Life is too short to drink bad wine

The rose version is made from only Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. Lovely pale salmon colour. Smell is filled with delicious red fruit, wild strawberries and some red cherries. Great balanced and refreshing taste with a soft aftertaste filled with red fruit. Aperitif or with sea food. Ca 280 NOK or 27€

This is the Blanc de Blancs version by Nomine-Renard, i.e just 100% Chardonnay. Medium straw color and with a bouquet more towards ripe apples, wet breadcrumbs and some citrus fruit. Well balanced taste, with medium + acidity and a kind finish. A bit more expensive than the brut version, but one step up in terms of quality. Ca 270kr or 25€.

Standard Cuvee by Nomine-Renard at a reasonable price too. Pale straw colour. Nice smell of citrus fruit, apple and some toast and yeast. Reasonably long aftertaste with predominant citrus fruit on the palate. A decent Champagne for only 240 kroner or 22€. Normal blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier. Nomine-Renard Champagne Brut Ca 22 €

This is another great red Burgundy by Patrice Rion. Medium red colour and a delicious smell of red fruit, sweet vanilla and hints of chocolate. Super balanced long taste. Delicious fruit and a nice acidity. Soft tannins. Drinking perfectly now. Gevrey-Chambertin 1er cru Lavaux Saint Jacques 2006 Patrice Rion Ca 40$

Andre Lurton is the man behind many good Chateaux's in Bordeaux and quality seems to be a common theme. This very reasonable Vin de France made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc is just perfect as an aperitif or with sea food. Young fresh, packed with apples, herbs, citrus and blackcurrant leaves. Refreshing, bone dry taste. Very good quality price ratio. Fumees Blanches Vin de France A. Lurton Low price ca 4€ or 110 NOK

This is a delightful Ripasso from Valpolicella. Dark purple red with lots of dark fruit. Quite a well structured, smooth, velvety taste with a great balance. Lovely seductive stuff! The Enoteca in Soave has a real good selection of wines and I Campi was a producer that had lots of good wines too. Valpolicella Ripasso "Campo Ciotoli" I Campi Low price Ca 12€

This is a splendid sweet white made from 100% Garganega (main grape in Soave) and the 2009 vintage got three glasses in Gambero Rosso! The grapes are pressed towards the end of March after going through the "appassimento" process since the harvest (October). The fermentation took place in oak barrels before being bottled after 10-12 months. Golden yellow color. The nose is packed with various impressions like figs, apricot, sweet citrus fruit and hints of coffee. Beautiful sweet taste with a great acidity and a long finish. Le Sponde 2009 Recioto di Soave Coffele Ca 30€