Wine review: Bründlmayer Riesling Steinmassel

1 03 2013

Austrian white wine Bründlmayer Riesling Steinmassel comes from Weingut Bründlmayer which is situated in Langenlois, about 70 km north-west of Vienna, upstream along the Danube in the Lower Austrian Kamp Valley.

Tasted wine consists of RIESLING (100 %); surprise, names can tell sometimes you something 🙂

Usually rieslings from Austria are luscious, enough dry and full-bodied. Favourites of ours in addition to Germans.

DSC03532

THE LOOK

Color of the wine was pale yellow with tint of light green. Actual look was a little bit greener than in photo below.

Riesling

THE NOSE

First it was difficult to find scent of riesling. Wine was stored in fridge and therefore too cold. After a while could find it and also some fruity with hint of green apple. But scent of riesling was not so strong as in many Austrian riesling wines.

THE TASTE

First impression was lackluster but after few sips it improved; again too cold wine. Less acidity, petrol and minerals than in typical Austrian rieslings, but of course could be indentified.

Facts and figures:

Alcohol: 12,5% by volume
Extract: 18 g/l
Sugar: 7 g/l
Acidity: 6,2 g/l
Energy: 80 kcal/100 ml (320 kJ/100 ml)
Closure: metal screw cap

This riesling suites well with whitefish, which is mild and non-greasy (see recipe via link below), which we had for dinner. If food is more spicy you might want to buy a wine with a little bit more intense flavour. Also prefer better balanced wines for aperitif.

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

Fried whitefish and parsnip puree

http://www.bruendlmayer.at/en



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Wine review: Aalto

22 02 2013

Aalto

Famous Finnish architect and designer Alwar Aalto has desinged several buildings in Finland including Finlandia Hall as well as abroad. Buildings designed by him can be found also in USA, Germany, Italy, France, etc. One of his most known glassware works was Aalto (Savoy) vase. Think it is still one of the most popular items to by in Finland by tourists. Aalto was also responsible for interior design of classic restaurant Savoy in Helsinki, which still looks the same as 75 years ago.

If you have any knowledge of Aalto, I would be interested in to hear how did you learn about him or his works. Do you have Aalto art pieces at your home?

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EXCUSE ME! This post should review wines, not art or design, am I wrong??!!

WAIT, there is link between Aalto and one Spanish winery and it’s wine…….

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Bodegas Aalto was founded in 1998 by Mariano Garcia, Vega Sicilia’s legendary winemaker of over 30 years, and Javier Zaccagini, former President of the Ribera del Duero AOC. 15 years since it was founded, the winery is considered one of the best in the region. The name of the winery was inspired by famous Finnish designer Alwar Aalto. Aalto is main wine for this winery and also reviewed wine carried Aalto name. Fantastic honours to Aalto!

Grape used in producing Aalto red wine is 100% TINTO FINO. Tempranillo, more known grape, is known under a number of local synonyms in different regions of Spain, Cencibel and Tinto Fino are used in several regions, and it is also known as Tinta del País in Ribera del Duoro where Aalto winery is located.

THE LOOK

Label itself is one of the most minimalist seen before. Different colors of black and silver gray letters and small bunch of grapes in the upper right corner of O letter.

Vintage 2008 was dark red like red wine grape looks before collecting.

Aalto wine

THE NOSE

Bouquet was rich and pleasant, could recognize tempranillo. Some black berries and hint of fennel. Aroma became even more elegant after 10 minutes.

THE TASTE

Full-bodied, again elegant and soft. Filled mouth not just flowed down. Again tempranillo was easy to identify, one of the best Spanish wines ever tasted.

Aalto wine labelAalto red wine

Facts and figures:

Alcohol: 14% by volume
Extract: 27 g/l
Acidity: 5,3 g/l
Energy: 90 kcal/100 ml (380 kJ/100 ml)
Closure: natural cork

Aalto wine is elegant but partly because of low production volume, it is not the most unexpensive. 39€ in Alko and 145€ in restaurant Savoy, where it is available, does not allow wine to be enjoyed too often. Although you have to pay a little bit more the quality really provides value for the money.

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

Unfortunately winery web site was under construction when writing this post http://www.aalto.es

???????????????????????????????Aalto wine

You can find more about Alwar Aalto via this link  http://www.alvaraalto.fi/aalto_architect_designer.htm

Restaurant Savoy wine list including Aalto wine http://www2.royalravintolat.com/savoy/pdf/viinilista/savoy_viinilista_uusin.pdf


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Wine review: Pago del Vicario 50/50

10 02 2013

Pago del Vicario 50/50 is Spanish wine. It comes from one of the La Mancha bodegas, Pago del Vicario, which is located at a distance of nine kilometres from Ciudad Real. Bodega sells its wines under the appellation of Vino de la Tierra de Castilla. There are also a hotel and restaurant carrying same name.

Grapes and share of them used are, as you might guess from the name, TEMPRANILLO (50 %), CABERNET SAUVIGNON (50 %).
Tempranillo is a variety of black grape widely grown to make full-bodied but soft red wines in its native Spain. Cabernet Savignon brings the body to this wine.

THE LOOK

Pago del Vicario

Vintage 2008 is deep red with brown tinge. Maybe wine had already got some depth. When wine flows along the surface of glass after spinnng it, wine does it slowly bringing out vintage and wine posture.

THE NOSE

Strong aroma partly because fo tannins. Almost can scent alcohol which is unusual observation.

THE TASTE

Fills mouth with quite strong taste. Tannins can be found clearly but not disruptively. Some bramble; taste is balanced.

Facts and figures:

Alcohol: 14,5% by volume
Extract: 31 g/l
Acidity: 5,9 g/l
Energy: 90 kcal/100 ml (390 kJ/100 ml)
Closure: natural cork

Pago del Vicario IIPaco del Vicario III

The design of the bottle is cool. Black glass bottle and black label make a solemn effect. On the other hand shape of the bottle which thickens toward the neck of the bottle gives the impression of luxury wine. Wine tasting is ensemble of different phases and observations; this wine gives opportunity to use all senses, even artistic ones.

As taste is quite strong and wine includes tannis recommend to enjoy Pago del Vicario 50/50 with red meats and spiced foods. Actually suited really well with the pasta we prepared same day, picture and preparing instructions on the page “Dining at home”.

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

Website has been under construction at least for two days http://www.pagodelvicario.com/


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Wine review: Dopff Riesling Reserve

26 01 2013

Vintage 2011 Dopff Riesling Reserve ‘Cuvee Europe’ comes from Alsace, Dopff au Moulin vineyards, France. It is commonly available at Royal Ravintolat restaurants Teatteri, Strindberg and Salutorget, Helsinki Finland, which we regularly visit. Also have tasted this white wine quite often at those restaurants.

THE LOOK

Pale yellow, acidity can be seen quite well in the glass

THE NOSE

Fruits and raisin, some apple and petrol

THE TASTE

Crisp dry taste, light petrol and herbs, acidity follows in after taste

Dopff Reisling Reserve

Facts & figures:

Alcohol: 12,5% by volume
Extract: 24 g/l
Acidity: 6,6 g/l
Energy: 80 kcal/100 ml (330 kJ/100 ml)
Closure: metal screw cap

Excellent wine for white fishes and shell fish. Suitable also for aperitif before good dinner. However favourite rieslings come from Austria and Germany.

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

http://www.dopff-au-moulin.fr/edito.php?lg=en


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Wine review: Hewitson Miss Harry

25 01 2013

Miss Harry comes from nick name of Harriet Hewitson, daughter of Dean Hewitson. Like the name, not too complicated. Wine comes from Barossa Valley, Australia.

Tasted vintage 2010 grapes are GRENACHE (44 %), SHIRAZ (39 %), MOURVÈDRE (8 %), CINSAULT (4%) and CARIGNAN (4%). Note: Alko is selling vintage 2010 but grape information is misleading, it is older vintage 2009.

THE LOOK

The colour of 2010 Miss Harry is dark red; young vintage no hints of brown color

THE NOSE

The aroma was quite difficult to describe, found red/black berries, spices and herbs. Because of grape selection really difficult task

THE TASTE

The palate is full, showing ripe black berries and maybe plums. But again, amount of different grapes made the task difficult. The finish was long and fresh. However, wine that I liked.

Miss HarryHewitson Miss Harry

Facts and figures:

Alcohol: 14% by volume
Extract: 29 g/l
Acidity: 5,5 g/l
Energy: 90 kcal/100 ml (370 kJ/100 ml)
Closure: metal screw cap

Miss Harry is tasty red wine, suits perfectly for red meat. But grape selection opens up many food choises.

REVIEW 4+/5 – BANG FOR THE BUCK +++/+++

http://www.hewitson.com.au/page.php?section=791&mId=1640&catid=


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