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Tuesday 11am - 6pm Wednesday 11am - 6pm Thursday 11am - 6pm Friday 11am - 6:30pm Saturday 11am - 6:30pm

The Wine Buff Portarlington

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The Wine Buff Portarlington

Sustainably farmed wines direct from family-run Vineyards to The Wine Buff Portarlington. Expert adv Extraordinary wines at ordinary prices is our motto.
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We stock quality wines from small independent vineyards from France, Italy, Spain and around the primary wine producing countries of the world. Our shop is located in the middle of the main street in Portarlington, Co.Laois where we provide our wines to a growing group of regular customers. We specialise in providing wines for weddings or any other family occasion so come in a talk to us about you

r needs. We offer trade prices on our wines to bars, hotels and restaurants so you should be seeing your favourite quality wines in local establishments very shortly.

07/11/2024

Midweek treat. A blend of Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera, Compagnia Salento is deep ruby with a pleasantly intense, elegant bouquet of blackberries and plums.
It is pleasurable and rounded in the mouth with a balanced acidity.
Best drunk with aperitifs or appetizers. It also goes with meat dishes (rabbit, veal, lamb, etc.).

05/11/2024

Dark evenings are perfect paired with Rioja.
A Viura which has set a trend in the region, thanks to the balanced way which it blends the fruit and the oak in a white wine.
It has a subtle floral aroma, with tropical fruit, grapefruit and a hint of white pepper and toasted oak. Only very slight sensation from the oak though.
Nice, meaty mouth-feel and fine natural acidity with well balanced potency. Definitely one for savouring.

02/11/2024

Introducing Donato D’Angelo Calice Aglianico Del Vulture. 🍷🍇

Sourced from wines grown in volcanic soils, it is a concentrated, balanced wine with impressive dark fruit, suggestion of forest floor, mint, to***co, and flint edged mineral.

Perfect for pairing with hearty dishes or simply enjoyed on its own, this is a fantastic wine, great family story, with an even better price tag.

Rated 3 Glasses (out of 3) - Gambero Rosso Italian Wines 2024.

Call in to pick up your bottle and share your experience.

31/10/2024

Happy Hallowine!! 🎃👻🦇🥂🍷
Treat yourself to a nice bottle of wine from The Wine Buff this evening!

29/10/2024

Christmas is 8 weeks away!!🎄 🎄 🎄
Now is the right time to contact your nearest Wine Buff store, or browse our website for company gifts, for family and friends, or to pick your wine for the dinner at .
We are here to help you select the best price quality wine gifts to avoid unnecessary stress. 🎁
If you are not sure which bottle would be suitable to gift, then you cannot go wrong with a .
We have all these and much more.
In person or online, The Wine Buff is always here for you.

26/10/2024

100% pure Grenache from 30-year-old vines.
If you’re going to get Gigondas from Jérome, it really is worth swinging big, and they don’t come much bigger than this: very lifted and still extremely young-smelling with incredible perfume, cherry jam, chocolate and cloves, leather furniture, old books, mahogany, while the palate is very full bodied, rich and velvety, but also ripped with some serious tannins, juicy acidity, epic length and savouriness. Give it some time and it will unfurl magnificently. Rugged red with muscular attitude.
Drink now to 2050.

25/10/2024

Today is International Champagne Day.
For wine enthusiasts and revellers alike, it offers the perfect occasion to indulge in the world's most iconic sparkling wine.
All of the Champagnes we stock are made by grower-producers (aka RM or Récoltant Manipulant in French), meaning the grapes are sourced exclusively from their vineyards and the champagne is produced solely on their premises.
Get your long weekend off to a great start with a fantastic bottle of bubbles from your local Wine Buff shop or online from our website!! 🍾🥂

22/10/2024

This is nearly the only thing you need to learn. After this, make sure you taste all different, but good quality wines, and before you know it, you will taste like a pro.

1. See: the colour can tell you a lot about the age and type of wine you are tasting.

2. Swirl: it helps release the wine’s aromas and allows you to get a better sense of the aromas.

3. Smell: your nose is the most sensitive organ when it comes to tasting wine. The aromas can tell you a lot about the wine and help you understand what flavours you may experience when tasting it.

4. Sip: the flavour of the wine can change depending on how long it sits on your tongue, so it is important to take small sips and let the wine rest on your tongue before swallowing.

5. Savour: take a moment to think about the flavours and aromas of the wine and try to identify the different elements you are tasting.

20/10/2024

Four of our exclusive South African wines were selected for the evening of South African wine and Irish food, held by the South African Embassy in the Coburg Restaurant at the Conrad Hotel, in Earlsfort Terrace, on the 10th of October.
All the food and wines were delightful, but our Diemersdal Private Collection especially went down a treat.
Rated 93 points by Tim Atkin, the Private Collection is a classical Bordeaux-style red wine that is crafted from all five Bordeaux varieties and was the first wine to be made on the Diemersdal Estate. In striving to make simply the best, fruit from selected sites planted to the terroir most suited to each variety and blended to form a perfect whole, the result being a singular expression of supreme excellence and superb quality.
Both Diemersdal and Swartland wines are exclusive to The Wine Buff in Ireland.

17/10/2024

A beautiful, traditional style Rioja, with a certain oak dryness followed by inviting aromas of raspberries and red plums which are laced with spices, vanilla, pepper and some earthy characteristics which all develop in the glass. On the palate this possesses a medium body with fine tannins and nice overall balance through the finish.
Rated 90 points by The Wine Enthusiast, as excellent, highly recommended.

15/10/2024

A superb value/quality unoaked Tempranillo, great for any occasion. It has a deep aroma of cherry, strawberry and some spices. The taste is structured, full of flavour, meaty and food friendly, with soft and supple tannins. Great with pasta and all meats.

The family of Bodegas Macaya are famous for producing high quality approachable wines, and Almara Finca Linte is no exception. Everyone can happily enjoy it.

12/10/2024

Vieux Chantecaille is the property of the famous Bordeaux family, Moze Berthon, who has been producing wine since 1820.

It’s not easy to find this level of quality Saint Emilion for this price.
This is an extremely elegant wine.
On the nose it is fruity with excellent concentration. It reveals notes of ripe raspberry, blackberry and a touch of violet combined with slight touches of blackcurrant, liquorice as well as discreet hints of cocoa. The palate is fruity, juicy, well-balanced and offers a great definition of juicy blackcurrant blackberry and small notes of raspberry. Medium bodied with well-structured tannins. Great length.

2020 was an exceptional vintage, you can drink it down, or keep it (if you can resist), because it ages beautifully as well.

10/10/2024

The perfect wine for this beautiful autumn evening.
Villa Erbice Valpolicella Superiore is deep red with violet tints. The aroma is intense with ripe red fruit of cherry and plum.
And the taste? Well, the taste is full and harmonious, with great softness and balance.

03/10/2024

Beginning of a new era in The Wine Buff Sligo.

Joe is retiring and he will be missed by all of us at The Wine Buff, but especially by his customers with whom he built a great relationship over the years.

The ‘not so new’ face in the shop is Matthias, who has been helping out in the shop for years, and now he fully took over from Joe, giving up his landscaping job to fully immerse himself into the world of wine.

Welcome to The Wine Buff, Matthias, have fun, enjoy every moment.
We wish Joe all the best for his retirement, we can be sure he will pop in the shop to have a chat every so often.

01/10/2024

The harvest of reds is now in full swing on the continent, they have just finished in Cascadais Castle, Corbieres, and starting in Chateau Tour Haut Caussan today. It’s a very busy time for the Courrian family. 🍇🍷

29/09/2024

Heavens opened? No problem, open the Prestigi and let it warm you up.
A deelpy coloured red, with a nose of red and black fruits, chocolate and toasty oak with a whiff of leather. Silky texture with great length of dried red fruit.
Perfect for these chilly, wet evenings.

26/09/2024

The Cevennes Globe Grenache has been selected for the Guide Hachette des Vins 2025, which is the essential book for all wine enthusiasts.
For 40 years, it has stood out for its independence, blind tastings, and a rigorous selection of the best wines in France.

In Ireland exclusively in The Wine Buff shops nationwide.

24/09/2024

Harvest with a twist

When we think of harvest, we only have a romantic picture in our heads, and tend to forget that it is a stressful enough time for the owners, even without having to think that nature can not only destroy your grapes overnight, but your home as well.

With the entire state of Lower Austria being declared disaster area, Marie-Theres Setzer (always smiling, always joyful ❤️) and her fiancé were fearing the worst, as their house was already under 1.5 m of water in 2002.
With all this going on, she still took the time for a small report.

‘Hi The Wine Buff!
Yes, actually we just have a few days left to harvest 👍 This year the yield is a bit below average, but the quality is sometimes great. Big challenge this year is keeping the sugar and therefore the alcohol low. It is one of the most intense harvests ever (starting at 2am to keep the grapes cool).

And we also had a break due to heavy rain. 200mm in 4 days. We feared to loose our house due to high water, but thankfully all went well 🙏 just some vineyards were pushed by the heavy storm.

I hope you are healthy and business is well. I wish you a pleasant week .🌻 🌻
Greetings from the Weinviertel,
Marie-Theres

We sure wish the entire Setzer family a great harvest.
You can find their great Grüner Veltliner and Zweigelt in your nearest Wine Buff or you can order it online.

Address

Main Street
Portarlington
CO.LAOIS

Opening Hours

Tuesday	11am - 6pm
Wednesday	11am - 6pm
Thursday	11am - 6pm
Friday	11am - 6:30pm
Saturday	11am - 6:30pm

Website

https://www.thewinebuff.com/the-wine-buff-portarlington

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Videos

When the gods decided to give you a perfect day for your harvest. #thewinebuffportarlington #thewinebuff #bodegasierranorte #harvest #utielrequena #bobal #organicwine #regenerativeagriculture #purefun #perfectday

All hands on deck in Domaine Michelas, Northern Rhone this morning. #thewinebuffportarlington #thewinebuff #michelasstjemms #harvest2024 #northernrhone #syrah

The winemaker of one our best and longest selling wines, Thierry of Mas du Novi, gives a short report of harvest starting in the Languedoc. With the climate changing, winemakers have to change and adapt as well. Read more about it in our new blog on our website. https://thewinebuff.com/blogs/the-wine-buff-news/languedoc-ahead-of-the-harvest. #thewinebuffportarlington #thewinebuff #masdunovi #report #harvest #excitement #blog

Menetou-Salon AOC. The beautiful countryside, the crisp and elegant wines, the ultimate summer feel… #thewinebuffportarlington #thewinebuff #summerwine #summerfeeling #frenchcountryside #menetousalon #august #vin_joseph_de_maistre

New Bordeaux Rosé, second in our own great price/quality lineup. Cuvée Coco is nice salmon pink, crisp and zesty with hints of red berries and even grapefruit. Good minerality and a long, fruity finish. 50-50 Merlot and Cabernet Franc. A rosé that everyone will love. #thewinebuffportarlington #thewinebuff #oneofourown #newwine #bordeaux #rosé #greatprice #greatquality

Aegidius Bull’s Blood is the perfect all rounder, good with elegant, sit down meals or relaxed bbq as well. Deep, intense notes of dark fruits with a hint of spice, bold character and rich, complex finish. This blend of Blaufränkisch, Blauer Portugieser, Cabernet Franc and Merlot will give everyone something to love: anise, cherries, currants, cocoa, coffee, cognac and velvety tannins. It’s a great example of the rich heritage and robust flavours of its region. #thewinebuffportarlington #thewinebuff @Aegidius Bormanufaktúra #greatwines #hungarianwine #eger #bullsblood #aegidiuscastrum #sustainablefarming

Plenty of rustic regional character, very natural unforced quality, a well-structured palate with blackberry and plum fruits, violets and cedar wood with a dusting of pepper. Damien Marres believes that the vines should be interfered with as little as possible and over the last few years has been converting his entire estate to organic farming. Based high up on the hillsides of the Côtes du Rhône Villages appellation, his vineyards benefit from the best terroir, with excellent natural drainage and full exposure to the sun promoting rich flavour concentration in the wines. Fruity, easy to drink, nevertheless complex and full bodied. An ideal accompaniment to the Sunday roast. Pick it up today from your Wine Buff. #thewinebuffportarlington #thewinebuff #greatwine #domainemontmartel #cotesdurhone #organicwine

Château Tour Haut-Caussan, and its iconic windmill, is an inside secret for Médoc experts. Robert Parker, the world's most famous wine critic, called the family-run estate "excellent". And it's known to compete with some of the prestigious classified estates in its best vintages. But it’s still a fantastic value. Aromas of red and black fruits and smoke, flavours of ripe blackberries and cherries, firm tannins and a hint of oak. Perfect complement to lamb, veal, poultry, even some Asian dishes. A Bordeaux that performs great both on a summer evening or in the midst of winter with the fire on. #thewinebuffportarlington #thewinebuff @chateau_tour_haut_caussan #bordeaux #medoc #crubourgeois #beautiful

Terras de Lantaño Albariño is the big brother of Ruta 49. The grapes used are from the oldest vineyards in the winery, harvested manually with careful selection in the field. Golden yellow in colour, fruity aroma resting on a floral background, and a fresh, complex flavour that leaves a long fruity and pleasant aftertaste. Ideal with fish, shellfish, chicken, soft cheese or as an aperitif. #thewinebuffportarlington #thewinebuff #newwine #galicia #riasbaixas #albariño @terrasdelantano

New in!!! Prepare to be energised. ⚡️⚡️⚡️ A very fresh Albariño, coming from the youngest vineyards of Terras de Lantaño, with zesty taste of crisp apple, melon sorbet and a clean citrus finish. Summer feel guaranteed. #thewinebuffportarlington #thewinebuff @terrasdelantano #newwine #summerwine #albarino #riasbaixas

Fathers Day! If your dad prefers something more full bodied, choose Bordeaux. Rich garnet colour, aromatic nose full of ripe red berry fruit, the intense Merlot is refined by the Cabernet Sauvignon with a slight hint of spice and vanilla. Very well structured and a great length on the finish. Excellent showcasing of the region. #thewinebuffportarlington #thewinebuff @vignobles.michel.coudroy #bordeaux #lalandedepomerol #giftideas #fathersday

Spoiler alert! No clear winner. The debate between screw cap and cork closures for wine bottles continues to captivate enthusiasts and industry experts alike. Screw caps, known for their convenience and consistency in sealing, prevent oxidation and cork taint, ensuring a fresher taste over time. Conversely, traditional corks offer a sense of ritual and romance, potentially allowing beneficial micro-oxygenation that can enhance the aging process of certain wines. However, corks can sometimes suffer from cork taint, leading to spoilage. Each closure has its proponents, and the choice often depends on the type of wine and personal preference. #thewinebuffportarlington #thewinebuff #snippets #screwcap #cork #debate #winepreservation

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Our Story

The Wine Buff Portarlington are located on the Main Street in Portarlington and opened our doors in August 2013. The premises has housed a number of different business over the years but for the people of Portarlington over a certain age it will forever be Kitty Lawlors sweet shop. Since the first day, we have been working on promoting the Wine Buff extraordinary wine at ordinary wines to the people of Portarlington and surrounding areas. The tasting of the wine of the month has proved to be a big hit with our customers very appreciative of the opportunity to sample something they may not have previously tried.

Owners and managers David & Dawn Hainsworth opened the shop following David being made redundant from the financial services industry during the recession. They are developing our knowledge of the Wine Buff fantastic wines and every day their knowledge grows. Dawn runs the shop on a daily basis and has a growing regular customer base. David is from Portarlington while Dawn is a native of Kilrickle in East Galway and are parents of three grown daughters.

David tends to favour Argentinian Malbec or Pinotage from South Africa but does like to treat himself with a nice Beaujolais and more specifically a Fleurie from time to time. With wines like this steak is high on the list of desired foods but following a trip to South, Africa Ostrich has to be the tops.

Other Portarlington convenience stores

Dowlings GALA Killenard
Co Laois
Applegreen Portarlington
Main Street
The Beer Gals Ireland
Canal Road
Daniels Centra Portarlington
Main Street

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