A l'ombre d'un bouchon

À l’Ombre d’un Bouchon is more than your average cave à vins. In order to properly get to grips with the extensive stock of wines, beers and spirits, it’s worth chatting with owner Daley Brennan, who will happily guide you around and give his honest advice about what best suits your tastes and budget. Unpretentious, helpful and brilliantly passionate about what he does, he may dig you out something like a bottle of Silex (a fresh and fruity sauvignon blanc at €7.90, ideal for aperitifs), or he may take a few minutes to fill you in on the ins and outs of winemaking. Some of the spirits are a tad pricey, but this is usually justified by their quality (a bottle of G’vine gin is €46, 500ml of Poire William is €42). Here, you can take your time before choosing and you’re always made to feel welcome, whether total oenophile or total novice. Brennan also offers a number of wine and champagne tasting sessions – a great opportunity to broaden your horizons.

TRANSLATION: HUW OLIVER