As you may already have understood from all my love letters (here, here and here for instance) I loooooove Töölö, my neighbourhood. Luckily that feeling is shared by The Boy Next Door too, which made some of the decisions concerning The Big Move a bit easier. Our new home is only a couple of hundred metres from our current respective flats!
Though I've been living and loving in Töölö for years, it still has surprises in store. Such as Ceesta Shop, where I was invited for a Champagne tasting (yes, I know. Again!)
Open for more than 3 years now they import not just wine glasses and other wine paraphernalia, also other kitchen necessities and delicacies from carefully selected small producers (many of them organic). The owners, wine-loving Taru and Christian are (much like Hella & Herkku- shop's Anna and that ex-banker behind that delightful deli in Vaxholm) examples of those brave people who took the plunge and followed their passion for food turning it into their new career.
The name "Ceesta" by the way comes from Esperanto word for "being present" and it represents the kind of enthusiasm for customers I so love about these little shops in Töölö.
Though I've been living and loving in Töölö for years, it still has surprises in store. Such as Ceesta Shop, where I was invited for a Champagne tasting (yes, I know. Again!)
Open for more than 3 years now they import not just wine glasses and other wine paraphernalia, also other kitchen necessities and delicacies from carefully selected small producers (many of them organic). The owners, wine-loving Taru and Christian are (much like Hella & Herkku- shop's Anna and that ex-banker behind that delightful deli in Vaxholm) examples of those brave people who took the plunge and followed their passion for food turning it into their new career.
The name "Ceesta" by the way comes from Esperanto word for "being present" and it represents the kind of enthusiasm for customers I so love about these little shops in Töölö.
They stock pastas, nuts, oils, antipasti and different sauces. There are, for instance, 7 different types of pestos. And jams and honeys - do check the chestnut variety! Oh, and my guilty pleasures: truffle butter and porcini paste.
Not only is the stuff good but their packaging is just so gorgeous and makes this a go to destination for anyone looking for presents for foodies. All of you on the lookout for an invite to housewarming or a place to stay on your next visit - do remember this address!
First we sampled the Champagnes on their own. Philiponnat Reserva non-dosé is made with Solera-method (familiar from sherry-industry) and had no added sugar at all. Yet it surprised with its fruity tones and delighted with body - courtesy of very prominent Pinot Noir (65%).
Then we sampled Larmandier-Bernier's gorgeously aromatic Longitude Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs.
Our third stop was Nicolas Feuillatte's rosé.
We also learned a lesson (or two) about how much the right kind of glass contributes to the right kind of experience. As with the tasting at Mumm, the tulip-shaped glass was deemed superior. Unlike with flutes, in these glasses the bubbles only rise from the middle which makes for a less aggressive, sense-numbing sensation.
We also learnt that especially dessert wines should be served from wider glasses as o(at least in Finland) as the small, narrow glass won't let it breathe properly and so their incredible aromatic nature fails to blossom to the full.
For mains Christian whipped up some truffle pasta. Using their own produce, of course. And we fell in love, of course.
Then we had chocolate mousse which got an extra oomph from Amaretto. It was served with apricots and hazel nuts that they import from Piemonte. I'm telling you, the nuts were so fresh I've never had anything like them before.
Then we sampled Larmandier-Bernier's gorgeously aromatic Longitude Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs.
Our third stop was Nicolas Feuillatte's rosé.
We also learned a lesson (or two) about how much the right kind of glass contributes to the right kind of experience. As with the tasting at Mumm, the tulip-shaped glass was deemed superior. Unlike with flutes, in these glasses the bubbles only rise from the middle which makes for a less aggressive, sense-numbing sensation.
We also learnt that especially dessert wines should be served from wider glasses as o(at least in Finland) as the small, narrow glass won't let it breathe properly and so their incredible aromatic nature fails to blossom to the full.
Next we combined them with food. To start with we were treated to a selection of Ceesta's antipasti. Olives, artichokes and dried tomato, rucola pesto with bresaola, red pesto with mozzarella and basil leaves and divine dill pesto (about to hit the shelves!) with mackerel. And some beef that turned out to be a wonderful match with rosé.
For mains Christian whipped up some truffle pasta. Using their own produce, of course. And we fell in love, of course.
Then we had chocolate mousse which got an extra oomph from Amaretto. It was served with apricots and hazel nuts that they import from Piemonte. I'm telling you, the nuts were so fresh I've never had anything like them before.
Ceesta's website also hosts an excellent online shop. The shop facilities can also be booked for your own wine tasting! A massive thanks to Rock Your Blog's powerhouse Sari and our wonderful hosts Taru and Christian!
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ANYONE FOR SECONDS?
ANYONE FOR SECONDS?
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