Spring is around the corner and so are our wine recommendations! We are now enjoying longer and sunnier days, soon we will be all on our balconies, terraces and in the large parks of Oslo enjoying fresh, seasonal food. If you are making a delicious dinner, you need great wines!
As usual, we are trying to give you affordable yet delicious and original wines to pair with a wide range of dishes.
Crémant de Bourgogne Charme Extra Brut 2014 - Jean-Paul Brun
In the south of the Beaujolais region, about 30min drive from Lyon, you will find the domain of Jan-Paul Brun. This winemaker is mostly producing Beaujolais, from the typical Gamay grape one to the unusual sparkling red wine! Unless most of the Beaujolais winemaker, Jean-Paul Brun uses only the indigenous yeast found on his property, nearly never chaptalize his wines except necessary and reduce the use of sulfites to the strict minimum.
So Jean-Paul Brun is making great authentic natural wines at its best! The Crémant he produces is very well balanced: fresh and rounded. Has some hints of citrus as well as white fruits. This wine will fit perfectly with some fresh oysters, a meunière sole or a chicken prepared in a supreme sauce.
This crémant is as good as a champagne. The value is, therefore, amazing! You can find this crémant for 199,90nok at Vinmonopolet. Don't hesitate to check his other amazing wines, including the Beaujolais Nouveau 2016, the Fleurie 2015 or the Moulin à Vent 2013; all are proposed at an attractive price for the value they represent.
Occhipinti SP 68 Bianco 2015
This is a delightful and original Sicilian white wine. Produced by Arianna Occhipinti in the south of Sicily, she is making natural and organic wines since 2004. This particular wine is made out of 50% Albanello and 50% Zibibbo (also known as Muscat of Alexandria). All the wines Arianna produces are made with indigenous yeast and a minimum of sulfites; most of the process is let to nature so the wines truly express the identity of the land the grapes grow on.
This white wine has a golden color, has almond, orange blossom flowers, and honey nose. You taste a really fresh, fruity and deep white wine with a slightly bitter finish. It gets even better after some time in your glass.
This wine could be very well enjoyed by itself before a meal, a nice fresh cheese, summer grilled vegetables or with a white fish dish. You can find it at Vinmonopolet for 224,90nok.
OMA Barbera D'Alba 2015
To start the spring well, we are going to the north of Italy; try this great and classic Barbera d'Alba blended especially for the Norwegian market by Ole Martin Alfsen.
This red wine has the typical Barbera flavors: sour cherry, licorice, and blackberries. It is a balanced wine with a pretty long finish and a hint of herbal taste.
It will fit well with a pork saltimbocca, a roasted chicken or a 6-months aged Comté. You can find it at Vinmonopolet for 154,90nok.