Win a case of our favourite wine just in time for Easter

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Win a case of our favourite wine just in time for Easter

Now as the evenings are longer and brighter, our penchant for a glass of wine is getting stronger. And Easter is on the way, and a long weekend means catching up with family and friends.

Whether you are having dinner al fresco or hosting an impromptu Friday dinner party, wine is always one of the main focal points. However, with so much choice on the market, it can be difficult to know what wine goes with what food, or one that will please everyone’s palate.

O’ Briens are experts in the wine industry which is why we asked O’Briens Wine Director Lynne Coyle Master of Wine for her to pick six of the best wines to add to your collection and wine repertoire.

We’re also giving away the chance to win all six of the wines mentioned below, and two tickets to the O’ Briens Wine Festival which takes place on the 9th, 10th and 11th of May.

Cave de Lugny Crémant de Bourgogne, Burgundy, France- €20.95

Considered to be one of the top co-operatives in France, the Cave de Lugny are Chardonnay specialists based in the heart of Burgundy’s Mâconnais region. This 100% Chardonnay (Blanc de Blancs) is made in the same laborious method as Champagne and offers incredible value for money. With aromas of ripe apple and citrus fruits and a complex creamy palate, this is an incredibly elegant sparkling wine, dryer than Prosecco and very food friendly.

Ophalum Albariño, Spain- €12.95 down from €18.95

We are delighted to be working directly with Paco y Lola to make this zesty Albariño exclusively for O‘Briens. The grapes are grown close to the Atlantic in the Salnés Valley in Galicia. This wine has the typical pear and citrus fruit profile of Galician Albariño with a saline mineral note on the long tropical fruit finish. The crisp acidity is an ideal pairing to cut through oily fish or tapas dishes.

Insight Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand- €12.95 down from €18.95

From a small family estate, this wine is a single vineyard Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, crafted by Eveline Fraser (ex-Cloudy Bay winemaker). Insight displays all the characteristics that have made Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc world famous. Fresh basil, capsicum and tomato leaf aromas followed by zesty red grapefruit acidity and passionfruit on the crisp palate making for an intense and complex wine.

Norton Luján de Cuyo D.O.C Malbec, Argentina- €12.95 down from €18.95

Bodega Norton is owned by the Swarovski crystal family. This Malbec is from the Luján de Cuyo D.O.C., the first appellation in Mendoza. The grapes come from high altitude vineyards, which helps to retain freshness and acidity in the wine. The palate is full of ripe red fruits and black pepper spice. Malbec is currently very trendy in Ireland and with this wine’s sumptuous fruit as an example of what’s available, that’s no surprise.

Marques de Murrieta Reserva, Spain- €19.95 down from €23.95

This family-owned estate is considered to be one of the iconic Rioja bodegas. The wines are made by Maria Vargas who after twenty plus years working at the estate has an in-depth knowledge of its vineyards. Maria manages to allow this Reserva to merges the traditional and modern; unmistakably Rioja with wonderfully rich, ripe fruit and vanilla undertones from the American oak used in ageing.

Château St Marie Reserve 2016, Bordeaux, France- €14.95 down from €18.95

Easter is a great time of year to explore Bordeaux and this wine offers excellent value for money. The fruit profile is modern with a deep concentration of blackcurrants and plums on the nose, followed by similar fruit intensity on the palate. Tannin is very well-textured and the finish is long, clean, refreshing and with fruity complexity. Perfect with spring lamb or rich vegetarian dishes.