Wine review: Rouge de Carsin Suomi Finland 100 2014

6 03 2017

Finland’s big year 2017

Finland became an independent state on 6 December 1917. The newly born state was willed into being by the Finns after a long struggle. In spite of hard times, the Finnish people have for almost a hundred years engaged in the building of their country and making decisions together. Now the Finns are leading their country into a new century with courage and determination.

The centenary of Finland’s independence in 2017 will be the most significant commemorative year for this generation of Finns. The centenary emphasises Finland’s strengths, such as equality and democracy by offering Finns and friends of Finland diverse and international centenary programme in Finland and abroad. The centenary year provides opportunities to better understand the past, experience the jubilee together and set the course for Finland’s future success.

The official Finland 100 corporate partners, products and services and the centenary projects of different companies. When it comes to wines, Chateau Carsin from Bordeaux, France is the one of the 2 partners.

In early 1990, Château Carsin was purchased by Finnish wine enthusiasts, the Berglund family. At the same time New World wines were becoming strong in the markets. In order to be competitive, a totally modern winery was ordered from Australia. With that investment winery is able to compete against other French producers.

Winery has used in production traditional Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.

THE LOOK

Suomi Finland 100 logo is on the label as a proof of partnership.

For quite young wine, color is already dark red. When you circulate the glass, wine flows down, as it would do when you observe older wines.

THE NOSE

Bouquet is pleasant, actually quite intense compared to the taste. Spicy with some berries like blackberry.

THE TASTE

Taste reveals that you are having quite young wine in your hands. Medium-bodied with soft tannins.

Facts:

Alcohol:	13,5% by volume

Acidity:	5,1 g/l
Energy:	80 kcal/100 ml


Closure:	natural cork

There is also white wine, Blanc de Carsin 2015, available. As a friend of red wines, might not have time to taste it.

Suomi Finland wines are of course marketed in Finland, but if you find them somewhere else, please let me know.

REVIEW: OVERALL GRADE 4/5 – BANG FOR THE BUCK ++ / +++

http://carsin.com/suomi100/

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Tags: Chateau Carsin, Finland100, Rouge de Carsin Suomi Finland 100 2014, SuomiFinland100
Categories : Fine Dining at Home, Food, Food and Wine, Helsinki, Home Cuisine, Wine, Wine review

Wine review: Farnito Camponibbio 2009

10 02 2017

In 1967, Giovanni Carlo Sacchet and Antonio Mario Zaccheo set out to interesting wine and produce a Chianti Classico that it would gain international renown. Carpineto wines are the result of advanced scientific and enological processes and techniques which respect the territorial integrity of the land. Over 95% of the Carpineto production is of red wines, the majorityof which are wines which age 3+ years before reaching the market for sale, with current figures at over 3 million bottles of wine being sold yearly.

“Camponibbio” is a Vineyard located in the southern part of our Vino Nobile estate, just outside the town of Chianciano Terme, Siena. This vineyard is subdivided into various plots, each with its own grape varietal, clone and rootstock that best match the varying soil types. During each harvest winery selects the fruit from the best performing vineyard plots, given the weather conditions of that vintage. The grape composition of each vintage, therefore, is made of varying percentages of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and even Merlot, which is not mentioned on the back label of the bottle.

THE LOOK

Style of label is old and it has kind of map of wineyard.

Color of the wine is intense, deep, ruby red with garnet highlights. Vintage 2009 does not yet provide hints of brownish color.

THE NOSE

First light but later intense, found plums, berries and liquorice. After letting the wine breath, could also find light stable and cigar box.

THE TASTE

Bold, yet balanced and elegant.

Facts:

Alcohol:	13,5% by volume
Extract:	40 g/l
Acidity:	5,5 g/l
Energy:	90 kcal/100 ml


Closure:	natural cork

It is recommended to decant the wine, then you can really enjoy the flavors and bouquet.

REVIEW: OVERALL GRADE 4/5 – BANG FOR THE BUCK ++ / +++

http://www.carpineto.com/the-winery/?lang=en

Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: Camponibbio, Carbineto, Farnito, Italy, Toscana
Categories : Fine Dining at Home, Food and Wine, Helsinki, Home Cuisine, Wine, Wine review

Wine review: Amarone della Valpolicella di Sartori 2011

24 12 2016

Amarone of the month, Amarone della Valpolicella di Sartori 2011. Can not avoid buying Amarone, when it is Christmas.

Wineyard’s history goes back to 1898 when Pietro Sartori bought his first vineyard in Negrar. Nowadays Sartori’s success is in large part due to its international efforts, which represent over 80% of its sales in over 50 countries: throughout Europe like Finland, in North and South America, in Russia, in South East Asia. The labels on which the company is now focusing on are Regolo Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso DOC and Marani Bianco Veronese IGT. This makes me wonder, if Amarone is worth to try.

Grapes used in production are 50% Corvina Veronese, 40% Rondinella and 10% Molinara.

THE LOOK

Most Amarone bottle labes are modest without too much colors like Sartori

Intense red colour

THE NOSE

First feeling was coffee chololate. When you rotate the glass, you find typical aroma with hints of red fruit jam and spicy finish

THE TASTE

Also first taste is kind of coffee chocolate, which I have not recognized from other Amarones tasted. If you have tasted this wine, did you find the same aroma and taste?

Wine does not taste as sweet as many others, but it has same full bodines, of course.

Facts:

Alcohol:	15% by volume
Sugar:	9 g/l
Acids:	5,5 g/l
Energy:	90 kcal/100 ml
Extract:	39 g/l

Closure:	natural cork

Amarone della Valpolicella di Sartori 2011 is nuanced, developed and pairs well will rustic meat dishes It paires also with cheeses, like Comte as well as Castello blue and white cheeses, which were as desserts on Christmas table.

Amarone is always wine you can trust, if you like to enjoy something else than red water.

REVIEW: OVERALL GRADE 4-/5 – BANG FOR THE BUCK ++ / +++

http://www.sartorinet.com/en/

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Tags: Amarone, Amarone della Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella di Sartori 2011, Italy, Sartori
Categories : Fine Dining at Home, Food, Food and Wine, Helsinki, Home Cuisine, Wine, Wine review

Wine review: Amarone della Valpolicella di Emilia 2013

10 10 2016

The Winery Cantina Valpantena Verona has been in business since 1958 and was established by several Verona wine growers as a cooperative and now has approximately 250 members farms that cultivate a total of approximately 750 hectares of vineyards, all included in the controlled origin brand areas in the Verona hillsides territory. These members were joined, in July 2003 after merger with the ‘Oleificio delle Colline Veronesi’, by another 150 farmer producing olive oil. This gave live to a new oil and wine business in Valpantena.

Grapes used in production are Corvina Veronese, Rondinella and Cabernet Sauvignon

THE LOOK

Most Amarone bottle labes are modest without too much colors. di Emilia is one of the most modest.

Color of wine is dark red with hints of brown although wine is still quite young, 2013.

THE NOSE

Typical Amarone; intense, sweet and quite strong bouquet. However, one might find hints of stable aroma which might come from the mixture of grapes and oak barrels.

THE TASTE

Full-bodied and warm, soft tannins. Fig, plum and dark cherry can be found as flavors. Long and soft aftertaste without any disturbance

Facts:

Alcohol:	14,5% by volume
Extract:	40 g/l
Acidity:	5,6 g/l
Energy:	100 kcal/100 ml (400 kJ/100 ml)


Closure:	natural cork

Amarone della Valpolicella di Emilia 2013 is not the most known Amarone, at least for me. But after this tasting it became one of the favourites.

Compared to many other Amarones, price is very attractive. So with this wine you can replace many of the similarly priced more typical red meat or game dishes.

REVIEW: OVERALL GRADE 4,5/5 – BANG FOR THE BUCK +++ / +++

http://www.cantinavalpantena.it/index.asp?Lingua=2

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Tags: Amarone, Amarone della Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella di Emilia, Italy
Categories : Fine Dining at Home, Food, Food and Wine, Helsinki, Home Cuisine, Wine, Wine review

Wine review: Chill Out – Soft & Vibrant Merlot

9 03 2016

Chill Out wines are a range of wines by Finnish beverage company Altia. Wines come from Europe, Australia and South-Africa and then they are bottled by Altia. Product range contains red, white, rose and sparkling wines. Even ecological and alcohol-free wines include in sortiment.

BUT, all wines are in plastic bottles or bags!

Chill out merlot - reijosfood.com

THE LOOK

Plastic bottle is light but it feels quite odd in hand because of the weight.

As wine is young it is also quite pale red for Merlot grapes.

THE NOSE

Modest bouquet, hardly can recognize otherwise so spicy Merlot.

THE TASTE

Taste is as weak as aroma. Merlot wine usually “kick” a little bit but this one was without character. On the other hand easy to drink if you do not like full-bodied wines.

Facts:

Alcohol:	14,5% by volume
Extract:	31 g/l
Acidity:	5 g/l
Energy:	90 kcal/100 ml (380 kJ/100 ml)


Closure:	Plastic cork

Chill Out wines must target younger consumers but also those who sail, visit festivals or camp. Light weigh makes it easy to take more bottles with you. And bottle is still recyclable.

Maybe wines should be enjoyed from plastic glasses to maximize bouquet and taste? Real wine glass is not optimal choice, prefer food glass instead.

When price of the wine at Alko is about 7€, it is one of the cheapest wines there.

REVIEW: OVERALL GRADE 2/5 – BANG FOR THE BUCK +++ / +++

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Tags: Chill out wines, merlot, Spanish wine
Categories : Fine Dining at Home, Food, Food and Wine, Helsinki, Home Cuisine, Travel, Wine, Wine review

Wine review: Best mulled wines 2015

12 12 2015

Mulled wines (Glögi or Hehkuviini in Finnish) are really popular in Finland during Christmas time. They can be purchased at Alko’s already at the end of October. As the assortment of mulled wines is quite wide it is important to select right ones. Many of the mulled wines at Alko are too sweet, too strong or strangely flavored.

So, here is a selection of TOP3 best mulled wines available at Alko: Perinteinen Punaviiniglögi, Hehkuviini and Rauschgoldengel Organic Glühwein (1 litre bottle!)

What is odd that first two come from Denmark, which seems to be THE country of mulled wines, if conclusion is based on Alko selection. So, most of the mulled wines are not made in Finland. As a matter in fact, most of them are imported or specially manufactured for Alko and bottled in Finland.

Gluhwein comes from Germany, of course. Very popular drink with several producers in Central Europe, but only one brand to be chosen in Finland.

THE LOOK

The labels of Danish mulled wine bottles look similar, same red ground and golden decorations. Organic gluhwein label is not so flashy, nice winter picture on it.

Hehkuviini is a little bit darker red than Perinteinen Punaviiniglögi. Gluhwine is even more lighter than Punaviiniglögi.

However, the difference of the look of mulled wines is usually negligible.

THE NOSE

The aroma of Perinteinen Punaviiniglögi is softer due to amount of less alcohol. Clove dominates but not disturbingly.

Hehkuviini smells like raisin and Christmas spices but alcohol tries to come up. The scent of both wines is christmassy, which is most important savor of mulled wines.

Gluhwein bouquet is nice, not too much alcohol which makes sniffing more pleasant.

THE TASTE

You can find cardamon form Perinteinen Punaviiniglögi. Taste is well balanced and spices are in harmony.

In Hehkuviini mostly you can taste almond and gingerbread. As it has more alcohol that can also be noticed. Quite a lot calories too…..

Gluhwein tasted much better than last years version. Balanced spiced taste and tempranillo grapes made this drink winner of the year. And most of all, it is not too sweet.

Facts:

……………Gluhwein………….Punaviiniglögi……………..Hehkuviini
Alcohol:   10.00 %                       13.00%                           22.00% (be careful!)
Extract:   105 g/l                          120 g/l                           170 g/l
Acidity:    4.9 g/l                           5.7 g/l                            4.7 g/l
Sugar:     85 g/l                             95 g/l                             150 g/l
Energy:   100 kcal / 100 ml 120 kcal / 100 ml 190 kcal / 100 ml

Mulled wines are part of Christmas time, at least in Finland. It is a pity that Alko does not provide wider selection of Gluhweins, only one choice available but fortunately excellent. Gluhweins are quite close to mulled wines, but not so sweet.

One option is to buy low-alcohol mulled wines from super markets, but then you also to need to know which ones to pick. Most of them are actually juices.

REVIEWS:

Perinteinen Punaviini: OVERALL GRADE 4,5/5 – BANG FOR THE BUCK +++/+++

Hehkuviini: OVERALL GRADE 4/5 – BANG FOR THE BUCK ++/+++ (little bit too strong)

Gluhwein: OVERALL GRADE 5-/5 – BANG FOR THE BUCK +++/+++

Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: Alko, Finland, glögg, Glögi, Gluhwine, Mulled wine, Wine
Categories : Fine Dining at Home, Food, Food and Wine, Helsinki, recipe, Recipes, Travel, Wine, Wine review

Wine review: Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau and Doudet-Naudin Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau (2015)

20 11 2015

Beaujolais Nouveau 2015

Beaujolais Nouveau is a red wine made from Gamay grapes produced in the Beaujolais region of France. Wine is released for sale on the third Thursday of November. “Beaujolais Nouveau Day” used to see heavy marketing, with races to get the first bottles to different markets around the globe.

The current release practice is to ship the wine ahead of the third Thursday of November, and release it to the local markets at 00.01 AM local time. In Finland Alko, monopoly company selling wines and alcohol, starts selling these wines at 09.00 on Thursday 19th November.

Luckily 2015 we are able to taste 2 different wines, both cost to consumers less than 10€ in Alko.

These wines are Doudet-Naudin Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau and Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau. Georges Duboeuf wine was for also for sale last year, but Doudet-Naudin is new. One specific feature differentiates these wines from the previous vintages, amount of alcohol >13%!!!

BN2015

THE LOOK

Bottle: Label of Georges Duboeuf follows colorful and joyful trend but Doudet-Naudin does not look traditional Beaujolais Nouveau style with black background.

Wine: Both wines are almost violet, blue-reddish as young wines always are.

THE NOSE

Fruity, even sweet aroma especially when using tasting glass. Cherry, rasberry and fruit candy scent came in to the nose from both wines.

It seems that Doudet-Naidin has more deep bouquet.

THE TASTE

Medium-bodied, young, light fruity wines. Berries (cherry, cranberry) dominate, but on the other hand taste is light. Aroma is more convenient than taste, but with unspiced food and pizzas, both wines pair well.

Doudet-Naudin felt softer because less acidity, but extra 0,5% in strongness made this wine my favourite.

Facts:

                      Georges Duboeuf                                                  Doudet-Naidin
Alcohol:        13,00 %                                                           13,50 %
Extract:        30 g/l                                                               27 g/l
Acidity:         6,1 g/l                                                              5,7 g/l
Energy:         80 kcal / 100 ml (320 kJ / 100 ml)          90 kcal / 100 ml (360 kJ / 100 ml)

Alko has imported 50.000 bottles alltogether of these wines. Let’s see is they are finished before Christmas.

REVIEW:

Georges Duboeuf OVERALL GRADE 4-/5 – BANG FOR THE BUCK ++/+++

Doudet-Naidin OVERALL GRADE 4/5 – BANG FOR THE BUCK ++/+++

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Tags: Beaujolais Nouveau, Beaujolais region of France, Doudet-NaudinBeaujolais-VillagesNouveau, Finland, Georges Duboeuf, Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau
Categories : Fine Dining at Home, Food, Food and Wine, Travel, Wine, Wine review

Traditional Finnish crayfish party – re-post

21 07 2015

As Crayfish season starts again on the 21st of July, 2015, reminder for those who participate crayfish party first time.

Crayfish season in Finland is always from 21st of July until 31st of October. There are two species available, crayfish and signal crayfish. Origins of crayfish are in Finland but signal crayfish was imported from U.S.A in 1960’s. Crayfish is less common than signal crayfish and therefore more expensive. You can of course dine at restaurants offering crayfish menu’s, but more convenient is to enjoy them at home and hopefully outdoors.

1) DRINKS (most important after crayfish itselves)

First thing; make sure there is sufficient amount of drinks for the whole meal. You must have schnapps available, which can be Finnish vodka or Swedish aquavit. Then you must decide if champagne, white wine (recommend riesling) or beer suits best depending on your taste. And of course mineral or mountain spring waters must be available. But remember that all bottles on the table and in the fridge are not meant to be drank in a hurry. As crayfish dinner takes about 3-5 hours, be careful!

2) TABLE-SETTING AND OTHER CRAYFISH TAT

Pictures of crayfish must be everywhere; in serviettes, tablecloth, plates, crayfish bib…etc . Even lanterns must include crayfish figures.

Eating crayfish requires specific knife in order to deal with claws. Otherwise they are eaten with the hands/fingers.

3) PROTECTION FROM SPLASHES

Crayfish bibs are usually made from disposable material, but you can of course make long-term investment or get them as a gift. And make sure bib is enough long to extend up to the knees. If it is too short, you will notice it afterwards.

4) AMOUNT OF CRAYFISH

To eat only crayfish the entire course of the meal is rare. It takes so long time to eat them, that you become hungry again during the dinner, so it is usual to eat crayfish as a starter. Thefore reserve about 7-10 crayfish for each diner and you are ready to float in the atmosphere. But if you decide to eat only crayfish, 20 is the minimum amount.

5) CRAYFISH SONGS

If you do not like to sing, after couple of vodka’s you might anyway be the loudest singer. Songs are short but funny, most famous is Swedish song: “Helan går”

If you are not sure how to eat crayfish, just google “How to eat crayfish” and you find several videos.

Then, it is crayfish party time!

Comments : 4 Comments »
Tags: beer, crayfish, Crayfish party, finnish vodka, Helan går, Rapujuhla, schnapps, vodka, white wine
Categories : Champagne, Fine Dining at Home, Food, Food and Wine, Helsinki, Home Cuisine, Travel, Wine

Wine review: Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2010

7 07 2015

The Zenato vineyards cover 75 hectares in the Zenato estate of S. Cristina in San Benedetto di Lugana, ideal for the Trebbiano di Lugana, and in the Costalunga estate in Valpolicella, the homeland of the famous Amarone Zenato.

Produced in Costalunga Estate, in the classical area of Valpolicella, a land well known for its wine and food culture, after a manual selection, the 80% Corvina, 10% Rondinella and 10% Oseleta grapes are left to rest in small boxes and then pressed to create a wine of undoubted quality with great complexity that gets better with age.

Tasted vintage 2010 which is maybe the youngest wine to try from Zenato Amarone red wines.

THE LOOK

Most Amarone bottles are modest without too much colors on the label or size of the bottle. Zenato is one of the most modest.

Color of wine is dark red with hints of brown color although wine is still quite young

THE NOSE

Typical Amarone, intense and strong bouquet. Be careful in sniffing as amount of alcohol might surprise you.

THE TASTE

Full-bodied and warm. Fig, plum and dark cherry can be found as flavors. Long aftertaste.

Facts:

Alcohol:	16,5% by volume
Extract:	45 g/l
Acidity:	6 g/l
Energy:	110 kcal/100 ml (460 kJ/100 ml)


Closure:	natural cork

Tasted Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2010 first as such. The wine suits well for enjoying also that way, but the you must like stronger and sweeter red wines. And with giant Riedel glass you really get best out of wine.

With Antipasti flavor even improved. Salty Italian ham and rocket salad paired extremely well with a little bit sweet wine. With red meat I would enjoy more “rough” wine than Amarone, but as friend of this wine type would not leave it to drink, if served 🙂

REVIEW: OVERALL GRADE 4,5/5 – BANG FOR THE BUCK +++ / +++

Zenato Winery.

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Tags: Amarone, Amarone della Valpolicella, Italian cuisine, Riedel, Zenato
Categories : Fine Dining at Home, Food, Food and Wine, Helsinki, Home Cuisine, Wine, Wine review

Wine review: Vina Real Oro Reserva 2009

25 06 2015

The Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España (CVNE) is a family winery which was founded in 1879. The Viña Real winery of CVNE is located on the “Cerro de la Mesa” hill, Rioja Alavesa.

The Viña Real wines were first launched in 1920, made from grapes from the Rioja Alavesa area. Since then, these wines have typically been named as ‘Plata’ (Crianza), ‘Oro’ (Reserva), and Gran Reserva.

Tasted wine was Vina Real Oro Reserva 2009, which costs in Alko 23,20€ making it obviously upper shelf wine. Wine is produced from 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano, Grenache and Mazuel grapes. The wine is fermented in stainless steel vats and matured for 22 months in new oak barriques with racking every 4 months

THE LOOK

The bottle is Burgundy type which is not so typical for Spanis wines.

Color of wine is dark red with hints of brown color due to age.

THE NOSE

Full of typical Rioja intense aromas, pleasant and balance bouquet.

THE TASTE

Medium-bodied, velvety. Oak barrels have provided some depth to the flavor.

Facts:

Alcohol:	13,5% by volume
Extract:	31 g/l
Acidity:	5,5 g/l
Energy:	90 kcal/100 ml (370 kJ/100 ml)


Closure:	natural cork

“Gran reserva = matured for a long time, more than 3 years and in addition to a couple of years in the bottle. Reserva = aged 2-3 years and in addition to one year in the bottle“

Tasted Vina Real Oro first as such, which was really pleasant tasting. And with giant Riedel glass enjoyment is even better.

With Fillet beef and Caesar salad flavor even improved. Red wine I could enjoy the whole winter, if it would be winter now. Therefore can recommend also in the summer!

REVIEW: OVERALL GRADE 4+/5 – BANG FOR THE BUCK +++ / +++

Bodega – Viña Real – Vino.

Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: CVNE, Riedel, Rioja, Spanish red wine, Spanish wine, tempranillo, Vina Real, Vina Real Oro
Categories : Fine Dining at Home, Food, Food and Wine, Helsinki, Home Cuisine, Wine, Wine review

Wine review: Baron de Ley Reserva 2010

14 05 2015

Baron De Ley is a relatively new producer in Rioja. Started in 1985 by Rioja wine professional eager to create a chateau inspired winery with state-of the-art winemaking. They converted an ancient monastery into a magnificent estate and have been producing Rioja wines that reflect a modern style, expressive of the terroir and the Tempranillo grape.

Tasted wine was Baron de Ley Reserva 2010. Red wine is produced 100% of Tempranillo grapes. After 20 months ageing in new American-oak casks, a further 24 months rounding off in the bottle has brought it to its moment of plenitude.

THE LOOK

Ruby-red colour, typical better Spanish red wine

THE NOSE

Powerful fruity character mingling with reminders of its ageing, nice bouquet

THE TASTE

First impression is soft, but volume gradually extends across the palate to end with a long finish. Included tannins but disturbingly

Facts:

Alcohol:	13,5%
Extract:	27 g/l
Acidity:	5 g/l
Energy:	90 kcal/100 ml (360 kJ/100 ml)


Closure:	natural cork

“Gran reserva = matured for a long time, more than 3 years and in addition to a couple of years in the bottle. Reserva = aged 2-3 years and in addition to one year in the bottle“

Enjoyed wine first as such and then with 1st of May food. Paired extremely well with chicken and spiced lamb sausages. Suits definately with red meats as there is enough taste.

REVIEW: OVERALL GRADE 4+/5 – BANG FOR THE BUCK +++ / +++

Barón de Ley. A Rioja wine cellar in an old monastery.

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Tags: Baron de Ley, red wine, Rioja, Spanish red wine, Spanish wine, tempranillo
Categories : Fine Dining at Home, Food, Food and Wine, Helsinki, Home Cuisine, Travel, Wine, Wine review

Wine review: Faustino I

18 04 2015

Faustino I

Bodegas Faustino is located in Oyon – Álava in Rioja, Spain. It enjoys a well-deserved international reputation after more than 150 years of experience in the production and aging of premium wines. The winery has 650 hectares of vineyards in the heart of Rioja Alavesa, between Laguardia and Oyón villages (in the North of Spain). The fourth generation family business, has become a leader in the production and exportation of high quality wines.

The names of Bodegas Faustino wines are simple, just Faustino and something and usually something is number. The smaller the number, the better the wine should be. Winery produces red, white, rose and cava wines.

Tasted wine was Faustino I Gran Reserva 2001, which costs in Alko 24,90€ making it obviously upper shelf wine. Wine is produced from Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo grapes. I means that it should be the best of this Faustino red wine series.

THE LOOK

All Faustino bottle lables have same style and all Faustino red wine bottle labels have some traditional figure on them.

Faustino I 2001 was dark red but although it had some age already, no brownish color.

THE NOSE

Pleasant and rich aroma without surprises.

THE TASTE

Medium-bodied, aromatic but somehow lackluster flavor. Expected a little bit more after reading some of the tasting notes from professional wine sites.

Facts:

Alcohol:	13,5% by volume
Extract:	26 g/l
Acidity:	6,1 g/l
Energy:	90 kcal/100 ml (380 kJ/100 ml)


Closure:	natural cork

“Gran reserva = matured for a long time, more than 3 years and in addition to a couple of years in the bottle. Reserva = aged 2-3 years and in addition to one year in the bottle“

Tasted Faustino I first as such and that gave an impression of little bit lackluster flavor. To be honest this wine has not enough boost for red meats. But with blue cheese it paired extremely well.

Therefore recommend to enjoy Faustino I, at least 2001, with white meats, game birds and cheeses. Cheers!

REVIEW: OVERALL GRADE 3+/5 – BANG FOR THE BUCK ++ / +++

Bodegas Faustino Rioja wine.

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Tags: Bodegas Faustino, Faustino, Faustino I, Rioja, Spanish red wine, Spanish wine, tempranillo
Categories : Fine Dining at Home, Food, Food and Wine, Helsinki, Home Cuisine, Travel, Wine, Wine review

Wine review: Leindl Irrbling Riesling Reserve 2013

29 03 2015

What, again riesling….?! Yes, because at the moment think it is THE best white wine grape.

The Austrian winery Leindl is a young company from Zöbing in Kamptal. The main focus is on grapes Grüner Veltliner and Riesling, Muscat, Burgundy and Zweigelt and Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and St. Laurent.

Tasted wine, Leindl Irrbling Riesling Reserve 2013, has been maturated 9 months in stainless steel tanks, and on top of that 3 months in bottles. Most of riesling wines get some flavor from oak barrels, which usually improves the taste. I have tasted really “hard” steel tank rieslings like Gun Metal, which was not so pleasant experience. However, Leindl’s Irrbling, at least the reserve one, exceeded expectations.

THE LOOK

Pale yellow with some light green apple, no visible acidity.

THE NOSE

Pleasant balanced aroma, nothing disturbed sniffing, not even possible steel metal tank bouquet

THE TASTE

Dry, some minerals but not so much as usually in Austian rieslings. No metal flavor, not too much petrol or acidity. Some might thing, that this is too light for riesling, but I do not.

Facts:

Alcohol:	13,5 by volume
Extract:	25 g/l
Acidity:	6,6 g/l
Energy:	90 kcal/100 ml (360 kJ/100 ml)
Sugar:	5 g/l

This wine is suitable with white fishes and white meats but also good choice for aperitif.

Tasted the wine first as aperitif and then with spicy salad thai style and grilled giant shrimps. For main course had blue halibut with noodles again asian style. Leindl Irrbling Riesling Reserve 2013 paired nicely with both dishes.

Bang for the buck is two plus because wine costs a little bit over 20€ in Alko. Cut few euros and this wine would be bull’s eye.

REVIEW: OVERALL GRADE 4,5/5 – BANG FOR THE BUCK ++ / +++

Weingut Leindl | Wir verbinden Tradition & Innovation.

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Tags: Austrian wine, Finland, Leindl, Leindl Irrbling Riesling Reserve 2013, riesling, riesling wines, Wine
Categories : Fine Dining at Home, Food, Food and Wine, Helsinki, Home Cuisine, Wine, Wine review

Wine review: Dominio de Tares Cepas Viejas Mencía 2011

1 02 2015

I have been lazy that I have not been written about wines tasted and enjoyed. This will change 2015!

I was planning to purchase Spanish red wine for lamb and original intention was to buy Aalto wine. Nearby Alko did not had it, so decided to try full-bodied Dominio de Tares Cepas Viejas Mencía 2011. Wine is produced from Mencia grapes at Dominio de Tares bodega. Actually all that info is in the name of wine :). I can not remember that I have tasted before wine produced from Mencia, but I can be wrong. Mencia is not so common as many other Spanish grapes like Tempranillo.

Dominio de Tares is located in the region of El Bierzo (León) and settled in an exceptional area surrounded by high quality vineyards. Also main area for Mencia. The vineyard, with indigenous varieties mencía and godello, has been selected after an exahustive search of the best pagos under de D.O. Bierzo, by looking for the most interesting soils and settlements.

******************************************************************************************************************************
THE LOOK

Cherry red colour with violet tones on the rim. WIne is darker than Pinot Noir which is usually benchmark for Mencia when it comes to color.

THE NOSE

Powerful nose of intense fruity aromas of raspberries and cherries, as well as flowery hints of violets in perfect combination with oak spices and fragrances of liquorice.

THE TASTE

Nuanced and developed. Boysen berries, spicy and warm. The tannins are firm, but well integrated, the acidity is lively. Amount of alcohol can be just regognized.

Facts:

Alcohol:	14,5%
Extract:	32 g/l
Acidity:	5 g/l
Energy:	90 kcal/100 ml (390 kJ/100 ml)

Wine is excellent and especially paired perfectly well with overcooked lamb shank. Wine can be found from upper shelf in Alko due to price, but it is worth of it.

REVIEW: OVERALL GRADE 4,5/5 – BANG FOR THE BUCK +++ / +++

Home – Dominio de Tares.

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Tags: Dominio de Tares, Dominio de Tares Cepas Viejas Mencía 2011, Mencia, red wine, Spanish wine
Categories : Fine Dining at Home, Food, Food and Wine, Helsinki, recipe, Recipes, Wine, Wine review

Wine review: Best mulled wines 2014

18 12 2014

Mulled wines

First two important questions: Is mulled wine a wine at all? Are mulled wines available in your country or is there some other Christmas drink more popular?

So, we have picked three best mulled wines available at Alko: Perinteinen Punaviiniglögi, Hehkuviini and Rauschgoldengel Organic Glühwein (1 litre bottle!)

Gluhwein comes from Germany, of course. Very popular drink with several producers in Central Europe, but only one brand to be chosen in Finland.

THE LOOK

The labels of Danish mulled wine bottles look similar, same red ground and golden decorations. Organic gluhwein label is not so flashy, nice winter picture on it.

Hehkuviini is a little bit darker red than Perinteinen Punaviiniglögi. Gluhwine is even more lighter than Punaviiniglögi.

However, the difference of the look of mulled wines is usually negligible.

THE NOSE

The aroma of Perinteinen Punaviiniglögi is softer due to amount of less alcohol. Clove dominates but not disturbingly.

Hehkuviini smells like raisin and Christmas spices but alcohol tries to come up. The scent of both wines is christmassy, which is most important savor of mulled wines.

Gluhwein bouquet is nice, not too much alcohol which makes sniffing more pleasant.

THE TASTE

You can find cardamon form Perinteinen Punaviiniglögi. Taste is well balanced and spices are in harmony.

In Hehkuviini mostly you can taste almond and gingerbread. As it has more alcohol that can also be noticed. Quite a lot calories too…..

Gluhwein tasted much better than last years version. Balanced spiced taste and tempranillo grapes made this drink winner of the year. And most of all, it is not too sweet.

Facts:

……………Gluhwein………….Punaviiniglögi…..Hehkuviini
Alcohol:   10.00 %                 13.00%                  22.00%
Extract:   105 g/l                   120 g/l                   170 g/l
Acidity:    4.9 g/l                    5.7 g/l                    4.7 g/l
Sugar:     85 g/l                     95 g/l                    150 g/l
Energy:   100 kcal / 100 ml 120 kcal / 100 ml 190 kcal / 100 ml

One option is to buy low-alcohol mulled wines from super markets, but then you also to need to know which ones to pick. Most of them are actually juices.

REVIEWS:

Perinteinen Punaviini: OVERALL GRADE 4,5/5 – BANG FOR THE BUCK +++/+++

Hehkuviini: OVERALL GRADE 4/5 – BANG FOR THE BUCK ++/+++

Gluhwein: OVERALL GRADE 5-/5 – BANG FOR THE BUCK +++/+++

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Tags: Alko, Finland, Glögi, Gluhwine, Mulled wine, Wine
Categories : Fine Dining at Home, Food, Food and Wine, Helsinki, Travel, Wine, Wine review

Reijosfood

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