New Zealand's best

More antipodean cheer. . . Why not get out and sample excitingbottlings from both the North and the South Island at Dublin's NewZealand Wine Fair? Over 20 producers will be there to pour withpride, along with visiting winemakers and Irish importers. It's inthe Coach House at Dublin Castle on Wednesday, February 5th, 6.30-8.30p.m. Advance booking essential; for tickets (euro 15) contactJustine McGovern at the Wine Development Board, 33 Clarinda ParkWest, Dn Laoghaire, Co Dublin (01-2804666) e-mailjmcgovern(at)wineboard.com.

Jameson wine laurels

Congratulations to Dobbins Wine Bistro in Dublin, winners of theWine Award of the Year in Georgina Campbell's Ireland 2003 JamesonGuide. Owner and wine lover John O'Byrne deserves recognition, notjust for his eclectic wine list and "Front Page Wines" initiative(making some bottles available for off-sales at reasonable prices),but for creating the kind of cosy atmosphere conducive to prolongedsipping. The worthy winner of the Hideaway of the Year award isWineport Lodge in Co Westmeath, featured in this column last summer.Comprehensive and authoritative, the Jameson Guide is well worthkeeping on a bookshelf, for those moments when you crave escape.

All-February sale

James Nicholson, the excellent Co Down-based wine merchant whosells direct on the Internet to many southern customers besidessupplying his well-chosen wines to many retail and restaurantoutlets in the State is offering an array of bargains in a Februarybin end sale. Full details on the website, www.jnwine.com.