Wine review: Taittinger Nocturne – Champagne for Finnish Independence Day

6 12 2014
Taittinger Nocturne

Taittinger Nocturne

Taittinger Nocturne is a “sec” champagne composed of chardonnay (40%), Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier (60%). Taittinger suggests that Nocturne should be enjoyed at the end of evening. That is partly because of amount of sugar, 17.5g/l dosage of sugar, which might be needed in the wee hours. Champagne for parties? Let’s taste!

However, we decided to taste Nocturne in the evening on Finnish Independence Day, but not at the end of the evening. Did it make any difference? Tasting from Riedel Vitis champagne glass.

Had enjoyed one tasting glass earlier in the afternoon, when we participated at Wine, food & good living fair in October and then it did not taste as good as we hoped. Wine was also a little bit warm at that time.

Taittinger Npcturen and Riedel glass - reijosfood.com

THE LOOK

The design of the bottle is elegant and colorful purple. There is also standard bottle available but I would choose this special release.

The body of the wine is pale yellow in color. Rich amount of small bubbles makes you desire to taste before sniffing.

THE NOSE

From delicate bouquet you can find peach but also the “sec” which means a little bit more sweetness than in brut champagne

THE TASTE

Amount of sugar is noticeable, but when wine is enough cold, it does not bother too much. Taste is balanced and stylish.

Taittinger Nocturne - reijosfood.com

Facts:

Alcohol: 12.50 %
Extract: 39 g/l
Acidity: 6.9 g/l
Sugar: 17,5 g/l
Energy: 80 kcal / 100 ml (340 kJ / 100 ml)

Taittinger Nocturne is champagne for special occasions especially if you do not like too dry (brut) champagnes. Cool it enough cold and you do not even notice the sweetness.

Happy 97th Independence Day!

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

Taittinger – CUVÉES GALLERY


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Categories : Champagne, Food and Wine, Helsinki, Home Cuisine, Wine, Wine review

Taittinger Champagne tasting at Taste of Helsinki

18 06 2014

Taittiger champagnes at Taste of Helsinki - reijosfood.com

If you like football and watch FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil, you should drink champagnes from Taittinger because it is official sponsor.

During Taste of Helsinki there was opportunity to participate in Taittinger champagne tasting. You must purchase tickets in advance because tasting events are so popular that they are always sold out. We almost missed opportunity becase had tickets for Friday but due to work obligation could not been able to participate. Luckily Taste of Helsinki founder Barry MacNamara personally helped us to change tickets.

We arrived early because of cold weather. Tasting pavilion was warmest place at picnic area.

Taittinger tasting at Taste of Helsinki - reijosfood.com

Six different champagnes were already poured into the glasses before event opening.

Champagne glasses at Taste of Helsinki - reijosfood.com

Tasting started from right to the left. Luckily we had our own bottle of San Pellegrino with us, because there was no water available. And without “cleaning” mouth between sipping different wines it makes it quite difficult task to recognize characters.

Taittinger Brut Reserve

Basic Taittinger, should be similar since 1980. 40% Chardonnay, 30 % Pinot Noir, 30 % Pinot Meunier. Amount of Chardonnay makes this wine balanced and enjoyable. Golden yellow in color. Taste is crisp and harmonious.

Taittinger Brut Millesime 2006

Strong and with lots of acidity and minerals. 50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir. Color is golden yellow. Taste is balanced but a little bit contradictory. This wine is suitable even with meats, said sommelier. Maybe have to try…..

Taittinger Prestige rose

Champagnes are classified as white wines but this wine is rarity because producer adds 15% red wine (Pinot Noir grapes). 30% Chardonnay. Vibrant pink color. Taste is fruity and fresh.

Taittinger Nocturne rose

Champagne for celebrants and after dinner. Idea for bottle design comes disco balls. 17,5 g/l dosage of sugar makes this wine sec, not brut. 30% Chadonnay, 70% Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. This wine is actually really enjoyable, can recommend.

Taittinger les Folies de la  Marquetterie

Classic wine, 45% Chardonnay, 55% Pinot Noir. This wine was not our favourite; would say price/quality ratio is suffering.

Taittinger Comptes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2004

Taittinger Comtes de Champagne at Taste of Helsinki - reijosfood.com

Nobel blanc de blancs champagne, 100% Chardonnay. Unfortunately this was already too warm because it was tasted last. However, wine was introduced with enthusiasm.

Taittinger champagnes are elegant and suit for any occasion. It would have been nice to be able to taste enough cold drinks but as they were poured beforehand, of course they were a little bit too warm. But as the weather was so cold, it did not bother too much. And champagne tastes always as good.


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Categories : Champagne, Food, Food and Wine, Helsinki, Wine

Wine, Food & Good living 2013 -event – what went wrong?

27 10 2013

Champagne - reijosfood.com

Wine, Food and Good living -event is now in turning point. Either it has to find larger hall to take all “private” visitors on Saturday and lower prices or focus on business visitors.

First you have to line up to give your coat to checkroom (2.50€ per person). Then you queue for tasting class (8€ – 5€ = 3€ when you return your class) and tasting tickets (2,50€ each). All tasting -seminars are fully booked up well beforehand the event starts; so no guided tasting this year.

Of course vintage champagnes are expensive but it is odd that you have to pay 6 tasting tickets (15€) for 4cl of noble drinks in the picture. Of course Dom Perignon Vintage 2004, which had arrived to Finland 2 days ago, is rare and valuable drink but if we think that Taittinger Brut Reserve (2 tickets) tastes better you do not attract customers to purchase this vintage champagne.

To crown it all, most champagnes ran out of the champagne bar 1/2 hours before event closed. From about 20 champagnes about 4 of the most non-drinkable wines were left. What a waste for the tickets.

To summarize, too crowded and too expensive. Only way to carry on is to modify Saturday; either expand floor space on that day or try change visitor profiles. Hopefully the first one because event itself is marvelous experience on a rainy autumn day.

PS. Forgot to mention that entrance costs 18€. As we had free tickets did not remember that cost at once.

http://www.messukeskus.com/Sites1/Viiniruokahyvaelama/en/Pages/default.aspx

http://viinilehti.fi/tapahtumat/viini-ruoka-hyva-elama/

http://www.domperignon.com/


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Categories : Bar, Food, Helsinki, Travel, Wine, Wine review

Taste of Helsinki – Part II reviews

17 06 2012

Part II includes reviews of tasted dishes at Taste of Helsinki.

http://www.tasteofhelsinki.fi/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Helsinki-Menu-2012.jpg

Small  disappointment was that none of the restaurants offered fresh fish for main course even though Helsinki is located by the sea. However, all dishes were delicious. Plastic cutlery was understandable, but caused some challenges. Must say that chefs made good job in a hurry. All dishes were well prepared and outlooks were perfect.

Decided to taste for starters Gambas Paris from restaurant Bistro o Mat  Grilled prawns, goat cheese, salad and grilled garlic bread which was excellent. Grill was outside by the restaurant marquee. From restaurant Muru (restaurant of the year 2012) Pate from Sir Lintsi, marinated swamps and red onion compote which was scrumptious, especially sweet onion compote. From Demo (1 Michelin star) ate Cold-smoked salmon and truffle potato pyre, excellent choice. And from Carelia fetched Endive-Aura Gold salad with caramelized walnuts, maybe Aura Gold should have been without alloy.

Chose for main courses from restaurant Farang Crispy pork, palm sugar caramel and rice vinegar which was really crisp but little bit difficult to eat with plastic fork. From restaurant Smör Organic lamb, early potato and ice herb, maybe best of all dishes.

For dessert had Tiramisu from Toscanini and Fraise, strawberries and meringue from Bistro o Mat. Tiramisu is always sweet, Italian restaurant Toscanini is located near Tomi Björks restaurants Gaijin and Boulevard Social. Meringue was tasty, totally different experience one gets in most cases. Must visit Bistro o Mat soon although it is located in Kirkkonummi.

This time reviews are for all dishes, not for different restaurant kitchens. One can not either judge service as food was served over the counter. All dishes provided possibility to relish gourmet food. Because weather was so good open air event succeeded 100%. Only minus was lack of tabels and chairs.

REVIEW: FOOD 4,5/5 (starters)

REVIEW: FOOD 5-/5 (main courses)

REVIEW: FOOD 4+/5 (desserts)


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Categories : Restaurant, Wine


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