Dear affidubyans;
SOme holidays are weirdly dear to the hearts of Swedes in general, one
being - tonight, the night before May 1st, Valborgsmäss (don´t know who
Valborg was, but is the same as Walpurgisnacht in Germania). Great tendency
to eat spring-related fare, light dishes, sour cream, and, of course, get
drunk as a skunk which is a wellknown part of the mystery of Scandinavian
holidays.
Started the evening with Toaky Pinot Gris 2002 Schimberger Dirler Cadé, our
od friend Monsieur Dirler who is biodynamically inclined ( and for that
reason ahs a horse rather than a tractor).
[C] Light yellow as befits its tender age
[N] Very off-beat - black currant leaves, almost reminiscent of a Sancerre,
freshly acidic, very young
[P] Very good concentration and intensity, residual sugar blanced very
nicely with an elegant acidity, abricots very much present, and tropical
fruit of a pineapple-y persuasion.
Overall impression: An endearingproduct, which offsets a dish of smoked
salmon, and variations of asparagus (always a bit of a conundrum in
pairings) quite nicely. Reminiscent of some of the overseas Sauvignon
Blancs, and one of that ilk from Spain we came across at the otherwise very
bland Neichel in Barcelona (don´t visit, has one un-star in my poersonal
Guide Michelin - not worth a visit. Two un-stars means, worth a de-tour.
Etc)
Paired a marinated rumpsteak with Alamos Malbec 2002.
[C] Deep clear purple.
[N] Hard to characterize. Dark notes, dark fruit, a bit foxy, acidic, very
pleasant although a bit on the rustic side, new leather, prunes, grape
juice.
[P] Complexity well beyond the price, walnuts, marzipan, bitter almonds,
dark fruit, great lenth, wiff of violets. Medium tannines, well-structured
and pleasant. Good persistance.
Overall impression: This is the entry level Malbec from the renowned Catena
Zapata Wineries in Argentina. It was, at times, reminiscent of a young Pinot
Noir from some of the lighter and velvety communes in Cote d´Or
(Savigny-Le-Beaune or VOlnay). The price is practically a steal - SEK 89 -
I´d gladly pay at least 110-120 SEK and still consider it a bargain. Highly
recommended with a piece of red meat or not to gamey game, or roast duck.

Cheers

Nils Gustaf

--
Respond to nils dot lindgren at drchips dot se

Nils Gustaf Lindgren wrote:

> Valborgsmäss (don´t know who Valborg was, but is the same
> as Walpurgisnacht in Germania).

Sometimes you look more italian than others...

Vilco

"Vilco [out]" > skrev i melding ...
> Nils Gustaf Lindgren wrote:
>
> > Valborgsmäss (don´t know who Valborg was, but is the same
> > as Walpurgisnacht in Germania).
>
> Sometimes you look more italian than others...
>
Hi, so, you're Italian?
Some Scandinavians deviate from the tall, blond norms - I recall a Norwegian
politician, J. Kosmo, who was suggested for the post as President of the
Parliament - but his efforts was thwarted by the leading opposition MP who
said: you know, we can't have a President with the looks of an Italian
pickpocket!
(he did look like it, really)
:-) Anders