12 Blogs of Christmas- wines for mum and wines for dad!

We're edging ever closer to the big day now and i don't know about you but its definatly starting to feel a lot like Christmas! So i Hope you all have your Christmas Presents bought and are realxing for the big day. If you aren't one of the lucky few, however, who have gotten everything ready then don't fear there's still plenty of time- but you should probably start getting things ready soon...

So here we are to the rescue- to provide you with a whole host of ideas to get you through the next few days. Now we all know that everyone enjoys a glass of wine at Christmas- but we also know that nobody enjoys a glass of wine at Christmas more than a mum or dad, especially at the end of a long day. But this year we have a few more things to take into consideration- such as value for money, and also how freekin cold it is!! So for reds- i think they will have to be big and full-bodied. Malbec- the perfect grape for the winter thats in it. And lucky for ye we have a special offer of

2 bottles of Argento Malbec for €20.

Concentrated aromas of plums and black cherries. 8 months in oak has created rich fruit flavours which are rounded which are rounded by perfectly soft, supple tannins! Just the right wine to have after a long day running around town buying all sorts!

Now if its a white you're looking for then New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs are the way to go-and if its value you're looking for then the Wingspan cannot be beaten! Special offer from now until the end of december at 2 for €20- try and it and i gurantee you'll love it!

Mad About Malbec

Over the last few weeks an increasing number of people have been asking in a hushed way about 'Malbec' and wines from Argentina like it is something to be shameful or embarrassing to be asking about. Well it's not. Malbecs are great red wines that can be found in nearly all wine producing countries.Malbec itself originally comes from Bordeaux in France and can still be found there, But it's Argentina that produces some of the worlds best Malbecs.

Malbec has characteristics that fall somewhere between Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Argentinian Malbec can have an inky red or violet colour, a particular plum-like flavor, Delicious spicy and peppery notes and a velvety texture. Most of Argentina's great Malbecs come from the Mendoza region in the west of the country, which is in the foothills of the Andes Mountains. The Andes are important part of the viticulture in Mendoza with producer s such as Catena producing excellent wines at high altitudes.

The grapes selected for the Catena Malbec come from vines between 2,850 feet above sea level and 5,000 feet above sea level, this high altitude gives the Catena Malbec it's dark concentrated fruit aromas, and it's lovely rich and lush mouth feel. Catena is among Argentina's leading Malbec producers and the Catena Malbec is a fine example of this. This wine makes a fantastic partner with steak.

CATENA MALBEC 2006 (Argentina) Regular Price € 17.95 SLASHED TO €14.36 ( Save 20% )

Argento is also another great producer of Malbec, again from Mendoza but this time the vines don't go as high up the Andes. The Argento Reserva Malbec has a deep dark violet colour and aromas of plums and black cherries. Eight months of oak aging gives a rich fruit flavour, that will complement any roast beef dinner, or any barbecue for that matter.

ARGENTO MALBEC RESERVA 2007 (Argentina) Regular Price € 12.95 SLASHED TO €10.36 ( Save 20% )