Wine review: Brangelina rose – Château Miraval Côtes de Provence rosé

30 08 2014

Miraval is the new wine business venture of actor and actresses Brad Pitt with Angelina Jolie in association with the famous Perrin family of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The first 6,000-bottle run sold out within five hours. And hullabaloo continued when Wine Spectator ranked Château Miraval Côtes de Provence rosé as best rose wine 2013.

Grapes used in production are Cinsault, Grenache, Rolle and Syrah. Quite extraordinary combination, wine would not look like rose without Syrah.

We were able to taste this “jewel” at restaurant Demo, as it was one of the wines paired with foods in the menu. With reindeer and beetroot this rose wine matched well because portion was partly salty and partly sweet. I was wondering, if red wine would have suited better, but maybe not because of sweetness of beetroot.

THE LOOK

Looking at the packaging, it looks basically champagne bottle, close to Ruinart which was previously tasted

The color is kind of like fluorescent, light pale pink. If you would see this without knowing which wine is concerned, you might think that someone has added water to red wine

THE NOSE

Wild strawberries and/or raspberry, more like a mild candy

THE TASTE

Fresh fruits aromas, a refreshing acidity but palate is mild compared to most rose wines

Facts:

Alcohol:	13.00 %
Extract:	21 g/l
Acidity:	5.4 g/l
Energy:	80 kcal / 100 ml (340 kJ / 100 ml)

Would I buy this wine, if it would happen to appear in our Alko. Perhaps yes, because I did not first believe, that it would suit for reindeer. But this is summer wine and in the winter would prefer stronger rose.

Actually you can buy it from Alko Arkadia; there are still some bottles left from 120 batch Alko had purchased.

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

Miraval Provence

All Lists of Top 100 Wines | Top 100 of 2013 | Wine Spectator

Comments : 6 Comments »
Tags: Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Brangelina, Château Miraval, Château Miraval Côtes de Provence rosé, Rose, rose wine, Wine, Wine Spectator
Categories : Food and Wine, Helsinki, Restaurant, Wine, Wine review

Wine review: Champagne Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Brut

28 08 2014

The Ruinart House was officially created on 1st September 1729 by Nicolas Ruinart, which makes the company oldest established champagne house. The Chardonnay illuminates wines, exalting their brilliance and creating the particular fluidity that makes them so distinctive. Today house is owned by the parent company LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA.

Ruinart Blanc de Blancs is produced from a blend of 100% premiers crus Chardonnay grapes from the best of recent vintages. Grapes from the estate vineyards in Sillery and Brimont are joined by carefully selected grapes from other premiers crus vineyards in the Côte de Blancs and the Montagne de Reims.

THE LOOK

The design of the bottle is elegant and it is sold in stylish box

Champagne shows a superb, golden yellow color but in the bottle it is more yellow than in the glass. Small bubbles in straight strip raise from the bottom of glass continuously

THE NOSE

The nose is clean and light without any disturbing side scents. 100 % Chardonnay guarantees neutrality

THE TASTE

On the palate the wine is very supple and harmonious, with notes of honey and minerals on the long, sustained finish. One of the most pure champagne tastes

Facts:

Alcohol:	12.50 %
Extract:	33 g/l
Acidity:	4.9 g/l
Sugar:	8 g/l
Energy:	80 kcal / 100 ml (350 kJ / 100 ml)

Although Ruinart Blanc de Blancs is NV, it is not basic champagne. It is more expensive due to the chardonnay grapes and whole concept is luxorious including shape of the bottle and package.

Wine suits well for special occasions, to be enjoyed as such. Ruinart pairs with white fishes, shellfish and mildly flavored food. As taste is so delicate, it would be waste to try it with spicy cookings. Excellent champagne, worth to taste and enjoy.

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

Ruinart, Wines and Spirits, premium wines – LVMH.

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Tags: Blanc De Blancs, Champagne, Champagne Ruinart Blanc de Blancs, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, Ruinart, Ruinart House, sparkling wine
Categories : Champagne, Food and Wine, Helsinki, Home Cuisine, Wine, Wine review

Wine review: Anna de Codorniu Brut Blanc de Blancs

30 07 2014

Anna de Codorníu is the flagship cava of Codorniu bodega and was the first to incorporate the Chardonnay variety in its blend as early as 1984. Delicate, elegant and fresh, this is the best tribute to the last person in the Codorníu family to use the family surname.

The Anna range is a collection of fresh, elegant and delicate cavas with a unique personality. Blanc de Blancs was introduced in October 2013 and it obviously tries to compete against Moet & Chandon and Lanson with their “white” champagnes. Similar set of white coolers and glasses supplements the package. One big difference is that Anna is dry (brut) trying not to tempt customers favoring sweeter bubbling wines. And it is Cava, not Champagne.

Blanc de Blancs should include only Chardonnay grapes, as far as I know? Anna has 70% Chardonnay, 15% Parellada and 15% Xarello, Macabeo. Is it then Blanc de Blancs?

THE LOOK

White bottle is refreshing for cava and suits especially for summer time enjoyments.

Wine is more yellow than Cavas usually are.

Anna is cava with a fine and persistent bubbles that forms a continuous string of tiny bubbles. But bubbles dissappeared quite quickly.

THE NOSE

Full of citrus and tropical fruit notes. Funny, but first time could really find some bouquet of toast.

THE TASTE

Soft and balanced without disruptive flavors. 70% Chardonnay is the reason for all of this.

Facts:

Alcohol 11,5%, Sugar 8 g/l

Wine suits for aperitif and pairs with almost every food. However, would not choose it for red meats but for chicken and pork definately.

Bottle tasted was bought from cruise ship between Helsinki and Tallinn. Therefore it was really affordable and earns 3 plus marks.

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

Annas Blanc de Blancs | Anna de Codorníu.

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Tags: Anna, Anna de Codorniu Blanc de Blancs, Blanc De Blancs, cava, Champagne, sparkling wine, Wine review
Categories : Champagne, Food and Wine, Wine, Wine review

Wine review: Verrocchio Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso 2012 – wrong vintage

18 07 2014

If you want to buy wines in Finland you have to go to Alko, which is monopoly company owned by Finnish government. Nowadays you can utilize web shops, if you pay Finnish alcohol tax for your purchases.

When visiting Alko I usually read carefully what is written on the labels explaining if the wine is dry, full-bodied and so on. I chose Italian red wine Verrocchio Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso 2012 partly based on the information of it’s label on wine cabinet. This visit was about 2 months ago.

The label said that wine should have medium tannins. I am not a fan of wines which include too much tannins because they are just too “hard” to be enjoyed. But information on the label was based on vintage 2011 and purchased wine had changed to 2012. On the label there was nothing about vintage. Because of amount of tannins had to check what Alko said on their web Pages about the wine. Same story from year 2011!

When checking again few days ago, vintage had been changed to 2012 at Alko web page. But still story about medium tannins…..

Wine is made from grapes Corvina and Rondinella. Typical Ripasso grapes.

THE LOOK

Dark red, some hints of brown color.

THE NOSE

Ripasso type, but you can already notice the tannins.

THE TASTE

For me, lot’s of tannins, full-bodied, dark berries, warm.

Facts:

Alcohol: 13,50 %
Extract: 36 g/l
Acidity: 5,3 g/l
Sugar: 6 g/l
Energy: 90 kcal / 100 ml (370 kJ / 100 ml)

Ripasso, the younger brother or sister of Amarone, is excellent wine for every ocation. Suits for all meats and of course with Italian food.

Unfortunately misleading (old) information did not make this tasting as pleasant as it could be. Therefore only 3,5. Would like to try vintage 2011 to see if the label at Alko was right about year older Ripasso.

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

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Tags: Alko, Italian wine, red wine, Ripasso, Verrocchio Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso 2011, Wine review
Categories : Food and Wine, Wine, Wine review

Wine review: Best summer rose wines at Alko?

9 07 2014

In Finland, Alko has a monopoly in selling alcohol including wines. There have been some initiatives in order to obtain wines to supermarkets but that is far away from happening. However, Alko has improved a lot it’s wine supply. On the other hand Finnish tax for alcohol drinks does not favor wines instead of strong beverages, which it should.

But this post was about best rose wines at Alko, so let’s move to that topic. Best with questionmark, because there are quite many interesting rose wines at Alko but these two have excellent price quality ratio.

Neiss Pinot Noir Rosé 2013

Grapes: 100% Pinot Noir

THE LOOK

Color with hints of orange-brown looks a little bit fanciful.

THE NOSE

Strawberries, jewing gum Hubba-Bubba came to my mind but scent was not that strong.

THE TASTE

Dry and citrus, very close to the white wines. Threfore, if you do not like rose wines but like white wines, this is the rose for you. Pairs with same foods like white wines.

Tommasi Bardolino Chiaretto Rosé 2013

Grapes: Corvina Veronese, Rondinella, Molinara

THE LOOK

Hints of orange-brown but more close to typical rose than Neiss.

THE NOSE

Light strawberry aroma, hints of fruit alphabet candies, otherwise scent is delicate. More typical rose than Neiss.

THE TASTE

Dry, pleasant, balanced rose type of flavor. Excellent aperitif but suits also with Antipasto, Chicken, pasta and asian cuisine.

Facts:

WINE             Neiss Pinot Noir Tommasi Bardolino Chiaretto
Alcohol:     12.00 %                                           12.00 %
Extract:     33 g/l                                               27 g/l
Acidity:      7.6 g/l                                              6 g/l
Sugar:        9 g/l                                                 8 g/l
Energy:      80 kcal / 100 ml (330 kJ / 100 ml) 80 kcal / 100 ml (320 kJ / 100 ml)

Some might think that there are only two type of wines; white and red. Especially if one has tried not so pleasant-tasting sweet and maybe even too warm rose wine. I find good roses enjoyable. They can be basic rose wines or sparkling ones. Especially rose champagnes might be extremely drinkable. You just have to find right roses. Try these two.

OVERALL GRADE: Neiss 4+/5 – BANG FOR THE BUCK ++(+)/+++

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

Comments : 4 Comments »
Tags: Alko, Neiss Pinot Noir Rose, rose wine, Tommasi Bardolino Chiaretto Rose, Wine review
Categories : Food, Food and Wine, Wine, Wine review

Wine review: Champagne Lanson White Label

6 07 2014

Summer and terrace – combination requires specially designed bottles and unique tastes. Of course bottle must be white and drink include some flavouring.

Specially created by the House of Lanson, Lanson White Label allows you to appreciate the subtlety of champagne combined with all sorts of natural aromas. You should enjoy this champagne with mint-leaves, orange peel, rasberry or with choice of yours preference.

Champagne is dry, not brut, and it is produced from Chardonnay 38%, Pinot Noir 37% and Pinot Meunieur 25% grapes.

Cooler which is designed for this champagne is also must. It works well because cooler cover prevents the ice from melting and small slots on the cover are excellent place to keep aromas. We tried orange peels and mint-leaves.

THE LOOK

White bottle and cooler are solemn combination. Makes champagne even more attractive.

Wine itself is straw-colored with debonair bubbles. Seemed that amount of bubbles diminished too quickly.

THE NOSE

Chardonnay lightens the bouquet and makes it balanced. Found some fruits mostly pear.

Orange peel scent was quite strong so you must be careful when adding it. One or two slices is enough

Mint was too subtle, we had too mild mint leaves, propably.

THE TASTE

Pleasing and fresh flavor, some fruits. You could enjoy this without adding any flavoring.

Again taste of orange peel was stronger but still subtle.

Mint unfortunately did not taste almost at all although we crushed one leave. Mint was from Robbens Lilla Trädgård, try something stronger variety.

Facts:
Alcohol:    12.50 %
Extract:    49 g/l
Acidity:    8.4 g/l
Sugar:      28 g/l
Energy:    90 kcal / 100 ml (370 kJ / 100 ml)

Lanson claims that White Label is the first champagne in the world specially designed for experimenting aromas. If that is the fact Moet & Chandon has ben able to create more ballyhoo two years ago when it launched Ice Imperial. At least for me it is more known champagne with the similar idea. Main differences are that Ice Imperial is semi-dry and you should add ice cubes. And the latter one is maybe the most revolutionary novelty in the world of champagnes.

Can recommend Lanson White Label for summer champagne, if you are not too stuck to brut’s, even without aromas. Champagne would suit for aperitif but also for dessert wine. With peel of orange it resembles one of cocktail, especially if you add too many peels.

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

http://www.lanson.com/white-label/en/home.html

Comments : 5 Comments »
Tags: Champagne, Champagne review, Lanson, Lanson White Label, Moet & Chandon
Categories : Champagne, Fine Dining at Home, Food and Wine, Helsinki, Wine, Wine review

Champagne glasses – does the shape matter?

7 06 2014

Usually we use traditional champagne flute for bubbling drinks but wanted to compare it with different types of champagne glasses. Results can be found below.

Iittala champagne glass (on the left-hand side)

The problem with Iittala champagne “flute” was that it filled mouth with bubbles. Iittala has same design for Essence glass series and although shape of the glasses look impressive, maybe the wine itself has been forgotten from the beginning.

Iittala champagne coupe (on the right-hand side)

The broad surface area allows champagne to lose its carbonation more quickly, making it less suitable for the current style of very dry champagnes, compared to the sweeter champagnes. So, you have to be quick drinker or pour only 8cl at a time.

Sparkling wines scent was not so pleasant but amount od bubbles in the glass was awesome. However, they disappeared before getting in to the mouth.

Basic tasting glass (in front of the picture)

As sparkling wines can be classified as a white wines, they can be served in white wine glasses too. “Tulip” or “belly” shape in which the rim of the glass is narrower than the midpoint, permits the drinker to get more of the aroma than a from traditional flute, while still not having enough surface area to cause the champagne to quickly lose carbonation.

For this sparkling wine it did not work out. As the bouquet was so delicate, it did not improve in this glass neither taste felt stronger.

Traditional champagne flute – the winner!

The stem allows to hold the glass without affecting the temperature of the drink. The bowl is designed to retain champagne’s signature carbonation, by reducing the surface area at the opening of the bowl. Both THE NOSE and THE TASTE were in balance and created best image of the wine.

Tasted sparkling wine was Bernard-Massard Cuvée de l’Ecusson Brut from Luxembourg. Review can be found from previous post.

The traditional champagne flute and flat coupe glass are fine for young wines – but for complex older champagnes, only a wide glass that curves back in towards the top and is filled only a little way will present the bubbles correctly. Unfortunately we do not have this glass in collection, but maybe have in the future.

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Tags: Bernard-Massard Cuvée de l'Ecusson Brut, Champagne, Champagne coupe, Champagne flute, sparkling wine, Sparkling wines, Wine, WIne tasting
Categories : Champagne, Food and Wine, Wine, Wine review

Wine review: Bernard-Massard Cuvée de l’Ecusson Brut – sparkling pearl from Luxembourg

5 06 2014

A family managed company, Bernard-Massard is the main producer of traditional method sparkling wines of Luxembourg

After more than 92 years of existence, company remains true to the values of quality and entrepreneurship of the founder Jean Bernard-Massard. As of today, Bernard-Massard is Luxembourg’s first privately owned wine producer with about 4 million bottles leaving yearly our cellars.

Beside a strong presence in Belgium, Cuvees are well represented in countries like Finland. It is nice to see that Finland is important market for Bernard-Massard. Wonder if it is available in the biggest markets like Germany and of course France?

Tasted Bernard-Massard Cuvée de l’Ecusson Brut is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Riesling grapes. Quite a mix, but not in bad sense. The finest of Bernard-Massard’s Cuvées since 1971, the Cuvée de l’Ecusson range epitomises the expertise of the company which affords this Cuvée its place amongst the most interesting European sparkling wines.

THE LOOK

Light yellow, almost translucent. Small bubbles which rise from the bottom of glass in continuous stream.

THE NOSE

The scent is delicate, some citrus and pear but need to sniff carefully. As we tasted wine is different glasses, also bouquet varied.

THE TASTE

Although wine is brut, amount of sugar is more than usually in dry wines and that can be noticed in taste. Could found some fruits but was also as delicate as was scent. Tasted wine in different glasses and there was clear differences to be found.

Facts and figures:

Alcohol: 12,00 %
Extract : 31 g/l
Acidity: 6,6 g/l
Sugar: 13 g/l
Energy : 80 kcal / 100 ml (330 kJ / 100 ml)
Closure: natural cork

I am not sure, if 13 g/l sugar categorizes Bernard-Massard Cuvée de l’Ecusson Brut as brut wine. However, this is one of the easiest sparkling wines to start tasting, (if you do not have found world of bubbling drinks yet). Exellent aperitif and pairs well with different kind of foods, even with desserts due to sugar.

As we tasted this wine with different champagne glasses, review of those glasses will follow.

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

http://www.bernard-massard.lu/en/

Comments : 8 Comments »
Tags: Bernard-Massard, Bernard-Massard Cuvée de l'Ecusson Brut, Champagne, Luxembourg, sparkling wine, Wine
Categories : Champagne, Food, Food and Wine, Wine, Wine review

Wine review: Wolfberger Riesling-Pinot Gris 2012 – dry or semi-dry?

24 05 2014

Semi-dry or semi-sweet wine? If the amount of sugar is 8 g/l what kind of scale there is on the label? Maybe someone knows better?

Wolfberger is cooperative in Alsace established 1902. It is located in Colmar, Eguisheim south-west of the city. Wolfberger annually produces about 13 million bottles of wine. The size of wineyard is about 1 200 hectares.

Wolfberger Riesling-Pinot Gris 2012 has been blended with Riesling (60%) and Pinot Gris (40%) grapes. Wine got certificate of honor in Series 08: the white wines, the price of over 11€ in “Wines of the Year 2014” competition. This is maybe the most known Finnish competition for wines. http://www.vuodenviinit.fi/en/

THE LOOK

Light yellow with strong shade of green

THE NOSE

More Pinot Gris than Riesling although it should be opposite; slightly flowery bouquet, similar to citrus and ripe green apples

THE TASTE

Quite dry, lightly tart, ripe citrus, peach, pale floral and light minerals

Facts and figures:

Alcohol: 12,50 %
Extract: 27 g/l
Acidity: 7,5 g/l
Sugar: 8 g/l
Energy: 80 kcal / 100 ml (340 kJ / 100 ml)
Closure: metal screw cap

Wine paired with Italian food nicely. We had bruschetta with fresh tomato slices and chicken pasta with cream-honey-spices sauce and blue cheese. Also suits well with fish and shellfish.

Misleading information on the label may make you purchase more dry wine you planned. Therefore points drop a little bit lower than wine would otherwise earn.

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

http://www.wolfberger.com/

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Tags: food, white wine, Wine, Wine review, Wolfberger, Wolfberger Riesling-Pinot Gris 2012
Categories : Food, Food and Wine, Helsinki, Wine, Wine review

Wine review: Wagner Stempel Siefersheimer Weissburgunder 2012

26 04 2014

Weissburgunder as a grape sounds exotic, but it is German version of Pinot Blanc. Pinot Blanc has also been confused with Chardonnay, because wineries often vinify it in a similar style using barrel fermentation, new oak and malolactic fermentation.

Wagner Stempel Siefersheimer Weissburgunder 2012 comes from Weingut Wagner-Stempel in Siefersheim, Rheinhessen. The foundation for the Wagner estate was laid in 1845. Nowadays wineyards concentrate on the classical grape varieties such as Silvaner, Pinot Blanc (Weissburgunder) and more especially Riesling, and converted to organic production methods.

THE NOSE

Some fruits, mainly citrus. Actually takes some time to get out of scents.

THE LOOK

Like yellow plum with touch of green shade.

THE TASTE

You can actually notice Chardonnay type of features like oak and barrel fermentation. However, the taste has more acidity than chardonnay grape has. Dry, some minerals and herbs but as friends of more full-bodied wines, this feels a little bit lackluster. Pinot Blanc as a grape is challenging and it requires mildly spiced food to accompany.

Facts and figures:

Alcohol: 13.00 %
Extract: 27 g/l
Acidity: 5.3 g/l
Sugar: 7 g/l
Energy: 80 kcal / 100 ml (350 kJ / 100 ml)
Closure: natural cork

Wagner Stempel Siefersheimer Weissburgunder 2012 is in a way elegant wine but if you look for more strong sensory experiences you should choose grape which is more versatile. This pinot blanc is perfect with white meated fishes, chicken and salads which do not have too much spices. Relatively high price is propably due to organic wineyards which Wagner- Stempel have. Sustainable wine production might be benefit some day.

OVERALL GRADE 3+/5 – BANG FOR THE BUCK +(+)/+++

http://www.wagner-stempel.de/en

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Tags: Pinot Blanc, Wagner Stempel, Wagner Stempel Siefersheimer Weissburgunder 2012, Weissburgunder, white wine, Wine review
Categories : Food and Wine, Wine, Wine review

Wine review: Weingut Liebfrauenstift 2012 Trocken Riesling

12 04 2014

Our favorite and trusted choice, Weingut Liebfrauenstift 2012 Trocken Riesling, finally now reviewed!

Right inside the urban boundaries of the German city of Worms, ancient brick walls shelter a piece of living history. This is where, around the former Monastery of THE Lady (Liebfrauenstift),wines have been growing for five hundred years. Historical sandstone walls help create the special microclimate of the Liebfrauenstift-Kirchenstück vineyard in Worms. Together with the mineral-rich muddy soil of the site and the proximity of the Rhine, which provides the water, they lend the vines thriving there their unique wealth of aromas.

This wine is easy choice to start tasting rieslings. Not too much acidity either petrol or minerals compared to strongest rieslings.

THE LOOK

Typical riesling color, light yellow straw.

THE NOSE

Fruity apple and peach and fresh citrus aromas

THE TASTE

Dry, fruity and fresh. Pleasent amount of minerals and petrol if at all.

Weingut Liebfrauenstift 2012 Trocken Riesling is perfect wine for aperitif and pairs extremely well with white fishes like lavaret. So far have not found this riesling in any other restaurant than Blue Peter and it is not available at Alko. Should be because it would help in starting getting familiar with world of rieslings.

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

http://www.liebfrauenstift.com/en/index.html

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Tags: riesling, Trocken Riesling, Weingut, Weingut Liebfrauenstift 2012 Trocken Riesling, white wine, Wine, Wine review
Categories : Food, Food and Wine, Wine, Wine review

Summer drink Aperol Spritz arrived in Helsinki

24 03 2014

Amazing coinsidence, was able to taste Aperol Spritz same day in two different places…..but where?

Aperol Spritz is Italian drink and aperitif which became famous already in 1950’s. When preparing drink, it is important to mix it with right amount of beverages. If you add too much Aperol, drink will be too sweet. On the other hand insufficient amount of aperitif makes Spritz too dry. So, below you can find instructions:

Add ice to fill red wine glass or tumbler

Add 3 parts of Prosecco

Add 2 parts of Aperol

Add 1 part of Soda

Mix with a long spoon

Serve immediately

Enjoy!

First Aperol Spritz of the day was tasted at Wine Expo 2014. Importer had they own stand which was refreshingly colored compared to other “standard” stands. Drink was excellent but maybe a little bit sweet, a dash too much Aperol.

Second Aperol Spritz of the day was enjoyed at new Italian restaurant Presto (review follows later). This time the drink was much too dry, almost could not taste Aperol at all. I think the mix must have been prepared by using formula 3/1/1, which is the ratio in some incorrect recipes.

As Aperol is not so strong it really is excellent summer refresher, alternative for Cava Sangria. When you add ice and soda, alcoholicity is less than in glass of wine, under 10%.

In order to get the most out of the drink, it must be mixed properly. Otherwise it does not make sense to ruin prosecco with add on’s.

Facts and figures:

Alcohol:	11,00 %
Extract:	250 g/l
Sugar:	250 g/l
Energy:	160 kcal / 100 ml (670 kJ / 100 ml)
Closure:	metal screw cap

http://www.aperol.com/int/en/aperol-spritz/aperol-spritz/ready_to_spritz

Comments : 4 Comments »
Tags: Aperol, Aperol Spritz, Helsinki, Italian drink, Presto, prosecco, Soda, sparkling wine, Viini Expo 2014, Wine
Categories : Champagne, Food, Food and Wine, Helsinki, Wine, Wine review

Wine Expo 2014 in Helsinki – Champagne tasting hour

22 03 2014

Wine Expo (Viini Expo) is arranged every two years in Messukeskus Helsinki, Expo and Convention Centre. When noticed there would be opportunity for champagne tasting on Friday, signed up right away.

Tasting event was guided by Andreas Larsson, Best Sommelier of the World 2007 and Finnish Essi Avellan, MW. Essi Avellan specializes in champagnes. Her appreciation reflects in the fact that she very recently appeared in Christie‘s world encyclopedia of champagne & sparkling wine book. To do the revision of the third edition, writer Tom Stevenson chose Essi Avellan, the second person from the Nordic countries to gain the coveted Master of Wine qualification. http://www.essiavellan.com/.

Tasted champagnes and short notes:

Ayala Brut Nature (NV)

Really dry, no sugar (zero dosage), 50% Pinot Noir grape – because of dryness and amount of PN grape, bouquet and palate not in balance, even disturbing (would not buy)

Overall grade: 2,5/5

Henriot Blanc De Blancs (NV)

Brut, less than 10g/l dosage, 100% Chardonnay grape – balanced aroma and taste, blanc de blancs is always structured (would buy, affordable price compared to what you get)

Overall grade: 4/5

G.H.Mumm Bland De Blancs – Mumm de Cremant (V)

Brut, Grand Cru Prestige Cuvee, 100% Chardonnay grape – luxorious style, bouquet and flavor in equilibrium, blanc de blancs continues the triumph (must buy)

Overall grade: 4,5/5

Pol Roger 2002 (V)

Extra Cuvee de Reserve, Blanc De Blancs (100% Chardonnay grape) – precious, balanced bouquet and palate as blanc de blancs typically have (would buy)

Overall grade: 4/5

Henriot Millesime 2005 (V)

Blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grape, dosage less than 10g/l – elegant on the nose and on the palate, PN brings out some side bouquet but does not disturb in taste (would consider a little bit because of the price tag)

Overall grade 4-/5

Laurent-Perrier Cuvee Rose

Color of the bottle label reflects the 100% Pinot Noir grape used, method used takes best out of this grape – best rose tasted so far, elegant color, fresh bouquet, fruity taste (must buy – our opinion: best of all tasted champagnes)

Overall grade: 5-/5

All champagnes were tasted in an hour, which was a little bit short time to really dig in. Serving temperatures were perfect because each champagne was poured one by one in glasses. Both presenters were professionals, no doubt about that.

Tasting room was half empty or half full (like wine glass can be). Maybe the time 6PM on Friday was not the best one, but at least we enjoyed tasting champagnes and listening interesting facts and backgrounds of the wines.

Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: Ayala, Blanc De Blancs, Champagne, Champagne tasting, champagnes, Essi Avellan, Henriot, Laurent-Perrier, Mumm, Pol Roger, Viini Expo 2014, Wine
Categories : Champagne, Food and Wine, Helsinki, Wine, Wine review

Wine review: Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Brut – keenly priced champagne in certain Helsinki restaurants

16 03 2014

HOK-Elanto restaurants have tempting offer which is valid until 31.3.2014. A bottle of champagne for 37€, which is the cheapest price for bottle ever seen at restaurants in Helsinki.

Last year same restaurants offered the whole year bottle of champagne at a price of 39€.

Promoted champagne was Nicolas Feuillatte Brut which is basic champagne from Centre Vinicole-Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte uniting 82 cooperatives in Champagne.

The non-vintage Brut Champagne is aged for at least 2 years in cellars. Wine is made from Chardonnay 20%, Pinot Noir 40% and Pinot Meunier 40%.

THE LOOK

The color of wine is pale yellow and you can see a ribbon of fine and delicate bubbles

THE NOSE

Whitefruit aromas like apple and pear brought in mind Solero ice-cream/sorbet from the childhood, the sorbet part of it

THE TASTE

Delicate taste with same fruits which were already sensed with nose. Mixed feelings because of temperature of the wine, it was too warm. Wine was tasted at restaurant Kaarna lounge bar.

The problem with these offers has been that champagne is stored in too warm wine cabinet. So when it is served you can not find the best palate out of it. Difficult to say if this champagne would have got better points, if stored correctly, but this time it did not got more. 20% of chardonnay grape is not usually enough but typical for basic Champagnes.

Would invest a little bit more and buy Reserve or Grande Reserve if considering Nicolas Feuillatte to be enjoyed at home

OVERALL REVIEW 3-/5 – BANG FOR THE BUCK ( restaurant price) +++ / +++

http://www.hok-elanto.fi/syo-ja-juo/ravintoloiden-edut/nicolas-feuillatte/

http://www.nicolas-feuillatte.com/en/home

Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: Brut Champagne, Centre Vinicole-Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte, Champagne, Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Brut, Chardonnay, Helsinki, Wine, Wine review
Categories : Bar, Champagne, Food, Food and Wine, Helsinki, Restaurant, Wine, Wine review

Wine review: Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut

2 03 2014

House of Moët’s iconic champagne, Moët Impérial.

Moët has been associated with the sparkle of success and glamour ever since the House was founded in 1743 by Claude Moët.

Moët Impérial is the House’s iconic champagne. Created in 1869, it embodies Moët & Chandon’s unique style, a style distinguished by its bright fruitiness, its seductive palate and its elegant maturity. Wine is made of Pinot Noir 30-40%, Pinot Meunier 30-40% and Chardonnay 20-30% grapes. Chardonnay completes the freshness and stability of this wine.

THE LOOK

The look of wine is golden straw yellow with green highlights, plenty of small bubbles.

THE NOSE

Green apple and citrus fruit, the freshness of mineral nuances and white flowers, the elegance of blond notes. Second glass brought up interesting bouquet…

THE TASTE

White-fleshed fruits (peach, apple), the alluring caress of fine bubbles, the soft palate of citrus fruit

Facts & Figures:

Alcohol:	12,00 %
Extract:	25 g/l
Acidity:	5,9 g/l
Sugar:	9 g/l
Energy:	80 kcal / 100 ml (320 kJ / 100 ml)
Closure:	natural cork

Moët Impérial can be served throughout the meal, from aperitif to dessert and pairs perfectly with: shell fish, white fish, white meats (such as chicken) and dessert fruits.

We paired it with scallops, antipasti and chicken skrewer with rucola salad. Best match was with scallops but as mentioned earlier, wine really can be served with all dishes during lunch or dinner.

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

PS. Moet Ice Imperial reviewed 15-09-2013 at reijosfood.com

http://www.moet.com//

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Tags: antipasti, Champagne, food, Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut, Moët Impérial, Moet & Chandon, scallops, Valentine's Day, Wine, Wine pairing, Wine review
Categories : Champagne, Fine Dining at Home, Food, Food and Wine, Home Cuisine, Wine, Wine review

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