buy 12 for €75.00 = €6.25 per bottle, save 22%

*NEW* Lesec Coteaux du Languedoc (Languedoc, France) normally €7.99, 30 hour price = €6.39
Bonus case deal: buy 12 for €72.00 = €6.00 per bottle, save 25%

*NEW* Gassac Classic Red (Languedoc, France) normally €9.49, 30 hour price = €7.59
Bonus case deal: buy 12 for €90.00 = €7.50 per bottle, save 21%

Santa Alicia Reserva Carmenere (Maipo Valley, Chile) normally €9.99, 30 hour price = €7.99

*NEW* Gregorina Sangiovese Superiore (Emilia Romagna, Italy) normally €11.99, 30 hour price = €8.99
Bonus case deal: buy 12 for €100.00 = €8.33 per bottle, save 30%

*NEW* Fleurie L’Arenite (Beaujolais, France) normally €12.99, 30 hour price = €10.39
Bonus case deal: buy 12 for €120.00 = €10.00 per bottle, save 23%

Poggiobello Merlot (Friuli, Italy) normally €13.99, 30 hour price = €11.19

*NEW* Bricco dei Guazzi Barbera Monferrato (Piemonte, Italy) normally €13.99, 30 hour price = €11.19

Chateau Bauduc Clos des Quinze (Bordeaux, France) normally €14.99, 30 hour price = €11.99

Woodstock Shiraz Cabernet (McLaren Vale, Australia) normally €14.99, 30 hour price = €11.99

Greenhough Pinot Noir (Nelson, New Zealand) normally €17.99, 30 hour price = €14.39

Glaetzer Wallace 2008 (Barossa Valley, Australia) normally €19.99, 30 hour price = €15.99

Chateauneuf-du-Pape Domaine Chante Cigale 2007 (Rhone, France) normally €28.00, 30 hour price = €22.40

The bubblies

Borgo Magredo Prosecco Frizzante Spago (Veneto, Italy) normally €11.99, 30 hour price = €9.59
Bonus case deal: buy 12 for €100.00 = €8.33 per bottle, save 30%

Mont Marcal Cava Brut Reserva (Penedes, Spain) normally €14.99, 30 hour price = €11.99

Duval Leroy Champagne Brut NV (Champagne, France) normally €40.00, 30 hour price = €32.00

The stickies

Woodstock Botrytis Semillon (McLaren Vale, Australia) normally €14.99, 30 hour price = €11.99

Niepoort Ruby Port (Douro, Portugal) normally €17.99, 30 hour price = €14.39

The 30 hour sale starts 12.00pm TODAY, Friday 3rd December and ends 6.00pm tomorrow, Saturday 4th December.

It’s our last little bit of madness before the run-in to Christmas!

We thought we’d give you a hum-dinger for the first weekend of December and something to smile about ahead of next week’s doom & gloom Budget.

Starting TOMORROW Friday at 12pm, ending Saturday at 6pm sharp, we’re presenting our top 30 wines for the Yule, with our best ever prices across the board. There’ll be a minimum 20% off all 30 wines and, thanks to a few tasty bulk buys, up to 30% off on certain case deals.

All 30 wines will be open for tasting in the Curious Wines warehouse over the two days, so if you’re in Cork you’ve the chance to try before you buy. We’re even opening late Friday, until 9.00pm, to give you extra tasting time.

All 30 wines will also appear on special discount here on the website, all with free delivery when you pack a case of 12, so you’ve 30 hours to snap up our best deals of the year.

It’s 30 wines, 30 hours, up to 30% off – Happy Christmas from Curious!

New Zealand’s not all about Sauvignon Blanc, and it’s certainly not all about Marlborough. With the Marlborough region getting all the limelight in our Christmas sale, we thought it only fair that we give Waipara and Nelson a chance to show off. After all, this is where the true wine drinkers go.

From now until New Year, we will be running a promotion on these slightly lesser known regions, and for good measure we’ll give you the chance to win a mixed case of 20 Kiwi wines worth €300, in time for Christmas.

The deal:

It’s very simple.

Buy 6 wines (any mix) from the featured wineries below, and we give you one entry into our prize draw to win €300 worth of Kiwi wines.

Buy 12 (any mix), we give you two entries into our prize draw, and we give you a FREE bottle of “the new Cloudy Bay at half the price” – Waipara Springs Sauvignon Blanc. You can’t beat that with a big stick!

The featured boutique wineries:

Greenhough: Greenhough (green-hoff) is a family owned vineyard and winery established in 1991. Located at Hope, near Nelson at the top of the South Island, the vines are planted in free-draining, clay rich soils beneath the foothills of the Richmond Ranges.

Waipara Springs: Ex-winemaker at Cloudy Bay, Frank Manifold, is now plying his trade at Waipara Springs, located in the heart of the Waipara Valley. The vines here were planted in the early 1980’s, providing the entirely estate grown wines with a depth and intensity that only old vines can produce.

Muddy Water: Situated in the Waipara area of North Canterbury, Muddy Water is a direct translation from the Maori place name – wai  (water) para  (sediment, mud). It is the dream of owners Michael and Jane East, who purchased the property in 1993. This is the winery for those looking to explore beyond Sauvignon Blanc.

Full qualifying range here.

Bonus bottle offer valid up to & including 31st December 2010. Prize draw will be made on Monday 20th December so the winner gets their 20-bottle mix in time for Christmas. Both promotions only valid on purchases of wines from Greenhough, Waipara Springs and Muddy Water wineries.