[France] Château de Corcelles 2014

Every year in November is the right time to taste some fresh Beaujolais Nouveau wine. In long time ago, Beaujolais made these wines to celebrate the end of the harvest. The grapes were harvest in September, and spent 6 to 8 weeks for wine making. Then, it will on sale on the third Thursday in November. Beaujolais red wine is made with 100% Gamay, this grape is big, juice, thin skin and low tannins, very suitable to use Carbonic Maceration technique for vinification, which is vinify with whole bunches of grapes without crushing and place in a big closed container, the grapes in bottom will be crushed under the weight of gravity from the top. Then, grapes pulp, skin and juice will provide yeast to begin the fermentation. After fermentation, it will stay in the container to macerate for few days, for example Beaujolais Nouveau macerate for 4 days only. These wine provide fresh, fruity and low tannins simple wine, come with cherry, strawberry, banana, pear and candy aromas, the color is pink to light purple. Beaujolais Nouveau wine should enjoy as soon as after purchased because it doesn’t have any age potential. Some Beaujolais Villages or Cru wine will keep the wine in stainless steel vats or barrels for maturing for a while, after bottled these wines will have 3 to 5 years aging potential.

This year, I didn’t drink Beaujolais Nouveau wine yet, I tried a Cru Beaujolais wine Château de Corcelles 2014 from Brouilly. Beaujolais has 10 Crus Appellations, Brouilly is one of the Cru. Most of these 10 Cru are located in the northern side and come with granitic soils, which is suitable to plan Gamay variety. The wine from Brouilly is much more full body and earthy, not like the fresh Beaujolais Nouveau wine. Cru Beaujolais wine macerates for a minimum 10 days, Château de Corcelles has macerated for 15 days, and then kept in stainless steel vats until summer.

My Taste Note: The wine shows bright light purple color. It has cherry, spices and little earthy aromas. In the mouth can find fresh fruity flavors, medium dry sweet with light tannins and aftertaste has some cherry like acidity. Cru Beaujolais wine had a longer macerate time during fermentation, the body and taste are more complex than Beaujolais Nouveau. Overall, this wine is fresh and fruity, is like drinking sweet Roselle Tea (Hibiscus Tea).  

每年的11月都係最適合飲一些新鮮 Beaujolais Nouveau 紅酒(薄酒萊新葡萄酒),以前 Beaujolais (薄酒萊) 的村民會釀這些葡萄酒用來慶祝他們的每年的收成.在每年9月收成後再花6至8個星期來釀製,之後在11月的第3個星期4就開始售賣. Beaujolais 紅酒都是用100% Gamay (加美)來釀製,這款葡萄的特色就是皮薄,多汁,果實大粒和單寧含量低,所以適合用二氧化碳浸泡法來釀製.這個方法是用整串葡萄來釀製,首先所有葡萄不需壓碎,倒入一個密封的酒缸內,由上層葡萄的重力來壓破下層的葡萄.之後葡萄果肉,果皮和果汁開始流出和產生一些天然酵母進行發酵.當發酵後,酒會放在酒缸裡和果皮一起浸泡幾天,例如 Beaujolais Nouveau 就浸4天.這些酒的風味道都帶有新鮮果香,低單寧和帶有車厘子,士多啤利,香蕉,啤利和糖果的芳香,顏色都是在粉紅色和淺紫色之間.所以 Beaujolais Nouveau 紅酒最好就係即買即享受,因為它沒有陳年的能力,還一些 Beaujolais Villages (薄酒萊村莊酒) 和 Cru Beaujolais(薄酒萊特級酒),釀好之後會方在不銹鋼酒桶或木桶裡陳年一段時間,這些酒就會有2至3年的陳年能力.

今年我還未飲 Beaujolais Nouveau 紅酒,我就試了一枝 Cru Beaujolais 紅酒 Château de Corcelles 2014,來自 Brouilly 酒區. Beaujolais有10個特級產區, Brouilly 就係其中一個. 這10個特級產區都是位於北邊,大多數的土壤都是以花崗岩為主,非常適合種植 Gamay 的品種. Brouilly 的紅酒是比較厚身和帶有一些泥土風味,跟 Beaujolais Nouveau 有些不同. Cru Beaujolais 的紅酒在釀好後,會進行浸皮最少10天,Château de Corcelles 就用了15天來浸皮, 然後將酒放在不銹鋼酒桶裡直到夏天.

我的品酒筆記: 紅酒帶有透亮的淺紫色,有車厘子,香料和輕輕的泥土芳香.我覺得口感都是比較單薄,充滿新鮮水果味道,Medium Dry少少甜和輕微的單寧, Aftertaste 有一些好似車厘子的酸.在釀製過產中 Cru Beaujolais 的紅酒有較長的浸皮時間,所以酒身和味道方面會比Beaujolais Nouveau複雜. 整體這款酒感覺清新同Fruity,其實飲落有些似洛神花茶,少少甜酸的感覺.

[Beer] Norway craft beer "Nøgne Ø"

Few months before, I was buying beers on an online store and found a Norway craft beer call Nøgne Ø. Norway’s craft beer is quite new to me because in HK is not easy to find it, besides some craft beer shop only. This time, I saw that online store has many choices available. Thus, I bought 6 different styles to try out, included Pale Ale, Global Pale Ale , IPA, #100, India Saison and Saison. Nøgne Ø is a fresh brewery, established in 2002 by Gunnar Wiig and Kjetil Jikiun. By the time Norway only had commercial lager beer dominant the market, Nøgne Ø wished to start a brewery, which brews difference beer style for the market. Most of the commercial lager beer is filtered and pasteurized, that’s why it taste light and look clear. Nøgne Ø prefers to brew complex, fruity and full body beer. They call their beer as living beer, it means, they didn’t filter the beer, yeasts would keep in the bottle for the 2^nd fermented. This time, I only tried 6 different styles but Nøgne Ø still has various styles of beers available and those are interest to try out, such as Strandhogg, Asian Pale Ale, Imperial Brown Ale, Vic Secret IPA, etc. From now, my favorite is Pale Ale, IPA, Global Pale Ale and Saison.

Pale Ale (IBU: 40 / ABV: 6%): This pale ale had smooth bubbles white head and shows orange copper color, little hazy. It has honey, caramel and citrus fruits aromas. Taste slightly sweet, fruity and medium strong hoppy, aftertaste has a long conformable bitterness. Overall, I like the style of this pale ale, it didn’t taste like traditional pale ale, is more bitterness and hoppy style.   

India Pale Ale (IBU: 60 / ABV: 7.5%): This IPA had hazy golden orange, only little bubbles. It has light flora and fruit aromas, such as citrus, orange and grapefruit. Taste slightly sweet, fruity, hoppy and full body, the bitterness last very long in the mouth. Overall, it tastes strong like US IPA but this one come with little fruity flavor.   

 

Pale Ale

Saison (IBU: 25 / ABV: 6.5%): This saison had yellow and pale golden color with very little bubbles. It only has fresh fruits aromas such as Peach, Apple and lemon. Taste fruity acid, medium sweet and with a lovely peach flavor. Overall, this beer is easy to drink, very refreshing, suitable to drink in summer.

India Saison (IBU: 40 / ABV: 7.5%) This beer has deep yellow color, the top has thick whitehead and very fine bubbles. Taste hoppy and sweet, aftertaste has a sharp bitterness. Overall, it taste like IPA mixed with Saison or a hoppy Saison.

 

Saison

Global Pale Ale (IBU: 40 / ABV: 4.5%): A Pale Ale made with 13 different types of hops from all over the world, included England, Slovenia, New Zealand, Czech Republic, USA, Germany and Australia, that’s why it names as Global Pale Ale. The color show hazy amber, white head on top and fine bubbles. Aromas have grapefruit, citrus and gummy candy. In the mouth is medium body, it tastes fresh and mild bitterness. Overall, this beer style is similar to a mild IPA because it carries a strong hop aroma. If, you like hoppy beer with low alcohol lever, Global Pale Ale will be a good choice.

#100 (IBU: 80 / ABV: 10%): #100 is a barley wine style beer, it has dark brown color with thick bubble on top . The aromas have dried fruits like dried raisins, caramel, chocolate, roast malt, etc. This beer is full body like bold style with high alcohol. It tastes sweet, light acid and powerful bitterness and come with herbal and hoppy. Overall, this beer is quite rich and complex, in the mouth can feel dried fruit sweet then after taste is hoppy and little smoky.

Global Pale Ale 

#100 

之前幾個月,我在一間買啤酒的online store遊覽, 發現了一款來自挪威的手工啤酒叫做Nøgne Ø.挪威手工啤酒感覺好新鮮,一般在香港都比較難搵到,除了一些專買手工啤酒店舖.今次我在online store見到有多款不同啤酒風格選擇, 於是我買了6款來嚐試,包括Pale Ale, Global Pale Ale, IPA, #100, India Saison and Saison. Nøgne Ø係一間較新是釀酒廠,由Gunnar Wiig和Kjetil Jikiun兩位釀酒師,創於2002年.當時挪威只係有一些大眾化或工業式拉格啤酒主導市場, Nøgne Ø想開一間釀酒廠,釀一些不同風格的啤酒來供應給手工啤酒愛好者.多數工業式拉格啤都會經過殺菌和過濾,所以味道會比較清淡和外表清晰. Nøgne Ø就係想釀一些複雜性,Fruity,和厚身(重型)的啤酒,這就是他們不會過濾啤酒,酵母都會保留在瓶內來進行第二次的發酵.雖然今次只係試了6款啤酒,其實Nøgne Ø仲有好多不同啤酒都好值得去試,例如Strandhogg, Asian Pale Ale, Imperial Brown Ale, Vic Secret IPA, etc.目前我最鐘意係Pale Ale, IPA, Global Pale Ale and Saison.

Pale Ale(淡愛爾啤酒) (IBU: 40 / ABV: 6%): 這款pale ale倒出來的時有細绵泡沫,顏色是朦朧橙色帶小小銅色.啤酒帶有蜜糖,焦糖和柑橘類水果的芳香.味道方面剛開始有輕微水果甜,之後感覺到啤酒花味道,到aftertaste有很長啤酒花的苦.整體我很喜歡這款淡愛爾的風格,它沒有傳統淡愛爾的溫和.它是有多一些啤酒花的香和苦味.

India Pale Ale(印度淡愛爾)(IBU: 60 / ABV: 7.5%): 這款IPA外觀帶有朦朧的橙金色,只有小小啤酒泡在杯頂.啤酒帶有輕輕的花香和水果,包括有柑橘,香橙和柚子芳香.味道方面開始有輕微的甜,fruity,有比較重啤酒花味道,之後苦味會在口內持續一段時間.整體這款IPA跟美國的IPA有些相似,不過它的味道就比較fruity.

IPA

Saison (IBU: 25 / ABV: 6.5%): 從外表看這款Saison有清晰淡金色帶一點黃色,沒有太多泡沬.啤酒只有新鮮水果芳香,包括有水蜜桃,蘋果和檸檬.味道方面它帶酸,類似水果的酸,中等甜度,飲用時可以品嚐到美味的水蜜桃香.整體我覺得飲這款啤酒好涼爽,甜味會好易入口,之後又有點酸來刺激味覺,然後水蜜桃香留在口腔內,感覺非常適宜夏天飲用.

India Saison (IBU: 40 / ABV: 7.5%): 這款啤酒帶深黃色,杯頂有一層白色細緻泡沫.飲落有啤酒花味道和帶甜, aftertaste比較苦.整體我覺得India Saison好像IPA跟Saison兩款啤酒調配出來的味道或可以說是一款帶啤酒花味道的Saison.

India Saison

Global Pale Ale (環球淡愛爾)(IBU: 40 / ABV: 4.5%): 這是一款淡愛爾用了13種啤酒花釀造出來,而且所有啤酒花都是來自全球7個國家,包括英國,斯洛文尼亞,新西蘭,捷克,美國,德國和澳洲.所以這款啤酒叫做Global Pale Ale.啤酒顏色是朦朧琥珀色,倒出來時候杯頂有一層白色細緻泡沫.香氣方面有柚子,柑橘和一些類似橡皮糖芳香.飲落感到清新,中等酒身,有啤酒苦味比較溫和.整體我覺得它是一款輕巧型IPA,因為它帶有複雜啤酒花香但是酒精濃度都是較低,味道都較溫和.如果喜歡啤酒花香,這枝啤酒不會令你失望.

#100 (IBU: 80 / ABV: 10%): 這款#100是一種叫做Barley wine/大麥酒style的啤酒,口感會比較重口味.顏色係深啡色,杯頂有一層厚厚的泡沫.啤酒有乾果(類似乾提子),焦糖, 朱古力, 烤麥芽, 等等..的芳香.口感方面係屬於厚身,重口味型啤酒,帶有高酒精濃度.飲落味道有甜,微酸,強烈苦味再帶多一些草藥和啤酒花的味道.整體來說,這款啤酒是較為濃厚和有點複雜,可以品嚐到有乾果的甜,之後到Aftertaste有啤酒花苦和一些煙燻味道.

[Chile] Montes Alpha Pinot Noir Aconcagua Valley 2012

This time, I tried a Pinot Noir from Chile famous winey Montes Alpha. It was established by a Chile wine industry Celebrity Aurelio Montes and his friend Douglas Murray in 1987, both are experienced wine professional. At that time Chile red wine was cheap, tasted delicate but it was harsh and firm body. When they created this winery, both of them had a dream, wanted to produce a better quality of wine than that time. In 1988, two mores founders joined. Now, Montes Alpha has different series of wine, the price from high to low.      

Bordeaux blend type wine “Montes Alpha M”, 100% Syrah “Montes Folly”, etc. are the high-end selections, is worth to buy for any special occasion or dinner. But for daily drinking or casual dinner, I chose a lower grade series calls Montes Alpha, the price is not expensive. It’s had a variety of grapes for selection, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Carmenère, Malbec, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. Montes Alpha series received “Best Value” from “Wine Spectator” magazine.  

My Taste Note: Before tasting, I Decant for 30~40 mins, the color shows ruby red with little purple. It has fragrant aromas with red fruits such as strawberry, vanilla and oak. The palate is medium body, pleasant acid and it is between dry to medium dry. Overall, this wine is balance and fruity, can taste full of fresh and sweet cherry flavor. 

這次我試了一枝來自智利Montes Alpha的Pinot Noir紅酒. Montes Alpha是一間非常出名的酒莊,在香港很容易可以買到.酒莊在1987年由一位葡萄酒界名人 Aurelio Montes 和他的朋友Douglas Murray創立,他們兩位都是有經驗的葡萄酒專業人士.哪個時候智利出產的紅酒是比較便宜,味道方面是可口但單寧較較厚身,有點粗糙粗和苦澀.當年他們有一個共同的夢想,就是釀造一些比當時質素更好的葡萄酒.在1988年有多兩位創辦人加入.現在Montes Alpha釀製多個系列的葡萄酒,價錢由貴價到廉價到有.

主要以Bordeaux葡萄品種混釀的“Montes Alpha M”, 100% Syrah 的“Montes Folly”,等等是它們的高級葡萄酒系列,價錢都比較高.如果在特別日子或晚餐,是值得買來享用.如果日常飲用或比較簡單的晚餐,我會選擇它們一個系列叫做 系列 Montes Alpha,這是一般級數的系列價錢比較平易近人.這個系列有以下多款葡萄選擇,Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Carmenère, Malbec, Pinot Noir和Chardonnay. Montes Alpha系列在葡萄酒雜誌Wine Spectator獲得“Best Value”評語.

我的品酒筆記: 在飲之前,紅酒Decant 30~40分鐘,顏色帶有紅寶石色和少少紫色. 這款酒有芬芳香氣,包括有紅色水果,士多啤梨,香草和橡木香.口感較甜,中等酒體,酸度不是很高飲落,感到舒服.它的甜度很明顯,大約在Dry ~ Medium Dry之間.整體這款酒是Balance和Fruity,是一款比較甜的Pinot Noir,可以飲到新鮮和甜美的車厘子味道.

[France / New Zealand / Australia] A Little Shopping from August!!

From Left to Right:

1)     Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Marlborough New Zealand

2)     Domaine Montirius Confidentiel 2010 Gigondas

3)     Yarra Yering Dry Red Wine No. 1 2008 Yarra Valley Australia

4)     Fleur De Clinet 2011 Pomerol 

Looking forward to taste them!!