Life is too short to drink bad wine

Just a glass of this gorgeous wine at Lavinia in Paris. A warm smell of wood, cherries and humus. The taste is bone dry and not stringent, but is crying out for food. Quite a fresh and blanked aftertaste. Brunello di Montalcino, Argiano 2007 If you are visiting Tuscany.....but be prepared to buy...

I have had this in the cellar for some time and decided at 12 years old it was time to give it a try. It needed a bit of time to open up , but with a bit of patience it showed nice dried fruit on the nose with a long and very nicely balanced taste. The wine is a mix of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvedre. The taste is complex with a mix of cherries, blackcurrant and spices. Ch La Nerthe 2000, Chateauneuf-du Pape, 25€ Perfect timing at 12 years old...

Lovely zingy and zesty Sauvignon Blanc from Chile! The creator is Laroche well known for his Chablis. This Sauv Blanc is bone dry but with great acidity and balance. Perfect with sushi and sea food. Tasted at Amsterdam airport at the "Champagne" bar there. If you got time, a glass is well worth a try.... Punto Nino 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, Chile A brilliant Sauvignon Blanc!

This is the basic version of the Domaine Cauhape sweet white. Harvested as the name says in October and made from Gros (70%) and Petit Manseng grapes. Pale colour. A seductive sweet nose of exotic fruit and a beautiful long light and wonderfully balanced acidity. It is sweet but it does not feels too sweet thanks to the lovely acidity. Domaine Cauhape 2010, Jurancon A delicious swet wine at 12€ a bottle. Also tasted at the domaine was the astonishing "Noblesse du Temps" 2010 made from 100% Petit Manseng. Fantastic concentration and length. 28€.

This is another dry white from Jurancon and Domaine Cauhape. An oaked version with perfect balance between the fruit and the oak. Big solid smell of dried fruit and spices. Rich and concentrated taste. 50/50 mix of petit and gros manseng grapes. Goes well with smoked salmon, prawns, scallops and even charcuterie. Domaine Cauhape, Jurancon 2010 Very elegant dry white at 14€.

Sampled at the Domaine earlier this week. Light green yellow colour. Smell of citrus, flowers and herbs. Young and fresh wine with a lovely acidity. Nice with fish and even foie gras. Domaine Cauhape "Chant des Vignes" 2011, Jurancon Very nice cheap dry white. 12€ or 140 NOK (Norwegian price very good!)

Alain Brumont is a reliable Madiran producer. This big red wine packed with dark berries, plum and cedar is the proof of that. After mixing Cab Sauv and Cabernet Franc in their wines the Madiran has become more approachable and the same with this one. A solid dense taste packed with tannins that are not too rough. Perfect with confit or magret de canard or any other red meat. Ch Bouscasse 2009, Madiran. Ca 12€ or 210 NOK Great solid and masculine wine!