Preparation Exercise

星期五相約網友晚飯小聚，主題是汽泡酒，在家先預習一下。

Cristalino Cava NV, Spain
西班牙的Cava一直都是我喜歡的葡萄酒，因為除價錢相宜外，質素亦往往不俗。此瓶酒香味以柑橘類及少量花香為主，入口十分清爽，帶青檸及檸檬皮，餘韻中等。以$59一瓶來說，她比市面絕大部分的汽泡酒都來得划算。

Montanha Bruto NV, Vinho Espumante de Qualidade, Portugal
一次受不起店員遊說而買的。在鼻子浮現青蘋果及柑橘類，挺令人喜愛。由於是以傳統方法釀造，汽泡頗為細密。可是入口卻比較粗糙，而且汽泡消失速度較預期快，加上餘韻中的苦味偏高，辛辣亦有點過多，不大討好。

Afros Loureiro Branco, Vinho Verde 2005
此瓶並非汽泡酒，而是以Loureiro釀製的白酒。帶柑橘及醋栗的香氣，入口非常清爽，亦有頗明顯的礦物味道，簡單直接，夏日佳品。

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To prepare for the sparkling dinner with bloggers on coming Friday, some exercise was taken at home..

Cristalino Cava NV, Spain
I love Cava quite a lot because of her reasonable price and good quality. This bottle was full of citrus and floral smell in nose, and she was refreshing in mouth. Lime and lemon peel were noted with medium aftertaste. Of value only $59, she is an absolute bargain.

Montanha Bruto NV, Vinho Espumante de Qualidade, Portugal
I always buy wine because of the push from the salesperson. In nose, green apple and citrus were found, quite lovely. As she was made by traditional method, the bubbles were quite small and fine. However, when on palate, she was rather rough and the bubbles disappeared rather fast. Also the bitterness and spice were a bit too high, not too attractive.

Afros Loureiro Branco, Vinho Verde 2005
This is a still white wine made by the grape Loureiro, which is rather new to me. Citrus and gooseberry were noted on nose, she was crispy and refreshing on palate, clear mineral was also shown. Simple and direct wine, a best mate for the hot summer.