Whether you are a complete novice or a well-educated wine enthusiast, you may have come across some common myths about wine. Some have a smidgen of truth to them and some are based on superstitious beliefs. Here are a few common beliefs about wine and whether they are fact or myth.
1) Screw top wines denote lower quality, MYTH
Many traditionalists think that because a wine has a screw top cap instead of cork it might be inferior. This probably came from the idea that, the very first winemakers to produce wine on a large scale came from old world countries like France, Italy, and Spain. In these countries where traditional methods are followed for hundreds of years and many family generations meant that the use of corks have been associated with ‘top quality’. However due to advancing technologies, using a screw cap provides more reliability as there is no chance for the wine to become ‘corked’. That is not to say that corked wines are lesser than screw cap. They both have their pros and cons. Screw cap – prevents oxidisation and keeps the flavours of the wine fresher and vibrant for longer; cork – allows wines to age and develop over a long period of time, but runs the risk of being spoiled by the cork itself.
2) A silverspoon will keep your bottle of fizz fresh, MYTH
Placing a silver spoon in the top of a bottle of sparkling wine does not keep it fizzy. The idea behind this is that since the silver spoon is a good conductor, it will stay colder and as a result, would keep the fizz colder and help to retain carbonation. However, this is no more than superstitious belief as the spoon does not stop the process of depressurisation. The only way that can make your sparkling wine last longer is to use a champagne stopper which prevents the air escaping or a vacuum stopper which removes the air inside the bottle and keeps the bottle pressurised.
3) “Organic wines” are healthier, MYTH
Much like organic foods, the nutritional values of organic wines are pretty much the same as ordinarily grown wines. The only difference is in the way the grapes are grown and cultivated. Organic wines are made from grapes without the use of synthetic chemicals or fertilisers and results in being more environmentally friendly. A similar belief is that organic wines do not give hangovers as they have less sulphites. All wines contain trace amounts of sulphites (a little more may be added) and they are what keep them from spoiling and allow wines to be aged for long periods of time. In fact there are even everyday product that contain sulphites such as dried fruits, potatoes, maraschino cherries, yet very few people suffer headaches from these products. If you keep getting hangovers and headaches from drinking wine, keep an eye on the alcohol level. A higher ABV level will have much more impact on how you feel than whether a wine has sulphites.
These are only a few misconceptions surrounding wine and there are no doubt many more. Make sure you have done your research to better understand wine and to help to pick a wine that you would not have otherwise chosen due to superstitious belief.
An informal and fun way to discover a whole world of wine!
€160 for 6 Weeks Limited to 10 Places
This course runs for 6 weeks, one evening per week, starting on Tuesday 2nd of October. The Wine Appreciation Course will give a comprehensive overview of the wines of the world. The various styles, vintages and the relationship of food and wine will all be covered. Each evening we will sample a selection of wines, notes will be provide. (Should you wish detail information that can be provide also) Each Class begins promptly at 7.30 pm and will run for one hour and half.
The next course, will begin at 7.30 on Tuesday September 24th, and will run every Tuesday until Tuesday 29th of October.
Wine School Key Features:
Basic tasting techniques including putting words to wine
Choosing from a restaurant wine list
Tasting the major grape varieties
Discovering your favourite styles of wine
The Tasting Schedule
Introduction to French Wines
Introducing the various styles, grapes and wine philosophies of the leading wine producing country in the world. It starts from basics and it covers France’s principal wine regions and grapes.
Introduction To Australian Wines
A country that is emerging from a bit of an identity crisis, now looking to produce regionally distinct wines. We reckon Australia has never made better wines. Come and sample Clare Riesling, Orange Pinot and Mudgee Shiraz among others.
Introduction To Argentinean, Chilean & New Zealand Wines
Much like Australia these countries that boomed for one style of wine and are now looking to attract people with their regionally distinct styles of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, Carmenere, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling.
Introduction To New Old World
Fairly new entrants to the Irish market Portugal and Austria are fast become a customer favourites with its fruit driven stylish reds and crisp refreshing whites. We will also take in a selection of German wines.
Introduction to Spanish Wines
Spain the trendiest wine country at the minute. This course will acquaint you with Rioja, Rueda and Rias Baixas along with Tempranillo, Albarino and Garnacha.
Introduction to Italian Wines
This will introduce you to some of the major wine regions of Italy, a country that we could focus a whole six week course on and only cover one region. Areas covered will be Piedmont, Valpolicella and Tuscany.
Places can be booked by emailing tadhg@woodberrys.ie or alternatively by calling 091-533706.
The course is sold as a complete 6 week course with full payment of €160 required to secure a place.
Join us on what will hopefully be a sunny July evening for a tasting of some of the best Italian wines available in Ireland. We will have over 20 stunning Italian wines open from Alto Adige in the North all the way to Salento in the heel of Italy. Customer favourites like Pinot Grigio, Prosecco and Valpolicella, to exciting wines such as Traminer Aromatico, Vernatsch, and regions and styles making a comeback like Soave and Orvieto.
Tickets are €5 per person but are redeemable as a €5 off voucher on the night against purchases. Tickets can be booked here on Eventbrite.
An informal and fun way to discover a whole world of wine!
€160 for 6 Weeks Limited to 10 Places
This course runs for 6 weeks, one evening per week, starting on Tuesday 5th of February . The Wine Appreciation Course will give a comprehensive overview of the wines of the world. The various styles, vintages and the relationship of food and wine will all be covered. Each evening we will sample a selection of wines, notes will be provide. (Should you wish detail information that can be provide also) Each Class begins promptly at 7.30 pm and will run for one hour and half.
Wine School Key Features:
Basic tasting techniques including putting words to wine
Choosing from a restaurant wine list
Tasting the major grape varieties
Discovering your favourite styles of wine
The Tasting Schedule
Introduction to French Wines
Introducing the various styles, grapes and wine philosophies of the leading wine producing country in the world. It starts from basics and it covers France’s principal wine regions and grapes.
Introduction To Australian Wines
A country that is emerging from a bit of an identity crisis, now looking to produce regionally distinct wines. We reckon Australia has never made better wines. Come and sample Clare Riesling, Orange Pinot and Mudgee Shiraz among others.
Introduction To Argentinean, Chilean & New Zealand Wines
Much like Australia these countries that boomed for one style of wine and are now looking to attract people with their regionally distinct styles of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, Carmenere, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling.
Introduction To New Old World
Fairly new entrants to the Irish market Portugal and Austria are fast become a customer favourites with its fruit driven stylish reds and crisp refreshing whites. We will also take in a selection of German wines.
Introduction to Spanish Wines
Spain the trendiest wine country at the minute. This course will acquaint you with Rioja, Rueda and Rias Baixas along with Tempranillo, Albarino and Garnacha.
Introduction to Italian Wines
This will introduce you to some of the major wine regions of Italy, a country that we could focus a whole six week course on and only cover one region. Areas covered will be Piedmont, Valpolicella and Tuscany.
Places can be booked by emailing tadhg@woodberrys.ie or alternatively by calling 091-533706.
The course is sold as a complete 6 week course with full payment of €160 required to secure a place.
An informal and fun way to discover a whole world of wine!
€160 for 6 Weeks Limited to 10 Places
This course runs for 6 weeks, one evening per week, starting on Tuesday 2nd of October. The Wine Appreciation Course will give a comprehensive overview of the wines of the world. The various styles, vintages and the relationship of food and wine will all be covered. Each evening we will sample a selection of wines, notes will be provide. (Should you wish detail information that can be provide also) Each Class begins promptly at 7.30 pm and will run for one hour and half.
Wine School Key Features:
Basic tasting techniques including putting words to wine
Choosing from a restaurant wine list
Tasting the major grape varieties
Discovering your favourite styles of wine
The Tasting Schedule
Introduction to French Wines
Introducing the various styles, grapes and wine philosophies of the leading wine producing country in the world. It starts from basics and it covers France’s principal wine regions and grapes.
Introduction To Australian Wines
A country that is emerging from a bit of an identity crisis, now looking to produce regionally distinct wines. We reckon Australia has never made better wines. Come and sample Clare Riesling, Orange Pinot and Mudgee Shiraz among others.
Introduction To Argentinean, Chilean & New Zealand Wines
Much like Australia these countries that boomed for one style of wine and are now looking to attract people with their regionally distinct styles of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, Carmenere, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling.
Introduction To New Old World
Fairly new entrants to the Irish market Portugal and Austria are fast become a customer favourites with its fruit driven stylish reds and crisp refreshing whites. We will also take in a selection of German wines.
Introduction to Spanish Wines
Spain the trendiest wine country at the minute. This course will acquaint you with Rioja, Rueda and Rias Baixas along with Tempranillo, Albarino and Garnacha.
Introduction to Italian Wines
This will introduce you to some of the major wine regions of Italy, a country that we could focus a whole six week course on and only cover one region. Areas covered will be Piedmont, Valpolicella and Tuscany.
Places can be booked by emailing tadhg@woodberrys.ie or alternatively by calling 091-533706.
The course is sold as a complete 6 week course with full payment of €160 required to secure a place.
This month we have two stunning Rioja Reservas on offer. We’re calling it a Rioja Shoot out as both wines represent not only different sub zones of Rioja, Alta and Alavesa but also modern vs more classical styles of wine making.
Rioja has 3 sub-zones, Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Oriental ( Previously Rioja Baja),each one enjoys a diversity of soils, terroirs and micro-climates, each making wines of unique personality and character.
Rioja Alta: Located on the western side of Rioja, this sub-zone has an Atlantic climate and its soils are mostly clay mixed with limestone. Due to the sub-zone’s varying elevations, the wines produced here can have great structure and high acidity.
Rioja Alavesa: The smallest of the sub-zones, it also experiences an Atlantic climate. In fact, it is coolest of the three. The soils are predominantly clay and are situated in terraces. The wines from this region tend to be lighter-bodied.
Rioja Oriental: This eastern sub-zone is much warmer, drier climate due to the Mediterranean influence and its lower elevation. This area, composed mainly of alluvial soils, produces wines with high extract and alcohol, lower in acidity.
Both Rioja Alta and Alavesa are considered the higher quality areas. Most wines are produced mainly from the local Tempranillo grape although blends and even wines with no Tempranillo are allowed by the DO. For our purposes here comparing the Reservas here’s a brief refresher on what makes a Reserva.
Reserva: Wines from the best vintages, have to be aged for a minimum of 3 years and at least one year in oak barrels.
And now the wines:
Ostatu Rioja Reserva 2011, Rioja Alavesa
Intense and clear aroma, red fruits with outstanding expressive notes on a creamy wooden background, spicy nuances and mineral touch. Tasty, fleshy, with excellent weight of fruit, firm and sweet tannins, fine toasty notes with a great structure. From 50 year Tempranillo Vines and aged for 16 months in New French oak barrels.
Gomez Cruzado Rioja Reserva 2010, Rioja Alta
30-year-old bush vine Tempranillo was hand harvested into small baskets, where the grapes undergo a three-day cold soak. The grapes were fermented in cone-shaped stainless steel vats. The juice is the racked to half French and half American barriques, of which 50% is new wood, where is ages for 18 months. The wine is blended to tank prior to bottling and laid to rest in the cold cellars for 2 years prior to release. Clean and shiny, dark red cherry colored. Very expressive nose, with the tertiary aromas of the aging displaying vanilla, cocoa and orange peel, and those of the variety, showing dark and candied fruit. In the mouth it’s rounded, fresh, with a fine acidity, silky tannins and fruit driven aftertaste. It clearly shows the character of a classical Reserva from “Barrio de la Estación.”
Celebrate International Sauvignon Blanc Day 4th May
Seriously wine grapes have their own days! Sauvignon Blanc’s is this friday and to celebrate we have 15% off all Sauvignon Blancs until 7pm Saturday 5th May. And if that wasn’t enough to strike your fancy we’re hosting a free drop in tasting between 6pm and 8pm on Friday evening.
As a grape that is widely planted is has many different flavours and characteristics, some apply all over the world such as it has low to no tannins, it is rarely oak aged but can be oak fermented. It also maintains a medium to high level of acidity making most wine refreshing and is almost always dry in style.
Common aromas and flavours included citrus, gooseberry, Lime, granny smith apple, pear Guava and Passionfruit. Some more funky aromas are in the herbal category like basil, green bell pepper, freshly cut grass, lemongrass, celery and the just plain strange aromas of Cat’s piss, chalk, and wet concrete.
Call in on friday a sample some of the Sauvignons we have open!
We are running our wine classes again this June, Starting Tuesday 5th of June and running for 4 weeks through until Tuesday 26th June. Each class begins at 7.30 and runs for about one and a half hours. We will sample between 8 and 10 wines each evening witht the themes as follows.
Introduction to Cabernet Sauvignon / Sauvignon Blanc
Introduction To Pinot Noir / Chardonnay
Introduction To Syrah, Grenache / Riesling
Introduction to National Heroes ( Tempranillo / Gruner Veltliner etc. )
LIMITED TO 8 PLACES
€120 FOR ALL FOUR EVENINGS. THIS INCLUDES NOTES ON THE WINES AND 8-10 WINES TASTED PER EVENING. Places can be booked by emailing tadhg@woodberrys.ie or alternatively by calling 091-533706. The course is sold as a complete 4 week course.
Healthy chardonnay grapes, left, and sunburned ones. Photographer: Elin McCoy/Bloomberg
January is as good a time as ever to deliver bad news, and many European countries are taking time adding up the tallies of the previous year’s grape harvest and reporting yield’s down as much as 25%. Adverse climatic conditions in 2017, including heavy hailstorms and hard frosts in the spring as well as drought in the summer, caused considerable damage to vineyards all over Europe. The result, most of the wine-growing regions in Europe are had a very low harvest for 2017.
Italian wine body Assoenologi estimated that Italy would see one of its smallest wine harvests for 60 years in 2017, down by 25% on last year, that’s a reduction of roughly 5.5 billion bottles. Things are not much better in France where they have had the worst harvest since 1945, according to France AgriMer, an agency that works with both the industry and government. Wine production to fall by 18% on 2016 after spring frosts ravage vines, but hot summer could deliver top vintages – meaning price increases across the board for low yields but higher quality fruit.
The outlook in Europe’s other large producer is not much better with Spain’s output dropping down 20% from 2016, and in Germany the estimated vintage is down 12%. All in all 2017 proved to be a difficult year in Europe.
Despite wild fires in both California and Oregon the north American harvest is likely to be similar to last year. South Africa saw very small increases in yields, about 1.4%. In South America, both sides of the Andes were affected to varying degrees by the shift from the wetter El Niño weather system to the drier conditions associated with La Niña weather system. In Mendoza, Argentina yields were down about 30 percent compared to normal. And in Chile yields were down about 22% due to drought and forest fires. New Zealand also experienced a drop in yeilds by about 9%. Philip Gregan, CEO of New Zealand winegrowers, attributed the smaller harvest of 2017 to wet weather over the summer season. Australia was the only country to undergo modest yield increases at roughly 5% despite a tricky vintage.
The conclusion is that unfortunately the price of your favourite wines will probably increase this year a wineries increase excellar prices to try to cover lower quantities produced.
This month we have two stunning Rioja Reservas on offer. We’re calling it a Rioja Shoot out as both wines represent not only different sub zones of Rioja, Alta and Alavesa but also modern vs more classical styles of wine making.
Reservas here’s a brief refresher on what makes a Reserva.
Gomez Cruzado Rioja Reserva 2010, Rioja Alta
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