White bordeaux for me please!

Winery: Les Hauts Smith Blanc (2nd Wine of Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte)

Vintage: 2006

Appellation: Pessac-Leognan, Graves, Bordeaux

Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc

Oak: Up to 20 months in 80% new.

Average Price: €20

Tasting notes: This is in some way an unusual white Bordeaux since it’s made solely (almost) on sauvignon Blanc. This Sauvignon reminds me very much of the famous Dog Point vineyards “Section 94”. Its rich, nutty and intense. The body is medium as you would expect from a Sauvignon, but the green, crisp ‘cat-pee’ (I hate to say it) notes is gone – which is a very pleasant way to enjoy this grape.

Food Pairing Suggestions: shellfish, shellfish and shellfish. I have a very memorable evening fresh in my mind at the Fisherman’s Wharf in SF with craps, lobters, scallops and what have we not, and this wine should had been our 4th party member. That’s whats wine is all about.

Winery Notes: White Bordeaux and white Rhone. Why are these areas so hopeless unfashionable? I mean, this phrase ‘terrior’ – which I don’t know to like or not - is so expressed in these wines. Im fighting for these areas to become more famous. The wines are always crisp – but not gooseberry and ‘cat-pee’ boring crisp. They have layers and layers of velvety notes and feelings just waiting to come out.
Rating. (3.5 out of 5)

Zind-Humbrecht 'Clos Hauserer' Riesling 2006

Winery: Zind-Humbrecht

Vintage: 2006

Appellation: Alsace (Clos Hauserer)

Varietal: Riesling

Oak: No

Average Price: €40

Tasting notes: Very intense ripe yellow color. This is a very classic Riesling. You pick up flowers, honey, fresh nuts and elderflower. The taste is rich with a hint of Riesling sweetness, but the overall attack is pleasantly dry. One of my favorite Rieslings in the world.

Food Pairing Suggestions: I tried this with Cauliflower crème and scallops – and it was very memorable. I think though, that I will spend the most of my summer in Kings Garden (Copenhagen) with a bottle or three, my closest friends and family – and some shellfish. If you ever come by, call me and I will invite you over.

Winery Notes: Domaine Zind-Humbrecht is a very special Domaine. This wine is made from the Clos Hauserer part of the famous Grand Cru vineyard of ‘Hengst’. The Domaine is very strict biodynamic, and all their wines are very enjoyable. Try every wine in their range – the Pinot Gris and Gewurz are also among the best in the world.

Rating: (3 out of 5) Party!

More Dessert - Please!

Winery: Castelnau du Suiduraut

Vintage: 2001

Appellation: Sauternes

Varietal: Semillon 90%, Sauvignon Blanc 10%

Oak: 12 months

Average Price: $29

Tasting notes: This wine has a deep intense straw yellow color, and a very complex nose. Covered in figs, prunes, caramel and the taste is so nice in balance. So sweet, yet so fine, fresh and delicate. This is one of the best Sauternes buys at the moment!

Food Pairing Suggestions: Grilled bananas with vanilla ice cream! Apricot pie with caramelized figs and crème anglaise. Yummy!

Winery Notes: I thought this tasting note would fit the spot just right. After the last review of “Rieussec 01” – which is one of my favorite wines of all times (!!). I wanted to give you an example of a world class Sauternes at a good price. This is the second wine of the famous Ch. Suiduraut, and what a bargain!

2007 Grüner-Veltliner 'Wachtberg, Salomon-Undho

Winery: Salmon-Undhof

Vintage: 2007

Appellation: Kremstal (Wachtberg vineyard)

Varietal: Gruner-Veltliner

Oak: No

Average Price: £22

Tasting notes: The appearance is a clear, with a lemon-green color. The nose is beautiful with the classic tones of green apples, asparagus, lychee and white pepper. The palate is dry with a medium body and intensity – good herbal length. Ooh what a beauty on that hot summer evening at the beach!

Food Pairing Suggestions: I’ve recently learned something new. Gruner Veltliner is excellent with creamy soups! Try them in all sorts, the crisp, but still good bodied wine matches the structure of the soups just perfect. Gruner is also excellent pair to dishes with a lot of herbs – examples could be 'moules marines' or baked fish with creamy sauce flavored with your favorite herbs.

Winery Notes: The winery is very old – 1792 – and has been in family hands ever since. Today, Erich and Bertold Salomon are making the wine and controlling the vineyards. The wines are VERY affordable, so avoid the ‘lowest’ range of their wines, they seem a little to cheap, lack of fruit etc, but the singe vineyard wines are an excellent buy.

F*CK THE FINANCIAL CRISIS: Value wines that beat recession. Part 2

Rasmus Amdi Larsen is a 21 year old sommelier. He is currently working as head-sommelier and Restaurant Manager at the restaurant Le Sommelier in the centre of Copenhagen. Administrating the 1600 bottle wine list, one of the largest in Denmark, this young sommelier is showing a lot of potential. Rasmus is also educating at the Hospitality College in Copenhagen, competing in sommelier competitions - and in the limited free time, golfing is a huge interest. To get in touch with Rasmus email him at amdi@gastrodenmark.com

‘Were not gonna take it!’ Its time for great wine that won’t break your wallet. Here’s the second episode on my series of wines that you can drink a case of and still be able to call your bank the following Monday. It is time to party.

Winery: Alta Vista (Blend)

Vintage: 2004

Appellation: Mendoza

Varietal: Malbec, Cabernet, Syrah, Tempranillo, Petit Verdot

Oak: 12 months in French oak.

Average Price: $14

Tasting notes: Deep ruby colored, beautiful clean. The nose is intense and, as you would expect covered with fruits like blackcurrant, strawberry, blueberry, blackberry and leather, tobacco and wood. It is a very honest wine, really expressing every grape in the Blend. Its very balanced and, despite all the ‘heavy’ notes still has a very good and crisp acidity.

Food Pairing Suggestions: Steak of beef with onion compot, potatoes and mushroom vinaigrette. Breast of duck with cabbage and apricot/jalepenos sauce (make sure the jalepenos give to the sauce the ‘hot’ taste, NOT to your tongue).

Winery Notes: Alta Vista is run by Jean-Michel d’Aulan, a famous Chateaux owner in St-Emilion and the former owner of the champagne house Piper-Heidseick. He was given the title of the ‘winemaker of the year’ not less than two times.

Rating: 3 out of 5 for an outstanding value wine.

2005 Pommard, Vincent Girardin

Winery: Vincent Girardin

Vintage: 2005

Appellation: Pommard

Varietal: Pinor Noir

Oak: 16 months 33% new French

Average Price: $32.00


Tasting notes: This ruby-coloured Cote de Baune is a very delicate and fruity experience. The nose is filled with red and dark berries, and the overall feeling of the wine is that this one is a very nice drinker. Be careful when opening one of these, it will lead you to drink more than one bottle. A good long finish with soft tannins and strong fruits covers your tongue for several minutes.


Food Pairing Suggestions: I want poultry with fruit and nuts-salad and thyme potatoes. Pork and beets. And of course - do I have to mention - fried foie gras with your favorite adding.


Winery Notes: Vincent Girardin is a fairly new producer, but he already owns parcels everywhere in Burgundy. He makes excellent soft, long lasting, easy drinking and easy enjoyable wines. His wines are always good priced, so take a closer look at the wines from this serious producer.


Rating: 3,5 for an excellent wine. Share this with your friends or sit down and enjoy on a Thursday night.

Chateau Cantemerle 2006

Winery: Chateau Cantemerle

Vintage: 2006

Appellation: Haut-Medoc

Varietal: 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc

Oak: 18 months new and old French oak

Average Price: $20.00


Tasting notes: This is a pretty dark Haut-Medoc. The nose shows hints of menthol and dark berries. Cantemerle did not used to be my favorite claret, but with this 2006 vintage the Chateau is becoming quite strong. Good length on the palate, good fruity structure, velvety tannins and excellent depth. Drink this wine now and over the next 12-15 years. This is a wine to party with!

Food Pairing Suggestions: I had a good experience with this combination: Culottes of veal with haricoverts, pearl onions, fried potatoes and sherry sauce. I wouldn't cry either for a course with Breast of duck, pommes anna, mushrooms, brussels sprouts and a good strong red wine sauce. Yummy!

Winery Notes: Cantemerle has improved quite a lot over the last few years. The Chateau has never been in the expensive end of clarets, but I think with the 2006 vintage they nailed an excellent value claret! An instant favorite of mine. Avoid the 2005 vintage from Cantemerle, it is a bit too expensive, the 2004 is also excellent, but with the price tag at $20 for 2006, why bother?

F*CK THE FINANCIAL CRISIS: Value wines that beat recession. Part 1

Rasmus Amdi Larsen is a 21 year old sommelier. He is currently working as head-sommelier and Restaurant Manager at the restaurant Le Sommelier in the centre of Copenhagen. Administrating the 1600 bottle wine list, one of the largest in Denmark, this young sommelier is showing a lot of potential. Rasmus is also educating at the Hospitality College in Copenhagen, competing in sommelier competitions - and in the limited free time, golfing is a huge interest. To get in touch with Rasmus email him at amdi@gastrodenmark.com

The times of irrationality are over. The financially harder times are here, and I actually think this is a good thing for the food and wine industry. We have seen over the last few years wineries and restaurants open like never before. It seemed, terms like talent, skills and life long enthusiasm in our field has been in the background for money. It was no problem for untalented – but rich – ‘fools’ to start the business. If the quality wasn’t as high as the neighbours, you could always just out-PR them! But now, with everyone talking about the financial crisis, only the best will survive. Only the best and most skilled people can win – the market will always be here, and quality will beat quantity. This series of articles will guide you through my absolute favourite value wines.

Dutchke 'GHR' (God Hills) Shiraz 4 Vineyard

Winery: Dutchke
Vintage: 2006
Appellation: Barossa Valley
Varietal: Shiraz
Oak: 18 months in French and American oak
Average Price: $20
Alcohol: 14.8%

Tasting notes: Shiraz is normally not my favorite. But this big, but yet very fine Shiraz is one that stands alone. It is blackberry and cherry dominated. The taste is long and filled with dark berries. The alcohol is ‘only’ 14.8% which gives the wine more complexity than normal. It is actually quite European in the style, even though it does not hide the warmth of its birthplace.

Food Pairing Suggestions: Why not the old classic. Rip of beef, French Fries and Béarnaise sauce. Breast of duck, blackberry sauce and roasted potatoes. This wine needs heavy things, so avoid chicken and pork.

Winery Notes: This wine is from the Dutschke winery. It is actually my favorite in their large range of wines. This is the most delicate and easy drinking in the range, the others wines seem to me a bit to ‘gutsy’. It is made from 4 vineyards, one of them with 120 year old vines (!)