MEZZACORONA TEROLDEGA ROTALIANO RISERVA 2004 /10.89 (DOWN FROM 11.99) O'Briens Wine off-Licences From one of those traditional Italian grapes, a mouthwatering blend of sweet and sour fruits with some notes of coffee; at 13%, it is medium-bodied, but slips down very easily. Try it with Italian sausages with lentils.

CHINON LES GRANGES, DOMAINE BAUDRY 2005 /14.99 On the Grapevine, Dalkey & Booterstown; Jus de Vine, Portmarknock; Cabot & Co, Westport; Liston's, Camden St.

From one of the best red wine producers in the Loire, a delicious, delicate, refined wine with peppery redcurrant fruits. I could drink this one all year long. Best with pates, charcuterie and maybe even grilled salmon.

BROUILLY VIEILLES VIGNES DOMAINE LAPALOU 2005 /19.95 Jus de Vin, Portmarknock; Partridges, Gorey; Red Island, Wicklow Wine Co; Probus, Oughterard.

Beaujolais the way it should be . . . delicious, supple rounded lively strawberry fruits, with hardly a tannin in sight. Drink lightly chilled on its own, or with most summery salads, cold meats, or even monkfish and tuna. One of my wines of the year.

DOMAINE SAINT DENIS LE CLOS 2002 /16.95 Partridge's Gorey; Liston's, Camden St; Red Island Wine, Skerries; French Flair, Tralee;

Hand Made Wines, Lismore, Wicklow Wine Co.

An exquisite, light mature Burgundy with the most delicate soft summer fruits. Featherlight and perfect on its own, it could only stand up to the lightest of meat and cheeses.

VAL DE LOS FRAILES JOVEN, CIGALES 2006 /10.50 Enowine, Monkstown and IFSC, Dublin.

Plump rounded bright berry fruits with the smoothest of finishes. Modern Spain at its best . . . try it with grilled lamb chops.

VIDA SZEKSZARDI KADARKA 2004, HUNGARY /16.90 Essence of Wine, Bolton St; Searsons, Monkstown; Enowine IFSC.

At last, someone is bringing in some interesting eastern European wines. This fantastic Hungarian wine has delicious light smooth fruits, with a peppery herby kick. On its own or lighter meat dishes.

SECANO PINOT NOIR 2006, LLEYDA VALLEY, CHILE /10.99 Marks & Spencer Vies with the excellent Con Sur as the best value Pinot in this country. An abundance of wonderful clean dark cherry fruits with a lovely sweet-sour edge.

MONTE DA PENHA 2002, ALENTEJO, PORTUGAL /21.95 Wicklow Wine Co;

Wonderful wine full of character; lifted elegant damson fruits, with subtle smoky oak. This would be perfect with a nicely pink roast leg of lamb, studded with rosemary and garlic.

TARAPACA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005, MAIPO VALLEY, CHILE, /9.99 Superquinn Nationwide; McHugh's Off Licences, Dublin; Egan's Off-Licence, Portloaise; Lanny's Supervalue, Ardee Shopping Centre; Chalk's Off Licence, Castletroy, Limerick. ; Slattery's Wine Shop, Carrick on Shannon. Harvest Off-licences, Galway.

Lovely soft ripe cassis fruits, with no oak to mask the lovely pure flavours. Another great all-rounder with or without food.

VILLA NOVARE VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO BERTANI 2005 /14.99 O'Briens Off-Licences A summer slurper . . . delicious, mouthwatering, but oh so smooth cherries, with good fruity length, and a touch of class. A perfect all-rounder for lunches outdoors.