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Tuesday, 29 January 2013

Wine of the Month: Masi Mazzano Amarone Classico




This month wine is from the famous house of Masi and it is truly something special. As many know, Masi is famous for its Amarone wines and this particular one is something extra for the gastronomers. This wine is full of life and hints of leather and humus is given. Taste of raisins, date plums is dominated with a minor enjoyment of wild raspberries. The wine is very well balanced and the high alcohol is not reviled in the taste, which we enjoy.
This wine goes well with game, goose and strong, aged cheeses.
Grapes are Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara.



Nr at Systembolaget: 99157

Cost in Sweden: 749 SEK

Cost in US: Approx. 125 USD

Cost in China: Approx. 2000 RMB


Written by: Alexander Yü





Monday, 14 January 2013

Article: Texas wild boar & venison, with chili & chocolate




If you are even somewhat of a foodie in Sweden nowadays you almost have to cook slow- and long- simmering stews with rib (högrev). One example is real Texas Chili and this weekend I created a recipe of my own using game that I just have to share with you. If you can’t find venison and/or wild boar you can easily use rib or another cut of beef. Instead of wild boar bacon or salami you can use regular bacon, even Canadian bacon is fine.

It takes upwards of 4 hours to prepare this dish so make sure you have plenty of time and wine or/and beer.

Ingredients
1,5 kg Venison and wild boar (50/50)
1 tsp Salt
150 g Chopped wild boar bacon or salami
2-3 tbsp Olive Oil
2 Finely chopped yellow onions
4 Finely chopped carrots
4 Finely chopped stalks of celery
4 Finely chopped garlic cloves
500 g Crushed tomatoes (canned)
1 Bottle of dark beer (preferably stout) and maybe some beef stock
1 Lime
50 g ground dark chocolate
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Spice mixture
1 Dried and finely chopped ancho chili
1 Dried and finely chopped chipotle chili
0,5 Fresh and finely chopped red chili
1 tbsp Ground Cumin
2 tsp Dried Oregano
1 tbsp Red wine vinegar
0,5 dl BBQ-sauce

Condiments
Ground cheddar cheese
Fresh and finely chopped cilantro
Fresh and finely chopped yellow onions
Diced avocado
Thinly sliced tomatoes
Sour cream or Crème fraiche
Nachos and/or Tortillas

Instructions
Cut the meat into 3 cm thick pieces. Salt with 1 tsp of salt and let it rest in a bowl.
Prepare the spice mixture by combining all ingredients, let it rest.
Fry the bacon until golden and crispy. Pour the bacon fat in a cup.
Fry the meat in bacon fat and olive oil. Make sure that you don’t have too much meat in the pan at once. Put the meat in the pot you’re planning to use for the chili.
Fry the onions, carrots, garlic and celery in the remaining fat. Add the spice mixture and fry an additional couple of minutes.
Put the vegetable and spice mix in the pot with the meat. Add crushed tomatoes, beer, beef stock, lime juice, bacon and dark chocolate. Add salt and black pepper to taste.
Cover the pot with a lid and simmer over low heat for 2-4 hours. The meat is supposed to fall apart and the vegetables “totally disintegrate”.

Enjoy your chili with the condiments suggested and a nice bottle of rustic red wine or a powerful beer. This dish is really something special so try it, it’s well worth the wait!

Wine recommendation
Wine: Château Corbin, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 
Region: Bordeaux, France
Price Sweden: 282 SEK
Nr Systembolaget: 96026


Written by Kristian Kull & Alexander Yü




Wednesday, 9 January 2013

Wine of the Month: Domaine Balland-Chapuis “Le Chatillet” Sancerre



Domaine Balland-Chapuis is located Bué, in the heart of the Sancerre wine region. The estate comprises 34 hectares of vines that are spread over 3 Appellations : Coteaux du Giennois, Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé. The terroirs of these Central Loire vineyards are spread through the heart of a region blessed with a fabulous countryside and a rich heritage.

In the sancerre vineyards the soil is very stony and full of limestone, this is known as “caillottes”. There is one exception, the Chêne Marchand parcel, which is on micaceous chalk soils. Thera are a total of 15 hectares planted in Sancerre, Amigny and Bué (Cher), of which approximately 13 hectares are Sauvignon and 1,5 hectares are Pinot Noir for making red and rosé wines. The youngest vines are 15 to 20 years old and their average yield is 55hl/ha and year.

Grapes from three vineyards are vinified separately as they have outstanding terroirs:
Le Vallon: 2,75 hectares of 25-year-old vines, 100% Sauvignon, yield: 50hl/ha and year.
Chêne Marchand : A small area of 30-year-old vines, 100% Sauvignon, yield: 45hl/ha and year.
La Louisonne : A small area of 40-year-old vines, 100% Pinot Noir, yield: 40hl/ha and year.

Domaine Balland-Chapuis “Le Chatillet” Sancerre 2011 is a wonderful wine with floral aromas and a hint of citrus fruit. The palate is long and clean with fruits, spiciness and finally a slight tropical hint. It has been cold fermented for 20 days and then been left resting on the yeast residue.
You should try it with shellfish, poached oysters or broiled langoustines!

You cannot buy this wonderful wine at Systembolaget. You’ll have to buy a case of six bottles from the Swedish distributor Franska Vinlistan (http://franskavinlistan.com/)

Cost in Sweden: 143 SEK
Cost in US: Unknown
Cost in China: Unknown