Wine of the Month

Way out West and South West

Noel O'Loughlen is an interesting chap. Not content with being the owner of Galway's vital The Noble Vine, at Terryland retail park on Galway's Headford Road, he is also a vineyard owner in South West France, wine tour organiser and creator of special cuvees.

When he is down at his base in SW France, Mr O'Loughlen hunts out interesting wines from the 14 local vignerons with whom he works. Domaine Camp Galhan Sauvignon 2000 is the sort of individualistic, quirky little wine which this region produces, toasty and nutty for a sauvignon, whilst the fresh and demure merlot Les Collines du Bourdie is another fine, everyday wine whose typicity lies in the fact that it is modest and deft, rather than the sort of strong-arm merlot which is becoming more widespread.

The Bourdie sells for £6.50 or £71 a case, the Camp Galhan at £7.50 or £85 a case.

Details of planned wine tours to Pompignan, which is 30km from Montpellier, can be had from The Noble Vine.

Email: noblevine@eircom.net Tel: (091) 565749