Merrion Hotel's Historic Cellar
Bar Creates New Experience For
Wine Connoisseurs

November 2006

The Merrion Hotel's historic Cellar Bar gives discerning connoisseurs a unique wine experience: its new wine list features 50 wines by the glass with an innovative menu designed to complement the wines.

Ireland has long been associated with ale and Guinness, and while it has been a wine drinking country for several centuries, it is only in recent years that wine changed from a special occasion drink enjoyed by few to a drink for any time and place enjoyed by many. Previously, a bottle of Claret fulfilled almost every wine need; with perhaps a glass of Chablis if white was required. Sherry and Port stood like sentinels at either end of the meal. Currently, there is a trend in Ireland of new "wine bars" as opposed to "pubs" offering a vast selection of wines by the glass. Not surprisingly, there are literally thousands of wines now available in Ireland and the country is one of the best-served wine markets in the world.

At The Merrion, Restaurant and Bar Manager Damian Corr selected the extensive wine menu for wine enthusiasts. With its private niches and cozy corners, the Cellar Bar is the perfect place for a casual meal and great wine.

White wines range from the fresh flavors of Domaines des Chezelles, a Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley (€6.50 per glass) to the Meyer-Fonne, a Pinot Blanc Vieilles Vignes from the Alsace (€8.00 per glass) to the Domaine Albert Pic, Chablis ier Cru, Fourchaume 2002 (€14.50 per glass). For the sophisticated red palate, the Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, Pauillac, from the Bordeaux region is priced at €95.00 per glass - a great opportunity to try out this extremely powerful and intensely concentrated wine. Alternative red offerings include The Colonial Estate from South Australia's Barossa Valley - Etranger Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 at €10.75 per glass and the Domaine Charles Thomas, Savigny les Beaune, Les Planchots, 2003 at €12.00 per glass.

To complement any wine Executive Chef Ed Cooney has created more informal menus around the wine list - with lunch suggestions including "Chicken Liver and Foie Gras Parfait with Toasted Raisin and Pecan Nut Bread and Red Onion Marmalade" (€10.00), "Pan-fried fillet of Haddock with a broth of cabbage, mussels, clams and smoke salmon" (€14.00) and "Salad of Confit Duck Leg with overnight tomatoes, pickled ginger, red onion and balsamic treacle" (€14.00). Evening snacks include French Onion Soup with a garlic and gruyere croute (€8.00); Baked Camembert with Garlic, Port & Baguettes (€14.00) and Salmon Fish Cakes with wilted spinach and a lemon and chive butter sauce (€18.00).

For further information and reservations please contact The Merrion directly on +353 1 603 0600, facsimile +353 1 603 0700, e-mail or alternatively via the website.

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