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 +++/+++

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Tags: Alko, Neiss Pinot Noir Rose, rose wine, Tommasi Bardolino Chiaretto Rose, Wine review
Categories : 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

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

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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

Wine review: Cono Sur Single Vineyard Block 23 Riesling 2012

24 02 2014

Cono Sur Vineyards & Winery was founded in 1993, with the vision of producing premium, expressive and innovative wines that convey the spirit of the New World. The name refers to the company’s geographic position, representing wines proudly made in South America’s Southern Cone, on whose western edge lies Chile and its gifted wine valleys.

Single Vineyard wines should be of exceptional quality in which each variety comes from a specific block of grape vines with singular characteristics.

Cono Sur Single Vineyard Block 23 Riesling 2012 is selected for its extreme southern origins and cold climate, the Rulos del Alto Block is part of the Quitralmán Estate and contains the oldest vines planted in the Bío-Bío Valley. Experiencing some of the lowest average temperatures during grape ripening, along with its red clay soil, add to this Riesling´s freshness and impressive minerality.

THE LOOK

Wine is bright yellow but not golden as in the picture. Flash light changed the color a little bit.

THE NOSE

Fruits and acids, elegant bouquet. Riesling should be like this wine.

THE TASTE

Crisp and fruity, apricot and lime. Slightly petro-flavored with some minerals. Nice and balanced taste.

Facts and figures:

Alcohol:	13,50 %
Extract:	28 g/l
Acidity:	7,3 g/l
Sugar:	6 g/l
Energy:	90 kcal / 100 ml (360 kJ / 100 ml)
Closure:	metal screw cap

Wine is suitable for aperitif and paired extremely well with whitefish, which was prepared with asian style. Means that is suits with spicy food but also with white fishes and meats.

Would definitely purchase again because the price of this wine is not bad at all compared to value for money.

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

http://www.conosur.com

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Tags: Chilean wine, Cono Sur, Cono Sur Single Vineyard Block 23 Riesling 2012, Cono Sur Vineyards & Winery, riesling, white wine, Wine, Wine review
Categories : Food, Food and Wine, Home Cuisine, Wine, Wine review

Wine review: Freixenet Elyssia Gran Cuvée Brut

1 02 2014

One of the best Cavas ever tasted!

Spain´s sparkling wine, Cava, is part of a controlled appellation (D.O. Cava), which is concentrated in the Penedés region, just south of Barcelona.

Freixenet sparkling wine house has a long history that began in the early 1200s. Production of sparkling wines of Freixenet company began in 1900 as early as Ferrer and Sala winemaker families merged. Freixenet is now one of the largest producer of cavas which are made with champagne method.

Freixenet Elyssia Gran Cuvée Brut includes Chardonnay, Macabeo, Parellada and Pinot Noir grapes. Macabeu is the most popular grape in Penedes region, but Chardonnay makes this Cava special.

THE LOOK

Shape of the bottle is elegant, more stylish than basic Cava bottles.

Color of wine is pale yellow. Small bubbles last long.

THE NOSE

The bouquet is balanced without disturbing side scents. Pleasant, elegant aromas like ripe pineapple and peach can be found.

THE TASTE

The palate is soft and appealing to start, opening into those same flavours, combining a clean, crisp acidity, and developing into a long balanced finish. No disturbing savors.

Facts and figures:

Alcohol:	11,50 %
Extract:	22 g/l
Acidity:	5,4 g/l
Sugar:	7 g/l
Energy:	70 kcal / 100 ml (300 kJ / 100 ml)
Closure:	natural cork

Elyssia is perfect for aperitif and pairs well with mildly spiced food. As bottle was received as a gift, bang for the buck can not be reviewed, but it is worth of it.

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

http://www.freixenet.com/index.asp

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Tags: cava, Freixenet, Freixenet Elyssia Gran Cuvée Brut, Penedes, sparkling wine, Wine, Wine review
Categories : Wine, Wine review

Wine review: Château d’Arche 2006 – pairing with Runeberg’s tarte and cheeses

24 01 2014

How sweet white wine Château d’Arche 2006 pairs with traditional Finnish coffee bun, Runeberg cake or Runeberg’s tarte? And with Finnish and French cheeses?

Château d’Arche is located on the heights of the village of Sauternes in Southern Gironde. This 40 hectare vineyard stretches across the prestigious Sauternes appellation. Wineyard produces only few wines with focus on sweet ones.

The grapes of the wine are Semillon and Sauvignon making the wine easy to enjoy. Wine could be stored even for 20 years if you have enough patience.

THE LOOK

Golden yellow, close to resin.

THE NOSE

Interesting observation or THE NOSE lied again. Found bitter almond, which was odd as it should not be there. Maybe piece of Runeberg cake on the small plate already mislead sense of smell. Anyway, honey and noble rot was there as they should be.

THE TASTE

As you can notice from the chart below wine is not so sweet as many of its cousins. But again taste of noble rot and apricot were obvious.

Facts and figures:

Alcohol:	14,00 %
Extract :	160 g/l
Acidity:	5,6 g/l
Sugar:	120 g/l
Energy :	140 kcal / 100 ml (590 kJ / 100 ml)
Closure:	natural cork

First tasted wine with cheeses: Finnish blue cheese Peltola Blue and French ones; white cheese Levasseur Grand Livarot from Normandy and 16 months ripened organic Gryerere, Comte, from Jura mountains (on the left). Port wine is maybe the most common wine for cheeses but would say that Château d’Arche 2006 paired quite nicely. If you would have had more sweet white wine it would have destroyed the taste of cheeses. Of course port or red wines are more safe choises but can recommend this one for salty cheeses.

Then tasted wine with Runeberg cake. Cake is available only from mid January to 5th February, when the birthday of our national poet and writer J.L.Runeberg is celebrated. As cake includes punch as humectant, it really is challenging dessert for wines.

Result: Runeberg cake requires more sweet wine like Tokaji or Eiswein which have around 200g/l sugar. Also as cake has some strong ingredients it requires stronger wine to accompany.

With or without wine, it is always pleasure to enjoy the Runeberg cake or two!

And when it comes to cheeses, would say it was unbeatable threesome. Livarot being maybe the best white cheese in the world.

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

http://chateau-arche.com/

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Tags: Château d'Arche 2006, Comte cheese, Dessert wine, food, Levasseur Grand Livarot cheese, Peltola Blue cheese, Runeberg cake, Runebergin torttu, Sweet wine, Wine, Wine review
Categories : Fine Dining at Home, Food, Wine, Wine review

Wine review: Matua Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012

19 01 2014

I am not sure if THE NOSE lied but when wine was poured in to the glass it smelled first like butterscotch. After rotating the wine in the glass the scent changed totally! Any similar experiences with this wine?

Matua was the first wineyard in New Zealand to plant Sauvignon Blanc in 1969. Their produced first bottle in 1974. However, this is not about Sauvignon Blancs, which is not our favourite grape. First wine review (not first wine enjoyed) 2014 concerns Pinot Noir.

Tested wine was Matua Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012. Wineyard claims that wine is it’s best Pinot so far.

THE LOOK

First of all the color of the label is different than usually on wine bottles, turquoise. Maybe that was the reason it caught my eye at Alko.

Wine itself is light red, close to mature cherry.

THE NOSE

This was surprising! Usually when tasting wines I do not smell the aroma of wine so carefully before rotating it. This time did and was surprised by the smell of butterscotch. The bouquet I did not expect to find from Pinot Noir. But it made the wine really fascinating and forced to focus on THE NOSE more specifically than ever.

After rotating the wine in the glass strongly, aroma changed significantly. Now we found cherry, more typical pinot noir characters and some tannins.

THE TASTE

Maybe tannins dominated, as acidity was quite low, because wine tasted a little bit acrid. Not that it hindered but that was the first feeling. Anyway, this wine was the most savory pinot noir ever tasted. As they are usually quite tawdry, Matua Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012 is not.

Facts and Figures:

Alcohol:	13,50 %
Extract :	30 g/l
Acidity:	5,4 g/l
Energy :	90 kcal / 100 ml (380 kJ / 100 ml)
Closure:	metal screw cap

Tasted wine with asian food and match was perfect. Mixed flavors of strong spices and sweet seasonings are difficult combination for wines. Also paired well with pizza which was spiced with tabasco and jalopenos. Conclusion: wine suits better with spicy foods than avarage pinot noirs, mostly because of tannins.

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

http://www.matua.co.nz/en

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Tags: food, Marlborough Pinot, Matua, Matua Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012, Matua wineyard, New Zealand wine, pinot noir, red wine, Wine, Wine review
Categories : Fine Dining at Home, Food, Wine, Wine review

Wine review: Hewitson Baby Bush Mourvèdre 2011

16 12 2013

Baby Bush vines are thrived in the cool vintage of 2011 that saw a slow and even ripening period. The later maturing nature of Mourvèdre grapes meant ripening occurred in sunny and warm conditions compared to the cool and rain of earlier in the vintage.
After hand picking and fermentation on skins, the wine completed its maturation for 16 months in the very same barrels used, when new, for Old Garden Mourvèdre. During this period the barrels experienced batonnage, where wine was mixed the fermentation lees with the new wine by rotating barrels on little wheels built into the racks.

As title tells, Hewitson Baby Bush is made 100% from Mourvèdre grape. Mourvèdre is not so common grape, at least for me, which made the tasting really fascinating.

THE LOOK

Typical Hewitson label, white background and certain color of letters.

Wine itself is ruby red, some brownish although vintage is quite young 2011.

THE NOSE

Depending on glass, even liquorice-chocolate, but blackberry and boysen berry raised from both glasses. As wine is almost as strong as Amarones’s aroma of alcohol felt more strongly in bigger glass.

THE TASTE

Full-bodied a little bit spicy but tender taste. When wine opens up, flavor becomes even better.

Facts and figures:

Alcohol:	14,50 %
Extract:	29 g/l
Acidity:	4,6 g/l
Energy:	90 kcal / 100 ml (370 kJ / 100 ml)
Closure:	metal screw cap

Wine is excellent, well balanced and tannins do not interfere too much. Suits perfeclty with red meats but also with spicy foods as it has some character. I would not forget it either on cold winter days although we have not seen them yet in Helsinki.

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

http://www.hewitson.com.au/page.php?section=791&mId=1511&catid=779

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Tags: Australian wine, Hewitson Baby Bush Mourvèdre 2011, Hewitson wines, red wine, Wine review
Categories : Fine Dining at Home, Food, Helsinki, Wine, Wine review

Wine review: Best mulled wines

13 12 2013

First two important questions: Is mulled wine a wine at all? Are mulled wines available in your country or is there some other Christmas drink more popular?

Mulled wines (Glögi or Hehkuviini in Finnish) are really popular in Finland during Christmas time. They can be purchased at Alko’s already at the end of October. As the assortment of mulled wines is quite wide it is important to select right ones. Many of the mulled wines at Alko are too sweet, too strong or strangely flavored. Once we had to pour present down the drain because it was so awful.

So, we have picked two best mulled wines available at Alko: Perinteinen Punaviiniglögi and Hehkuviini.

What is odd that both come from Denmark, which seems to be THE country of mulled wines, if conclusion is based on Alko selection. So, most of the mulled wines are not made in Finland. As a matter in fact, most of them are imported or specially manufactured for Alko and bottled in Finland. This was actually new information for me, without writing this post I would not have paid any attention.

THE LOOK

The labels of both bottles look similar, same red ground and golden decorations.

Hehkuviini is a little bit darker red than Perinteinen Punaviiniglögi. However, the difference of the look of mulled wines is usually negligible.

THE NOSE

The aroma of Perinteinen Punaviiniglögi is softer due to amount of less alcohol. Clove dominates but not disturbingly. Hehkuviini smells like raisin and Christmas spices but alcohol tries to come up. The scent of both wines is christmassy which is most important savor of mulled wines.

THE TASTE

You can find cardamon form Perinteinen Punaviiniglögi. Taste is well balanced and spices are in harmony. In Hehkuviini mostly you can taste almond and gingerbread. As it has more alcohol that can also be noticed.

Facts and figures:

	Perinteinen	Hehkuviini**
	Punaviinigögi*
Alcohol:	13,00 %	22.00 %
Extract:	130 g/l	175 g/l
Acidity:	5 g/l	5.1 g/l
Sugar:	110 g/l	150 g/l
Energy:	130 kcal / 100 ml (520 kJ / 100 ml)	190 kcal / 100 ml (800 kJ / 100 ml)
Closure:	metal screw cap	metal screw cap

Mulled wines are part of Christmas time, at least in Finland. It is a pity that Alko does not provide wider selection of Gluhweins, only one choice available which is one of the worst ever tasted. Gluhweins are quite close to mulled wines, but not so sweet.

One option is to buy mulled wines from super markets but then you also to need to know which ones to pick. Most of them are actually juices. Good choice is Blossa Lingon which is almost non-alcoholic and therefore suits for drivers also.

REVIEWS: OVERALL GRADES 5/5* AND 4/5** – BANG FOR THE BUCK +++/+++* AND ++/+++**

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Tags: Alko, Blossa, Finland, Glögi, Gluhwine, Hehkuviini, Mulled wine, Perinteinen Punaviiniglögi, Wine, Wine review
Categories : Fine Dining at Home, Food, Travel, Wine, Wine review

Wine review: Champagne Taittinger Les Folies de la Marquetterie Brut

6 12 2013

Finland celebrates its Independence Day on the 6th December. It is a day for bubbling drinks and this years champagne was from Taittinger, Les Folies de la Marquetterie.

Taittinger’s very first “Champagne de Domaine”, Les Folies de la Marquetterie is a blend of Chardonnays (45%) and Pinot Noirs (55%), made exclusively from grapes grown at the Folies vineyard that overlooks Château de la Marquetterie, the birthplace of the Taittinger family champagne. A “green” harvest is carried out on the selected plots of vines to ensure the fruit offers optimum sweetness and aromatic maturity. After harvesting, only the juice from the first pressing is reserved. The bottles are aged for five years.

THE LOOK

To be honest do not really like the color of the label but of course drink itself only matters.

Color is deep yellow with a golden touch.

THE NOSE

The intense nose is fruity with aromas of apricot and red apple.

THE TASTE

The palate is full-bodied, smooth and fruity with flavor of apricot. Although champagne has small bubbles they seem to multiply in the mouth.

Facts and figures:

Alcohol:	12,50 %
Extract:	28 g/l
Acidity:	4,8 g/l
Sugar:	12 g/l
Energy:	80 kcal / 100 ml (340 kJ / 100 ml)
Closure:	natural cork

Taittinger Les Folies de la Marquetterie is perfect wine for celebrating Independence Day. Wine was tasted from Finnish Iittala Essence Champagne glasses and Cocktail bowls. Champagne and sparkling wines suit perfectly for Iittala glasses. Especially solemnity increases when you use Essence Cocktail bowl although bubbles lose quicker. So what, glamour is more important when you enjoy champagne!

And if you have some seafood; like scallops, vendaces and flambeed salmon on your Iittala plate, you might want to taste Taittinger with them.

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

http://www.taittinger.com/

Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: Champagne, Château de la Marquetterie, Finland, Finland Independence Day, Iittala Essence, Seafood, Taittinger Les Folies de la Marquetterie Brut, Wine, Wine review
Categories : Fine Dining at Home, Food, Wine, Wine review

Reijosfood

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Wine review: Champagne Taittinger Les Folies de la Marquetterie Brut

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