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.

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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: 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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Restaurant review: El Churrasco (Spain)

5 01 2013

Restaurante El Churrasco operates already in Las Palmas and was established at Gran Hotel Lopesan Costa Meloneras premises in August 2012. Succesfull move because original hotel restaurant was always empty and it seems to be that El Churrasco  is always busy.

El ChurrascoEl Churrasco

Dined twice at this restaurant, dinner and lunch. Review is combination of these experiences.

Starters at dinner were Gambas al ajillo and Croquetas. Both were delicious and fresh. Shrimps were perfeclty done, not too dry and croquettes right sized, in some places they are too big and therefore too soft.

ShrimpsCroquettes

Starters at lunch were Tomates rellenos and Jamón de Jabugo 5 Jotas. Filling in tomatoes were excellent and tomatoes itself were scalted; easy to eat. Jamon was tender, thought first it would be chewy when saw portion.

Stuffed tomatoesIberian ham

Main courses at dinner were pescados Lubina and Sole. Fish is only available at this restaurant, not in main restaurant in Las Palmas. El Churrasco is Steakhouse and focuses only on meat dishes. However tried fishes which were quite OK, but you might get more luxorius experience at real fish restaurant.

Sea bassSole

Main courses at lunch were Solomillo de Novillo Argentino and Pollo al limón. Fillet steak was ordered as medium but the thickness of steak made it too raw in overall. Chicken breast was a little bit dry. Otherwise well prepared dishes.

Fillet steakChicken

Desserts were at dinner Sorbete de Limón, could have been more soft like at Ambassador. At lunch Chocklate cake and Fresh Fruits  which were actually strawberries. Cake was scumptious and had to eat all of it. Strawberries were also enjoyable. These desserts can not be found at restaurant web site.

SorbetChocklate cakeStrawberries

Interesting detail was that restaurant had Riesling on wine list. Quite rare to get Spanish riesling but had to try. OK, but quite modest wine.

Riesling

El Churrasco is in perfect location, remember to book window table. This also raises overall grade. The food also is good compared to many other restaurants nearby.

REVIEW: FOOD 4-/5 – SERVICE 3,5/5 – OVERALL GRADE 4+/5

http://www.elchurrascorestaurante.com/

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Beetroot and chevre in two ways

6 10 2012

Sometimes it does good to try new foodstuff. Beetroot is quite common vegetable in Finland but usually potato and carrot win when preparing lunch or dinner. Decided to use beetroot and this time chevre in starter and main course. Accidentally onion suited well also for main course so could say dinner was made from beetroot, chevre and onion.

Starter was “Chevre beetroot toast” Chevre, beetroot, caramelized onion, balsamico and oak lead lettuce. Tasty but next time will fry beetroot and chevre on pan with butter. Onion was cooked with red wine, balsamic vinegar, honey, sugar and salt. Like the face imitation?

Main course was “Chicken breast with roasted beetroot” Chicken breast, oven roasted beetroot, chevre, caramelized red onion, oven baked onion and pepper sauce. This was delicious although I say it myself. No need for potato or other side dishes. Maybe chicken could have been in the oven 1 minute less after pre frying.

No points for home made food! Chevre is goat cheese, this time President.

PS. Riesling matched well for both dishes.


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Restaurant review: Valo

3 08 2012

After 3,5 hour opera (The Magic Flute) in Savonlinna Opera Festival and 4 hour joyful Crayfish dinner and cruise on the Saimaa lake, it was relaxing to dine next day at restaurant Valo. Savonlinna Opera Festival celebrates 100 years history in 2012 and it gathers friends of opera each year. Maybe one can feel similar athmosphere in Verona but Savonlinna continues to live after opera as people dine and share opera experiences in nearby restaurants.

Dined at Valo second time and food was now better. Last year Whitefish was so over roasted it almost fractured. Because one has to dine outside in order to be able observe opera guests walking to Savonlinna castle 200 meters from Valo restaurant, it is important to have good weather. In Valo one can also just have a drink at the forefront bar and do the same. Restaurant serves local Finnish food, evidence for it was mentioning local producers in the a la carte list.

In Savonlinna one MUST eat vendaces! As they were only available for main course asked to get Vendaces from Pielavesi for starter without side dishes. Succeeded and they were simple but excellent, salty and partly crispy but not too creasy. From check noticed that price and name for starter was the same as in childrens menu. Another choice was Cold smoked salmon salad, cold smoked salmon with salad, marinated red onion, deep fried capers, sun dried tomatoes, marinated olives, lemon compote and bread. Add-on’s were not so Finnish and neither this starter beat vendaces.

For main courses had Rib from the Koivunotko wild board, barbeque sauce with potato and chorizo bake. Wild board was perfectly tender as it has been cooked 48 hours. Chorizo harmonized with potatoes well and gave some stroger savor to portion. Arctic Char with new potatoes from Kulennois and dill and whitewine sauce was enjoyable but as usual a little bit over fried. Restaurant mentioned producer or place of catching in both portions.

Almost forgot to take photos of desserts! Grand Marnier Parfait and strawberries was fresh and fruity. Home made chocolate cake and lingonberry ice cream tasted delicious. Soft and moist cake as it should be and rough ice cream with luscious lingonberry taste, almost whole berries.

Restaurant forgot to invoice bottle of Riesling wine as it was ordered from another waitress. Told that and got 20% discount for it.

Because of excellent location and athmosphere overall grade exceeds food and service grades. Restaurant is full before and after opera, therefore table reservation at those times is needed. During opera there are free tables available without need to make reservation.

REVIEW: FOOD 4-/5 – SERVICE 4-/5 – OVERALL GRADE 4/5

Click to access VALO_ALA_CARTE.pdf

http://www.operafestival.fi/In_English/Front_page.iw3


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