By now, the more ambitious New Year! New You! projects may be losing their charm, in which case there’ll be room in your diary for a gentle blend of education and socialising as Jack Barrett’s informal and extremely useful wine appreciation course returns to Curious Wines at 7.30pm on Tuesday 1st March.

The course runs for six consecutive Tuesdays here at the Curious warehouse and costs €195 for all classes and materials. Though the evenings are relaxed – there’s no exam! – Jack aims, while you sample a selection of bottles chosen to suit the theme of the week, to cover as many aspects of the study and enjoyment of wine as possible:

• what the label tells you, and what to look out for in restaurants and shops when you don’t know the wines;
• how to taste wine, including what to look, smell and taste for (including faults) and how to compare one wine with another; and
• the principal wine regions, and the many factors that decide the character of each wine, from soil and weather to what happens in the cellar.

There’ll be ample opportunity to ask questions and compare notes, and over the course of six weeks you can look forward to a little history, geography, law, science and politics. You’ll probably pick up a few words of three or four languages, and since the only way to our first floor is up the sixteen steps, you’ll get a workout too.

Really, it’s all those self-improvement classes rolled into one.  First come, first served.

Reservations by telephone only on 021 432 0233.

Beginners’ course (Tuesday 01/03/2011 for six weeks) costs €195.

If you’re in Cork this Wednesday (December 1st) with a bit of free time, head down to the Cork School of Music on Union Quay. Blake Creedon, the Irish Examiner’s wine man, will be hosting a tasting with Wine Australia, where you’ll be able to try a range of reds, whites, rosés, sparkling and dessert wines from a list of stockists across Ireland, including yours truly.

Blake Creedon: “I was delighted to accept an opportunity offered to me by John McDonnell of Wine Australia Ireland earlier this summer.  They’ve given me free rein to pick a few dozen of my favourite wines from Australia, regardless of price, styles or retailer. In return, they’d provide the wine and the venue for a one-off wine-tasting evening, namely… “Blake’s Favourite Fifty Australians”".

Wednesday, December 1, from 6pm to 8.30pm at Cork School of Music, Union Quay.
Tickets are €20.
Booking (via Wine Australia Ireland on 065 7077264) is advisable.

For more information, go to Blake’s Festive Fifty

The housewarming in September of the first floor of our warehouse got a seasonal top-up on Saturday, when a festive crowd climbed the fairy-light-lit stairs to our Christmas wine fair.

Over a hundred bottles from stock were open to taste, and an elite squad of Santa’s elves, namely Lesley Atkins from Boutinot, Joyce Austin of New Zealand Boutique Wines (who will be hosting a tasting of NZ wines here on the 2nd December) and Charles Robb of R&R Wines helped the home team to pour out samples, talk about the wines and provide a friendly welcome to the tasters.

Anthony Cresswell of Ummera (www.ummera.com) and Olive Hallahan of Castlemary Farm (021 465 2832) purveyed their delicious smoked goods and goat cheese respectively.  Don’t hesitate to get in touch with them if you’d like some of their fine foods on your table this year.

Thank you to all who attended for contributing to another relaxed, cheerful, busy event at Curious Wines and for helping to get the Christmas ball rolling.  We knew you’d like some photos – and shutter virtuoso Ger McCarthy obliged in style, as you’ll see below!

Photos courtesy of Gerard McCarthy Photography, germac.ie

Here’s the big one you absolutely DON’T want to miss. This weekend we will be opening up additional space in the our Cork wine store and uncorking/unscrewing around a hundred different wines for what is sure to be the best show in town this Saturday.

Following on from the success of the Good Wine Show last year, this is the day to try and buy your Christmas wine as we show off our range of established favourites as well as the many new wines that we’ve added to the list during the year. So who will be joining us?

Charles Robb, R&R Wines
Charles holds a Wine & Spirit Education Trust Diploma with traveling scholarships gained after time in Portugal and Spain in successive years. While taking his Diploma Charles was named top wine student in Northern Ireland and awarded the ‘The Charles Kinahan Scholarship’.
Key wineries: The Ned, Woodstock, Glaetzer Wines, Farnese, Santa Alicia, Château Bauduc, Duval-Leroy.

Joyce Austin, New Zealand Boutique Wines
For the past eight years, Joyce Austin, owner of New Zealand Boutique Wines, has been bringing to Ireland a collection of hand-crafted wines from New Zealand’s most exciting boutique wine growers. Joyce is a native of Dublin, who moved to Auckland 17 years ago.
Key wineries: Waipara Springs, Muddy Water, Greenhough.

Lesley Atkins, Boutinot
A self confessed ‘fino freak’, Lesley is our head lady at Boutinot, a major international wine business based in the UK. They have a portfolio of over 800 wines, are exclusive agents for around 150 producers around the world and notably, have their very wine production sites in both the northern and southern hemispheres. No doubt there will be some fino for tasting.
Key wines: Cuvee Jean Paul Sec, La Reine de l’Arenite Fleurie, La Clochette Sancerre, Dignite Syrah.

Anthony Creswell, Ummera Smoked Salmon
For many of you, Anthony needs no introduction. You want to taste Ireland’s best smoked salmon and smoked duck? You will this Saturday. Ummera.com

Olive Hallihan, Castlemary Farm
Even the great chefs at Ballymaloe House look to Olive for her goats cheese. Grab a Sancerre, the perfect accompaniment, and transcend to a state of unworldly bliss!

Mike & Matt Kane
The men behind Ireland’s mixed case specialist. Mike is sure to be wearing a shiny shirt and acting half his age, while Matt is there to wash your glasses. And maybe even offer some wine advice.

Our Dad
Well really there’s a lot to thank ‘our da’ for. Without him, none of this would be happening. A seasoned wine drinker, Barry will be sharing how wonderful it is to have two sons in the wine business.

We sure would love to see you there. To meet our da and the rest of the gang… book now!

Saturday 20th November, 12.00-6.00pm: CURIOUS WINES CHRISTMAS WINE FAIR

Tickets €15, refundable when you spend €100 or more.

After the huge success of our Clare Valley tasting this September, Wine Australia is coming back to Cork to host another delicious Australian wine tasting.

During the summer they gave Blake Creedon, Wine Scribe for the Irish Examiner newspaper and blog master on blakecreedon.wordpress.com the challenge to pull together a selection of his favourite Australian wines. Not a list of Australia’s best wines, but a list of his personal favourites. In his own words;

My column and blog can never provide what they’re intended to inspire — the pleasure of enjoying good company and a decent glass of wine. Well, here’s a rare opportunity for me to thrust a glass into your hand, saying ‘here, try this’.

Wine Australia has given me free rein to put together a list of wines from down under. I’ve long been convinced of the depth and breadth of quality wines made in Australia. But the process of whittling down the prospective wines (it was at 90 or so just a few weeks ago) has come as an eye-opener even to me: Trust me; there are all sorts of treats in the final list. Scrap that, don’t you dare trust me – come along and suck it and see.

On Wednesday 1st December, Blake and John McDonnell of Wine Australia will host a tasting of Blake’s Favourite Australians. They would love you to join them. There are 65 wines in the line up covering all styles, regions and prices. In fact this could be the perfect event to take away all those Christmas buying/present selecting challenges.

Cost & bookings

Wednesday 1st December, 6pm – 8.30pm at the Cork School of Music on Union Quay
20 Euro per person with some tasty nibbles being served.
Places can be reserved direct through the Wine Australia office on 065 7077264 or ireland@wineaustralia.com.
Places are limited so if tempted, or if you need any further information, please get in touch sooner rather than later.

As promised in our general release on upcoming Christmas wine tastings, we’ve two very special additions to the line-up of indulgences at our Kinsale Road premises in the weeks ahead.

Jack Barrett of Woodstock to Rootstock, the man behind the Wine Appreciation courses currently being held at Curious HQ, will be presenting Masterclasses on two of France’s most exciting wine regions: the Southern Rhône and the broader but no less exciting South of France.

These are premium events with serious wines on show as examples of the regions, so ticket prices reflect the unique opportunity to taste two amazing line-ups of wines.

Tickets for both events can only be booked by telephone (021 432 0233) or by calling into the shop (we’re open 7 days).

As ever, places are ultimately limited so it’s first come, first served.

Thursday 25th November, 7.30pm: WINES OF THE SOUTHERN RHONE 2007 VINTAGE

The Southern Rhône wine region is the area in France north north-east of Avignon and south of Montélimar. It has a Mediterranean climate which means plenty of sun with the result grapes ripen well and produce warm tasting fruity wines which can be drunk when young. The best can age well for 15 years and more.

The classification of the area is: 1. Côtes du Rhône, 2. Côtes du Rhône Village and 3. the Cru, which include the best known Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Beaume de Venice etc.

It is an area where very good value wines can be sourced. With the possible exception of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which can be expensive, bargains can be found. It is also a lovely region to visit and is especially popular with cyclists and walkers. Mont Ventoux which dominates the area is a “Holy Grail” for cyclists.

The evening will explain the region in some detail and wines, many of which would be regarded as the benchmark for the cru, will be tasted along with some food for essential ‘absorption’!

The wines will be exclusively from the 2007 vintage, one described as “the vintage of a lifetime”, many wines achieving top ratings from critics such as Robert Parker (these wines are amongst his own personal favorites). The value of the wines will range from €20 to €100 per bottle, and will include:

1. Paul Jaboulet ‘Le Paradou’ (AC Beaumes–de-Venise
2. Domaine des Escaravailles ‘Le Venebren’ (AC Cairanne)
3. Domaine Jaume (AC Vinsobre)
4. Chateau du Trignon (AC Sablet)
5. Perrin & Fils (AC Rasteau)
6. Domaine du Cayron (AC Gigondas)
7. Domaine des Pallieres ‘La Raciner’ (AC Gigondas)
8. Domaine de Janesse ‘Chaupin’ (AC Chateauneuf-du-Papes)

Tickets €55. Call 021 432 0233 to book.

Wednesday 1st December, 7.30pm: WINES OF THE SOUTH OF FRANCE

“France’s best kept secret, the South of France is, in my opinion, the place to look for wine”, says Jack. “The wine producers here are producing a lovely blend of new and old world wine styles.”

The area we will cover on our South of France evening will extend from Bandol near Toulon in the east to the Roussillon area close to the Spanish border in the west. This is a huge area and produces a huge variety of wines using different variety of grapes and blends of grapes.

The most exciting wines come with a ‘vin de pays’ classification. Normally this represents basic wines but here the opposite can be the case. Nevertheless it can be a confusing region for the consumer with so many different appellations eg Minervois, Corbiere, Fitou, Pic San Loupe, Herault etc. We will try and make sense of all these regions and recommendations will be made as to the better producers in the various areas.

Wines will include benchmark Bandols made of the Mourvedre grape, a number from the extensive Languedoc region, including the ’1st growth’ Mas du Daumas Gassac and le Soula, an award winning wine from Gerard Gauby in the Agly Valley in the west of the region.

This night should be one of lovely wines and hopefully an understanding and appreciation of a great wine region.

Again, wines shown on the night will be from the exceptional 2007 vintage and will include:

1. Domaine de La Rectorie (AC Collioure)
2. Domaine Roc D’Anglade (Vin de Pays Gard)
3. Le Soula (Vins de Pays Côtes Catalanes)
4. Mas de Daumas Gassac (Vin de Pays l’Herault)
5. Prieuré de St. Jean de Bébian (AC Coteaux du Languedoc)
6. Les Bastides d’Alquier (AC Faugères)
7. Chateau d’Aussieres (AC Corbière)

Tickets: €55. Call 021 432 0233 to book.

It’s coming into that time of the year again when everything goes a little giddy, and noisy, in the wine trade. Well, we’ve a series of hosted wine tastings between now and the Yule to help you see the wood for the Christmas tree when it comes to choosing your top seasonal tipples.

All events will be hosted in our splendid new wine warehouse off the Kinsale Road roundabout in Cork. The first three festive tastings are detailed below, with news on two regional Masterclasses to follow.

Places are limited, so please don’t leave it to the last minute to book.

Tuesday 9th November, 7.30pm: SANTA ALICIA WINE TASTING

Chilean Winery of the Year at the International Wine & Spirit Competition three years ago, and our biggest selling range since we introduced them to the Irish market, we’re delighted to welcome Daniel Soto of Santa Alicia to present this superb range of wines. From new vintages of old favourites to icon wines that will reset your expectations on what this natural haven for wine-making is capable of, this is your chance to get an insight into the new Chile.
Tickets €8.

Saturday 20th November, 12.00-6.00pm: CURIOUS WINES CHRISTMAS WINE FAIR

This is the big one and the one you don’t want to miss! Following on from the success of the Good Wine Show last year, this is the day to try and buy your Christmas wine as we show off our range of established favourites as well as the many new wines that we’ve added to the list during the year. There will be dozens of wines open to try, some tasty bites from local food producers, and as many special offers, spot prizes and unrepeatable discounts as we think we can get away with.
Tickets €15, refundable when you spend €100 or more.

Thursday 2nd December, 7.30pm: NEW ZEALAND WINES FOR CHRISTMAS

Joyce Austin is back, and this time the First Lady of New Zealand boutique wine in Ireland is upping the ante. Presenting a new level of New Zealand wines to grace the dining table on Christmas Day, Joyce will be looking beyond the usual suspects to what’s new, exciting and redefining what the Land of the Great White Cloud represents in the wine world. And Oyster Bay it ain’t!
Tickets €15.

If you’d like to sample some wine as part of the Christmas preparations, or if you’re still disappointed about missing last year’s Good Wine Show, or our grand opening in September – we have something for you.  Keep reading.

On Saturday 20th November, between 12 and 6pm, Curious Wines will be holding a Christmas wine fair upstairs at our Kinsale Road premises.

It’s an opportunity for us to show off our range of established favourites as well as the many new wines that we’ve added to the list during the year.

It’s an opportunity for you to pre-select the perfect wines to suit your celebrations.  We’ll have recommendations for party wines, the best bottles for gifts, and also some ideas for specially good wines to grace the Christmas table, whatever you’re eating.  An hour or two in November spent choosing the wines you like best is good fun, and takes away the anxieties that go with making hasty decisions at the last minute.   There will be dozens of wines open to try, some tasty bites from local food producers, and as many special offers, spot prizes and unrepeatable discounts as we think we can get away with.

If you spend a hundred euro or more, we’ll even refund the €15 you spent on your admission ticket.

In case you already know what you like and don’t wish to participate in the tasting, it’ll be business as usual on the ground floor – no ticket required!

Places are limited, so don’t delay if you’d like to join us.  Call us on 021 432 0233 or make your reservation online.

Wine Australia is inviting all wine clubs to take part in the 2010/2011 Wine Club Challenge, the inter-wine club competition with a winner’s prize of two return tickets to Australia up for grabs.

To be involved, all you have to do is invite Wine Australia to present an Australian wine evening to your club before June 2011. The cost for the evening is €200.00, which covers the cost of your presenter and wines. As well as a fun and informative evening, 2 club members will be selected to represent your club in the challenge final, which will be held early June next year. They will be joined in this by teams from wine clubs throughout the country vying for that tasty prize.

Run three times previously, this proved a very successful and fun night for all the clubs who took part. And especially for the members of the Premier Cru Wine Club who have won those tickets to Australia on all three
occasions. Will they continue their fortunate run? Personnally I think more wine clubs have to put up a better fight!

To book the Australian wine evening contact John at Wine Australia on 065 7077264 or ireland [at] wineaustralia.com

With the news of Cork’s biggest wine shop officially opening almost two weeks ago, word is still travelling thick and fast throughout the county and beyond. This was helped again when one of Ireland’s most respected independent wine writers made a feature of us in his Saturday wine column for the Irish Examiner.

Columnist Blake Creedon is one who always seems to fly the flag for wine styles that are sometimes overlooked and underestimated. So it’s great to see that he has recommended a number of examples that bring out the best of their varietals at accessible price points. White Zinfandel (of which I have slated in the past. Oops!), Pinot Grigio and Merlot all get the call to be given a second chance.

Recommended wines featured by Blake Creedon, Irish Examiner, 18th & 25th September 2010

The Ned Pinot Grigio 2009 (€12.99) “Much of New Zealand’s Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio tradition is all about wines that are big, luscious and semi-sweet. Much more to our liking is the likes of this one – dry and crisp with playful hints of fruity peachy sweetness.”

Berrigan Point Merlot 2007 (€9.99 currently €7.99) “Sure where would we be without Merlot? Essential component of Bordeaux but also can work so well on its own. Here, a joyous, expressive fruity Merlot with a fresh fruit salad of flavours and a decent representation of essential tannins.”

Gregorina Sangiovese Superiore 2008 (€11.99) “Although the smashing value white Cuvee Jean Paul at curious wines does have a counterpart, you could regard this excellent number as its true dance partner. A subtle, elegant dry red with that lovely herbal scent I always associate with the Sangiovese grape.”

Borgo Magredo Prosecco Spumante NV (€16.99) “Prosecco is a sparkling wine style that we often approach tentatively – and yes some of the lighter ones can seem like a gear change from Champagne. Banish such prejudices – or the enjoy having them upended – by the firm confident verve of this lovely fresh fruity sparkler.”

The Carnival White Zinfandel Rosé 2009 (€9.99 currently €8.99) “I like this a lot, the immediacy of its juicy, generous basket of strawberries beautifully delivered by a fine, creamy texture. Ultimately, balance is the measure of a wine: the 10% ABV alcohol chimes in perfectly, and I certainly didn’t feel overwhelmed by the significant touch of sweetness associated with the style.”

Dignité Viognier 2007 (€12.99) Paired with roasted duck with peaches and rosewater sauce. “Viognier is the wine most akin to rosewater: at its most excessive, it can have quite an overwhelmingly powerful perfume. Here though, it’s a lovely soft-textured white with just a hint of that lovely rose petal scent.”