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  Ernie Whalley helps you to sift the wheat from the chaff, and distinguish your wine fashion fads from what's bang on the money to be drinking this autumn...

" ... Its cousin, pinot blanc, is much more simpatico, particularly as a 'food wine'. Head north to Alsace and check out Meyer-Fonne Pinot Blanc Vielles Vignes 2006 -- around €14 from 64 Wines, Dun Laoghaire; Fallon & Byrne and Le Caveau, Kilkenny, who import it.
While you are at it, you should pick up a bottle of one of my all-time fave raves, Meyer-Fonne Tokay Pinot Gris Reserve Particuliere 2006 (€18.35) and luxuriate in the sort of style that's as timeless as the Alfa Romeo badge, the Barcelona chair or the waistline." Ernie Whalley, Irish Independent 21st September 2008

*****

Another case for Bergerac... BOTTLE OF THE WEEK: TOUR DES GENDRES, BERGERAC SEC "CUVEE DES CONTIS". A blend of Semillon and Muscadelle, this is a delicious mix of fine citrus acidity and smoothly textured yellow fruits, with hints of honey and grilled nuts. You could try this with salmon or another full-flavoured fish.

AT AROUND A TENNER: TOUR DES GENDRES, BERGERAC "LE CLASSIQUE": Me and this wine have a history. I have long regarded it as one of the best-value wine around. It meets all of my criteria for a confort wine- there is no massive explosion of extracted flavours and new oak, instead it's a seamless mouthfu of creamy plum and blackberry fruits, concentrated but never big, with a refreshing acidity and a dryish finish. Not a wine to drink on its own, but great with a wide variety of red and white meats. If you are feeling flush, then you should also try the "GLOIRE DE MON PERE" from the same producer. At ˆ17.95 it is streets ahead of most Bordeaux at more than ˆ20. John Wilson, Irish Times, 3rd May 2008

*****

CHAMPAGNE JM GOBILLARD 1er CRU NV: Simply gorgeous - refined, fresh and delicately creamy - from a small house with a big reputation.

OLIVIER LEFLAIVE, BOURGOGNE CHARDONNAY 2004: Like a classy Chablis with extra roundness - a smashing all-purpose white. MARY DOWEY, THE GLOSS December 2007

*****

Tomas Clancy picks his top wines of the year. OLD WORLD WHITE WINE OF THE YEAR: MEYER-FONNE, PINOT GRIS RP 2005 93pts: "I tried this vintage on a couple of occasions this year- to really convince myself of how good it was and to reaffirm my belief in the mythical supersonic bottle (a bottle that hits every note perfectly on the day). There are more ambitious bottles from Meyer-Fonne, the bespoke Alsace producer of this gem, but this Eur18 offering is simply outstanding and easily my pick of the year. An epic wine with smooth, lifting oils and sweet fagranced honey, then a cliff edge of crispness" Tomas Clancy, Sunday Business Post 09th December 2007

*****

INDEPENDENTS OF MIND.. - Making good wine requires passion and there are many who would argue the same is necessary to sell it. Raymond Blake on a few of the small band of utterly committed, dedicated wine merchants who tread a unique, welcome and not too well-trodden path.

LE CAVEAU If any wine shop owner in Ireland could be said to have wine his blood it is Pascal Rossignol, a native of Gevrey-Chambertin in Burgundy. Gevrey is one of the most exalted villages on the Cote d'Or and Rossignol's school, curiously named La Champagne, was itself surrounded by vineyards. The Rossignol name is well known around those parts and a career in the production rather than the selling end of the wine business could easily have beckoned. But Pascal had other ideas (unlike his brother Hubert who is vineyard manager for Vincent Girardin)

For some reason Ireland captured his imagination from a young age: "I was always interested in Ireland and had my nose in books about Celtic legend and that sort of things." Having met his Carlow-born wife, Geraldine, in London in 1988, he first arrived on these shores in 1990 for a six-month stint as sommelier at Michael Clifford's restaurant in Cork. But those were pre-Celtic Tiger days and he returned to France to work in the hotel business for five years before taking up the position of general manager at Ballincar House Hotel in Sligo. Four years later he took the plunge and opened Le Caveau.

The choice of the location was an easy one. For a start, neither he nor Geraldine wanted to live in Dublin and secondly Rossignol liked the sophisticated feel and commercial vibrancy of Kilkenny. It didn't take long for the citizens of that city to realise that they now had a gem on their doorstep, and within a year word had spread much further afield, leaving wine lovers to drive from many parts of the country to stock up at Le Caveau.. Rossignol's secret, if it can be called that, was to stock wines from smaller, lesser-known producers. During his time at Ballincar he had cause to peruse most of the wine lists from the wholesale suppliers in the Irish market and was convinced that he could do better than that. Thus, as he puts it himself, he had no problem creating a portfolio, for there was a ready-made and glaring gap to be filled.

Fill it, he did and now he imports directly about 60 percent of the 250 wines stocked in the shop. Inevitably the wines of Girardin, as well as those fro Philippe Rossignol, are to be found amongst a mouthwatering selection of Burgundies. South west France and the Loire Valley are strong also and recently Rossignol has added the highly-regarded wines of Luciano Sandrone from Piedmont. Wholesale is now the bigger part of the business but the customer who pops in for a single modest bottle has not been forgotten about. Try to call on a Saturday when there are always a few bottles open for tasting. An be sure to engage Pascal in conversation. His gentle charm, patent enthusiasm and deep knowledge make a refreshing change from a marketing speak we hear too much of these days.

RAYMOND BLAKE, FOOD AND WINE, OCTOBER 2007

*****

THAT OLD GALLIC CHARM.... Mary Dowey doesn't want to play favourite, but she can't resist wine from La Belle France: MEYER-FONNE, ALSACE PINOT BLANC VIEILLES VIGNES: Alsace is still France's most exciting region for hidden gems. This heady Pinot Blanc, all flowers and honey up front but bone-dry on the finish, would make a fantastic aperitif - or a partner for chicken or, mmm, honey-glazed quail. - - - - - - GRES SAINT PAUL, COTEAUX DU LANGUEDOC "ANTONIN": A very smart wine indeed, showing just how seriously we should now take the Languedoc. Mainly Syrah with some Grenache and Mourvedre, this is the epitome of fine, peppery elegance - and the label looks smart too. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - MARY DOWEY, THE GLOSS MAGAZINE August 2007

*****

BRIDGESTONE IRISH FOOD GUIDE

"The day you walk into Pascal and Geraldine's wine shop is the day your life takes a turn for the better. The selection of wines M. Rossignol imports, and his extensive connections with wine growers in France, means that this company actually has pretty much all the wines your life needs. If you need wallet-bending Burgundies, you are spoilt for choice, but start with Vincent Girardin or Philippe Rossignol. If you want quaffers for Tuesday night, they are here, from a wide range of producers. And then there are those great specialists such as Billecart-Salmon from Champagne, Clos Triguedina from Cahors, and many more. The shop is the most charming space in which to browse, service is superb and delivery is fleet. It would be hard to better Le Caveau." , John and Sally McKenna

"HOT" award

*****

FOOD AND WINE MAGAZINE, JULY-AUGUST 2007

SANTA DUC, LES PLANS 2004 (VDP du Vaucluse) -" If you like the taste of Chateauneuf du Pape but not the price, then look no further than this little beauty. Earthy sweet fruit combines with a fresh trickle of acid to deliver up an impressively tasty and lengthy mouthful... Punches way above its weight" - RAYMOND BLAKE

THE GUINEA PIG CLUB: To keep the 10th Birthday celebratory spirit going, Food and Wine Magazine brought together the last 10 years of editors past and present for a very special gathering of Guinea Pigs: VINCENT GIRARDIN, BOURGOGNE "SAINT-VINCENT" 2004 - Editors' choice 15/20

*****

Straight to the wine source
Kilkenny wine importer Pascal Rossignol grew up surrounded by fine wines. Gevrey Chambertin and Morey-St-Denis was everywhere as he made his way to school in northern Burgundy, only it was still hanging on the vines. ‘‘Everything was about the wine, the cru, the different appellations. Our school principal used to talk about the wine; there were Chambertin vineyards on the edge of the playground,” says Rossignol.

‘‘When I was growing up in Burgundy you almost never saw or tasted wines from anywhere else. When cousins would come from the Rhone Valley you would serve them Burgundy wines, and they would only want Burgundy wines. They would, rather embarrassedly, give a gift of a wine that was at that stage quite unknown, such as a Gigondas or a Vacqueyras.”

Although French winemakers are now more adventurous, this extreme localisation of wine consumption continues among the larger wine drinking public in France. Supermarkets in Dijon, for example, stock six rows of Burgundy wines and a row of vin d’etranger (‘foreign wine’) which in Burgundy includes Chile, the Loire, Bordeaux and Alsace. The same occurs in Bordeaux and Rhone. Rossignol worked on several vintages in Gevrey-Chambertin, building up his knowledge of winemaking and winemakers in the process.

In Burgundy, where wine production is so small and so varied, knowing the right person and having the right introductions is absolutely vital to obtaining regular supplies of interesting wines.

He then spent some time in the hotel business, eventually moving to London and meeting his wife-to-be, Geraldine O’Rourke, from Co Carlow.

‘‘I had always been interested in the concept of the Celts. Celtic mythology fascinated me and, of course, the best example of this Celtic culture was Ireland. In London I found that the Irish were the easiest to get along with, to be of the same kind of mind,” says Rossignol.

The couple travelled to Ireland in 1990 and Rossignol took a job as a sommelier in a Cork restaurant. After six months in pre-Celtic tiger Ireland, they moved to Lille in north France. Five years later they returned, this time to Sligo, where Rossignol managed a ‘‘very good hotel’’, Ross’s Point.

‘‘I began to see what wine was becoming here and how the wine trade in Ireland could be helped,” he says.

In 1999, they set up Le Caveau, a specialist wine import business and a wine shop in Kilkenny. ‘‘Most of our friends thought we were mad,” Rossignol says. ‘‘At that time there was almost no one in the wine import business that was not a huge concern with international connections. I think Paddy Keogh of Wines Direct was the only other person trying the same thing.”

THE LOST CAPITAL

I have remarked in the past that Kilkenny is one of the strangest cities in Ireland in that it has the feel of a university city, without having a university. (Efforts are being made to correct this situation with an outreach programme providing part-time degrees from NUI Maynooth based in StKieran’s College.)

Kilkenny was legally deemed a city in modern times by virtue of legislation in 2001. However, for 11 years during the 17th century Kilkenny was the capital of Confederate Ireland, a democratic state that ruled over almost all of the island, except Dublin and the plantations.

There was a two-chamber assembly with an executive and a written constitution drawn up by a Galway lawyer.

It was widely recognised on the European mainland and even named foreign envoys. It was recognised by the then Pope, whose nuncio became a lead figure in the assembly.

Trade and goods from across Europe poured into Kilkenny, making it a hub of European culture.

As with so many self-governing moments in Irish history, it ended badly. Oliver Cromwell and his New Model Army and heavy artillery made short work of the city.

Kilkenny was made a city by Charter in 1609 by James I of England (James VI of Scotland); this was then revoked in 1687 by James II and so on.

And so city status was granted and withdrawn over and again as political circumstances changed. The important thing is that all sides knew it was worth arguing over. Pascal and Geraldine Rossignol saw its importance too, as the true centre of the country.

21ST CENTURY MERCHANTS

In the 18th century Kilkenny was a hub of government, site of Norman parliaments and a centre of learning that produced writer Jonathan Swift, playwright William Congreve, and statesman and philosopher George Berkeley.

In the decentralised Ireland of the 21st century, it is becoming a centre for trade. What Rossignol has done in Kilkenny and the likes of Paddy Keogh of Wines Direct, David Dennison in Waterford, Greenacres in Wexford and a myriad of players in Cork have done is to bypass the old centralised trade routes and link producers and consumers in direct ways.

Rossignol makes no apology for his specialisation, which is becoming a feature of new Irish wine businesses.

There are Portuguese, Spanish, Georgian, Moldovan and Hungarian wine importers being run by immigrants with superb local knowledge of the region in which they are sourcing the wines. Being smaller operations they can bring in lots of wine that range from just a few cases right up to a container.

‘‘I visit France several times a year, sourcing the best wines in each vintage from good producers and people I trust,” says Rossignol. ‘‘Working from Kilkenny I can be in Cork or Limerick or Dublin easier than if I was based in Dublin trying to get around the rest of the country.”

LE CAVEAU: WORLD OF FRENCH WINE
BURGUNDY

Andre Bonhomme, Vire Clesse 2004, ˆ17.95
Brilliant modern, muscular southern Burgundian bright lime with a caramel ghost. (89)

Olivier Leflaive, Bourgogne ‘Chardonnay’ 2004, ˆ14.50
Superb richer-styled chardonnay, but with great minerality. (89)

Olivier Leflaive, Chablis 1 er Cru Cote de Lechet 2004, ˆ27.35
Part of the revered Leflaive clan, this is chablis structured like the finest Cote D’Or white. (91)

Vincent Giradin, Meursault Narvaux 2001, ˆ33.50
One of the Holy Grail items on many restaurant wine lists is a well priced Meursault; this is a leading contender. (89)

ALSACE

Meyer-Fonne, Tokay Pinot Gris Reserve Particuliere, Alsace 2005, ˆ18.35
This is where local knowledge and micro-level research pays off. An epic wine, smooth, lifting oils and sweet fragranced honey, then a cliff edge of crispness. (91)

Meyer-Fonne, Riesling Grand Cru, ‘Wineck-Schlossberg’, Alsace 2002, ˆ24.50
If wine lovers could have a glass of this chilled with a slice of cold comte, Riesling’s wilderness years would be over. Layers within layers of oils, lino, apples, honey and a lifting lime tinged finish. (92)

RHONE

Yves Cuilleron, Saint Joseph, Pierre Seches 2005, ˆ22.95
Rhone superstar Cuilleron pulls out the stops on this dense, rich, chocolate and orange rind-grazed blockbuster. Well priced too. (90)

Bosquets des Papes, AC Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2001, ˆ31.50
The other treasure trove that wine lovers seek is a reasonably priced, meaty Chateauneuf. Well here it is, while elsewhere ˆ50 is now the kick off point, here is a wash of intense tar, liquorice and daubs of hot white pepper spice for a Sunday lunch price. (90)

Clos de Caveau, Vacqueyras 2003, ˆ18.35
A well constructed southern Rhone, bristling with spice and dense inky ripe fruit. The touch of burned lavender is almost palpable on the nose. Well priced. (89)

TOMAS CLANCY, SUNDAY BUSINESS POST 20th May 2007

*****

CELEBRATING 10 years of FOOD AND WINE MAGAZINE. Raymond Blake wine editor picks his perfect wines, his desert island choice: SANTENAY 1er Cru "Gravieres" 2004, DOMAINE VINCENT GIRARDIN "Girardin belongs to a new generation of Burgundians: talented, outward looking and ambitious. He started in 1982 with just two hectares of vineyard and slowly built up from there. He is both a Domaine owner and a small negociant and over the past decade the reputation of his wine has risen i tandem with the scale of his business. It is often said that negociant's wines lack individuality and expression of terroir: too often the wine taste as if they are made, not so much to please all palates, as to offend none. Not Girardin's; these are wines of distinction and character ; none more so that this SANTENAY which is silky-textured with a crunch of raw fruit underneath, leading to a long, vibrant finish." RAYMOND BLAKE, FOOD AND WINE June 2007

*****

EAT, DRINK AND BE HEALTHY. Red wine, in moderation, can be good for you, so drink up. BOTTLE OF THE WEEK: CHATEAU MONTUS 2002, MADIRAN AC: Alain Brumont reignited interest in Madiran wines in the 1990s and this vintage of his basic cuvee is powerful, rich and classy. Its 80/20 Tannat/Cab Sauv blend is not for the faint-hearted however. JOE BREEN, IRISH TIMES, 10th February 2007.

*****

SEASON OF MISTS. Mary Dowey has the perfect wines for chilly evenings ... If you prefer to spend less, Moissenet-Bonnard Bourgogne "l'Oncle Paul" is a star at ˆ16.50 - fabulously perfumed and generously fruity with a fine, silky texture. Perfect for a weekend lunch or buffet supper - from Le Caveau Kilkenny ... these two wines are from respected small producers... MARY DOWEY, THE GLOSS MAGAZINE November 2006

*****

FRENCH CONNECTION. Le Caveau in Kilkenny is a treasure trove of good French wine, says John Wilson. Were I ever to open up a wine shop or restaurant, one of my very first calls would be to Le Caveau, a small family business in Kilkenny. The shop is packed to the rafters with one of the tastiest selections of French wine in the country. All are hand-chosen wines from the very best small estates, mostly at very affordable prices. Pascal Rossignol was born and brought-up in Burgundy. Before embarking in the Hotel and Restaurant trade - where he met his wife Geraldine - he worked a number of vintages in Gevrey-Chambertin. Six years ago, they chose Kilkenny as the site for their enterprise. The shop has a selection from around the World, but it is France, and three areas in particular that stand out. The first is Burgundy, where knowing the right people is everything. Pascal has all the right contacts, and has used them to build up a formidable selection of Burgundies, not all at stratospheric prices either. The south-west of France, an area ignored by much of the wine trade for years, also forms sizeable chunk of his portfolio. The Rhone too is well-covered, with Santa Duc and Yves Cuilleron. Much of the business is by mail-order or over the internet (they have a very good website, www.lecaveau.ie )

Wines of the week: ALAIN BRUMONT, GROS MANSENG - SAUVIGNON BLANC, Vdp des Cotes de Gascogne 2004: Alain Brumont is one of the leading producers in the south-west of France. Gros Manseng is a local grape, Sauvignon known the World over. Together they make for a very aromatic wine. Zippy Fresh fruits - gooseberries and grapefruits in a light refreshing glass at a bargain price. Drink by itself, with lighter fish dishes or goats cheese.

Wines of the week: VINCENT GIRARDIN, SANTENAY 1er Cru "Les Gravieres" 2003: Girardin is one of the rising stars of Burgundy. This is a textbook example of Cotes de Beaune in a great vintage - pointed, perfumed, ripe summer fruits, perfect balance, and fantastic length. Drink with roast chicken or duck.

John Wilson, Sunday Tribune. 07th August 2005

*****

CHATEAU DE LA NEGLY "LA COTE", COTEAUX DU LANGUEDOC 2003 Grapes from old Carignan vines married to an equivalent quantity of prime Grenache, this stellar wine would eat the face off 9 out of 10 Chateauneuf du Pape we'd come across lately. Great meaty whack of fruit augmented by wrinkly black olive overtones and a whiff of clean white pepper. So enjoyable. LE CAVEAU KILKENNY. 17/20 Ernie Whalley, Food and Wine Magazine, June 2005

VINCENT GIRARDIN, CHASSAGNE-MONTRACHET 1er Cru "Morgeots" 2001. The rise-and-rise of Vincent Girardin continues! Normally I wouldn't dream of featuring a wine this pricey and esoteric but I had to tell you about the trippy experience which I see from my notes involved "the feeling of sitting in a lemon grove eating freshly-cooked pork crackling". And that's only the nose! Huge WOW factor in this wine. LE CAVEAU KILKENNY. 19/20 Ernie Whalley, Food and Wine Magazine, June 2005

HENRY MARIONNET, TOURAINE GAMAY "VINIFERA" 2004. Henry Marionnet is perhaps the finest Touraine producer and this lovely Gamay, made amazingly from ungrafted vines (how brave is that?) is the sort of wine you could give to a visiting Martian and expect im to return enchanted. Vibrant, rich cherry flavours, so enjoyable and, of it's kind, unique. LE CAVEAU KILKENNY. 16/20 Ernie Whalley, Food and Wine Magazine, June 2005

*****

BOTTLE OF THE WEEK. Alain Brumont, GROS MANSENG-SAUVIGNON 2004, Vdp de Gascogne. "Brumont is famous for his meaty Madiran reds, but, a Gascon through and through, he is also comitted to proving how sensational the local white grapes of the southwest can be. This dazzler with intense pineapple, lemon and lime notes tatses like a Eur15 wine." MARY DOWEY, IRISH TIMES, 11th June 2005

*****

BOTTLE OF THE WEEK. Domaine du Tabatau, Saint-Chinian AC "Camprigou" 2003. "Made primarily from the local Carignan and Cinsault varieties, which every wine book dismisses out of hand. A deep youthful colour, soft with ripe, concentrated red fruits, with a lovely elegance. It taste way better than Eur12 to me." JOHN WILSON, SUNDAY TRIBUNE, 01st MAY 2004

*****

SIP INTO SUMMER. "... The first thing to consider is the classic KIR - a drink which seems to have slipped slightly out of fashion, perhaps because it often tastes way too sickly. True KIR is a Burgundian creation based on two of the region specialities, blackcurrant liqueur and Bourgogne Aligote, the angular, high-acid white wine which has been largely overtaken by Chardonnay. Named after a war-time Mayor of Dijon, who offered a glass to his citizens as a gesture of goodwill, Kir can be a terrific drink - but only if it is made with really high-quality creme de cassis and a very crisp, bone-dry white wine; otherwise it is just too sweet. I've recently come across the creme de la creme of creme de cassis, from a family-owned liqueur business by the name of Joseph Cartron Creme de Cassis. Called double creme, it's brilliantly aromatic and concentrated - thanks, apparently, to an ancient recipe and the fact that the blackcurrants come from soil which is almost identical to that of Burgundy's grand cru vineyards. I was about to say you will need to use so little that the bottle will last for ages, but on second thoughts, Cartron Kirs may prove such a hit that it will be empty in a jiffy.

(Imported and Distributed by) Le Caveau, Market Yard, Kilkenny. Also available at Celtic Whiskey Shop, Dawson Street, Dublin 2 - or sample the real thing at Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, Thorntons, The Clarence or The Four Seasons." MARY DOWEY, IRISH TIMES 30th APRIL 2005

*****

BOTTLE OF THE WEEK. Yves CUILLERON, MARSANNE 2002 (Vdp des Collines Rhodaniennes). A few weeks ago, I missed the visit of another talented vigneron from the Rhone - Yves Cuilleron - who put on a tasting in Kelly's Resort Hotel. His excellent wines can be bought through Le Caveau in Kilkenny, including this wine and a very tasty Saint-Joseph. I just wish they were more widely available. A delicious light dry white - very French in style with a cool mineral element and some crisp yellow apples. JOHN WILSON, SUNDAY TRIBUNE, 10th April 2005

*****

BOTTLE OF THE WEEK. Yves CUILLERON, MARSANNE 2002 (Vdp des Collines Rhodaniennes). At the most affordable end of the Cuilleron range, the star wine is this delicious Marsanne. It's round in the mouth with citrussy freshness, a lick of honey, a mineral streak for added interest and a very long, dry finish. Terrific with seafood, chicken or pork. MARY DOWEY, IRISH TIMES, 12th March 2005

*****

BEST BUY. I was taken to task a few years ago when I described a very fine Cahors - Clos Triguedina I think - as smelling of water mint, a whiff known only to ramblers and botanists. Now I realise that obscure tasting notes are not always helpful but this one is spot on. In CHATEAU LE CEDRE "PRESTIGE", CAHORS 2002 (Le Caveau Kilkenny) you get dark, ripe, intense fruit, grippy tannins, a whiff of ripe mulberries and that distinctive minty something or other. This is an intense red, with impeccable blance and real character. Spend the price on Bordeaux and you will end up with something considerably less exciting. TOM DOORLEY, BUSINESS & FINANCE 10th March 2005

*****

TEN OF THE BEST. John Wilson looks back over the best red wines he has tasted in 2004. CHATEAU MONTUS 2001, MADIRAN AC: I love the big, dark, uncompromising wines of south-west France , and this is one of the very best. Alain Brumont is a recognised expert with the tannat grape, managing to tame the ferocious tannins and austere fruit. If you want a toned down version, Le Caveau also sell the very tasty Chateau du Cedre from Cahors. JOHN WILSON, SUNDAY TRIBUNE, 2nd January 2005

*****

Megabytes by John & Sally McKenna. The 2004 Megabytes Awards:

Wine Merchant of the Year: Pascal and Geraldine Rossignol, Le Caveau, Kilkenny
Le Caveau is a very special shop, and that is really saying something in the world of Irish wine retailing, where standards are stratospheric. But Pascal and Geraldine's deep background in wine, and their calm, helpful, charming style of service – M. Rossignol is a wonderful ambassador for France and French food culture – sets Le Caveau apart as a truly fine destination. Hot, hot, hot.

*****

BRIDGESTONE IRISH FOOD GUIDE, by John and Sally McKenna: "Pascal Rossignol is - if you will pardon the pun - steeped in wine. He hails from Gevrey-Chambertin, in the heart of Burgundy's Cote d'Or, his brother works with the superstar Burgundy winemaker Vincent Girardin, his cousin is married to Joseph Roty, and the net result of all this wine culture is one of the very best shops to buy wine in Ireland. Mr Rossignol and his wife, Geraldine, work with some 30 different producers, are constantly and patiently adding more to their list, and the wines they select are beauties: Tour des Gendres from Bergerac is a super rustic wine at great value; Meyer-Fonne Pinot blanc from Alsace is a superb example of fruit extraction from truly superb winemakers; a Regnie from Domaine des Forchets is a lovely, tart Beaujolais. Wherever your gaze lands, there are great bottles to be enjoyed, with the Burgundy wines of Joseph Roty, Vincent Girardin, Philippe Rossignol and Louis Michel a particular treasure trove of great winemaking, and some of them are pretty affordable. Delivery service is fleet, the website efficient, and there are frequent special offers. A model wine company." "On top of their game" award

*****

2004

BOTTLE OF THE WEEK: CHATEAU TOUR DES GENDRES, Bergerac AC "Le Classique" 2002: "Delicious, elegant plum, blackcurrant fruit, hints of vanilla and cedarwood, with a lovely peak of acidity to give it interest. Concentrated, but not in the least bit extracted, with a smooth dry finish. In fact , smoothness, lightness all the way through. Amazing value. If I had a restaurant, this would qualify as one of the house wines. If it came from Bordeaux, it would be twice the price. I tried it alongside a much more expensive, posh Saint Emilion from the excellent 2000 vintage . The Bergerac slaughtered it in every way." JOHN WILSON, SUNDAY TRIBUNE 08th August 2004

BOTTLE OF THE WEEK: CHATEAU TOUR DES GENDRES, Cotes de Bergerac AC "Gloire de mon Pere" 1998: "The big brother of the above wine, I am wary of recommending a wine such as this - it doesn't have the boom factor that many look for in wine. It does have impeccably balanced, soft, lush red fruits, fully mature now, and would make perfect drinking with many plainer red or white meats. No new oak, no huge extraction, no boom boom factor. Just elegance, perfect balance and velvet soft fruit." JOHN WILSON, SUNDAY TRIBUNE 08th August 2004

*****

20 best wines at under 20 Euros: Bargains are bargains but sometimes it's nice to splash out just a little!.. SANTA DUC, GIGONDAS "GARANCIERES" 2001: "Yves Gras is one of the front-runner in Gigondas, and this fleshy, vibrant wine does justice to his reputation. There's a lot of substance here, with hint of leather and tar alongside rich fruit and integrated oak. From Le Caveau Kilkenny" MARY DOWEY, IRISH TIMES - 24th July 2004.

*****

RED LIGHTS. For a decent French red at under 10 euros, head south to Rhone and Languedoc, says John Wilson. SANTA DUC LES PLANS 2002, Vin de Pays de Vaucluse - "Yves Gras of Domaine Santa Duc is one of the best producer in Gigondas. Not surprising then, that in an off vintage like 2002 he has managed to come up with something good. I suspect that this is made from grapes not considered good enough for his Cotes du Rhone (normally a very good wine) or his Gigondas. The Les Plans is a perfect summer wine. Wonderful, light strawberry aromas, juicy strawberry fruit, with a pleasant liquorice and herby edge; plenty of alcohol (13.5%) but very light tannins as well." At Le Caveau, Kilkenny - www.lecaveau.ie - JOHN WILSON, SUNDAY TRIBUNE, 06th JUNE 2004

*****

TOP FIVE RHONE REDS: A synod of 30 Cardinal red wines were tested at a blind tasting at the Clarence's Hotel Tea Room Restaurant. The tasters were: Edward Arnold, Cellarer Trinity College Dublin; Ian Brosnan, Sommelier Chapter One Restaurant; Liam Campbell, The Dubliner; Sherin Wilde, Sommelier Tea Room Restaurant; Ronan Farrell, Straffan Wines: SANTA DUC, GIGONDAS "GARANCIERES" 2001: "This had complex aromas of dark fruits, pepper and spices. The flavours had a huge extraction of raspberries, strawberies and vanilla. The texture was marshmallow smooth with a long spirity peppery finish. Try with moussaka, heavy on the aubergines." At Le Caveau, Kilkenny - www.lecaveau.ie - LIAM CAMPBELL, THE DUBLINER JUNE 2004

*****

AL FRESCO - FAB REDS. SANTA DUC "LES PLANS" 2002 - Vdp du VAUCLUSE: "From respected southern Rhone winemaker Yves Gras here comes the perfect, crowd-pleasing red - fresh and juicy with a hint of herbs, A sensational bargain, and it will go with chicken or pork, just as well as beef or lamb." From Le Caveau, Kilkenny. MARY DOWEY, IRISH TIMES - 22 May 2004

*****

BOTTLE OF THE WEEK - MORGON AC 2000, JEAN-CHARLES BRAILLON: " A bit meatier on the nose, with more mature fruit. Very Pinot-like with developed, slightly barnyardy aromas. Again very light, supple and elegant. This is available exclusively from Le Caveau, an excellent source of all things Burgundian, indeed all things French. Log on to its website or visit the delightful little shop in Kilkenny, behind Dunnes Stores." JOHN WILSON, SUNDAY TRIBUNE - 09th May 2004

*****

BEST BUY. CHATEAU CANORGUE, vdp du Vaucluse VIOGNIER 2003: It is always good to have an additional excuse to visit the ROSSIGNOL's brilliant little shop, right beside Dunnes Stores in Kilkenny. Not only they have terrific Burgundies and some scrummy Rhones, all from small producers, you can now try CHATEAU LA CANORGUE VIOGNIER 2003 (Le Caveau Kilkenny). This is a ripe Viognier, a vin de Pays from the Cotes du Luberon, with smashing fruit and a considerable degree of backbone, considering the grape and the climate. I would be enclined to drink it as an aperitif, perhaps with some salty black olives, or very simply prepared sole on the bone. TOM DOORLEY, BUSINESS and FINANCE 8 - 21 April 2004.

*****

MARY DOWEY PICKS HER FAVOURITE WINES OF 2003: Top ten bargains: ROC ROUGE MERLOT V.D.P d'Oc, Vignerons de Benovie:" Rich, fleshy Merlot with a nice streak of acidity. A dazzling all-rounder at a dream price. From Le Caveau, Kilkenny" MARY DOWEY, IRISH TIMES, 3rd JANUARY 2004

2003

PARTY ONLINE: www.lecaveau.ie : "Super selection of wines from some of today's most dynamic producers, hand-picked by Pascal Rossignol of Le Caveau in Kilkenny." MARY DOWEY, IRISH TIMES, 29th NOVEMBER 2003

*****

WINE REPUBLIC 2004. Created and written by Martin Moran MW, this year's guide is co-written with Tomas Clancy (SUNDAY BUSINESS POST). " "I often feel Kilkenny is a university city, without a university. It has the lively atmosphere that comes with an annual influx of eager, studious youth into a well-heeled professional city. Wealth, or the very papable impression of it, leaps from every tidy footpath, every piece of new street furniture and every metre of fine architecture. Meeting the needs of a curious and ambitious set of wine lovers, Kilkenny has two first class wine shops. Le Caveau is the chic, black polo neck wearing film star and the wine centre is the corduroy-jacketed poet. Pascal Rossignol has a keen eye for the gems that people will try, even if they are, almost certainly, initially unknown to them. The gift and the mark of a real connoisseur is someone who can bring you the right wine for the right moment. You do not, contrary to any impression previously given, have to speak French when you enter the shop, its just that you wish you could. The selection of wines is limited, but rich within those confines, breaking down into their own imports and a nice selection from the main importers. A palpable air of enthusiasm exists in the shop and any question will be met with an eager and warm response. The website is one of the best maintained in the State, with regular specials and, as pointed out in previous editions of this book, a very clear understanding of the otherworldy status of Krug. Here in Kilkenny there is a corner of Ireland that is forever Bourgogne."

*****

MANY OFF-LICENCES SOURCE TASTY, GOOD-VALUE WINES DIRECT FROM PRODUCERS. MARY DOWEY TELLS YOU WHERE TO BUY THEM: "...Le Caveau in Kilkenny has a succulent list of discoveries shared with leading restaurants....." MARY DOWEY, IRISH TIMES, NOVEMBER 1st 2003

Direct Hits: DOMAINE ROLET, L'ETOILE Chardonnay 2000. "Not just another Chardonnay! From a family estate in the Jura, this is rich and ripe but lifted by lively acidity. Patrick Guilbaud likes it too. From Le caveau Kilkenny" MARY DOWEY, IRISH TIMES, NOVEMBER 1st 2003

*****

Organics and Biodynamics - CHATEAU TOUR DES GENDRES, BERGERAC LE CLASSIQUE 2002. Although he's not certified, reserving the right to spray against mildiew if necessary, leading Bergerac grower Luc de Conti follows Organic and Biodynamic principles. Certainly this 100% Merlot is bursting with personality. It's also velvet-smooth, with hints of dark berries, chocolate and gentle spice leading into a fleshy, supple finish. A modern young red at a fantastic price. Le Caveau, Kilkenny " MARY DOWEY, FOOD AND WINE, SEPTEMBER 2003

****

CAPITAL DRINKING. The ten best Burgundies in Ireland today: Thirty two red Burgundies were coralled at a blind wine tasting at Shamahan's on the Green led by Liam Campbell: POMMARD 1er CRU "ARGILIERES" 1999, DOMAINE LEJEUNE. "Viennese coffee house aromas of dark chocolate, richly roasted coffee beans and smoky scent. A lively and spicy veneer of oak over the flavours of red berry fruit layered with dark chocolate. A delicious and assertive wine. Match with Barbary duckbreast glazed with blueberries and bitter chocolate." LIAM CAMPBELL, THE DUBLINER JUNE 2003

****

CAPITAL DRINKING. The ten best aromatic white wines in Ireland today: Thirty two aromatic whites were tasted blind at Jaipur Restaurant to find those that curry favour with Chi-Thai-Indi dishes best. JURANCON SEC "CUVEE MARIE" 1998, CHARLES HOURS (CLOS UROULAT) "Barley water, candied aromas on the nose, mouthwatering sour cherries, pithy grapefruit and nettles (tastes better than it sounds). Try with stir fry prawns with lemongrass and bamboo shoots. This Basque Country wine is a bit of a rebel. Traditionally, the wines were sweet in style. This dry version is more food friendly." LIAM CAMPBELL, THE DUBLINER MAY 2003

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Small outfits put a human face on the wine you drink, by Tomas Clancy:
While many wine companies around the world are busy merging into beverage corporations rivalling Ford or Microsoft in size, it is refreshing to find several Irish wine companies that remain small and proud. Small means self-control and not having to sell wine - or any other product - that you're not passionate about. A new generation of wine retailer-importers specialising in smaller and smaller enthusiasms has emerged.

Italy is particularly blessed with such enthusiasts, including Dunne and Crescenzi of South Frederick Street, Dublin; Karwig Wines of Carrigaline, Co Cork; Michael's Wines of Mount Merrion or Cabot & Co in the IFSC.

This passion is replicated nationwide and across a variety of wine regions. There's Conor Richardson's Burgundydirect.ie and Kilkenny's Le Caveau, both of which bring gorgeous little gems from that most complicated region.

Legions of fanatics besiege these two outlets, snapping up little-known delights. The common thread is that these men and women have fre-quently travelled out to these wine growing regions, bypassing the big, easily-imported names and looking for enthusiastic smaller players.

These small wineries have a great deal to offer in terms of the effort, skill and personal commitment they have invested in their own smallholding. And philosophically, they tend to match the size, passion and intimacy of the Irish importers.Tomas Clancy, SUNDAY BUSINESS POST, 20th April 2003
 

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22nd March 2003: SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WEEK, Affordable wines to suit every dinner and day of the week. WEDNESDAY: Indian takeaway? Omelette? Hamburger? Pork chops? Grilled chicken? ROC ROUGE, Vin de Pays d'Oc Merlot, Vignerons de Benovie 2001 will go beautifully with just about any middleweight food and give you a virtuous glow for having been so frugal. From Le Caveau, Kilkenny. See bottle of the week.

BOTTLES OF THE WEEK: ROC ROUGE, Vin de Pays d'Oc Merlot, Vignerons de Benovie 2001. Merlot from the south of France can sometimes be a touch sickly, but in this smooth, fleshy wine, luscious dark fruit flavours are perked up with refreshing acidity. A dazzling all-rounder at a dream price. MARY DOWEY, IRISH TIMES, 22nd March 2003

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THE NEW FRANCE STARS IN DUBLIN... "Two of the producers praised in The new France - the book by Andrew Jefford recently featured here - were in Dublin recently to host a wine tasting dinner in L'Ecrivain..." AND IN KILKENNY... "Pascal Rossignol of Le Caveau in Kilkenny imports wines from many of the producers recommended in The new France, including Vincent Girardin, Joseph Roty and Louis Michel in Burgundy; Yves Cuilleron, Bosquet des Papes in the Rhone; Alain Brumont, Chateau du Cedre, Tour des Gendres, Haut-Monplaisir and Clos Triguedina in the South-West and Marcevol and Gauby in Roussillon. What a line-up! And the wines of Domaine Rolet in the Jura are due later this Month." MARY DOWEY, IRISH TIMES, 01st MARCH 2003

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NEW RED: YVES CUILLERON SYRAH 2001, Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes: "Here's a Rhone wine with the earthy stamp of terroir that can give French wines a distinctive personality. Wonderfully vibrant, it leaves a nice meaty aftertaste. From Le Caveau, Kilkenny." MARY DOWEY, IRISH TIMES - 15th FEBRUARY 2003

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BOTTLES OF THE YEAR! MEYER-FONNE, RIESLING "VIGNOBLE DE KATZENTHAL" ALSACE 1998/9: " Exceptional Alsace RIESLING with aromas of orange peel and spice and a super palate. From Le Caveau, Kilkenny" - MARY DOWEY, IRISH TIMES, 04th Jan. 2003

2002

BOURGOGNE AC 1999, DOMAINE J.C REGNAUDOT: " It is commonly held ( and too often true ) belief that any red Burgundy worth drinking is also ruinously expensive and rare as hens' teeth. Thankfully the odd one comes along to cofound the critics and this is the latest in a short line. Oodles of fresh fruit is the first impression on the palate and this is enlivened by a nice lively cut of acid and a sterner undercurrent of tannin. In short, it is everything that good honest Burgundy should be. I served it for a group of friends recently and it went down a treat. My advice is to snap up a case quickly before it is all gone." RAYMOND BLAKE, BLAKE'S BEST, FOOD AND WINE MAGAZINE, November 2003.

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• THE WINE GUIDE 2003, AA Farmar Best of Wine in Ireland: 13 of our direct imports selected, 7 of them were awarded 1 star: read the reviews

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WINES OF THE WEEK! YVES CUILLERON, MARSANNE 2001 - "Yves Cuilleron is best known as a producer of sublime Condrieu (the supreme expression of Viognier), Cote Rotie and Saint-Joseph and Le Caveau now has a limited quantity of his top wines at very fair prices. However, this eminently affordable Marsanne is a thrilling find and in good supply. Grown just outside the Saint-Joseph AC, this smashing white smells of white peaches, ripe pears and honey and has a lovely, gentle yet firm acidity underpinning it."

YVES CUILLERON, SYRAH 2001 - "Grown in the same region as the Marsanne (The Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes), this middle-weight 100% Syrah is strikingly elegant and stylish with a peppery nose and a hint of violets. Plenty of ripeness and supple tannins without being in anyway overblown, clearly the work of a master winemaker at a remarkable price. This is definitly the sort of stuff to buy by the case." Tom Doorley, Sunday Tribune 27 Oct. 2002

***

DOMAINE Jean-Claude REGNAUDOT, BOURGOGNE AC 1999: "A brilliant buy at the price - a wine with a handcrafted, artisan feel that oozes personality. Aromas of damp earth, lovely plummy flavours and a squeeze of tannins in the tail." MARY DOWEY, Irish Times, 12th October 2002.

***

DOMAINE DE LA CHARITE, COTES DU RHONE AC1999: "Here's a bottle so delicious you could bring it to the smartest dinner party as a present - but, given the price, you might also buy for yourself. Among many Rhone reds tasted this summer, it stood out because of its strapping personality - big, rich, peppery, earthy, lingering - in a polished body. From Le Caveau, Kilkenny ˆ11.95 " MARY DOWEY, Irish Times, 05th October 2002.

***

CHATEAU MIRAVAL ROSE 2001, Cotes de Provence AC: " A deliciously fresh, appetising rose. One to relish with salads. From Le Caveau, Kilkenny." MARY DOWEY, Irish Times, 3rd August 2002.

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In his Food and Wine supplement of the Sunday Tribune, published on 28th July 2002, Tom Doorley assesses Le Caveau as follow: " ...and Le Caveau in Kilkenny is where sensible people go for their Burgundy" ... "Pascal Rossignol's Le Caveau (Market Yard, Kilkenny) has something of the same feel and his extensive family connections in Burgundy and beyond mean that you have access here to parcels of wine which are never otherwise seen in Ireland. In addition to that, Pascal is an enthusiast for off-beat French wine regions which will be a revelation to anyone willing to experiment." TOM DOORLEY, Food and Wine Supplement of the Sunday Tribune, 28th July 2002.

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CHATEAU MOULIN DE LA ROSE 1999: This Saint-Julien Cru Bourgeois made it to Liam Campbell's "Premier League" : " Nouveau-riche with feminine style and class. An expensive perfume of coffee house confectionery espressoed, a palate of blackberry and plum pie, lifted with vanilla and liquorice with a lattice lid of toasted oak that allowed the fruit to peep through. From Le Caveau" LIAM CAMPBELL, The Dubliner, June 2002

***

DOMAINE J.C REGNAUDOT, BOURGOGNE 1999 - As Fiona O'Reilly rightly points out, it's a struggle to find a good Burgundy for less than an old tenner - but she's uncover a winner. Aromas of red summer fruits and damp earth pave the way for a lovely, juicy mouthful with a long finish. "Chewy tannin, still a bit young. Worth keeping another year" she suggests. If you can wait. From Le Caveau, Kilkenny. MARY DOWEY, Irish Times, 27th April 2002

***

BOTTLE OF THE WEEK! MEYER-FONNE, RIESLING "VIGNOBLE DE KATZENTHAL" ALSACE 1998- "Alsace wines don't get half the attention they deserve, but here's a star example. "Meyer-Fonne's basic Riesling beats some more expensive New World's Riesling hands down with its aromatic yet flinty character", says Fiona O'Reilly. She's right. I love its fragrant aromas of orange peel and spice, and its poise-balanced on a knife edge between richness and freshness. Worth every cent. From Le Caveau, Kilkenny" MARY DOWEY, Irish Times, 27th April 2002

***

BOTTLE OF THE WEEK! CHATEAU TOUR DES GENDRES "Cuvee la Gloire de mon Pere", Cotes de Bergerac 1997- "Instead of a Bordeaux for the top slot, I've picked out this velvety blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Malbec from Bergerac a bit further East. Why? Because it's such an impressive wine. Made by Luc De Conti, one of the region's rising stars who follows biodynamic methods, it has lovely concentration with a smoky overlay which might inspire you to forsake the roast and chargrill some lamb cutlets instead. Fancy an Easter weekend outing to Kilkenny? If not, there's a mail order. From Le Caveau, Kilkenny - www.lecaveau.ie" MARY DOWEY, Irish Times, 30th March 2002

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Raymond Blake about DOMAINE GAUBY, Vieilles Vignes 1999: "IMPRESS YOUR WINE BUFF FRIENDS: Gerard Gauby has a 35 hectares estate near Perpignan and makes this wine from Macabeu, Grenache blanc and Grenache gris. Very low yields result in a wine that is concentrated and intense, one for serious drinking, not casual quaffing. The nose only gives a hint of what is to come, for it is a bit shy and retiring. The palate more than makes up for it: full and rich with great depth, it finishes with an intriguing nutty twist. It is a big hitter all right but it is well balanced with keen fresh fruit and good structure. More than anything else, though, it is a bit differentand for that we should be grateful." RAYMOND BLAKE, "Blakes best", FOOD AND WINE MAGAZINE, MARCH 2002.

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Tom Doorley looks at how fashions in wine has changed over the years in his an article called: OAKY WINE IS SO LAST CENTURY, DARLING... "...Finally, let me mention a wine that has oodles of everything but not too much of any particular element: Domaine ZEDE 1999, second wine of Margaux's Chateau LABEGORCE-ZEDE in a big, ripe vintage. The scary thing is that it's lovely to drink now, even though it will improve for five to ten years. It's in the sale at Le Caveau in Kilkenny for a schockingly cheap ˆ16.10. Snap up enough to try now and to keep." Tom Doorley, Sunday Tribune 17th February 2002

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Mary Dowey on our sale (ending March 2nd 2002): "FRENCH SALE - You'll find bargains from Bordeaux and other areas of France in the wine sale running for two weeks from tomorrow at Le Caveau in Kilkenny. Not to be missed - Pascal Rossignol picks his wines with passion." Mary Dowey, Irish Times 16th February 2002

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"Kilkenny's estimable Le Caveau has a wine sale in full swing at the moment and you can snap up the deliciously mature CLOS TRIGUEDINA CAHORS 1996 for a mere ˆ14, a snip if ever there was one. Merlot and Tannat join the usual Malbec here. Stick the nose in and you will get grass clippings (not any old ones, the sort you might imagine getting from the centre court at Wimbledon) mixed with ripe mulberry and a distant whiff of peppermint. Or, to be more precise and for the benefit of the naturalists amongst you, a whiff of wild watermint. I have no doubt that most writers will regard this as unadulterated bulls--t. Let me just say that it's entirely sincere and, anyway, why not buy a bottle and find out for yourself.
Le Caveau has lots of other bargain, including the MARANGES 1er CRU "FUSSIERE" 1998 from Regnaudot, which is pure cherry fruit with impeccable oak seasoning for ˆ17.20. Taste and see that it's often worthwhile going off the beaten track in Burgundy, especially when your guide is M. Rossignol" Tom Doorley, Sunday Tribune 10th February 2002

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In his article "How to find your way around Bordeaux" Tom Doorley takes one of our wine as a good example from this region: "One scrumptious claret which is well worth seeking out: CHATEAU BRUN-DESPAGNE "Heritage" 1999 ( Le Caveau, Kilkenny ) is a Bordeaux Superieur, but the mainly Merlot fruit comes from very old vines: rich, plummy, stylish. A fine ambassador for Bordeaux" Tom Doorley, Sunday Tribune 13th January 2002

2001

Éamonn Ó Catháin of Bia's Bothar was in Kilkenny shooting an episode of his food and wine television serie and popped in our shop with his crew to pick a few good bottles of wine for his guests. The episode of this documentary was televised on Sunday 25th November 2001 (repeat on Thursday 27th Nov. at 7.30 pm). Éamonn was impressed by our selection and described us as "...one of the best wine shop in Ireland."

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Raymond Blake writes about LE NEZ DU VIN in the November 2001 issue of Food and wine Magazine: "A GOOD NOSE
Ever found yourself sniffing a wine and saying "I've smelt it before. I know what it is. But I cannot place it? Well I certainly have and while a bit of hard thinking usually whips the grey matter into line, a little help from the experts would sometimes be most welcome. That help is now available to all of us courtesy of Le Nez du Vin. Developped in France some 20 years ago by Jean Lenoir, Le Nez looks like, indeed is, a collection of a couple dozen of scent. Except in this case the scent is not for wearing, but solely for sniffing to help develop your olfactory sense and hence your ability to identify the different aromas in wine. There is even a supplementary kit containing a dozen bottles of "off" odours to help you identify faults. Having tried Le Nez myself, I can attest to the remarkable, almost bizarre, accuracy of the smells. It is time to start dropping broad hints about ideal Christmas presents...
Available from Le Caveau, Kilkenny.Tel: 056 52166, website www.lecaveau.ie"
Raymond Blake, Food and Wine Ireland, November 2001

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The Best of Wine in Ireland 2002, A&A Farmar: We submitted 19 wines to the panel of tasters and 17 were selected. read the reviews...

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Liam Campbell of The Dubliner Magazine (September 2001 issue) conducts a tasting of white Burgundies, two of our wines were submitted, Check details here...

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A tribute to the great Tannat wines made by Alain Brumont. Tom Doorley, Sunday Tribune. 8th July 2001. read the full article...

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SMART GUIDE TO BURGUNDY. "... The best basic red Burgundy I have ever tasted is the juicy, true Pinot Noir, lively, yummy, BOURGOGNE 1998 DOMAINE REGNAUDOT which Pascal Rossignol of Le Caveau in Kilkenny is selling for an unbelievable £8.95 a bottle. Pascal, as his name will imply to any Burgundophile is rather well-connected back home and hence has managed to secure a mere 80 cases of this splendid wine from a six-hectare family vineyard in the Cotes de Beaune. Watch out too for Santenay and Maranges from the same stable. Le Caveau can be contacted on 056 52166 or www.lecaveau.ie.../... My pick of these wines? If you taste only one, make it the Bourgogne Domaine Regnaudot from Le Caveau. But, ideally, try all of them in the above order." Tom Doorley, Sunday Tribune. 27 May 2001

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Tomas Clancy on a recent price survey: "...I have been trawling the country looking at wine prices for the last few weeks and I have been amazed in two quite separate ways: first by the uncanny consistency of price between allegedly deadly commercial rivals in some areas and second by the outrageous variations of price in other areas...Probably the biggest surprise is the fact that many of the small independent wine outlets are giving the supermarkets a close run for their money on price... / ...Kilkenny's brilliant independent retailer, Le Caveau, which -- like Limerick's bijoux Devine Wines -- specialises in bespoke French wine importation, manages to make a living selling Masi's Amarone 1997 at £16.75. Oddbins asks £17.49 for the same wine and Tesco wants most for it at £18.49..." Tomas Clancy, Sunday Business Post, 06 May 2001

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Tom Doorley on Stormy Cape's Cinsault-Shiraz: "...Speaking of South Africa, if you see a label that says STORMY CAPE, CINSAULT-SHIRAZ and a price tag of ˆ9.95 you may, like me, say "Oh, just another South Africa red blend" and pass on. Well you would be missing a real treat . Selected and blended by the winemaker at the now legendary Thelema winery, Stormy Cape red resembles, I reckon, the kind of old-fashioned red Burgundy that used to be fortified with Rhone or North African wines. It has a remarkably complex nose, very classy stuff in fact, coupled with terrific colour and smashing length. Touches of sous-bois and farmyard too. If ever there was a wine that tasted dearer than its price, this is it. From various retailers including the splendid Le Caveau in Kilkenny.../ ... If you're looking for something really different, then les Matines and Stormy Cape are worth travelling for..." Sunday Tribune, 22nd April 2001

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Mary Dowey on Chateau Saint Martin des Champs: "SAINT MARTIN DES CHAMPS "HERMITAGE" VIN DE PAYS D'OC 1999: Not Northern Rhone Hermitage, but a Cabernet-based cracker imported directly by Pascal Rossignol from Southern France. Though young, this smooth, peppery red is already appealing. From Le Caveau, Kilkenny ˆ10.60 or ˆ10.07 if you buy a case which may be mixed". Mary Dowey, Irish Times, 7th April 2001

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Tom Doorley mentions some of our wines in a recent article:
"…Last week, I mentioned that I would be suggesting some value-for-money Burgundies. No it wasn't a misprint. Such things exist. Pascal Rossignol of Le Caveau in Kilkenny has a lovely BOURGOGNE rouge from his cousin Philippe and a gloriously soft and delicate MARSANNAY from another relative, Joseph Roty. These, I need hardly add, are very serious names and the prices are surprisingly modest. Check out Le Caveau on Eircell (Wap network) or visit www.lecaveau.ie. Stand by for details of other terrific wines from Pascal which I'll be featuring here in due course." - Sunday Tribune, 11th March 2001

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2000

Our site has been awarded 3 Doras by doras.ie, the Irish website directory.This is their review of our site: " Le Caveau in Kilkenny is a wonderful online wine shop. The site gives a detailed list of all their wines including the prices and a short note on its vintage. You can purchase both your wine and your stone vault cellar to store it in online. They also offer some interesting deals on selected wines each month. This is definitely an innovative and well-designed site. It is easy to navigate and gives you an excellent choice of wines and guides you through your choices." DORAS.IE

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