Seems like the Bordeaux primeur tasting in Oslo Operahouse is going to be a annual event. This was my second year. I tasted a lot less wines this year than the year before. However it is interesting to see that my preference has not changed. These are the most interesting wines form this years tasting:
Château Angélus
Château Coutet
Château Guiraud
Château Grand Puy Lacoste
Château Montrose
Château Smith Haut Lafitte
Château Sudiuraut
When comparing them to last years tasting I gave them 9, 10 and 11s. Last year I did not buy any wine, I'm not going to do that mistake twice. I will post the price for the wines later as they become available.
Château Montrose was the tastings most expensive wine. When I came they only had the 2009 vintage left. According to the rumors on-site it is going to cost 150€ per bottle. 2009 looks to be the best vintage since 2005, so it might be a good investment for those so inclined.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Import
Since the summer of 2009 it has in theory been possible for private persons to import alcohol to Norway by mail. Before that you had to make the producer send it to Vinmonopolet, and it was a lot of hassle.
The news papers have written alot about how this new legislation is working, or rather not working. How the customs are having trouble handling it and such. I haven't heard of a single person actually importing wine by mail under the new rules.
When I finally found someone selling Doux Champagne I had to figure out if this would actually work. I checked the customs web page, according to them there was no trick to it actually. Just have someone mail it to you, and write the volume and the percentage of alcohol and the rest would take care of it self. So that's what I did. I got a tracking number from Champagne Fleury and could see how the parcel progressed. I was not so please when the tracking read:
That stage passed quickly and it went in to waiting to clear customs. Nothing happened for a week, then I called mail service. They could not explain why nothing had happened to the parcel for a week, but promised to expedite it. A few days later I could pick up my 8 bottles at the post office for a sizable charge (value added tax, alcohol tax, tax fee).
The conclusion is that it really works to have people send you alcohol, just be prepared to pay a lot as it passes through the customs.
The news papers have written alot about how this new legislation is working, or rather not working. How the customs are having trouble handling it and such. I haven't heard of a single person actually importing wine by mail under the new rules.
When I finally found someone selling Doux Champagne I had to figure out if this would actually work. I checked the customs web page, according to them there was no trick to it actually. Just have someone mail it to you, and write the volume and the percentage of alcohol and the rest would take care of it self. So that's what I did. I got a tracking number from Champagne Fleury and could see how the parcel progressed. I was not so please when the tracking read:
Translated: Package is beeing temporary stored because Import license is require.
Sendingen er under importbehandling og er midlertidig lagret Årsak: Importrestriksjoner, lisens kreves
That stage passed quickly and it went in to waiting to clear customs. Nothing happened for a week, then I called mail service. They could not explain why nothing had happened to the parcel for a week, but promised to expedite it. A few days later I could pick up my 8 bottles at the post office for a sizable charge (value added tax, alcohol tax, tax fee).
The conclusion is that it really works to have people send you alcohol, just be prepared to pay a lot as it passes through the customs.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
The Quest for Doux-Champagne
Champagne is one of my absolute favourite wines, along with Amarone and Port. If I were to only drink three types wine for the rest of my life those would be it.
In May 2008 Tabula Rasa (my wine club) held a Champagne tasting. Before this I didn't know that much about Champagne, but I learned alot that evening. Since than I have been taken with Champagne. One of the things we learned that evening in May was that in the past Champagne used to be much sweeter than it is today. Loving sweet wines like Port, Reciotto and Eiswein I figured that I aught to taste the sweeter Champagnes. Two Demi-Sec Champagne was available through Vinmonopolet. Each of them better than their dryer version in my humble opinion. There was not a single Doux-Champagne at Vinmonopolet.
Whenever I'm travelling I'm always on the lookout for new Demi-Sec or Doux Champagne, but there is seldom any good selection. So far I haven't found a single Doux Champagne.
Even Harrods, famous for having everything, did not have Doux-Champagne. When I was going to Oslos only resturant with two stars in the Michelin Guide, I figured this would be my chance. The probably have a large wine cellar, and one of those bottles would have to be a Doux-Champagne, but no.
During one of my trips abroad I decided to ask the wine shop on Heathrow is they had any. They didn't, but instead of leaving it at "No we do not." The guy went on to tell me that I should by Port in stead. Don't get me wrong I love port, but I wouldn't be asking for Champagne if I wanted to buy Port.
During one of my trips abroad I decided to ask the wine shop on Heathrow is they had any. They didn't, but instead of leaving it at "No we do not." The guy went on to tell me that I should by Port in stead. Don't get me wrong I love port, but I wouldn't be asking for Champagne if I wanted to buy Port.
In cellartracker.com database I found some Doux-Champagne. Though wine-searcher.com I looked for someone selling these wines. I found only one seller that had any of them for sale: K&L Wine in USA. The one they had was even inside the price range that I could afford. After all other ways of getting hold of a Doux-Champagne had failed I decided I was going to order from K&L Wines. The import rules have just changed in Norway to allow for private import, so it aught to be possible. Again I was disappointed, the would not ship to Norway and a lot of other countries. So I was back at square one.
When K&L Wine failed, I decided to contact the producer directly, but them beeing French I'm not very optimistic that my e-mail in English is going to get me any where. It might be time to revisit the list from cellartracker and contact the producers of all the Doux-Champagne in the list...
Before I could complete this post, and before I could contact more produces the first one got back to me. My doubts were put to shame. They are able to ship to Norway and they have two different Doux-Champagne available.
Blanc de blancs doux 2000
Fleury 1995 doux
It's almost time to celebrate. Just need the check up on the import rules for wines in Norway. The short of it is that you can just have the wine shipped, and it will automatically be declared on entry as long as it is properly marked. The alcohol tax and VAT will amount to approximately the same as the wine and shipping cost. So on entry the price is doubled. Never mind that it is time to order Doux-Champagne!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Wine Ranking, Value for Money
Red Wine
White Wine
Sweet Wine
| Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon | 79 NOK | 9 | CHILE |
| Canopia Malbec Syrah | 79 NOK | 9 | ARGENTINA |
| Baron la Rose Vieilles Vignes | 115 NOK | 10 | FRANKRIKE |
| Rosemount Shiraz | 135 NOK | 10.5 | AUSTRALIA |
| Eleganta Vinum Merlot | 89 NOK | 9 | FRANKRIKE |
| Faustino Slectión de Familia | 129 NOK | 10 | SPANIA |
| Armador Cabernet Sauvignon | 100 NOK | 9 | CHILE |
| Zuazo Gaston Tempranillo | 99 NOK | 9 | SPANIA |
| Rosemount Shiraz Cabernet | 104 NOK | 9 | AUSTRALIA |
| Jacob's Creek Shiraz Cabernet | 106 NOK | 9 | AUSTRALIA |
White Wine
| Casablanca Chardonnay | 112 NOK | 10 | CHILE |
| Viña la Rosa la Capitana Chardonnay | 129 NOK | 10 | CHILE |
| Leitz Rüdesheimer Kirchenpfad Riesling Kabinett Feinherb | 129 NOK | 10 | TYSKLAND |
| Toso Moscato d'asti | 67 NOK | 8 | ITALIA |
| Strub Niersteiner Pettenthal Riesling Spätlese Trocken | 134 NOK | 10 | TYSKLAND |
| Viña la Rosa Don Reca Chardonnay | 134 NOK | 10 | CHILE |
| J.L. wolf Wachenheimer Riesling Kabinett | 99 NOK | 9 | TYSKLAND |
| Strub Niersteiner Silvaner Kabinett Trocken | 132 NOK | 9 | TYSKLAND |
| Leitz Rheingau Riesling Trocken | 106 NOK | 9 | TYSKLAND |
| Vernaccia di San Gimignano | 149 NOK | 10 | ITALIA |
Sweet Wine
| Strub Niersteiner Bildstock Huxelrebe Beerenauslese | 134 NOK | 11 | TYSKLAND |
| Fresita | 87 NOK | 8.5 | CHILE |
| Hexamer Meddersheimer Rheingrafenberg Riesling Spätlese * | 159 NOK | 10 | TYSKLAND |
| Righetti Recioto della Valpolicella Classico | 115 NOK | 11 | ITALIA |
| Gran Feudo Moscatel | 106 NOK | 9.5 | SPANIA |
| San Pedro Late Harvest Riesling | 99 NOK | 9 | CHILE |
| Churchill's 10 Y. Tawny | 219 NOK | 10 | PORTUGAL |
| Warre's Quinta da Cavadina Vintage Port | 221 NOK | 10 | PORTUGAL |
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Melome v1.0
After making a few successful meads I wanted to expand to melome. 
Today I botteled my first melome. It is a clear red color with out using any artificial clearing. There is approximately 11,3% alcohole in the melome. It is extremely dry.
Recipe:
Today I botteled my first melome. It is a clear red color with out using any artificial clearing. There is approximately 11,3% alcohole in the melome. It is extremely dry.Recipe:
- 80g Saaz hops pelets, 60 min in 10l
- 30g Saaz hops pelets, 30 min in 10l
- 30g Saaz hops pelets, 15 min in 10l
- 3 sticks of cinamon
- 4ts ginger
- 4,2 kg Brazilian honey.
- 2,8 kg Swedish honey.
- 443g blue berry
- 737g blue grapes
- 668g plums
- 427g cherries
- Wyeast Mead Activator
- Total of 26l, OE 1.75
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Primeaur
Introduction
Primeaur is to buy wine when it is still on the cask, not yet finished. It is very important to be able to taste the wine before buying as there are few or no reviews of that vintage. The Bordaux Chateau sells to primeaur in order to liquidate some of the money they have in the unfinished cask. This is a very old tradition. The wine is delivered one or two years after you bought it.
My ranking of the wines from Bordeaux Primeaur tasting in Oslo
Producers at the Bordeaux Primeaur in Oslo 31st of August 2009:
Ch. Angélus (St Emilion), Ch. Beychevelle (St Julien), Ch. Branaire-Ducru (St. Julien), Ch. Canon-la-Gaffelière (St. Emilion), Ch. Camensac (Haut-Médoc), Ch. Cantermerle (Haut-Médoc), Ch. Chasse Spleen (Moulis en-Médoc), Domaine de Chevalier (Pessac-Léognan), Clos Fourtet (St. Emilion), Ch. Durfort-Vivens (Margaux), Destieux (Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classé), Ch la Clemence (Pomerol)) Ch. Gazin (Pomerol), Ch. Giscours (Margaux), Ch. Grand Puy Lacoste (Pauillac), Ch. Haut-Bailly (Pessac-Léognan), Ch. Labégorce (Margaux), Ch. Labégorce Zede (Margaux), Ch. Lagrange (St. Julien), Ch. Léoville Poyferré (St. Julien), Ch. Les Carmes Haut-Brion (Pessac-Léognan), Ch. Petit Village (Pomerol), Ch. Phélan Ségur (St. Estephe), Ch. Pichon Longueville (Pauillac), Ch. Poujeaux (Moulis en-Médoc), Ch. Suduiraut (Sauternes), Ch. Pontet Canet (Pauillac), Ch. Smith Haut Lafitte (Pessac-Léognan) og Ch. du Tertre (Margaux)
Primeaur is to buy wine when it is still on the cask, not yet finished. It is very important to be able to taste the wine before buying as there are few or no reviews of that vintage. The Bordaux Chateau sells to primeaur in order to liquidate some of the money they have in the unfinished cask. This is a very old tradition. The wine is delivered one or two years after you bought it.
My ranking of the wines from Bordeaux Primeaur tasting in Oslo
| Château | Year | Score |
| Château Angelus | 2006 | 9 |
| Château Beychevelle | 2008 | 7 |
| Château Beychevelle | 2006 | 10 |
| Château Beychevelle | 2002 | 10 |
| Château Camensac | 2001 | 7 |
| Château la Clemence | 1999 | 8 |
| Château Clerc Milon | 2001 | 10 |
| Château Coutet (Sauternes) | 2008 | 9 |
| Château Coutet (Sauternes) | 1998 | 11 |
| Château Destieux | 2004 | 8 |
| Château Gazin | 2007 | 6 |
| Château Guiarud (Sauternes) | 2008 | 10 |
| Château Guiarud (Sauternes) | 2007 | 10 |
| Château Giscours | 2006 | 9 |
| Château Grand Puy Lacoste | 2006 | 9 |
| Château Labegorce | 2001 | 10 |
| Château Lagrange 1. vin | 2004 | 8 |
| Château Lagrange Fiefs de Lagrange 2. vin | 2004 | 8 |
| Château Lagrange Arums de lagrange (White) | 2008 | 8 |
| Château Leoville Poyferre | 2008 | 9 |
| Château Leoville Poyferre | 2007 | 9 |
| Château Phelan Segur | 2008 | 10 |
| Château Phelan Segur | 2004 | 9 |
| Château Pont Canet | 2008 | 7 |
| Château Pont Canet | 2001 | 9 |
| Château Smith Haut Lafitte | 2007 | 9 |
| Château Smith Haut Lafitte (white) | 2007 | 10 |
| Château du Tertre | 2006 | 10 |
Producers at the Bordeaux Primeaur in Oslo 31st of August 2009:
Ch. Angélus (St Emilion), Ch. Beychevelle (St Julien), Ch. Branaire-Ducru (St. Julien), Ch. Canon-la-Gaffelière (St. Emilion), Ch. Camensac (Haut-Médoc), Ch. Cantermerle (Haut-Médoc), Ch. Chasse Spleen (Moulis en-Médoc), Domaine de Chevalier (Pessac-Léognan), Clos Fourtet (St. Emilion), Ch. Durfort-Vivens (Margaux), Destieux (Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classé), Ch la Clemence (Pomerol)) Ch. Gazin (Pomerol), Ch. Giscours (Margaux), Ch. Grand Puy Lacoste (Pauillac), Ch. Haut-Bailly (Pessac-Léognan), Ch. Labégorce (Margaux), Ch. Labégorce Zede (Margaux), Ch. Lagrange (St. Julien), Ch. Léoville Poyferré (St. Julien), Ch. Les Carmes Haut-Brion (Pessac-Léognan), Ch. Petit Village (Pomerol), Ch. Phélan Ségur (St. Estephe), Ch. Pichon Longueville (Pauillac), Ch. Poujeaux (Moulis en-Médoc), Ch. Suduiraut (Sauternes), Ch. Pontet Canet (Pauillac), Ch. Smith Haut Lafitte (Pessac-Léognan) og Ch. du Tertre (Margaux)
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Red wine for pork
My ranking of wines that are good with pork.
| Wine | Score | Price |
| Tommasi Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso | 10 | 185 |
| Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon | 9 | 79 |
| Rosemount Shiraz Cabernet | 9 | 104 |
| Jacob's Creek Shiraz Cabernet | 9 | 106 |
| Jacob's Creek Shiraz Cabernet | 9 | 106 |
| Antinori Santa Cristina | 9 | 114 |
| Angove's Long Row Shiraz | 9 | 127 |
| Allesverloren Shiraz | 9 | 129 |
| Serego Alighieri Poderi del Bello Ovile | 9 | 129 |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)