L'Hereu de Raventós i Blanch Reserva 2007

I've said it before that I'm a fan of Cava and last night we tried a new Cava a friend found at Systembolaget, the local liquor store. If you don't know Cava, then let me see if I can help out. As you have an area in France called Champagne, so too is there an area in Spain called Catalonia, which makes Sparkling wines. If the wine is from that area, then it's allowed to be called a Cava. Read this article for more information on Cava.

If you like Brut, then try this Cava. Typically dry, typically fresh and a mix of winter apples on the nose. The taste is a mix of yellow apples and grapefruit. Very good indeed. Living in Sweden, I now get to try a lot of wines from other countries, which also means getting to know grape varieties I've never heard of. This Cava is a blend of 60% Macabeu, 20% Xarel-Lo and 20% Parellada.

Now it's not always we make food that suits a Cava or Sparkling Wine, but there are nights when nothing but a good Cava will do. Last night we made Alfredo Pasta, with baby Spinach, cream and Parmesan, accompanied by thin shaved beef wrapped around button mushrooms, dipped in flour, then fried. Such a lot of flavours mixed with a very dry Cava was really great.

Not bad for 99kr, see Systembolaget.se

Lat 42 Rioja 1999

One of my favourite wines of all times it has to be said. Had it the first time more than two years ago, when we tasted the 2001 vintage during the first wine tasting, where it scored 3 out of 5, then we tasted the 2002 vintage during the third wine tasting, where it scored 4 out of 5 and again the 2002 vintage during the fourth wine tasting, where it scored 3 out of 5.

This however is the 1999 vintage. I found it by chance at the beginning of the year, and bought ten bottles, of which this was unfortunately the last one. It's not often you find an 11 year old wine for close to 80kr, which is as good as this one. It's very woody and such a wonderful smell. I will admit that it's not everyone's cup of tea, but if you love Pinotage from South Africa, then you'll love this. Dark, and very bold.

For this wine we made a traditional lamb dish from South Africa called Biriyani. Originally from Malaysia, but have krept into the South African culture over a very long time. Lots of spices, mixed with the lamb, basmati rice and lentils, served with fresh coriander. The wine lasted long after dessert was done, and is fantastic after the meal all by itself as well. If you're into Spanish wines like I am, try this, but be careful, it is a bit wild. Tame it by making a spicy lamb dish like Biriyani.

Here's the link to Systembolaget. They currently have only the 2003 vintage in stock, which I have not yet tasted.

Below you can see that the cork is a little mouldy, not because the wine got air, but just because it's so old. 11 years. You can also see that in the colour of the wine. More brown than red. All the tannins are gone, yet the wine remains powerful in the nose and the taste.