Rafael Cambra El Bon Homme 2014, Valencia
13.5% €14
This is the friendly face of Monastrell. Known as Mourvèdre in France, and Mataro in Australia and California, Monastrell is not the easiest variety to grow, and drinking the wines can be equally challenging. On its home territory of South-East Spain, they are often brutal, big, alcoholic, tannic monsters. It takes a skilled winemaker, such as Rafael Cambra, to tame these natural tendencies.
Cambra bought old vineyards high up in the hills, where the temperatures are relatively cooler. He blends in 50% Cabernet Sauvignon to give ripe fruits. The result is a wonderful soft supple juicy red wine with savoury plum fruits, at a very very keen price. Medium- to full-bodied and perfect with a gourmet burger. Buy it from Blackrock Cellar; Fallon & Byrne; Baggot St Wines; Green Man Wines,Terenure; Black Pig, Donnybrook; 64Wine, Glasthule; Red Island Wines, Skerries; Redmonds, Ranelagh.
Mountain Man Brewing Co Hairy Goat
€3.39 for a 500ml bottle
I keep bumping into Mountain Man at fairs, tastings and festivals. There’s usually a lot of hair around, on the logo, as well as on the man that’s pouring. Mountain Man Brewing was founded by Phil and Sue Cullen and its logo and labelling are distinctive.
Phil Cullen of Mountain Man Brewing explains: ‘We took great care with our labels and bottles – you need to have a really good beer, but there’s more to it than that. Nine out of ten people read the label before buying and I thought there was an awful lot of wasted space on some, so we made ours stand out. We have useful information and something to make you smile.’ As for the beards, "When we went to the first couple of festivals people asked me ‘Is this your beer? Then where’s your beard?' " So I started growing one. It has become a job requirement now!" he says. Hairy Goat is an English style IPA, with lovely plump fruits, a nicely balanced hoppiness and a dry but not overly bitter finish. Nice beer. Widely available at €3.99 for a 500ml bottle
* This article was amended on Aug 25th to correct a reference to Gordon Lucey and his connection with Mountain Man Brewing
