I worked with Irish from Ireland (bar owners) and bartenders from the old sod for years (and had four Irish grandparents - 3 from the old country) and I can say with sober confidence that cabernet was NOT and has never been their drink of choice.
Whatsa matta wit ya?
If you were to look for those vineyards today, look for labels bearing the names Lynch, MacCarthy, Dillon, Phelan, Hennessy and Barton. The Bartons reportedly still consider themselves Irish, and carry Irish passports. Ownership has changed hands for the other chateaux. Still a piece of history lives, even in their labels. Michel Lynch, you see, fought with James II at the Battle of the Boyne.
Other Irish emigrés have taken their places in wine producing countries around the world. James Concannon, of the Aran Islands, settled in California's Livermore Valley in the 1880s. Others vintners of Irish heritage in California include Murphy-Goode and Kenwood (owned by the Lee family). New Zealand's Hunter and Forrest houses have Irish ties through Ernie Hunter's Belfast roots and Brigid Forrest's Cork connection.
This story of a piece of the Irish diaspora has come together at the International Museum of Wine housed in Desmond Castle, Kinsale, Co. Cork. Even if you can't pay a visit, consider searching out a bottle from one of the Wine Geese the next time you're ready to uncork a bottle. It might bring some history to mind.
Coleen, you seem like a nice Catholic Woman. Sadly, I must say ANATHEMA SIT
I have Emailed the Pope about your perfidy.