Hegarty Chamans, No 3, Minervois, France ;Pouilly Fume Les Celliers de Cires 2004; Botalcura "El Delirio" Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2005, Casablanca Valley, Chile.
Hegarty Chamans, No 3, Minervois, France, €10.99 This is the first result of the foray by the advertising guru John Hegarty (think Vorsprung dürch Technik and the male stripper in the Levi's ad) into winemaking. It has a distinctive sweet, earthy perfume and soft savoury autumn fruit, and, although the tannins are still on the tough side, it is a different, challenging wine at a very reasonable price. From: Celtic Whiskey Shop, 28 Dawson Street, Dublin 2
Pouilly Fume Les Celliers de Cires 2004, €13.99It's not easy to find a good Pouilly Fumé at a reasonable price, so this elegant example of the breed is worth investigation. Typical smoky aromas, good balance and a rich finish with hints of lemon. From: Dunnes Stores
Botalcura "El Delirio" Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2005, Casablanca Valley, Chile, €15 Bursting with tropical fruit aromas, this Chilean Sauvignon Blanc delivers surprisingly rich, dusky, citrus flavours on the palate. More complex than you might expect. From: Searsons, Monkstown, Co Dublin