Is Ireland's insatiable demand for Sauvignon Blanc set to continue?
This is a question I am frequently asked and the answer is absolutely - there appears to be no letting up in the grá for the Sauvignon Blanc grape.
It's intense green fruit character and mouth-watering freshness has certainly captured the hearts and imagination of many.
So much so that almost every wine producing region in the world is planting this grape variety with gusto at the expense of some of the more interesting local grape varieties.
Marlborough has even taken over in US
It's interesting to note that Nobilo Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc has moved into poll position in the United States piping the local leader of the pack Kendall Jackson.
In Ireland the wines of New Zealand are one of very few countries showing very strong growth March 2008 versus 2009 +24% in volume whilst maintaining the highest average price point of all the wine producing countries at €11.05, an incredible achievement for the Kiwis.
I have to declare my hand by stating that I too am a bit of a fan of this variety and am particularly drawn to the minerally expressions of this grape that emanate from the Loire Valley in particular the appellations of Sancerre & Pouilly-Fumé - the 2008 vintage is simply delicious!
Taste of Dublin - A must for your diary!
Taste of Dublin (June 11th - 14th) is now on and just in case you haven't been caught up in its launch fanfare do check it out - it's always a bit of fun with a good balance between the commercial and the enthusiasts.
The costs of entry are down this year, which should contribute to the sense of enjoyment – at last a plus for this recession.
For the diehard wine enthusiast ...
Vin Expo is the ultimate trade show for the wine professional being the biggest wine event held in Bordeaux every two years - it runs from the 21st to the 25th June and is trade only - at this event there are miles and miles of exhibitors plying their offerings.
If you are not a badge carrying wine professional in Ireland with our typical two degrees of separation I am sure there will be somebody you will know who you can get to pre-register and chaperone you at this event. Be warned accommodation during this period reaches stratospheric levels so do your research if you plan to make the pilgrimage.
What to drink this weekend?
If you want to be charmed by two simply brilliant wines from Victoria in Australia, I cannot recommend highly enough the T Series wines from Taltarni.
The T Series white (Sauvignon/Semillon) 2008 is crisp, intense and has layers of citrus fruit flavours, is round on the palate and simply perfect for outdoor enjoyment. 0'Briens 2 for €20.
The T Series Shiraz 2006 has wonderful depth of pure black fruit, is velvety on the palate and finishes with a wonderful freshness and like it's white partner is a match made in heaven for barbequed foods. O'Briens 2 for €20
If you want to try something completely new or if you want to catch out one of your pals on a blind wine tasting try Domaine Duffour 2008 from the Côtes de Gascogne O'Briens €9.99 - made from the local grape varieties of this region the Colombard, Ugni Blanc and the Gros Manseng - wine masquerades almost perfectly as a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc at a significantly lower price with an alcohol level of only 11.5% making it less treacherous than some of it's New World relations.