Tag Archives: oslo

Best Wine List in Oslo

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What makes a Wine List good?

What makes a good wine list? Is it the volume? The average price? Types of wines? Amount of countries represented? Range of wines? The format?

The answer here will vary. I think everyone has different expectations when ordering wine in a restaurant. You’ll see a smile on my face when a Rinaldi dolcetto makes an appearance, or when I find lots of good wines from Piemonte. Others may favor different regions, and will rejoice at the sight of a good Riesling or Rioja.

Price is also a factor. How “good” or “bad” is the markup? Do they have a good range of prices? Maybe a cheaper Barbera next to a higher priced Barolo? What are your thoughts?

Wine List Territoriet

Some of my favorite Wine Lists

There are many restaurants in Oslo, and there is a lot of good wine to find. Here are some of my favorites.

Beijing Palace

At Beijing Palace you’ll find true “Wine Geeks”, and their wine list reflects this. Who would have thought Burgundy and Dim Sum were a match made in heaven. With an astonishing number of wines, with very little markup, you can drink your way into bliss. The list is Burgundy heavy, but there’s an impressive number of wines from Piemonte. When asked why there’s so little markup, the answer was simple: “Why mark it up so high no one will buy it. We want you to drink and enjoy. And when you buy a wine, we get money to buy more wine. It’s win-win.”

Territoriet

This place is genius. With over 200 wines by the glass, you can try wines from all over the world and not break the bank (or destroy your liver). Yes, the price per glass can be a little pricey, but nowhere else I’ve been do you have this concept. (And if you know of a place, please let me know!) In a small space, with a bar and some tables & chairs you can get some snacks while sipping on a multitude of wines, all in one evening. Great staff, helpful and knowledgeable, with a record player dancing in the corner. Great spot in Oslo! You might also run into a winemaker or two, as they frequently host producers from all over the world!

Cru

Another favorite. Cru has a good selection of wines, and offer quite a few by the glass. The food here is incredible, and the wine list does not disappoint either. The prices can be a bit high, but I think it’s quite in sync with the concept of the whole restaurant. Michelin star worthy food (especially the Cru Special), beautiful interior and wonderful staff. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in Oslo.

Vinoteket

This new gem has become a go-to, with REALLY good pizza and an impressive wine list. Nicely priced, good variety, and quite a few Piemonte favorites. With frequent wine events, this is a new wine hot spot. Gaia Gaja even made an appearance. Vinoteket is one to watch.

Any other good ones?

There are so many other good restaurants in Oslo (and Norway). According to Kapital, Park Hotel Vossevangen has the best wine list in Norway. I’ve never been, but I’ll take their word for it. Park Hotel is definitely on the list of places to visit. Others that made the list are: Arakataka, Kontrast & Restaurant Bro. You can read the full article (in norwegian) here.

Vinoteket – Pizza Heaven

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… and the wine isn’t bad either.

Vinoteket is the place to be these days, both for their incredible pizza and their good wine list. Recently opened at Solli Plass, there never seems to be an empty table. But then again, pizza and wine is a killer combination

The Art of Pizza

The menu says pizza, but my brain says art. Crab, tandoori, procini, salmon, meatballs – who knew this was pizza material. A little skeptical but intrigued I order the tasting menu. Up first is crab on sourdough. And what arrives at the table is not just a pizza. It’s art.

Most of you know I make pizza every Friday so I feel very well versed in the art of pizza. As it turns out, I’m a complete amateur. The sourdough is thick, yet crispy. And the crab + mozzarella + aioli + chives heaven that they call pizza just blew me away.

I’m already excited for the next one: mushrooms. And guess what? I hate mushrooms. Turns out, if it’s mushroom ragu + panfried cep, spring onion, dill, chestnut-pecorino on hydrolisis dough, mushrooms kind of rock. At this point I am thoroughly impressed.

The next two don’t disappoint either. Tandoori, which is sourdough, argentine king prawns, capsicum chutney, paneer & coriander is a little too spicy for me, but delicious. This one did not pair perfectly with my Roche de Bellene Pinot Noir. You can opt for the Vinoteket wine menu as well, where you get a glass of wine better suited for the food. The last pizza was Porchetta: sourdough, porchetta, mozzarella, grilled pumpkin, poached quail egg, pecorino cream and oregano. Might sound a little strange (I mean pumpkin and quail egg??) but it was as delicious & surprising as the other ones.

Vinoteket – the place to be

Now, here’s a tip for those who want to try: I’d get the tasting menu. That way you can try a multitude of amazing pizza combinations. But I am also not sure I could eat one whole pizza with crab. Or mushrooms. Or tandoori shrimp. And let’s face it, you don’t really go to Vinoteket for a mozzarella pizza.

Vinoteket opened not long ago, about mid 2018, so as with any new business there are always some kinks. But overall I am impressed with the food, the wine list, the service and the interior. You should also check out their events. Gaia Gaja held a tasting there in February. At the end of April there is a Bordeaux tasting. Lot’s of fun things happening! I’ll definitely be back!

BA53 – still a favorite

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BA53 kitchen

BA 53 – Gourmet Food and Excellent Service

It’s not news that I love BA53 and I know I should expand my horizons but it’s just so good that I have to keep going back. Besides, the menu changes so it’s not like I am eating the same things every time.

BA53 wines

Anyways, just wanted to share what I ate and drank this time. And brag about the fantastic staff and delicious food!

Wines round 1 Barolo Night Oslo Edition

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Barolo Night 2.0

A few weeks ago, Barolo Night 2.0 took place in Oslo. Overall there were 9 wines, tasted in 3 rounds and here are some tasting notes on the first round. Round 2 and 3 to come!

Barolo Night Oslo

Mauro Molino Vigna Gancia 2008

Reddish brown. Flowers and dark berries on the nose. Round tannins, long finish

Enzoboglietti Riserva 2004

Reddish brown. Earth tones, leather, dark berries and dill on the nose. Tannins present, fruity.

Mauro Sebaste Prapo 2011 

Reddish brown. Some petroleum on the nose. A little thin, tannins present.

In this round I was surprised by the Mauro Molino and the Enzoboglietti. Tobias (@tobias_wineandfood) loves Molino and is trying to make me love it too. And he’s not far away from his goal. Enzoboglietti was so impressive that I decided to visit them when I was in Piemonte in March. When it comes to the Mauro Sebaste I was not that impressed with the wine, nor had I heard of it before. Maybe I will learn more about it in the future, but your now I am sticking with the wines I already know and love.

Barolo Night Oslo Round 1

Best Wine Lists in Oslo

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The Norwegian Sommelier Organization and Kapital will announce who has the Best Wine List in different categories, which include Best in the Country, Best Bubbles, Best By The Glass and Best in Town.

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BA 53

My favorites among those who made the different lists are:

  • Territoriet
  • Beijing Palace
  • BA 53
  • Festningen Restaurant

Personally I think Cru is missing from the list, but I may not be objective. Still one of my favorite spots.

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Cru

Barolo & Friends

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Barolo & Friends at Territoriet

Every year during the Barolo & Friends wine event in Oslo, Territoriet arranges a wine event as well. That means that you can get a hold of good quality Barolo that normally isn’t on the wine list. Last time I attended Chiara Boschis and Claudia Cigliuti came to the event, so you could taste their wines and chat with them, a rare opportunity in Oslo!

Femmes Fatales

This year Riikka, a finnish woman who lives in Serralunga, came to Territoriet after the wine tasting. She works for the Winery Malvira but also produces some wine in her own cellar. A very interesting and talented woman! I will try to visit her during my next trip to Piemonte!

Territoriet is one of my favorite places to drink wine as they have a HUGE selection of wines by the glass! Few places have the same options. Despite this being a Barolo event I drank mostly white burgundy the whole night – oops!

Barolo and Friends Territoriet

 

Fyr – Bogstadveien has a new hot spot

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Fyr Bistronomi& Bar

Fyr happens to be a stown throw away from my apartment; It’s always fun when a new place opens up nearby.

Fyr Gastronomi & BarLocated in one of Oslo’s busiest streets, Bogstadveien, it’s the perfect place to stop for lunch on a shopping trip, or a nice place to eat dinner. In the summer you can sit outside in the cozy garden, and in true norwegian style there are blankets so you can use up the last of the summer days even when it’s gettin a little cold.

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When I visired I opted for mussels, one of my favorite dishes, but there were many other tasty items on the menu. And as for wine, they had Rocche de Bellene on the list, for which I give them a thumbs up!

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The inside of the restaurant is very well executed. I almost wish I had gotten a table inside instead of outside. Thankfully winter is coming so I’m sure I’ll have the chance soon!

Fyr

Top 5 Wine Experiences in Oslo

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Last year I mentioned my favorite places to go for a glass (or bottle) of wine. I stand by the first 4, but Dr. Kneipp has now been replaced with BA53.

  1. Territoriet
  2. Le Benjamin
  3. Beijing Palace
  4. Cru
  5. Dr. Kneipp     BA53ba

BA53 has become one of my favorite restaurants, with both incredible food and a great wine list. The staff takes excellent care of you, they are both friendly and professional, and contribute to the truly wonderful dining experience. The wine menu (and the food menu) change continuously but you are always assured a nice bottle to a reasonable price. I will keep coming back for more goodness.