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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: 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.

Comments : 2 Comments »
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: Aalto – Spanish winery and red wine have Finnish name!

13 02 2015

Famous Finnish architect and designer Alwar Aalto has desinged several buildings in Finland including Finlandia Hall. 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.

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. Almost 20 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.

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 2010 was dark red like but not not brownish, which means that 2010 is still quite young.

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. And this was not the first time!

I am fan of tempranillo wines, which might affect, but not too much. Tasted wine first as such and then with fillet steak. Pairs perfectly with red meat and bet that also with strong cheeses.

Facts:

Alcohol:	15% by volume
Extract:	28 g/l
Acidity:	5 g/l
Energy:	90 kcal/100 ml (380 kJ/100 ml)

Vintage 2010 is “stronger” than 2008, which had 14% alcohol by volume. To be honest, liked vintage 2008 a little more than 2010….but 2010 is also great and enjoyable!

Aalto wine is elegant but partly because of low production volume, it is not the most unexpensive. Although you have to pay a little bit more the quality really provides value for the money.

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

http://www.riberadelduero.es/en/bodegas/aalto-bodegas-y-vinedos-sa

Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: Aalto, Alwar Aalto, Bodegas Aalto, Finland, Javier Zaccagini, Mariano Garcia, Ribera del Duero, Spanish wine
Categories : Art, Food, Food and Wine, Helsinki, Home Cuisine, recipe, Travel, 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.

Comments : 1 Comment »
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

Restaurant review: The House Meloneras at Costa Meloneras

23 01 2015

Restaurant The House Meloneras is one of the 6 restaurants at “restaurant alley”. All restaurants are close to each other and actually do not differ so much from each other (except Chinese and Sushi/Mexican restaurants).

https://www.youtube.com/enhance?v=t4NJa6RHjrA&video_referrer=watch

Visited The House Meloneras twice, but review concerns latter visit. Restaurant is the newest one and replaced Casa something which tried to be local, typical Spanish restaurant.

Started the dinner with Pan y Jamon Serrano, really delicious starter. Warm cheese between bread and ham made the combinations excellent though quite heavy.

For main course ordered Sea bass baked under salt cover, which is also spectacle to watch as waiter prepares fish to be eaten near yout table. Of course most splashy is the burning of salt cover, some fun anyway. It is also important that waiter can really open up the fish and serve it. Otherwise part of the fish will stay on the tray and you get too many fish bones on your plate.

At The House Meloneras all parts of serving the fish were in order.

Side dishes, Canarian potoes and Salad were suitable for fish. Also the potato sauces matched well with white meated sea bass.

For wine we had Gran Vina Sol from Torres. Big brother of Vina Sol, made from Chardonnay and Parrelada grapes. Paired quite well with sea bass we had for main course.

Propably The House Meloneras is the best of all 6 restaurants. It is not as popular as Grill Faro and Grand Italia, which are over-crowded and sometimes service is a little bit arrogant due to success.

The House Meloneras has wide menu, something for everyone and polite service. If you are in Costa Meloneras, worth to visit.

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

Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: Costa Meloneras, Gran Vina Sol, Spain, Spanish wine, The House Meloneras
Categories : Food, Food and Wine, Restaurant, Restaurant review, Travel, Wine

Wine review: Museum

5 04 2013

Again Spanish red wine?! Sorry, but somehow like them a lot…but this wine was a little bit dissappointing.

The Cigales wine region is situated in the province of Valladolid and Palencia and covers an area of 2,600 hectares. The Cigales wine region consists of 37 vineyards (Bodegas), which produce 5 millon liter of wine annually. Finca Museum is one of the biggest bodegas in the region and part of Grupo Baron De Ley.

Tasted red wine Museum from Finca Museum which is 100% TINTA DEL PAÍS grape. Tempranillo, more known spanish red wine 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.

THE LOOK

Label is printed with golden letters, makes wine look precious. At the bottom of the bottle there is also picture of one sculpture wineyard has in their collection

Vintage Crianza 2008 was dark red with a hint of brown color

THE NOSE

Bouquet was rich, but difficult to recognize tempranillo due to tannins. Some black berries and hint of fennel. Aroma was quite strong.

THE TASTE

Museum was aged at least 6 months (Crianza) in French and American oak barrels. Would say full-bodied and spicy but strong due to tannins. Took some time get familiar with taste.

Facts and figures:

Alcohol:	13,5% by volume
Extract:	29 g/l
Acidity:	5,1 g/l
Energy:	90 kcal/100 ml (380 kJ/100 ml)


Closure:	natural cork

Museum wine is suitable for red meats. Because of the tannins, it is not aperitif. Not the best Spanish tempranillo (Tinta del Pais) I have tasted. Better invest for reservas or gran reservas, tannins might be milder. Anyway, with over cooked lamb shank the wine was ok.

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

http://www.bodegasmuseum.com/index_ing.html

Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: Finca Museum, food, Museum, Spanish red wine, Spanish wine, tempranillo, Tinta del Pais, Tinto Fino, Wine, Wine review
Categories : Fine Dining at Home, Food, Travel, Wine, Wine review

Wine review: Aalto

22 02 2013

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?

—————————————-

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…….

—————————————-

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.

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.

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

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

Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: Aalto vase, Alwar Aalto, Bodegas Aalto, Finland, Finnish, Ribera del Duoro, Spanish wine, Tinto Fino, Wine review
Categories : Art, Food, Restaurant, Travel, Wine, Wine review

Reijosfood

Wine review: Chill Out – Soft & Vibrant Merlot

Wine review: Vina Real Oro Reserva 2009

Wine review: Baron de Ley Reserva 2010

Wine review: Faustino I

Wine review: Aalto – Spanish winery and red wine have Finnish name!

Wine review: Dominio de Tares Cepas Viejas Mencía 2011

Restaurant review: The House Meloneras at Costa Meloneras

Wine review: Museum

Wine review: Aalto

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