Month: September 2018

Bunch Wine Bar September Tasting

After a break over the summer it’s back to Bunch Wine Bar in Liverpool for a tasting of wines specially chosen by co-owner Lara in honour of her birthday.

A wet and rather wild night in Liverpool marked the start of autumn and many could be forgiven for having a night in front of the television. As usual the tasting was held downstairs and there were no spare places as far as I could tell. As usual the wines were well chosen and served at an appropriate temperature. There is always something interesting to try at these tastings which is why I enjoy them so much. The surroundings are ideal for a small, intimate tasting where all are free to contribute questions or comments if they so desire.  These tastings are fun which is exactly what drinking wine should be.

Festejar. Pétillant Naturel. Patrick Boujou. Auvergne. – From the south eastern edge of the Loire Valley, this delicate rosé is made from 100% Gamay. Light red in appearance with a slight haze. Quite closed on the nose but the palate is strawberry, cherry and some slight floral notes. The carbonation is really gentle giving an almost creamy texture to the wine, strawberry and cream, what’s not to like! A slight savouriness on the finish. Very nice.

Ortega. Tillingham. Peasmarsh, East Sussex. 2017 – Made from 100% Ortega, a grape variety well suited to the English climate as it is quite hardy and not as susceptible to frost damage as some other varieties. As with many natural wines, production is quite small with only 1000 bottles made in 2017. Barrel fermented, no fining or filtration and only low sulphur dioxide levels ensure that the purity of the fruit is preserved in this lovely, very drinkable wine. The aroma is intense, grapey, elderflower and florals. The palate is dry and the acidity is quite high but is balanced by lovely stone fruits. The texture is quite creamy and there is a touch of spice on the finish.

Fist of Fancy. Chardonnay. Kyle Dunn. Swartland. South Africa. 2016 – I was unsure about this wine at first but with plenty of aeration it opened out to be a very nice wine indeed and great value for money. Lemon citrus and a smokey minerality are key here along with a hint of biscuity vanilla. Shows lovely balance and a great chardonnay for all those that don’t like chardonnay!

El Bandito Testalonga. Swartland. South Africa. 2016 – made from 100% Chenin Blanc which has had 10 day skin contact to produce an orange wine that shows just how subtle this style of wine can be. There are oranges, stone fruit and some light caramel here. The wine is dry with a nice finish. A wine for food, very nice.

Baby Bandito. Follow Your Dreams. (Magnum). Testalonga. Swartland. South Africa. 2017 – Made from 100% Carignan. A wine for everyone to drink when they need reminding what life is all about! Nose of red fruits and a touch of wild herbs. The palate is dry, red berry fruits, cherry, some cola and an olive savouriness. A well made wine that is worthy of some serious attention.

Chatrons de Garde. Andrea Calek. Ardèche. France. 2014. – the back story of Andrea Calek makes for interesting reading and his wines make for some interesting drinking if this example is anything to go by. Aromas of dark berry fruits, cola, liquorice and a touch of farmyard! There is some real character here. The palate is dry and the dark fruits are smokey, there is a touch of pepper but it is very subtle. Tannins are a little dry. A great food wine but having said that I enjoyed it on its own.

Mikkeller Berlin

The Danish brewery Mikkeller is regarded as one of the best in the world and has bars in several major cities around the world. Mikkeller Berlin is located at Torstraße 102 in Mitte and is only a short walk from Rosenthaler Platz (U-Bahn line U8).

The bar is small with seating arranged into three areas plus tables outside for when the weather permits. The decor has a very Scandinavian feel and creates a relaxed and calming environment, ideal for drinking a beer or two!

There are twenty four beers available on tap. Most are Mikkeller’s own brews but there are also a number of guest beers. Staff are approachable, helpful and knowledgable so navigating the menu if you are unsure is not a problem. Servings are available in two sizes, 40cl and 80cl.

Mikkeller Weird Weather. Gluten Free IPA 6.7% – Amber, slightly hazy, good white head, some lacing. Aromas of malt, pine, citrus and a slight herby note. The palate is crisp, low bitterness, grassy, malty and some tropical mango. Full flavoured.

Mikkeller Einar…. You Are a Funny Man. NEIPA 6% – Yellow,hazy, thin white head, some lacing.Aromas of tropical fruit, pineapple, grapefruit and caramel. Gentle carbonation, low bitterness. Flavours of lemon, grapefruit, pineapple and orange. The finish is subtle lingering citrus.

Mikkeller Chill Pils with Yuzu. Pils 5% – yellow/orange, hazy with very small, thin head and nice lacing. Aromas of malt, caramel and subtle citrus – lemon and lime. Palate is low bitterness with nice carbonation. Flavour is citrusy malt   with a hint of perfume. Palate is crisp and refreshing. Very drinkable.

Mikkeller Hallo, Ich Bin Berliner. Blood Orange Berliner Weisse. 3.7% – Yellow, hazy with a small white head.Aroma is quite aromatic, orange, haribo. Palate is sour but not overly so with flavours of orange, caramel and malt. Maybe not everyones style but very nice.

Mikkeller Mitte Wit. Wit. 4.6%. – Yellow/orange, hazy with a small white head. Aromas of caramel, pine, resin, orange and some slight citrus. Palate is soft, round, very gentle carbonation and low bitterness. Flavours of lemon and spices; coriander and clove. Very nice.

Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast. Coffee Stout. 7.5% – Black, opaque with a thin tan coloured head. Aromas of coffee, malt, some chocolate, espresso and a leathery smokieness. Palate is medium bitterness, gentle carbonation and with less pronounced flavour than expected. Gentle coffee, chocolate and caramel. A nicely balanced beer which has a lingering finish with a hint of dark cherry. Very good.

Parasite Produktions. Hops Hopstadt Berlin IPA. 7% – light orange/yellow, hazy with a very thin non persistent head. Intense hoppy aromas; lemon, grapefruit pith and pineapple. Palate is low carbonation, low bitterness. Slightly creamy texture with pineapple and apricot. A slight bitter finish.

Epic Armageddon IPA. 6.7% – Amber appearance, clear with a thin white head. Aromas of malt, caramel, orange, bread, toffee and a slight floral note. Palate is low bitterness with gentle carbonation. Full flavoured with lots of orange and malt.

Rutz Wine Bar

Restaurant Rutz is one of Berlin’s seven two star Michelin restaurants with chef Marco Müller at the helm. Downstairs from the restaurant is a wine bar which itself holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand. Located on Chausseestraße in Berlin’s central district it is everything you would want from a wine bar. Wine takes centre stage with bottles in a display filling a whole wall. The wine list is excellent and naturally German wines feature heavily, there is a good choice of wines by the glass and the staff are very knowledgeable and helpful.

The menu offers creative interpretations of traditional, regional dishes. As  you would expect the cooking is first class and service is attentive without being overbearing.  We decided to try a few wines by the glass rather than buy a bottle.

Roasted Berlin Black Pudding with vegetables
Pork Knuckle, Potato – sauerkraut and carrot
Prignitz Chicken, roasted onions with mashed potato and vegetables.

The wines

Georg Breuer Estate Rauenthal 2016. Rheingau – Wonderful aromas of lime with hints of lemon and petrol. Dry with great balance, lime and fresh zingy acidity, slight spritz. A nice lingering finish.

Immich – Batterieberg Eschenburg Riesling 2011. Mosel – Lime green in appearance, crystal clear and bright. Nose is intensely petrol and lime with a slight herby note. Palate is fuller, medium bodied. A really nice, elegant wine.

Vino Verde. Muros de Melgaço. Alvarinho. 2017 – Aromas of lime and stone fruits. Nice weight and balance with some real character and a saline minerality. A long, long finish. This really is very good.

Haart. Goldtropfchen. Spaltete. 2013. Mosel – Nose is restrained -lime, petrol. Palate shows excellent balance of sweetness and acidity. Flavours of lime, lemon and touch of honey spice.

Domaine de l’Horizon. Mar i Montanya. Cotes Catalanes. 2016 – Cherry red and youthful. Nose is fresh fruits; raspberry and strawberry with a touch of cherry.  Palate is light with lovely red berry fruits, a  hint of violets and a lovely savoury finish.