Article: Top 10 Wines 2011 by Wine Spectator

Why 2011 would you ask? Well simply because the list of 2012 is not out yet and to provide you with a pre guide and taste of what might come we at Western Taste would like to present what Wine Spectator presented 2011 as top 10 wines.

Wine Spectator have analyzed over 16 000 new releases were 5400 wines that are over 90 points or higher. Wine Specator narrowed the list down based on four criteria: quality (represented by score); value (reflected by release price); availability (measured by cases made or imported); and what we call the “X-factor”–the excitement generated by a rising-star producer, a benchmark wine or a significant milestone for a wine region. But no equation determines the final selections: These choices reflect Wine Spectators editors’ judgment and passion about the wines that were tasted.

The sad story on these amazing wines is that only 3 are listed in Systembolaget in Sweden. Some of the very best wines for actually very reasonable prices are not even available for the public is a shame for Sweden.

In the 100 list 12 countries are represented however Western Taste has only chosen to present the top 10 list for reader’s convenience.

1. Kosta Browne Pinot Noir 2009, Sonoma Coast, California, USA
Nr Systembolaget: Not available

Cost in Sweden: Not available

Cost in China: Unknown

Cost in US: 52 USD

Points by Western Taste: 9,0

Points by Wine Spectator: 95

2. Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Napa Valley, California, USA
Nr Systembolaget: Not available

Cost in Sweden: Not available

Cost in China: Unknown

Cost in US: 90 USD

Points by Western Taste: 9,0

Points by Wine Spectator: 96

3. Domaine Huët Vouvray Moelleux Clos du Bourg Première Trie 2009, France
Nr Systembolaget: Not available

Cost in Sweden: Not available

Cost in China: Unknown

Cost in US: 69 USD

Points by Western Taste: 9,5

Points by Wine Spectator: 96

4. Campogiovanni Brunello di Montalcino 2006, Tuscany, Italy
Nr Systembolaget: 73516

Cost in Sweden: 299 SEK

Cost in China: Unknown

Cost in US: 50 USD

Points by Western Taste: 9,0

Points by Wine Spectator: 96

5. Dehlinger Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2008, California, USA
Nr Systembolaget: Not available

Cost in Sweden: Not available

Cost in China: Unknown

Cost in US: 50 USD

Points by Western Taste. 8,5

Points by Wine Spectator: 95

6. Baer Ursa Columbia Valley 2008, Washington, USA

Nr Systembolaget: Not available

Cost in Sweden: Not available

Cost in China: Unknown

Cost in US: 35 USD

Points by Western Taste: 8,0

Points by Wine Spectator: 95

7. Quinta do Vallado Touriga Nacional Douro 2008, Douro Valley, Portugal
Nr Systembolaget: 94819

Cost in Sweden: 275 SEK

Cost in China: Unknown

Cost in US: 55 USD

Points by Western Taste: 9,0

Points by Wine Spectator: 95

8. Domenico Clerico Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra 2006, Piedmont, Italy
Nr Systembolaget: 90031
Cost in Sweden: 649 SEK
Cost in China: Unknown
Cost in US: 90 USD
Points by Western Taste: 9,0
Points by Wine Spectator: 96

9. Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage La Guiraude 2009, Northern Rhône, France
Nr Systembolaget: Unknown
Cost in Sweden: Unknown
Cost in China: Unknown
Cost in US: 55 USD
Points by Western Taste: 7,5 (needs a few more years)
Points by Wine Spectator: 94

10. Château de St.-Cosme Gigondas Valbelle 2009, Southern Rhône, France
Nr Systembolaget: Unknown
Cost in Sweden: Unknown
Cost in China: Unknown
Cost in US: 58 USD
Points by Western Taste: 8,0
Points by Wine Spectator: 94

Written by Alexander Yü

Article: All you need to know about Tequila

Mexico City was host to the 1968 Olympic Games and this is when Tequila was introduced to the world. In Sweden and big parts of Europe Tequila is a misunderstood beverage. We only drink the very worst kind of Tequila and we drink it as shooters with salt and lemons.

I thought that we would begin with some history and some facts about Tequila.

The origin of Tequila is a beer like drink named Polque that has been made out of agave in Mexico for ages. When the Spanish colonizers first arrived they wanted a stronger alcohol than Polque so they distilled it. The result was a hard liquor called Mescal. During the 1600’s the first organized distilleries were founded and about a hundred years later mescal was an important export good. The first licensed distiller was Jose Cuervo and he was also the first to sell Mezcal in bottles instead of barrels.

It is said that Don Cenobio Sauza was the first to realize that the very best Mezcal (later Tequila) was made from Agave Tequilana Weber Blue. Felicio Romo founded the Tequila house Herradura in 1861 and he was the first to produce matured Tequila. And these are still the three biggest Tequila producers today: Jose Cuervo, Sauza and Herradura. The name Tequila, which was not introduced until the late 1800’s, comes from the town around which the main Tequila producers are located.

Today the production of Tequila is strictly regulated by Consejo Regulador del Tequila, CRT. Everything is controlled:  Where agave can be grown, how much of it that must be used in the fermentation, how big the barrels or casks are allowed to be, where the Tequila is bottled and how the labels should look.

Tequila is made of Agave Tequilana Weber Blue. It is a green cactus like plant but it is not a cactus. An agave field can only be harvested every 7^th to 10^th year and only the piña, or heart of the plant, is used as raw material. In Tequila 100 % agave the only raw material is the piña. The bad tequila we usually drink in Sweden is not made from 100 % agave and is actually called tequila mixto. This is made from at least 51 % agave and a lot of different additives.

How do you make Tequila?

First you cut the piña, that can weigh up to 80 kilos in smaller pieces. Afterwards it is baked with steam in a stone oven or a preassure cooker for 8 to 72 hour. This procedure makes the starch in the piña turn into sugar. After the piña has cooled down it is mixed with water so that the sugar is dissolved. The fruit meat is then removed and what we have left is ”aguamiel”, or honey water. This juice is fermented either spontaneously in open wood barrels or with industrial yeast in steel tanks.

The fermented juice is distilled two or three times and is either bottled more or less at once or matured in oak barrels.

4 different classes of tequila

There are 4 different classes of tequila: Blanco, Oro, Reposado and Añejo. All of them can be Tequila mixto and Silver, Reposado and Añejo can also be Tequila 100 % agave. 

Tequila Blanco is colourless and has not been aged. It is bottled within 60 days of the distillation. It is robust and has a hint of pepper.

Tequila Oro is basically the same as blanco but you can add additives. Suger colour and taste substances are often added.

Tequila Reposado is aged at least 3 months and at most 1 year on oak barrels. This short ageing gives the Tequila a fuller and more complex taste. It has a flowery bouquet and an amber colour. Reposado keeps the characteristic agave taste but is milder than Blanco.

Tequila Añejo has to be aged on barrels for at least one year. It has a darker colour and a deeper taste of barrel. You drink this tequila as you would drink a malt whisky or a cognac. Tequila that is aged for more then 3 years can also bee called Muy Añejo.

Western Taste Recommends

Aha Toro Reposado 100 % Agave

It has a golden amber colour with a palate of fruits (red apples), honey, a little acidity and a surprisingly faint taste of barrel. It finishes with some pepper, cedar wood and chocolate.

The agave is grown in Los Altos where a lot of red apples are cultivated, hence the red appel taste in the tequila. This tequila is produced in an old fashioned way and the pina is baked in a brick oven. This gives it a character of baked pumpkin, sweet potatoes and raw sugar. It is distilled two times in copper barrels. It is then aged for six months in old bourbon barrels.

Herencia de Plata Reposado 100 % Agave

It had a golden brown colour, a certain sweetness and a taste of vanilla and cedar wood. The opening has some fruit, some pepper, dried fruit and vanilla. It finishes in chocolate, some spiciness, salt and heat. The tequila is pressure cooked and then distilled twice in steel barrels. It is aged at least 3 months on barrels of American white oak that has formerly been used by Jack Daniels. 

The agave used to make this tequila is grown on the plain between Guadalajara and Tequila. This gives it a high fibres content and low water content and this in turn gives it a touch of citrus and herbs.

Los Tres Toños Añejo 100 % Agave

This is a smoky tequila with golden amber colour and some red heated hints. Herbs, flowers and tar tablets come to mind. Opens relatively smooth with some honey, has a dry middle and finishes with pepper and smoke.

The agave used to make this tequila is grown on the plains outside Amatitan. This gives it a high fibres content and low water content and this in turn gives it a touch of citrus and herbs. It is pressure cooked and is made in a special way, for example the old bourbon barrels they use are roasted and this gives this tequila its smoky flavour.  

Arette Unique 100 % Agave

This is a golden brown Tequila with sweetness, fruity, chocolate, vanilla and cedar wood hints. Arette Unique opens your palate with smooth and relatively sweet tones of chocolate, spices and some heat. This is very elegant and an exclusive Tequila. Only 3000 bottles are produced each year.

The agave used to make this tequila is grown on the distilleries own fields in Tequila. This also has a high fibre content and low water content and this gives it a touch of citrus and herbs. It is aged for 6 years on early time’s bourbon barrels and is a tequila muy añejo.

Don’t be afraid of Tequila! Try some good Tequila and you will not be disappointed.

Written by Kristian Kull

Article: 5 Great White's for the Autumn

White wine is usually not as popular as red wine however you cannot call yourself a true wine lover if you haven't explored the amazing qualities of white wine. Many believe that all white wine should be kept in the refrigerator however that is not true. Like most of the white, rose and bubbly wine the fridge is too cold for the good condition storage. What white wine usually has in temp is around 11 degrees. Champagne and bubbly wine needs to be cooled at a lower temp which is around 7-8 degrees. What it also needs is the humidity and that is why Western Taste always recommends wine fridge with 2 temp settings where you can have your red wine and white wine for best storage all year around.

Please see 5 great white wines that we at Western Taste recommends for the cozy and lovely autumn that is around the corner:


Planeta Chardonnay 2010, Sicily, Italy (Best chardonnay from Italy)
Nr Systembolaget: 72882
Cost in Sweden: 249 SEK
Cost in China: Approx 650 RMB
Cost in US:Approx 30 USD


Omaka Springs Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Marlborough, New Zealand (Great value wine)
Nr Systembolaget: 6441
Cost in Sweden: 89 SEK
Cost in China: Unkown
Cost in US: Approx 10 USD


Josmeyer Les Pierrets Riesling 2010, Alsace, France (Superb biodynamic & organic wine)
Nr Systembolaget: 90329
Cost in Sweden: 237 SEK
Cost in China: Not yet available
Cost in US: Approx 25 USD


William Fevre, Les Presuses Chablis Grand Cru 2007, Bourgogne, France (Special and rare)
Nr Systembolaget: 95019
Cost in Sweden: 459 SEK
Cost in China: Unkown
Cost in US: Approx 35 USD


Bonterra Chardonnay 2010, Mendocino County, USA (Amazing organic wine)
Nr Systembolaget: 16632
Cost in Sweden: 135 SEK
Cost in China: Unkown
Cost in US: Apprx 10 USD


Written by Alexander Yü

Article: The Perfect Combination

What is the perfect combination? Well that is not an easy question, however something that we love at Western Taste is to combine a really good espresso, amazingly tasty chocolate, fine cognac and a superb cigar. The combination is fine and explosive at the same time and by our standard the best possible dessert.

Imagine coming home after a hard day of work, wine down in your cozy Chesterfield sofa in front of an open fire and pour yourself a glass of fine Delamaine Cognac. Cut your cigar, light it up and let the smokey flavor indulge with the perfect combination of dark and sweet chocolate together with a strong Italian espresso. Perfect in every way!

Delamaine Vesper Cognac, France
Nr Systembolaget: 86646
Cost in Sweden: 999 SEK

Cohiba Robustos Cigar, Cuba
Cost in Sweden: Approx 195 SEK


Written by Alexander Yü

Wine of the month: Château l'Hospitalet la Réserve

A superb wine that is very balanced and lovely to drink. Gerard Bertrand who is the house owner of this wine makes organic products and is with highest of standards. I really enjoy the wine of Château l'Hospitalet and the wine is a multi-award winner, including a Gold Medal at the 2009 Decanter World Wine Awards. A blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre, this powerful wine exhibits aromas of red and black berries, violets and vanilla. Tannins are present, but only to balance the fruit. My note: A generous black-fruited wonder with luscious, full-bodied notes of blackberries and dark spices. Peppered black raspberries play across your palate just before you lean forward and ask for another top up. Terrific! Food matches: Lamb Navarin (lamb stew).

Nr Systembolaget: 73142
Cost in Sweden: 159 SEK
Cost in China: 350 RMB
Cost in US: 17 USD

Written by Alexander Yü