Holy Shit! What a week. The MW Residence Seminar is the most intensive week of wine study that I can think of, and if there is something out there that has got more going on with as much high-level studying situations and tastings – let me know. (Although, I seriously doubt there is anything out there quite like this.) This week was five straight days of study. Each day started early in the morning (7:45am) getting set for your morning tasting grid which involved 12 x blind practical. Then doing the blind grid for 2.5 hours, followed by an hour and a half review of that grid with multiple MWs. The afternoons were then filled with seminars on various topics of how to approach and write the essays for the various parts of the MW exams. There were also topical seminars on specific wine regions and or grape varieties, viticulture and vinification, etc. And each evening had some event or tasting, often concluding around 8pm or later. There is a need for stamina in all of this as well as an ability to collect, absorb and download (although this will mostly be done later) the vast amount of information and data presented. There were motivational speeches, relaxing techniques offered, detailed discussions on essay structure, one on ones with MWs and feedback sessions, mock exams, as well as a tremendous amount of opportunity to interact with top-level industry persons and networking. My week also involved a 45-minute walk to and from the venue each day. This gave me the opportunity to get some exercise before and to decompress after each day’s sessions. I began the week by attending a tasting the day before the event. This was the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux tasting, which was focused on the 2015 Vintage across Bordeaux. I concluded the week by attending the MW Annual Bordeaux Tasting focused on the 2013 vintage. In between were a ton of other tastings. Here is a simple run down of all the wines I had the opportunity to review and taste through the course of the six days. I did actually taste each of these wines, and in some cases as noted it was in blind situation. Thursday
Unions des Grands Crus de Bordeaux - 2015 Vintage Chateau de Chantegrive Chateau Carbonnieux blanc Domaine de Chevalier blanc Chateua de Fieuzal blanc Chateau Latour-Martillac blanc Chateau La Louviere blanc Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere blanc Chateau Olivier blanc Chateau Pape Clement blanc Chateau Smith Haut-Lafitte blanc Chateau Beau-Sejour Becot Clos Fourtet Chateau Villemaurine Chateau Rauzan-Segla Chateau Beauregard Chateau Le Bon Pasteur Chateau La Cabanne Chateau Clinet Chateau Fourcas-Hosten Chateau Cantemerle Chateau Citran Chateau Coufran Chateau Brane-Cantenac Chateau Cantenac-Brown Chateau Dauzac Chateau Durfort-Vivens Chateau Ferriere Chateau Giscours Chateau Kirwan Chateau Lascombes Chateau Malescot Saint-Exupery Chateau Marquis de Terme Chateau Prieure-Lichine Chateau du Tertre Chateau Beychevelle Chateau Branaire-Ducru Chateau Gloria Chateau Gruard Larose Chateau Lagrange Chateau Leoville Barton Chateau D’Armailhac Chateau Clerc Milon Chateau Grand-Puy Ducasse Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal Chateau Lynch-Bages Chateau Pichon Baron Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Chateau Cos Labory Chateau Lafon-Rochet Chateau Ormes de Pez Chateau de Pez Chateau Phelan Segur Chateau Coutet blanc Chateau Doisy Daene blanc Chateau de Fargues blanc Chateau Guiraud blanc Clos Haut-Peyraguey blanc Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey blanc Chateau Suduiraut Friday Mondavi Winery Hosted Opening Dinner Hosted by Mark de Vere MW, Peter Marks MW, Nova Cadamatre MW (all of Constellation) Robert Mondavi Winery Chardonnay Reserve, Carneros, 2015 Robert Mondavi Winery Pinot Noir Reserve, Carneros, 2015 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2015 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 1975 Robert Mondavi Winery Fume Blanc Reserve To Kalon Vineyard, 2015 Robert Mondavi Winery Fume Blanc Reserve To Kalon Vineyard, 2000 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon The Reserve, Napa Valley, 2014 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Napa Valley, 1981 Robert Mondavi Winery Sauvignon Blanc Botrytis, Napa Valley, 2001 Saturday 12 x Blind Domaine Remi Jobard Meursault 1er Cru Genevrieres, 2012 Louis Jadot Macon Villages, 2015 Faiveley Meursault, 2013 Simmonet Febvre Chablis Le Clos, 2014 Brancott Sauvignon Blanc Terroir Series, Awatere-Marlborough, NX, 2016 Robert Mondavi Sauvignon Blanc, Napa, 2016 Domaine de la Commanderie Quincy, 2016 Santa Rita Estates Sauvignon Blanc, Casablanca, Chile, 2016 Montborgeau L’Etoile Savagnin, Jura, 2011 Rocky Road McHenry Hohnen Semillon Sauvignon, Margaret River, Australia, 2016 Mesh Riesling, Eden Valley, Australia, 2016 Moorooduc Estate Chardonnay, Victoria, Australia, 2015 Jackson Family Wines Reception Matanzas Creek Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Alexander Valley, 2016 Galerie Naissance Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, 2016 Freemark Abbey Chardonnay, Napa Valley, 2016 Gran Moraine Chardonnay, Yamhill-Carlton, Oregon, 2015 Stonestreet Upper Barn Chardonnay, Alexander Valley, 2014 Capensis Chardonnay, Western Cape, South Africa, 2014 Hartford Family Winery, Chardonnay Seascape Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, 2014 Willakenzie Pinot Noir Pierre Leon, Yamhill-Carlton, Oregon, 2013 Cambria Pinot Noir Barbara’s Clone 667, Santa Maria Valley, 2015 Brewer-Clifton Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills, 2015 Byron Pinot Noir Nielson Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley, 2014 La Crema Pinot Noir 9 Barrel, Russian River Valley, 2015 Arcanum Valdorna, Tuscany, 2014 Lassegue, Saint Emilion 2011 Anakota, Cabernet Sauvignon, Knights Valley, 2014 Verite La Muse, Alexander, Bennett, Chalk-Hill, Knights Valleys, 2014 La Jota Vineyard Co. Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain, 2014 Mt Brave Cabernet Sauvignon, Mount Veeder, 2014 Cardinale, Napa Valley, 2014 Lakoya Cabernet Sauvignon, Mt Veeder, 2014 Sunday 12 x Blind Giusto B Ruggeri Prosecco Extra-Dry, Valdobbiadene, nv Zonin Prosecco Brut Cuvee 1821, Veneto, nv Josmeyer Pinot Blanc Mise du Printemps, Alsace, 2016 Hugel Riesling Grossi Laue, Alsace, 2011 Cave de Beblenheim Pinot Gris Reserve, Alsace, 2015 Hugel Gewurztraminer Vendage Tardive, Alsace, 2008 Koyal Royale Syrah, Alto Colchagua Valley, Chile, 2010 Stephane Robert Saint-Joseph Domaine du Tunnel, Rhone, 2015 Esk Valley Syrah, Hawkes Bay, NZ, 2012 Brown Brothers Shiraz 10 Acres, Heathcote, Australia, 2014 Solera 1847 Olorosso, Jerez Blandy’s 10-year Old Malmsey, Madeira Continuity and (R)Evolution in Italy’s Wines With Bob Betz MW, Joel Butler MW, Mary Ewing-Mulligen MW Carpene Malvolti Prosecco 1868 Extra Dry, Veneto, nv Ca’Del Bosco Franciacorta Cuvee Prestige, Lombardy, nv Alois Lageder Pinot Grigio Porer, Alto Adige, 2016 Jermann “Where Dreams Have No End” IGT Venezia Giulia, 2014 Umani Ronchi Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore, Vecchie Vigne, Marche, 2014 Michele Chiarlo Barbera Cipressi, Nizza, Piedmonte, 2014 Masi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva di Costasera, Veneto, 2011 Tenute Cabreo Rosso Il Borgo, Tuscany, 2013 Lungarotti Torgiano Rosso Rubesco, Umbria, 2013 Mastroberardino Greco di Tufo NovaSerra, Campania, 2016 Rivera Castel del Monte Riserva Il Falcon, Puglia, 2010 Argiolas Cannonau di Sardegna Costera, Sardinia, 2014 Tasca d’Almerita Rosso dei Conte Contea di Sclafani, Sicily, 2013 Donnafugata Passito di Pantelleria Ben Rye, Sicily, 2015 Monday 12 x Blind Max Reserve Carmenere, Aconcagua Valley, Chile, 2015 Casa Marin Pinot Noir Litoral Vineyard, San Antonio Valley, Chile, 2013 Chateau Pontet Canet, Pauillac, 2008 Chateau Argadens Rouge, Bordeaux Superieur, 2014 Chateau Bellevue, Saint Emilion Grand Cru, 2012 Les Hauts de Smith, Pessac-Leognan, 2014 Bodegas y Vinedos Monfil (Garnacha), Aragon, Spain, 2016 Yangarra Old Vine Grenache, McLaren Vale, Aus, 2015 M Chapoutier Rasteau, Cotes du Rhone Villages, 2014 Alpha Estate Hedgehog Vineyard Xinomavro, Amyndeon, Greece, 2012 Remulluri Rioja Reserva, Spain, 2010 Bodegas Ortega Ezquerro Rioja Crianza, Spain, 2013 Napa Valley Vintners Association Wines of Place Ackerman Cabernet Sauvignon, Coombesville, 2004 Ackerman Cabernet Sauvignon, Coombsville, 2006 Ackerman Cabernet Sauvignon, Coombsville, 2007 Amici Cellars Missouri Hopper Cabernet sauvignon, Yountville, 2014 Amici Cellars Morisoli Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, 2014 Antica Napa Valley Townsend Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Atlas Peak, 2008 Antica Napa Valley Townsend Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Atlas Peak, 2015 Antica Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, Atlas Peak, 2016 Calla Lily Ultimate Red Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2013 Calla Lily Audax Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2013 Hoopes Vineyard Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013 JAX Vineyards JAX Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Calistoga, 2015 JAX Vineyards JAX Y3 Chardonnay, Napa Valley, 2015 JAX Vineyards JAX Y3 Taureau Red Blend, Napa Valley, 2015 Keenan Winery Mailbox Vineyard Merlot, Spring Mountain District, 2014 Keenan Winery Mailbox Vineyard Merlot, Spring Mountain District, 2007 Keenan Winery Chardonnay, Spring mountain District, 2015 Larkmead Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon White Label, Napa Valley, 2013 Larkmead Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Dr Olmo, Napa Valley, 2013 Larkmead Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Solari, Napa Valley, 2013 Mattihasson Chardonnay, Oak Knoll District, 2016 Matthiasson White Blend, Oak Knoll District, 2015 Matthiasson Merlot, Oak Knoll District, 2013 Prime Solum Brokenrock Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley, 2012 Round Pond Estate Proprietary Left Bank Blend, Rutherford, 2014 Round Pond Estate Scholar’s Gate Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014 Round Pond Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, 2015 St Supery Dollarhide Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, 2016 St Supery Dollarhide Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, 2013 St Supery Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, 2013 St Supery Estate Merlot, Rutherford, 2013 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon FAY, Stags Leap District, 2014 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon S.L.V., Stags Leap District, 2014 Tierra Roja Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, 2011 Tierra Roja Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, 2012 Tierra Roja Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, 2013 Tierra Roja Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, 2014 VGS Chateau Potelle Cabernet Sauvignon, Mount Veeder, 2014 Tuesday 12 x Blind Vilarnau Cava Brut Reserva, Catalonia, nv Vilarnau Cava Gran Reserva, Catalonia, 2011 Kopke 10-year Tawny Port, Douro, nv Graham’s Late Bottled Vintage Port, Douro, 2012 Costacera Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Veneto, 2013 Adalia Recioto della Valpolicella, Veneto, 2014 Chateau Suduiraut Sauternes, Bordeaux, 2010 Chateau de Cerons, Bordeaux, 2008 Barbadillo Manzanilla, Jerez, nv Noe Pedro Ximenez VORS, Jerez, nv Gerard Bertrand Muscat Rivesaltes, Languedoc Roussillon, 2016 Cave de Rivesaltes Muscat de Rivesaltes, Languedoc Roussillon, 1998 Rowdy Riesling With Doug Frost MW, Matt Stamp MS, Martin Sinkoff, Tim Donegan Haart Piesporter Goldtropfchen Grosses Gewachs, Mosel, 2016 Haart Piesporter Goldtropfchen Frosses Gewachs, Mosel, 2008 Haart Piesporter Goldtropfchen Spatlese, Mosel, 2016 Haart Piesporter Goldtropfchen Spatlese, Mosel, 2008 A. Christmann Trocken, Pfalz, 2016 A. Christmann Gimmeldingen Tracken, Pfalz, 2016 A. Christmann Idig Grosses Gewachs, Pfalz, 2015 A. Christmann Idig Grosses Gewachs, Pfalz, 2009 Famille Hugel Classic, Alsace, 2015 Famille Hugel Grossi Laue, Alsace, 2011 Famille Hugel Jubilee, Alsace, 2009 Famille Hugel Jubilee, Alsace, 2004 Grosset Alea, Clare Valley, Aus, 2016 Grosset Springvale, Clare Valley, Aus, 2017 Grosset Polish Hill, Clare Valley, Aus, 2017 Grosset Polish Hill, Clare Valley, Aus, 2006 Clemens Busch Marienberg Fahrlay Grosses Gewachs, Mosel, 2013 Mac Forbes Winery RS19, Strathbogie Ranges, Aus, 2017 Von Winning Forster Ungeheuer U 500 Grosses Gewaches, Pfalz, 2013 Famille Hugel Selection de Grains Nobles, Alsace, 1998 IMW Annual Bordeaux Tasting – 2013 Vintage Chateau Calon-Segur Chateau Cos d’Estournel Chateau Cos Labory Chateau Lafon-Rochet Chateau Montrose Chateau Batailley Chateau Croizet-Bages Chateau Lynch-Bages Chateau Lynch-Moussas Chateau Pedesclaux Chateau Pichon Longueville Baron Chateau Pontet-Canet Chateau Beychevelle Chateau Brainaire-Ducru Chateau Lagrange Chateau Langoa-Barton Chateau Leoville-Barton Chateau Leoville-Las Cases Chateau Leoville-Poyferre Chateau Talbot Chateau Belgrave Chateau Boyd-Cantenac Chateau Brane-Cantenac Chateau Cantenac-Brown Chateau D’Issan Chateau Lascombes Chateau Marquis de Terme Chateau Rauzan-Gasseis Chateau Rauzan-Segla Chateau De Fieuzal Chateau Latour-Martillac Chateau Pape Clement Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Chateau Certain de May Chateau de Sales Chateau La Conseillante Chateau Lafleur Chateau L’Evangile Chateau Petit-Village Chateau Angelus Chateau Cheval Blanc Chateau Dassault Chateau La Fleur Chateau Pavie-Macquin Chateau Trotte Vieille Chateau Valandraud Chateau Coutet blanc Chateau Doisy Daene blanc Chateau de Myrat blanc Chateau Y’Quem blanc Chateau Filhot blanc Chateau Haut-Peyraguey blanc Chateau Latour Blanche blanc Chateau Lamothe blanc Chateau Siglas-Raboud blanc Chateau Suduiraut blanc
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Continuing on with the exceptionally high volume of reading and study for my program, this week is looking to be another solid series of tastings and more MW test question research. All getting ready for MW residency in a few weeks as well as the over-all goal of the S1 Assessment in June. I am fortunate to have a variety of resources, generous tasting partners, and co-MW students in various groups to assist and balance the study and discussions.
For the Monday Tasting Group, this week, we have selected to focus on Riesling - any regional style. In preparation for this I have added my notes on Riesling to the Cultivar page under Study Resources. I will be adding to this later in the week with specific tasting notes from Germany (trocken wines from Mosel, Pfalz and Rheingau), as well as Austria and Alsace. We are generally focusing on these wines in my Thursday Skype group, in which we detail and then compare dry tasting notes following the MW style in which there is a reliance on identifying all of the characteristics of the wine from the glass and why it is there. For Tuesday, in which I am associated with a MW tasting group out of NYC, the focus will be on Merlot, generally speaking on the lower end of the price scale. To this effort I have rewritten and added to my notes on Merlot in the Cultivar section of Study Resources. This group also focuses on past MW exam questions as they may appear on future exams, and to give a sense of what is involved with this, here are our specific topics this week and on these two questions:
For Wednesday, though, I think we have an exciting and hopefully educational tasting session planned. Topic is: What kind of wine is Appassimento? Designed to explore the various wines made in the appassimento method. Think and explore. Does not have to be a tasting of only Amarone. Various wines are produced with this method, reds and whites, dry and sweet wines. Anything non-Italian? Once I have confirmations of attendance (by Monday please!) I will make assignments. In general we agreed to not taste all of the wines blind. I will be adding a page to this site later today with some basic information and notes on the Appassimento method and related wines. Other resources:
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![]() It is a weird relationship - chocolate and wine, that is. There is a lot of tannin involved in a tasting of these two products, and when you compound any component, it can often become intense, sometimes to the point of unpleasantness. Depending on the sweetness level int he chocolate, and the fruit component of the wine, there can be outstanding matches, though. The main thing to consider is the overall sugar level in the mouth, and the back-up fruit (often berries with red wine) supporting the sugar. Often a fruit driven, sapid, red with rich fruit and lower tannins will work best with rich and decadent chocolates. Think Aussie shiraz with 65% dark. Here are other suggestions on how to maximize your tasting experience.
TASTING WINE AND CHOCOLATE Taste wine from lightest to darkest, similar to how you would taste the chocolate. Milk Chocolate (less than 50% Cocoa) Pairs with:
Smooth Dark Chocolate (+50% Cocoa) Pairs with:
Medium Dark Chocolate (+60% Cocoa) Pairs with:
Extra Dark Chocolate (+70% Cocoa) Pairs with:
As a server or bartender, why would you sell wine as opposed to anything else the guest wanted to order?
As a food service professional, the number one reason to sell wine is: INCREASED CHECK AVERAGES AND HIGHER GRATUITIES, otherwise known as MAKING MONEY! For example:
Additionally, for every $10 increase in the sale price of a wine – potential earnings (on average) add an extra $2 on the tip rate. Beyond the monetary benefits, there are a number of great reasons to recommend wine to your guests:
Types of Customers
Excellence is an act won by training and habituation.
We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but rather we have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. Aristotle ![]() So this first question to address might be, what is Chianti Rufina? Chianti Rufina is a small sub-zone in the northeast part of the greater Chianti district, and is a area that has always been associated with Florence. I was fortunate enough to visit this area about 8 years ago courtesy of Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi and their Nipozzano estate. I remember two distinguishing things about the area - first, it was quite small, and second, was very hilly - being tucked into the foothills of the Apennines and all. The vineyards are basically tucked into the twisting hills outside the limits of Florence by about 30 minutes. The other thing about this area is that there is a fairly short list of wineries. Once you go beyond Selvapiana and Nipozzano, there are literally only a handful of other producers. Nonetheless, the region makes outstanding fan-favorite wines, that showcase beautiful fruit and great style. ![]() The 2015, Selvapiana Chianti Rufina DOCG, is fruity on the nose with that distinct Chianti wood and bright cherry flavors wrapped around a slight iron and wet stone under-tone. This wine is very youthful, with almost juicy, vibrant acids on the palate. Looks like it is nearly 100% Sangiovese, with just a small amount of Canaiolo Colorino and Malvasia Nera added in for complexity and perhaps some freshness. The wine continues through the palate with a dry feel, very soft and easy tannins, and quite easy to drink. It's complex without being tired, as so many wines from Chianti can suffer from. Everything is a little tart - cherries, plums, cranberry - with a touch of alcohol creeping (label indicate 13.5%), but overall finishes a bit dry and very fresh. I like wines like this as they go with food very well - try this with a pizza or some pasta, or even a piece of salmon. Fattoria Selvapiana's website has loads of information, and lots of pretty pictures. This is a serious estate though and it is a region that should get a lot more attention - its just there are not a lot of producers here. Stephen Brook at Decanter posted an article a while back about the area - quick easy read. ![]() First tasting of the new year for the MNTG, and we are going to focus on a varietal for this one - Pinot Gris is the target. Last week I met with one of my Skype groups and we compared dry tasting notes on Pinot Gris from Alsace and Pinot Grigio from Collio / Alto-Adige, in Italy. You can flip over to my resource page and Cultivars list to see my notes and some added background info on what we discussed. I think the important thing to keep in mind with identifying these wines and this variety blind, is really to focus on the structure. Pinot Gris has a definite bounce in acidity - at least from quality and hillside regions (as opposed to lower acid styles often associated with more high yielding and flatter vineyard areas). Combine this with some almond and almond skin, pear and ginger notes, and you stand a decent chance of figuring this one out. I find Pinot Gris and Grigio are often showing a little waxy note, as well as a sleek quality on the palate, which helps me to differentiate it from other Italian non-aromatic varieties. My spotlight wine of the week, at least for the white side of things, is from that tasting last week, and is the Paul Kubler Pinot Gris K, 2014, from Alsace. This wine is racy, with med+ acidity, shows a long and sleek palate style and is rich without being heavy. I really enjoyed it and the slight phenolic bitterness is a good off-set to the slightly rich (but not sweet) feel. At 14% abv, it hid the alcohol well, and was a very good accompaniment to cheese and a light creamy (but vegan) pasta dish my son concocted. The wine rings in at the $30 mark (maybe just a touch high on the mark-ups there?), but was well integrated and showed exceptional balance and mouthfeel, was rich without sweetness, juicy without being sharp, depth of pit fruit flavor with good length and balance throughout. I would recommend this if you come across it. See you all Monday! "Le terroir sublime le vin
dès lors que le vigneron respecte la Nature " Philippe Kubler |
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