Irish wine Kingdom uncorked
The Belfast Telegraph – 29th March 2007
By Claire McNeilly
A wine connoisseur has celebrated the unique Irish involvement with winemaking by penning an award-winning book.
Ted Murphy’s tome, ‘ A Kingdom of Wine’, is a celebration of Irish involvement with winemaking and trading – to mention drinking traditions. And ‘ Winegeese’ is the name applied to Irish folk who were directly involved in wine around the world – including families who emigrated to France in the 17th and 28th centuries to engage in the wine trade.
Château de La Ligne in Bordeaux is owned by one of the latter day Winegeese, Belfast businessman Terry Cross. And among other illustrious Winegeese châteaux with local connections are Château Leoville-Barton and Château Langoa, owned by the Barton family originally from Fermanagh. People from Northern Ireland have also gone to other parts of the world – like Hunter Wines, which was established in New Zealand in 1983 by Belfast man Ernie Hunter.
The author said the book, which explores pre-Christian times up to the present day, pays homage to Irish achievements. ‘‘ Today their names and labels have become synonymous with some of the finest wine growing regions in the world,’’ he said. ‘‘ That includes the Maipo Valley in Chile, the Napa Valley in California, the Loire Valley in France, The Duoro Valley in Portugal, the Clare Valley in Australia and the Hemel En Aard Valley in South Africa.’’
Château de La Ligne sponsored the Belfast launch of the book, which won the Best Wine History Book in English in this year’s Gourmand World Book Awards. It is published by Onstream Publications and available in off-licences and restaurants.
