Apr 28, 2012

Vappu!

1st of May is right around the corner. I have not been updating my blog for a while, seriously I need to speed up the pace. Had some good wines over the past month though and cool stuff coming up in May like the massive Portugal tasting in Helsinki I'm really looking forward to. Anyway this entry is about 1st of May, Vappu, Labour's Day, Fetê Du Travail, Loyalty Day or whatever you call it wherever you are. I sure do hope it's a bank holiday in your country too.

Vappu traditionally for us in Finland is a working class holiday, a celebration for those who sweat their asses off for a few bucks - the god damn backbone of our society. Wrapped around with a carnevalistic atmosphere and a few high school graduates wearing hats, Vappu is about booze, fatty, sugery foods and booze. I thought at first to do a sparkling wine special here as most winebloggers do this time of the year but I'm going to go more working class than that - selecting three under 10€ wines to take with you outside and enjoy your picnic with. So left-winging myself to Alko, the socialist monopoly of wine I spent quite a while amongs the shelves, kneeing down in awkward positions reading etiquettes and descriptions from the bottom shelves with a sense of desperation creeping up as sweat began to form on my forhead (This all happening in just a few minutes) What a task! I was making it too hard for myself - "get a grip, man! It's about having fun and an easy drinking"

I have to admit I went 2/3 with what I know. Too much of a gamble to go with random descriptions and impressions of winemaking areas. One red, one white and one sparkling mystery.

















      From the left; Soligo Prosecco, Treviso, Italy - Leth Duett, Wagram, Austria - Sá De Baixo, Blend, Douro, Portugal

Lets start with Sá De Baixo. This is an older find from the under 10€ pricerange. It features a classic Douro blend with Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca as the grape varieties. Pretty much something you stumble upon in the area everywhere. The wine is medium bodied with cherry flavours and hints of raspberry, but the important note is that it's not a juicy one - there are nice spicy tones at the end and it leaves a relatively good, earthy aftertaste. This is easy to drink and enjoy, but works well when paired with my sausage selection for Vappu. ("Again with Portugal! When does he stop!?")

Leth Duett - Riesling & Grüner Veltiner. This Austrian is packed with a great acidity, lots of lime - the more fruity end of the citrus palate - and a fresh minerality. Really good bang for your buck! It's a strong blend with Austria's two most epic white grapes. This is what I enjoy outdoors in the spring sunshine. If you are having picnics with sallads, cheeses and baguettes Leth Duett is certainly a friend to bring along.

Then there is the mystery bottle. From producer Soligo, a Prosecco from Treviso, northern Italy. I admit this is a bit more for the ladies so it was a pick between the ever-so-boring Pink from Yellowglen and a Prosecco so we are going to have at least one "real" tasting experience over Vappu. Prosecco as a style is definately recommended for the occasion. Perky, light, easy - these go well with mid-range Prosecco and there are suger levels suitable for all tastes. This one has, according to Alko, sugar 11g/l and a rather low acidity so its one for the easy-to-down sparklers.

So thats about it. We bought materials for an epic Vappu brunch and after a booze and smores filled 30th we can go with the tradition of Vappu gluttony and be happy spring is here with summer around the corner.

Happy whatever-it-is-where-you-are!

P.S Bloggerfriend of mine, Caroline Henry (Missinwine) recommended some Billy Bragg for a Vappu soundtrack so here is my choice http://youtu.be/nZaYEniPaJg "Great Leap Forward"

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