French rosé wines, Tasty recipes

Divine rosé from Bégude with salmon

Lämna en kommentar

The art of combining wine and food is a wonderful journey that I pursue every day. There are always new combinations to try, new possible fantastic pairings to be discovered…

In the south of France, in the appellation AOC Bandol in Provence we find the Domaine de la Bégude, which I recently visited. Their organic Rosé Vin de Bandol is such a fantastic pairing with salmon! It is made from a cuvé of 80 % Mourvèdre, 15 % Grenache and 5 % Cinsault, and the alcohol level is 13,5 %.

The vineyard is Ecocert certified since 2006, and for this wine ambient yeasts have been used. It has a beautiful pink-orange color, and on the nose I sense both fresh lime and red cherries and strawberries surrounded by roses and violet. On the palate the red berry notes are accompanied by spices and a fresh acidity. The finish is long and tasty. This rosé gets 89 pooints, a wine to both drink as it is and serve with food!

Even though this rosé wine is fantastic as an aperitif, it is also a great match with both fish dishes and lighter meat dishes – even grilled and with spicy sauces. Asian food is also very nice with this rosé.

The food I prepared to serve with the Domaine de La Bégude Rosé is a slightly grilled smoked salmon with fresh stewed potatoes, which you boil and mix with milk, cream, oatmeal and butter. Add some fresh dill and lime, and serve with pickled red onion and seaweed chips.

Bon appétit!

Natural wines

Hungarian Natural wine with spicy notes

Lämna en kommentar

There is a constant increase of green wines – organic, biodynamic and also so called natural wines. Natural wines do not, unlike organic wines, have any specific certifications – however there are a number of factors that most winegrowers agree on if they want to classify their wines as ”natural”. The vineyard should be organic or biodynamic, the yeast used should be ambient and a common phrase used is ”nothing added, nothing removed”. The grapes are hand harvested and a minimum of SO2 is added (often at bottling). Artisan practices like the use of amphorae is also common. We tasted the natural wine Sopron 2020, a blend of the black grape varieties Kekfrankos (Blaufränkisch in Austria) and Syrah, made by the Hungarian producer Weingut Weninger.

On the nose this wine has a pleasant note of violet, black cherries and plums as well as spice. The acidity is refreshing, and on the palate there are both red raspberries and black cherries, spices and chocolate notes. The tannins are soft and velvety. There is also a hint of licorice. This is a very nice wine to pair with food, both lighter meat and red meat with spicy flavors! Add potatoes roasted in the oven and spicy creamy sauces and you will understand why I give this wine 81 points!

French red wines, Uncategorized

Grand Cab-Syrah from Provence

Lämna en kommentar

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!

Austrian red wines

Biodynamic Pinot from Austria

Lämna en kommentar

From the region Burgenland in the southern part of Austria we taste this red wine called Meinklang made of the grape variety Pinot Noir. It has a nice high level of acidity, velvety smooth tannins and fruity notes of violet, raspberries, red cherries as well as herbs and a flinty touch in the finish.

This wine is well-balanced and well worth its price of 129 SEK at Systembolaget (nr 75093). The alcohol level is 12 %. It is a very good match with both fresh salads, cooked or roasted vegetables – as well as lighter meat dishes and salmon.

The producer Meinklang is bio dynamically certified and run by the Family Michlits in Burgenland (Demeter certification). On the bottle it is written ” The Angus cattle populates the landscape by Lake Neusiedlersee. Cows are the key element of biodynamic farming and complete the ecological circle. Healthy soil and harmonious vine metabolism are the central focus for wines with character which shine in the distinctive play of Burgenland’s colors. The climate in Burgenland with its hot summer days enable the grapes to ripen completely, whilst the cool nights allow the grapes to rest and the flavours to fully develop. The result is powerful, natural, concentrated fruit, full of character.” This is a very pleasant wine which gets 83 points!

Californian white wines

Tropical notes in Californian Viognier

Lämna en kommentar

From California in the US this Viognier from McManis shows very aromatic notes of yellow pears, peach, mango, pineapple as well as vanilla notes from oak maturation. The level of acidity is medium, but the aromatic notes still gives the wine some body.

Even though this wine has many tropical notes it is a dry white wine (6 g/l), and combines well with both sea food and fish dishes, as well as many Asian dishes and even light meat dishes. It is a very versatile wine, and well worth its price of 99 SEK at Systembolaget (nr 6290) – and it gets 85 points from me!

French red wines

Dark olives notes from La Clape

Lämna en kommentar

From La Clape in the south of France and the region Languedoc-Roussillon, this typical ”GSM” blend produces notes of both dark olives, chocolate and licorice on the palate. GSM stands for the 3 grape varieties Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, and is typical for this region since they complement each other well. Saint Auriol Chatelaine comes from the producer Les Domaines Auriol, and this wine is sold for 119 SEK at Systembolaget (nr 4500).

It has high but well-balanced level of acidity and smooth tannins that are rounded off by one year of oak maturation. This adds notes of cedar, cloves, chocolate and vanilla – on top of the spicy and dark fruity notes both on the nose and palate. It is very easy to combine with most dishes of meat as well as overcooked or grilled cheeses or vegetables – add a spicy and creamy sauce and the combination is perfect! I give this wine 86 points!

Italian red wines

Istine Chianti Classico is classy

Lämna en kommentar

This red wine from Tuscany in Italy is made from 100% Sangiovese, and since 2016 the producer Istine is certified organic. It has very pleasant notes of dark cherries, slightly sour which is typical for this style, as well as sage and cinnamon. The maturation in Slovenian oak for one year adds notes of vanilla, chocolate, tobacco and cloves.

The balance between the high acidity and firm but integrated tannins, as well as the pronounced flavours make this wine very good to match with the typical Italian cuisine – like pasta, pizza, prosciutto and fantastic cheeses! It costs 159 SEK and has nr 2309 at Systembolaget, and the well-integrated structure and classy finish makes this a very price-worthy wine, and it gets 86 points!

Austrian red wines

Pleasant organic Shiraz with chocolate and spicy notes

Lämna en kommentar

From Gemtree Vineyards in Mc Laren Vale, South Australia, this organic wine made of 100% Shiraz (the same grape variety as Syrah) gives lovely notes of blackberries, blueberries, black pepper and licorice. It has been matured in oak barrels, giving more integrated tannins and adding flavours of chocolate and vanilla.

This wine is well-balanced, and has nice acidity balanced with intense flavours and smooth but still structured tannins. As a result, this wine is very easy to combine with both spicy vegetarian dishes as well as most meat dishes – especially when served with pepper, herbs and grilled ingredients! I give this wine 87 points, it is excellent and well worth its price of 119 SEK. It has nr 20033 at Systembolaget.

Argentinian white wines

Torrentés with elderflower and melon notes

Lämna en kommentar

Aromatic and fruity blend from La Rioja, Cuyo, in Argentina, Ecological Families is made of 60% torrents and 40% chardonnay. This gives a very fruity wine, with lots of elderflower, lime, pear and melon.

This is a dry wine with a hint if sweetness (7g/l), and medium acidity. Its very aromatic notes makes it pleasant to drink as an aperitif, and is good to match with fish dishes as well as light chicken meals with some spices added. The slight sweet and blossom notes also makes it very good to serve with Asian dishes. The price is 77 SEK and the nr 6231 at Systembolaget. I give this versatile and easy-to-like wine 81 points.

Italian white wines

Italian white from Abruzzo

Lämna en kommentar

The Italian region of Abruzzo lies south-east of Tuscany and Umbria, and one of the white grape varieties here is Trebbiano. This wine has fresh acidity with fruity notes of lemon, green apples, peach and herbs.

This wine is good with seafood and fish dishes, and I give it 72 points. It costs 79 SEK and har nr 6580 at Systembolaget. I find it a balanced wine with fruity notes, and it is worth its price!