Wine for St Patrick's Day?

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Wine for St Patrick's Day?

by Mike Supple
published: 13 Mar 2009 | Comments

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A map of places to get good wine in Ireland. Yes, you read that right. Wine.

As March 17th approaches, bars around the world stock up on two things: beer and green food coloring. And this isn't a bad thing. I've had more than my share of green beer in the past (except for the few years I spent on my school's crew team when we celebrated St. Patty's day by practicing three times and eating several pounds of pasta between each session on the water - Go Wes!). For those of you scoffing at cheap green beer, I don't want to catch you drinking Guinness. Murphy's Stout is better.

But what to do for the thousands of you who become Irish for this one day of the year if you don't like beer? (I say "you" because I can claim some real Irish heritage - although I've also got a little Scottish in me which makes for some horrific internal battles - and I also happen to be a huge beer fan.) Have no fear. Drinking wine is much more Irish than you think!

And while I could be referring to the small amount of wine that is actually being made in Ireland (mostly around Cork and from the grapes Muller Thurgau and Reichensteiner) the connection of Ireland and wine is in fact much stronger.

Ireland is one of the world's leading importers of wines from Chile. And while they are not the largest importer in the world in terms of bulk, the average cost in dollars per liter of Chilean wine imported into Ireland is higher than any of the other major markets (US, UK, Scandinavia, Latin America).

So don your green shirt, hat and pants and head to your local wine shop with pride. But make sure you stick with something from Chile. It would be quite an embarrassing situation to show up at a party with a bottle of Napa Cab...

I'm assuming you'll be eating the traditional Irish dinner of corn beef and cabbage, so here are a few wine tips to lead you in the right direction:

Calina Chardonnay Reserva - From the Casablanca Valley in Chile. Fruity and fresh in an off-dry style (meaning so much ripe fruit that it gives the impression of a hint of sweetness). Chile's Chards are known for ripe melon and banana flavors, and this one packs the acid to stand up to the fat of the beef. Costs around $9.
Cono Sur Vision Pinot Noir - A fruity Pinot from the Rapel Valley of Chile. Lots of great acid to cut through the fat of the corned beef. Costs around $11.
Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon - From the Central Valley region of Chile. While some Napa Cabernet may be a bit bold for corned beef, this little gem has great fruit and somewhat more subdued tannins. Costs about $9.
Sincerity Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon - From Colchagua Valley in Chile. If you're looking to spend a little more on the wine with your "peasant food" then this is the way to go. Great floral notes with lush, soft fruit, and a touch of backbone from the added Cab. Costs about $20.