Kategoriarkiv: Uncategorized

Spanish red wines, Uncategorized

Smooth raspberries and earth from Terra Alta

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From the southern part of Catalunya in Spain called Terra Alta I try the Interstellar Organic Garnacha 2022 from the producer Herència Altès. This wine gets 79 points (Good wine). The price at Systembolaget is 101 SEK, and the nr 20065.

De Haan Altés was founded in 2010 by Nuria Alte and Rafael de Haan, and after having bought grapes they bought the vineyard La Serra and started their own winery in 2013.

This wine is made from the black grape variety Garnacha (which is called Grenache in France). The wine has a medium light ruby colour, and on the nose I sense fruity raspberries, strawberries, cherries, bay leaf as well as earthy notes and medium intense notes of oak like cloves and vanilla. On the palate the wine shows smooth raspberry and cherry notes, paired with spice, vanilla and chocolate.

This wine is dry and has a medium (+) acidity level and a high alcohol level of 14,5 % abv, however the tannins are medium and smooth. The flavors are not very pronounced and the body is medium, so all in all the wine feels fruity and fresh with a medium light finish.

The wine has been matured for 4 months in large Austrian oak barrels, and its smooth texture, balanced acidity and fruity red flavors makes it a good wine to match with lighter meat dishes, such as grilled pork chops with creamy herb sauce or roasted lamb with oven-baked potatoes. Also good with salads with cheese or similar vegetarian dishes.

It is best served at 16-18°C, and is best to drink now and will not improve with bottle-ageing. Surprisingly good though at this price-level!

French red wines, Uncategorized

Grand Cab-Syrah from Provence

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The south of France has a very good climate for producing fantastic red wines, although it is often most known for the rosé wines that many people try while traveling through the area. From the producer Château La Martinette in Lorgues, with a fantastic view of forests, olive groves and a hilly landscape close to the French Riviera, we have tasted La Grande Pièce AOP Côtes de Provence 2018.

The Estate grows organic Côtes de Provence from Grenache, Syrah, Cinsaut, Rolle, Clairette, Mourvèdre, Cabernet Sauvignon and the rare local grape variety Tibouren. La Grande Pièce 2018 is a cuvé of the black grape varieties Syrah (common in Northern Rhône) and Cabernet Sauvignon (common in Bordeaux). The alcohol level is 14 per cent.

There are fantastic notes of blackberry, black plums, olives, licorice, pepper, cloves and chocolate. The tannins are definitely there, but soft and smooth on the palate. This wine is very pleasant to serve with any kind of meat, especially grilled or baked in the oven. Also grilled cheese and vegetables are a very good match -try also with creamy spicy sauces. This is a very well-balanced wine with complex notes and a long tasty finish. I give it 95 points!