I dropped into David Whelehan's new store, Whelehans Wines, earlier yesterday. It's where the old Silver Tassie used to be in Loughlinstown - South County Dublin.
This should be a a destination store for anyone interested in wine in Ireland. It's brilliant, original and mega friendly.
There is, of course, a cracking selection at everyday prices and the
best I've seen yet at the €9.50 to €9.99 bracket. The only potential
downside here is that so many of the wines need a personal intro - but
then David intends to be there to welcome you in!
A lot of the wines are direct imports and many are of a price bracket that scream 'Special Occasion', 'Gift', 'Present', 'Retirement' 'Anniversary'. But isn't that great? You won't find these anywhere else in the country, they are very fairly priced and have been chosen by David himself . These are wines to die for. Take Parker Estate from the Coonawarra in Australia as good example. My assessment, in my Free Running With Kevin Ecock blog, from way back in 2008 still stands.
In it I mention that when I met Pete Bissel, winemaker at Parker Estate, he was '... generous with his time and his knowledge. He brought me on a trip that showed how ancient stranded coastlines, limestone reefs and dumped sands have all affected, and been formed into, the terra rossa of the Coonawarra. He brought us through John Riddoch back in 1891 to the present day where there are about 30 producers working the vineyards. He showed us that Cabernet Sauvignon has been cultivated here for over a hundred years! He explained in great detail how he grows grapes, picks them and makes wine. He then showed us the following incredible wines. My notes for each of the following are long, detailed and effusive. There is no doubt but the Terra Rossa First Growth wines are truly magnificent'.
This should be a a destination store for anyone interested in wine in Ireland. It's brilliant, original and mega friendly.
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| Best advice from David |
A lot of the wines are direct imports and many are of a price bracket that scream 'Special Occasion', 'Gift', 'Present', 'Retirement' 'Anniversary'. But isn't that great? You won't find these anywhere else in the country, they are very fairly priced and have been chosen by David himself . These are wines to die for. Take Parker Estate from the Coonawarra in Australia as good example. My assessment, in my Free Running With Kevin Ecock blog, from way back in 2008 still stands.In it I mention that when I met Pete Bissel, winemaker at Parker Estate, he was '... generous with his time and his knowledge. He brought me on a trip that showed how ancient stranded coastlines, limestone reefs and dumped sands have all affected, and been formed into, the terra rossa of the Coonawarra. He brought us through John Riddoch back in 1891 to the present day where there are about 30 producers working the vineyards. He showed us that Cabernet Sauvignon has been cultivated here for over a hundred years! He explained in great detail how he grows grapes, picks them and makes wine. He then showed us the following incredible wines. My notes for each of the following are long, detailed and effusive. There is no doubt but the Terra Rossa First Growth wines are truly magnificent'.
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| Parker Estate - Extraordinary Wines |
This, and much more, is what we can now buy into at Whelehans Wines. The story begins.
