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Festive tipples that won’t break the bank

Mairead Robinson suggests some wines that will go easy on your physical and financial health.

Christmas is a welcome time for celebration, a break from the dark days of winter. And while we enjoy getting together with friends and family, it can often be the case of over-doing it, and left feeling the pain afterwards.

So this year, why not stock up on some de-alcoholised wines, along with your usual shopping? First of all it is good to have something to offer the drivers and those not drinking who visit your house, rather than a cup of tea or a fruit juice. Also most of these wines are easy on the pocket , and finally they taste just as good as the real thing.

You might have noticed in your local off-licence or supermarket a growing section of non-alcohol wines, this is usually placed just beside the entrance to the alcoholic section. It is definitely worth checking them out and picking up a few to have over the festive period. range here in Ireland, and their Sauvignon Blanc is rated as being among the best in the wine producing world. Last April I included their low-alcohol Sauvignon Blanc at a tasting in Dublin, and people were pleasantly surprised at how much they liked it. Now I am recommending the de-alcoholised Sauvignon Blanc which comes from the Central Valley, made with grapes that are hand picked and only after fermentation is the wine de-alcoholised and blended. The result is a fresh mineral wine that is

balanced with a fruity sweetness. It has a cellaring potential of eighteen months, pairs well with fish and salads and is a perfect accompaniment with canapés and nibbles. Best of all, it is now available in Tesco for just €5

Moving to Argentina, specifically the Mendoza region, which is famous for its Malbec, we have a stunning Rosé from Dona Paula. Rosé is not just a summer wine, it is great for celebrations and also for snacks and nibbles at a gathering. It adds a cheer to the party and always goes down well. This Rosé has a pale pink colour and flavours of berries with a soft and balanced finish. It comes with an alcohol level of 11.5% so once again is a good lunch time option. It is available now in SuperValu, Tesco and Dunnes reduced from €15 to just €10. A real Christmas bargain.

Moving on to red wines, once again it is South America that scores highly for both quality and value. Dona Paula shines again with a stunning 100% high altitude estate Malbec that comes in at 14.5% alcohol. It has an intense violet colour and in the nose there are aromas of black fruit, violets and pears. It has great structure and concentration and is a bargain at €15.99 It is currently available at Tesco, SuperValu and selected Dunnes Stores.

If you like to compare Malbecs, Santa Rita 120 have a very good Reserva Especial with an intense purple-red colour. It has rich aromas such as cherries, plums and blueberries, along with violets, dried plums, and walnuts. It is a well-balanced wine that culminates in a smooth lingering finish. It is a good 13.5% alcohol and is currently available in Tesco, SuperValu and Spar down from €13.50 to just €9

While the 120 wine range is very popular here in Ireland, not everybody is familiar with the back-story to these wines. According to legend, 120 patriots, exhausted after a long, hard battle during the fight for Chile's independence, reached the lands belonging to Santa Rita. On that fateful night in 1814, these forces of liberty found refuge in the estate cellars. Today, within these same cellars, the award-winning 120 wines are crafted to honour their heroic character.

And finally to another great red that really has a place at the table this Christmas. Medalla Real Reserva Syrah 2019 is an ideal wine to go with your turkey. With its intense ruby colour, aromas of red fruits like plums. It has great balance and a fruity finish. Alcohol is at 13.9% and it is an excellent wine for food. It is available for €15 at Tesco.

If you would like an opportunity to taste some of these wines, I will be hosting a wine tasting at the Senior Times Live Show in Cork on 25th and 26th of November. But do get your name in early, as places will be limited.

Faith in the future: new miracle innovations could save thousands of lives from climate disaster

As climate change brings the worst drought in 40 years to the Horn of Africa, Concern Worldwide supporters are helping local farmers use new climate-resilient techniques to save their families and communities from starvation.

In some parts of the Horn of Africa, there hasn’t been a single drop of rain in three years. Dead cows lie decaying by the road, overcome by dehydration. Across Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya, the dust-filled plains are so bare of vegetation that they don’t attract any animals. The villages are just as quiet. The hustle and bustle of families cooking or working has fallen silent. Children who haven’t eaten for days do nothing but sit still in their huts, too tired and sick to move. It’s the same dire, drought-ravaged situation across all the countries in the Horn of Africa. Right now, 16 million people are acutely food insecure. It’s estimated one person dies of hunger every 48 seconds. And as climate change causes more extreme weather patterns, experts predict that droughts like these will become even more frequent, and last even longer, with devastating effects for future generations.

Living in hunger

Ahmed, a farmer in Somalia, and his children, live on the frontline of the climate crisis. He inherited his land from his father who was a farmer before him. But with each year that has gone by since he was a boy, he has seen less and less rain falling on the family farm. The soil has become so dry that he can no longer grow the nutritious corn and sorghum that once helped him put food on the table. to supporters who left a gift in their Will to the charity, Concern has the resources to build climate-smart agricultural programmes that can support Ahmed and families like his. They provide the tools and training that, even in the driest conditions, help farmers grow nourishing food. Together, Concern and its supporters were able to provide Ahmed with a wide range of drought-resistant seeds, and training on how to grow them. The results have been nothing short of miraculous – today, his once-barren land is sprouting thousands of fruit-bearing trees. With the income he’s earning from selling the While the threat of mass starvation looms, Concern Worldwide is calling for more people to help them protect vulnerable families like Ahmed’s from the hunger caused by drought and climate change. When people leave a gift in their Will to Concern, they’re giving hope to children, families and communities facing future challenges of the climate crisis, by supporting this life-saving agricultural programme.

Seeing his crops wither before his eyes, Ahmed did everything he could to save them, but without water, it wasn’t enough. He had nothing to eat and nothing to sell at the market. The pain of hunger began to take hold of his children. Even if his family were to survive the current crisis, he could only wonder how his children would ever live through the more formidable droughts of the future.

Communities face the threat of mass starvation as the climate crisis worsens.

Miracle innovation

It was in this desperate situation that Concern Worldwide, Ireland’s largest international aid charity, and their generous community of supporters, were able to provide a lifeline for Ahmed. For 54 years, the charity has been helping people from the world’s poorest communities to build lives free from hunger. In Ahmed’s case, escaping hunger meant achieving something that seemed impossible to him – finding a way to turn his dusty fields green again despite the onslaught of the current drought. But thanks

Life-saving innovation

For decades, Concern Worldwide has been bringing life-saving solutions to people facing the climate crisis. The miraculous results have been nothing short of life-changing for thousands of families.

CROP VARIETY & DIVERSIFICATION Drought-resistant seeds increase the chance of a successful crop, even in dry conditions, to protect families from hunger.

IRRIGATION When an area receives no rainfall, innovative water pumping systems can bring vital, enriching moisture to barren soil.

POST-HARVEST MANAGEMENT When crops are harvested, more secure storage techniques can protect them from being spoiled by insects and fungi later.

BEFORE AFTER

“With the seeds Concern provided, I was able to harvest a lot more and help my family, it changed everything.”

Ahmed, Somalia

Leaving a legacy of hope for future generations

Siobhán O’Connor, from Concern, advises people who want to leave a gift in their Will to the charity. “The gifts that our generous supporters

“I am proud to know that, even when I am gone, my support will continue to save lives.”

Colm, who’s leaving a gift in his Will to Concern Worldwide, Co. Galway

produce, he can afford to feed his children again. And when they’re old enough, they will learn these life-changing skills from Ahmed, which they can pass on to their own children, ensuring future generations live a life free from hunger.

The future threat of climate change

Although the future looks brighter for Ahmed and his children, many families are still not safe from climate change. The World Bank predicts that the coming changes in weather patterns could force more than 100 million people into extreme poverty by 2030. And by 2050, it may internally displace 143 million people from countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, South East Asia and Latin America. leave in their Wills have the power to change so much,” Siobhán told us. She continued, “That single act of kindness goes far beyond helping one family protect themselves from hunger – it lives on through the years, from generation to generation, helping the families and children of the future survive even the deadliest drought.” More and more compassionate people across Ireland are now moving to support Concern’s vision to build a hunger-free world. Siobhán explains, “Our community is united by a simple belief that no one should ever have to suffer the pain of hunger. If you share in this belief, I would encourage you to consider joining us today. No gift is too small or big, every donation will help build a world free from hunger.”

Find out how you can be part of a world without hunger

Self-Publishing Frequently Asked Questions

Courtesy of Lettertec

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A great advantage to self-publishing your book is that you have control over all aspects of it, including the look and feel of the physical book. You can choose to go with a hardcover or a softcover, or to print a few of each.

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