Life is too short to drink bad wine

This is a delightful vintage and single vineyard sparkling from Tillington in England. Nyetimber decided that vines from Tillington were of superior quality and could be bottled separately. Climate change means that the wine quality has increased in England over the last decade or so and this is a very elegant sparkling indeed with predominantly Pinot Noir and some Chardonnay. Only ca 4000 bottles have been released. Delicious clean citrus fruit with some scent of grapefruit and creamy notes. Elegant and pure complex mousse with a long finish. Nyetimber 2010 Single vineyard Tillington England £75

On the first day we concentrated blind tasting techniques. We were served these wines without seeing the bottle and were asked to do a proper analyses in order to develop a logical answer. At each step we tried to conclude what it could potentially be or what we could exclude. The first bottle (to the left) was pale yellow gren colour indicating no or very little oak influence. This was confirmed by the zingy and zesty smell with dominant gooseberry flavours indicating a potential Sauvignon Blanc. The taste was bone dry with a pronounced acidity. Again crispy flavours indicating no oak influence. Overall quality good and most people thinking Sauvignon Blanc which also was the correct answer. The second wine had a more medium yellow colour and more tropical fruit flavours. Less acidity anymore body. The influence of oak was evident and many guessed Chardonnay from the new world. The first red reminded me of Beaujolais on the colour. Medium purple. The nose was more towards ripe re...

This is a delightful reasonable red from Valle de la Ortava on Tenerife. The grapes are two local variations called Listan Negro (90%) and Tintilla. The growing area is on the north side of the volcano Teide, altitude between 300-700 meters above sea level. Many of the vines are more than 100 years old. The colour of the wine is pale red and the nose is primary cherries and pepper. The taste is light, elegant and beautifully balanced with a decent length dominated by minerals, pepper and cherries. A very interesting wine made by Bodega Suertes del Marques- Soagra which in a way can remind one of a light Burgundy. 7 Fuentes 2013 Tenerife Suertes del Marques-Soagra 190 NOK or 12 €

The 2008 vintage from Bordeaux is not well sought after but on the bright side they are all reasonable as it was the last vintage before the very expensive 2009 and 2010 which ruined some of the market. The 2008 should in any case not be disregarded as it's drinking quite nicely now. The mix in this wine is 50% Cabernet, 40% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc. The second wine of Haut-Bailly in Pessac Leognan is good value for money with a typical Bordeaux nose (ripe red fruit and earth) and a very subtle and smooth style. Very harmonious finish as well with soft tannins. drink now or for the next 5 years. La Parde de Haut-Bailly 2008 Pessac Leognan Ca 25 or 340 NOK

There are many different Barbera d'Alba around. Many are easy drinking reds for lunch with some pizza or pasta and without too much complexity. But then there are some that have something extra both in terms of quality and also price admittedly. Sandrone is perfectionist and his Barbera delivers super quality every year. One of the features with Barbera is the deep dark red colour and the purple rim. The nose is dominated by dark cherries with hints of wood, chocolate and almonds. Perfectly balanced taste with plenty of body, fruit and acidity. Another feature with Barbera is the lack of tannins, if ever present, they are soft and well integrated into the long delicious aftertaste. Barbera d'Alba 2012 Sandrone Ca 25€ or 290NOK

I am not sure what to say anymore about the white Burgundies by Pierre Yves Colin Morey.... The smell, the taste, the balance, the sensation. Everything is so beautifully balanced and elegant that it is mind blowing. A bit of lime. A bit of butter. A bit exotic fruit. A bit of vanilla. Speechless really. His wines are pure mediation. Just buy! Puligny Montrachet "Le Trezin" 2011 Pierre Yves Colin Morey Ca 40€ or 450 NOK

Pinot Noir from the cool Sonoma Coast can now compete with Burgundy in quality and taste. All the "cooked" flavours that has been the challenge with Californian Pinot have disappeared and you are left with beautifully balanced wines that have a very decent acidity. Occidental has this basic Sonoma Coast version as well as one called Cuvee Catherine. Both are extremely good Pinot Noir but also a bit pricy very due to the low quantities. This one has a very elegant nose of ripe red fruit with a great minerality. The taste is packed with "chilled fruit" and a beautifully struck balance that goes on and on. It's a very elegant wine indeed! Occidental 2012 Sonoma Coast Ca 40$ or 500NOK