Most people tend to hide their firm belief in superstitions, I don’t. I know it’s bad, and it sometime gets to the stupidest of things. If the next car turns right then great day ahead, but if not, I might as well spend the day at home, safe.
None of this was happening on our way to the very first tasting session for the new NOPI, we had more important issues to sort. Me & @oshposh were trying hard to concentrate on how to get to Surrey. Are we still in London or are we in no man’s land already?
But luck (and Mark from Astrum…) proved to be on our side you see, and despite the miserable weather, distance and my sudden allergies, we made it to Astrum Wine Cellar’s warehouse, all set to go. Maybe I’m not totally obsessed with superstitions after all…or am I?
Specializing in Italian wine complimented with some interesting picks from Austria, Germany, France and even Hungary, I felt that Astrum is a pretty safe place to kick off this week of wine.
But with a couple of hundred of wines on offer, how to decide what to taste? Well it’s mainly about knowing how things taste and what can work on the wine list. I always try to taste only relevant wines and not to get carried away with personal preferences or suggestions. Mark & myself worked on and selected a respectable line up, which as agreed was patiently waiting for us, when we entered the room, Tah da!
I’ve tasted most of these wines before, and they all proved to be solid and interesting. Bellow is the list of our line up and my notes of the most exciting bottles
White best
Notoriously known for producing Tokaji, this dry version of Furmint comes from the region of Somló, Hungary bien sur!
Pronounced nose with loads of ripe stone fruit, melon & passion fruit with the lightest botrytis hint. Very ripe stone fruit, Chamomile, white fruit. Quite complex without loosing focus nor intensity. interesting with good VFM.
Super exciting riesling from Ormoz north-eastern Slovenia. Versus = True (Latin). Even JR is excited!
Honeyd nose with stone and lime fruit, almost sweet. Ever so light petillance, touch of sweetnes but really sharp and fresh. oily texture, hint of sugar but then a very precise and sharp citrusy character.
And rest
Salento Bianco, Feudi di San Marzano 09
Lugana, Selva Capuzza 08
Gavi di Gavi, Produttori del Gavi 09
Terlaner Classico, Cantina Terlano 09
Pinot Grigio, Cantina Adriano 09
Riesling, Ignaz Nierdist 09
Fiano D’Avelino, Piertracupa 08
Red best
Made out of Zweikelt and PN grown in the region of Weinviertel right in the outskirts of Vienna
Soft and sweet red fruit. Touch of armomatics, with a nice amount of green notes but balanced. Fresh, mineral, good texture, very good fruit with a good amount of spices and a creamy like texture. This is great and would work well by the glass. And perhaps in the “is it Pinot?” group. Zweikelt and PN.
Barbaresco, Produttori del Barbaresco 05
Possibly the best co-op in the world? Brings affordable + quality to BArbaresco!
Strong and pronounced nose. Loads of fruit with some serious liquorice and minty notes. Spectacular palate, silk,y velvety if even very straight and sharp. coffee, leather & mint, very good stuff indeed. A touch of meaty character and a very good balance. Very drinkable.
Salento Rosso, Feudi di San Marzano 09
Valpolicella Classico, Le Salette 09
Garda Groppello 09
Barbazzzale, Nerello Mascalese 09
Nebbiolo, Coste della Sesia, Travaglini 08
Chianti Colli Senesi, Slacheto 09
Nebbiolo Langhe, Produttori del Barbaresco 08
Fatagione, Cottanera 07
Pinot Nero, Cantina Terlano 09
With the first session of our mission now accomplished we were a happy lot on our train back to London. With a rather clear idea in mind if what could fit the NOPI bill and cars taking the right turns on request, this felt like a good day in the office.
zoharwine 