WineSpark Tasting

WineSpark held a member’s tasting in the Atrium in Trinity College last week. It was a great venue for a tasting, although a little dark at the corner tables. If you aren’t familiar with WineSpark, the company was set up by Irishman Eamon FitzGerald, one of the founders of Naked Wines in the U.K.

His idea is simple but brilliant; members can buy their wines from WineSpark at much-reduced prices – cost price plus 10% – a considerable saving on standard high-street prices. You pay a monthly subscription of €10 and can buy as much or as little wine as you wish. But obviously the more you buy the more you save!

There were thirty-six wines on tasting, with an emphasis on Spain, although there are plenty more wines on their website. Overall, WineSpark has a great range of wines, well worth checking out. See Winespark.com for details.

The prices in brackets are what FitzGerald calculates the standard retail prices would be.

El Buffon de Arrayan, Albillo 2022, Cebreros
13.1%
€24.06 (€38)

Made from the rare Albillo Real variety, this is a fascinating and delicious wine, deep in colour with broad, rich honeyed peaches and exotic fruits. This has plenty of concentration and body; it is hard to believe it is a mere 13% abv.

La Salvación Godello 2022, Bierzo, César Márquez
12.5% €25.56 (€38)

A stunning wine with a great intensity of flavour; fresh and tangy, with orange peel, pears and peaches with a saline note on the lengthy finish. Great value for money.

El Hato y El Garabato Sin Blanca 2018, Arribes del Duero
12%
€22.53 (€36)

From Arribes, one of the most remote wine regions of Spain, this is a very exciting wine made from a field blend of local grapes, including Juan García, Bruñal, Rufete, Tinta Jeromo and many more including some white grapes. Mouth-watering, succulent red summer fruits with good acidity and a rounded finish. Their De Buena Jera (€30.65) is even better.

Domaine Boucabeille Monte Nero 2021, Côtes du Roussillon
14.5%
€23.36 (€37)

A classic Roussillon, big, powerful and muscular with concentrated dark fruits, dried herbs and a strong mineral element. Not for the faint-hearted but a great wine.

I Filari Nero d’Avola 2020m Sicily
14.5%
€28.54 (€46)

There are many lighter, more elegant Nero d’Avola being produced these days. This isn’t one of them! Big and full-bodied with masses of dark fruits and a core of soft tannins; it still has a certain elegance. One for the hedonists amongst us.

César Marquez Valtuille 2022, Bierzo

13%

€22.61 (€36)

From one of the great producers in Galicia, a very stylish, refined, medium-bodied red with ripe blackcurrant fruits, a touch of liquorice and a savoury finish. Great value for money.

Terre des Dames 2021 Saint-Chinian
14%
€22.73 (€34)

A very stylish wine that combines power with elegance in a very attractive way. Concentrated dark forest fruits with a lick of liquorice, some dried herbs, a lovely freshness, and a long finish. Nice wine.

Martinelle Vetoux Rouge 2022

14.5%

€22.46 (€35)

Powerful and serious with lots of mineral and intense ripe dark fruits, and some swarthy tannins on the finish. Another great full-bodied red wine.