Recommended in Helsinki, Finland – Latva Bar

Latva's interior is rustique and minimalistic.

My criteria for a delightful wine bar are pretty straightforward: a smart, extensive wine list and engaged, wine wise service. If the interior is atmospheric, it is a definite bonus. Some of the best wine bars still manage to go beyond these expectations. They focus their wine thinking creating a centre of gravity for their business concept – a true wine philosophy. Dear wine lovers, all this is achieved by Latva Bar.

Latva’s philosophy is to present premium wines from small produces, craft beers from Finnish small breweries and drinks made of fresh, local produce. Ensuring the high quality of wines is Latva’s primary aim, which is obtained by finding small, passionate, artisanal wine producers with true craftsmanship. Their wines have heart starting with the people who made them. As a positive side product of these producer prerequisites, Latva's wines tend to be organically produced – either certified, or even if lacking certification, minimally interventionist in style. No industrial large volume wines enter Latva’s wine list. 

Jesse introduced me to Latva's wine philosophy.

Ah, let’s then discuss the wine list. At the moment, Latva has no cellar list but concentrates on wines that drink well just now. Altogether there are around 50 wines and champagnes on offer. Amazingly, you can order around 40 of them by the glass. And of course, you can sample the wines first before choosing what to order - otherwise this wouldn’t be Latva. The wine list is constantly changing according to seasons and depending on the sizes of deliveries obtained from the producers. Most represented are old world countries such as Italy, Germany, Spain and Austria. However, amongst them are some pearls from the new world, such as Julicher’s Pinot Noir made by a Finnish winemaker Outi Jakovirta in Martinborough, New Zealand (review coming soon). Sometimes there are also interesting rarities on the list, such as Greek wines. 

Customers seasonally changing needs are reflected by the list, as there are more white wines on offer in the summer when you can sip them luxuriously on Latva’s sunny terrace. And to warm you up, there are proportionately more red wines in the winter. The ever-changing wine list is always staying current.

Should you be hungry, Latva offers lunch as well as ”sapas” in the evening. Sapas are a Finnish version of tapas prepared from local produce. Latva’s big brother, gourmet restaurant Juuri, has created the famous concept. Compared to the ones offered by Juuri, Latva’s sapas are more substantial in size and more rustique in style, fitting to the bar environment. The menu is written anew on a chalkboard every evening. Needless to say, also foodies are at home at Latva.

Relaxed, current and winesavvy wine bar in the center of Helsinki. Warmly recommended.

Info in a nutshell

Latva Bar

Korkeavuorenkatu 25, 00130 Helsinki

latva@latva.fi,

+358 50 3818544

http://latva.fi

Wine lover’s paradise in Tampere, Finland: Gastropub Tuulensuu

Gastropub Tuulensuu, Tampere, Finland.

When in Tampere, Finland, it’s a no brainer where I’m headed. There’s a magnetic pull between Gastropub Tuulensuu and the tips of my shoes. Amongst the several reasons to this is the brilliant, ever-changing wine list that Tuulensuu fosters. But it doesn’t stop there. Tuulensuu in best explained by being a Gesamtkunstwerk (Ger.), a complete art-work. Everything you would wish for in a wine bar is intertwined here: simple, cosy yet stylish interior, a relaxed atmosphere, wine (and beer and gastro) savvy staff, friendly service, a brilliant and vast selection of wine and beer and finally, a delicious belgian-french menu.  You can just drop by for a glass of your favourite red or enjoy an extensive dinner, whatever suits you the best.

All kinds of wine, beer and delicacy theme weeks abound in Tuulensuu. Stepping through their doors there’s invariably something special going on. Throughout the years I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying at least of the following: champagne and sparkling wine weeks, cheese weeks, Trappist beer weeks, schnitzel weeks, port wine weeks, sausage weeks, Riesling and Spätburgunder weeks, fondue weeks… The list goes on and on.

A very special week is the Tamperrada festival in August starting this year on the 15th. It is a tribute to Basque pintxo culture of enjoying mini-size delicacies with their beer and wine. In San Sebastian La Tamborrada fiesta is celebrating its 202nd year in 2015, and Tampere’s hugely popular delicious adaptation Tamperrada is now on for the third time. During this foodie heaven the top restaurants of Tampere, including Tuulensuu, make their contribution to a pintxo competition. The pintxos are on offer for a price of 2 EUR each, while cheerful foodies run around Tampere’s restaurants tasting them. Finally, people vote for their favourite pintxo and the winner restaurant conjuring the very best pintxo is announced. Personally, I have absolutely stuffed myself with pintxos during the two previous Tamperradas, and will make certain to do that again this year. Should you miss Tamperrada? No worries, dear wine lover. There’s always something wonderfully gastro and/or wine going on in Tuulensuu that you won’t want to miss.

In addition to Tuulensuu being awarded the best beer restaurant in Finland in 2014, it has an impressive wine list.. Since I lost my count facing the abundance, suffice it to say the wine list continues page after page. Along with the constantly changing wine list, Tuulensuu offers seasonal theme wines. For certain, there is always something new and exciting for a wine lover to sample. When I’m served wonderful food and a glass of quality red recommended by Jani, one of the wine pros at Tuulensuu, it is as good as it gets. In those circumstances I can concentrate on the essentials of life: just being there, enjoying my friend’s company and Tuulensuu’s great offerings.

Searching for the crème de la crème of wine bars, I require them to make me feel at home. These places are simultaneously effortless and professional – just like Tuulensuu. I warmly recommend this wine lover's paradise in Tampere.

These divine wines are recommended by Jani:

- P-U-R Beaujolais-Villages 2013, Beaujolais, Ranska

- Andrea Calek Chatons de Garde 2012, IGP Ardeche, Ranska

Coordinates:

Gastropub Tuulensuu, Hämeenpuisto 23, Tampere

+358-3-2141553
tuulensuu@gastropub.net