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Dublin, Ireland
Hi, I'm Dermot Nolan, and I became a Master of Wine (MW) in 1997, and resigned from the Institute of Masters of Wine in 2023 after being an MW for exactly 26 years. I opened a wine shop in DĂșn Laoghaire, Ireland, called The Wine Library, which closed in 2018, and this is my personal wine blog. I will do my utmost to be fair and responsible in my posts – please read my Who Pays article in re the ethics of wine trips and writing. I have worked in wine education, retail, and consultancy since 1990. I was a Director of the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) from 2008 to 2014 and was also a member of the Events Committee, founder of the Trips Committee, and member of the Governance Committee. Having had problems with potentially libellous comments from unidentifiable posters, I now require that if you post a comment, you must identify yourself properly or it won't be published. Please note that I do not review products or services on request so kindly don't ask. I value my independence and I believe my readers (few that they may be) do so also.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

One to buy and one to try

Buy Canepa Classico Pinot Grigio, available in most small off-licences and independent wine merchants. Try Chatus, from Les Vigneron Ardechois, available in the Wicklow Wine Company.

Pinot grigio is, of course, pinot gris with an Italian accent. By and large this is not the best combination. While there are some very good pinot grigio wines in Alto Adige (Sud-Tirol) many of those from outside this region are bland, crisp and lacking in fruit. Around the world, pinot grigio is being adopted as a style (although not consistent) of easy-drinking, usually crisp wine. The Canepa Pinot Grigio is Chilean and has a lovely fruity character on both nose and palate, something lacking in many pinot grigios. At €7.95 RRP this is an absolute steal - so go out and buy some!
Chatus is a little-known French grape which has been disappearing from the vinescape since phylloxera. This wine is deeply coloured and fairly firm in style; it tastes softer after decanting. Rich, black fruit make it a good match for steak. Not one to rush out and buy but well worth trying if you're into unusual grapes. Sells at €13.25.

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