Wines, Cheeses and Flowers

That was the topic of the 2008 trip organised by the department of Food Technology. We visited a small cheese factory, a family business. The woman made a long speech in Finnish about the cheeses and the factory (I guess) and then we moved to the "wine" factory. I would have liked to know how they produce the so called "leipäjuusto" (bread cheese) but I just did not understand anything. Could have asked but I guess I was too sleepy and lazy to ask anything. The second destination (the "wine place") is supposed to be one of the most famous "wineries" in Finland. Soon you'll see why I include those inverted commas. The "Mustila Winery" was the place and those "wines" made of berries was the product to taste. I think it is always interesting to enjoy new experiences and regarding food, I could try almost anything. Those beverages were ok, something worth to try, different, even special, but they were not wines. It's just not my opinion, it is the definition of wine what makes sense: "Wine is an alcoholic beverage made from the fermentation of grape juice" (Wickipedia ;-). I accept that those beverages were made according to a procedure similar to that of wine, and the result was acceptable. The problem comes when you try to convince people that those beverages can be considered real wines and perform a wine tasting as if we were in California, France or Spain ;-). The woman from the photographs (I believe she's the owner...) tried to do so. It is as if I tried to teach a Finn how to smoke salmon, or skate on ice. It is as if British tried to convince to the world they know how to combine colours when they get dressed, or cook or behave properly at a football match. It is as if Americans tried to give lessons about geography...or human rights. It is as if French tried to prove that they take a shower everyday or if Japanese were proud of their English...something crazy. Anyhow, I wonder how many real wine drinkers have visited that factory and I am sure that must not be very difficult to make her feel embarrased by the evidence that she's much better at hypes and promotion than in tasting wines. But nevermind, we had fun and enjoyed those interesting beverages in a wonderful shiny day in Finland. In the same factory they sell flowers and all kinds of plants. To that regard, during spring and summer time, Finland is number 1.