Life is too short to drink bad wine

This is yet another wonderful dry white from Burgundy by Girardin. 100% Chardonnay perfectly balanced between fruit and oak. Nice buttery, citrus notes on the nose. Lovely dry taste packed with a fruity big silky aftertaste. Perfect with fried cod.... Puligny Montrachet "Les Enseigneres" 2008 by V Girardin, 30-40€ Isn't white Burgundy just lovely?

An unusual wine from an rare district made in an abnormal way. Not bad.... The grape is Nebbiolo (from Piemonte and among others used in Barolo) which is dried for 3 months before fermentation (like Amarone). The wine can remind one of Amarone as it is packed with dark fruit and smells and taste like blackcurrant tart. Great solid stuff. Sforzato 2006, Lombardia 20-30€ Like a Barolo Amarone blend...

This a dark fruity wine from the southern part of Rhone. Great smell of brambles, smoke and juniper berries. The taste is big and long, packed with dark fruit. It is easy to drink but can be kept and goes well with most red meat. Ch de Segries 2008, Lirac, Low price 149 non or ca 8€. A very approachable wine..  

This is a very nice Syrah from the Russian River in California. Dark deep red colour. Beautiful dark berries on the nose, a quite attractive Syrah smell. The taste is full-bodied with soft tannins and perhaps a bit on the dry side. The producer is a big fan of Telemark skiing and thus a very memorable label. Pinhead Red Zyrah, NOK 258 or 22usd in the US. "Cool climate" Syrah from California...

This is just a stunning Zinfandel from Ridge in California. It is just packed with silky brambles and ripe black cherries and raspberries. A bit of liquerice as well and some tobacco. Just gorgeous smell. On the palate the silk continues with lots of black fruit and and full bodied long aftertaste so fantastically balanced that you just have to smile. A truly great wine and one of the best Zinfandels I have ever tasted. Ridge Lytton Springs 2009, California  Medium price NOK295 or 35usd. A truly great wine.

This Champagne house was created in 1798 coinciding with the rise of Napoleon. It is said that the emperor used to stuck up on this Chamapagne on his way to a series of stunning victories. This is a lovely Champagne, a mix of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with great finesse and a good mouthful. Apples, citrus and a nice mineral undertone. Jacquesson 734, Champagne, NOK 350 or ca 30€ Good rich Champagne. Seafood or on it's own.

With the first wine being oxidiced the host went on to plan B which was better welcome by the panel. Dark red colour. Modest nose of dark berries, blackcurrant and hint of ink. Big mouthful with a nice balance. Lots of fruit and dark berries. Firm with soft tannins. A wine with punch, but definitely not Bordeaux... Ch Citran 2004, Haut Medoc Price 20€ Score 16.20 but a very nice low priced Bordeaux.