Aber, der Wein ist gut!

A restaurant nearby, La Villa, had a new owner and chef...so we decided to try it out.
He has previously had a one-star restaurant in Bad Homburg...so our hopes were high.
I called about taking a bottle of red...no problem...and I had planned we would drink a white from their list. A visit the day before...only one of two whites of interest...but as it turned out...I made the right choice.


Years ago...a German actor...Walter Sedlmayr...did some documentaries about European countries he visited. The one about Britain contained lots of negatives when it came to places to eat and the food. His last comment after every report was...
'Aber, der Tee ist gut!...But, the tea is good!'

Each dish on the menu is 3 products...which can work...but if you were offered 3 girls...a Redhead, a Brunette and a Blonde...wouldn't you want more details before agreeing to go out with them? It seems to be a trend...so we may have to live with it.



The 'greeting' from the kitchen had pleased....






The first courses were
Matjes, Apfel, Rote Beete
Garnelen, Knuspermantel, Erdnuss
The latter was OK...but no flair or refinement...just OK




Aber, der Wein war gut! But, the wine was good!

The next courses faired much better...
Kalbsbacke, Sellerie, Radischen
Sepia, Linguini, Paprika





The main courses....
Adlerfisch, Graupen, Fenchel
Stubenkücken, Mais, Knöpfle
A little more finesse please...fine if you are popping into a local Bistro...but they are supposed to be more upmarket in their offerings...


Aber, der Wein war gut! But, the wine was good!

and so to the wines....
Huber is THE top man in Germany...particularly the reds...and as the bottle was brought to the table..I thought the waiter had the wrong one. The bottle certainly makes you sit up...a darkish colour seemed to be inside...and the label was not the usual one for the property. But it was the one I ordered...Huber has produced a very striking bottle here...ideal for restaurants...this cost € 58,-- in the restaurant

Huber Weißburgunder/Freisamer
Malterer Cuvée 2009
Baden, Germany
Instant appeal..yellow apple and honey melon on the nose...and a nice dash of vanilla. Would it be too fat?...no way...a lively acidity in there...and mineral backbone. This is very good...and worth buying for home consume.
Points 17
I checked bill when we got home...they had only charged us € 37,--....but read on regarding corkage.






The red was a birthday present from my secretary / assistant...I must be a decent boss!
Bergström Pinot Noir
Bergström Vineyard 2006
Oregon, U.S.A.
Dark fruit aroma...aged cassis fruit...savoury & ripe...dark caramel...wild mushroom...this is
a brooding but ripe Pinot...
Points 17
and...they charged € 15,-- corkage...which I thought a touch high as their wine list is no great shakes...but the wine god shines on it's flock at times...the Huber was a snip!

Yes...as I said..the Wine Was Good!