Quaffing – Page 3 – @sommeligay

Josh Likes Maryland: Part 1

July 22, 2015November 16, 2015 by Josh

I’ve found that I can’t enjoy full-fledged roller coasters anymore, but I enjoy the hints of thrills from airplane turbulence and chunky landings. Kinda gross.

We fly to the eastern part of the continent for a family reunion on the mother’s side – not just the immediate family, but a whole congregation of 19 humans of all ages on a plane. And Baltimore is the closest relevant city to where we’re staying – so that’s where I tell people where we’re going for 13 days – and I have little knowledge on these parts of the United States so I understand none of the references on crabs (“…is there a really bad inside joke on lice that I’m not getting?”).

It’s a bit of a trek from the airport to the neighbourhood, which is best approximately described as a more brick and tree-laden Wisteria Lane, and the arrival day is a bit of midnight blur involving godly 1AM croissant sandwiches and inflating air mattresses.… read more

Life · Quaffing · Tasting · WSET Diploma

Exams and grand slams

June 10, 2015November 16, 2015 by Josh

It’s done. I’ve completed (or performed, rather, since we’ll find out whether or not I’ve actually completed the thing come September) the last unit I needed to complete for the WSET Diploma! I’m tempted to prance around maniacally while getting drunk really quickly on this fantastically sunny day, but September will have to wait for even bigger celebrations, I suppose. Which calls for fancy Cava instead of Champagne, maybe?! I mean, no, of course, but I bought this already so let’s.

In a couple of days I envision myself in a state of academic and mental paralysis. I will have a weird need to study, and I will give in. Someone make me watch a TV series or something!

Alta Alella “Laietà” 2011 Gran Reserva Brut Nature Cava (Cava, Spain): Fresh, lemon curd, some earth, yeast, blanched almonds, and sea spray.… read more

Life · Quaffing

Pre-Vancouver International Wine Fest 2015

February 25, 2015November 16, 2015 by Josh

Days are leading up to the wine fest. Not that it’s daunting or anything – if that’s how I’m making it seem – but I’m purposefully not training my palate for the Shiraz-fest to come in favour of gracing my mouth with more refreshing whites. I’m sort of mirroring the sunny weather we’ve been having in the form of alcohol, and I find that it also helps to have some inspiring wine when you feel anything but. Yesterday’s Martin Códax “Burgáns” 2010 Rías Baixas ($25) was just that – perhaps not as fresh as it should be at that age, but bringing an unintentional spotlight to its funky hint of brine, along with something that seemed a bit nutty and yeasty amongst its peachy fruit.… read more

Life · Quaffing · Tasting · WSET Diploma

WSET Diploma – Unit 3 – Week 11: Central Italy

January 15, 2015November 16, 2015 by Josh

Sangio-crazy.

So on some last Tuesday of some sort, we were supposed to have practice (I love referring to practice blind tasting sessions as such because it sounds like I’m vaguely into sports) but it was cancelled because there’s a bit of a cold going around. The viruses have decided disregard me over the past few months so I’m lucky, and that’s saying something when you’re in retail because you’re basically touching everyone. I’ll get it at the worst time, I’m sure. That one birthday when I invited my friends over but was wrapped up in a blanket the whole time.

I hopped onto the 2015 Vancouver Wine Festival tickets slightly more ravenously than I did for Lady Gaga concert tickets last year, even though I’m not supremely stoked that Australia is the theme country.… read more

Quaffing

Dad blinds me on some wine

January 11, 2015November 16, 2015 by Josh

What does it mean when you’re at a coffee shop, sitting at the window, glancing at the outside world as a lively background to illustrated maps of Italy on your computer, when people walk by and do a double take as they see you? Either I’m particularly handsome today or I’m off my game either today or always. Or I’m radiantly ugly or whatever.

But yes. It’s been a productive day of studying northern and central Italy, mapping out the budding and ripening nuances of the numerous grapes, matching up soil types to regions, and learning about the wines. Dreadful. I love Italy, but it’s basically like untangling a really big bowl of spaghetti. It’s fun, sans the history-laden parts, which – yes – I know are super important, but I’m just tossing those parts aside until later when I really want to fall asleep or something.… read more

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Cantina Valpantena 2012 “Torre del Falasco” Valpolicella Ripasso

December 22, 2014November 16, 2015 by Josh

For some reason I’m never drawn to Valpolicella these days – or ever, really – but I hear its name pop up more than I’d expect. I can see it becoming a trendy wine in Vancouver (if not already), it being a middling restaurant-friendly red with a spiffy name and style versatility.

It’s been a while since I’ve had actively had one. More than two years ago. (Ew.)

Black cherry and cola are the main stars here, and there’s a subtle dried herby undergrowth on the nose. Sage, I think. I learned well about herbs that one time I bought a bunch of them to bake chicken, and there was that one golden moment where I’m sure I made the ghosts in the house laugh when I accidentally snorted dried marjoram.… read more

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Tonight’s vote-watch wine: La Monacesca 2012 Verdicchio di Matelica

November 16, 2014November 16, 2015 by Josh

Today (Nov. 15) was the municipal election in Vancouver. I had to work in the morning, so I had the option of heading to the polling station either before or after work. I decided that the former option was better, so I arrived shortly after the nearby polling station was open. Though I spotted a roll of “I voted!” stickers, I was for some reason not offered one, and then I remembered that it was 8AM on a Saturday morning and I probably looked like a troll who was able to make high heel shoe-esque sounds with ratty sneakers that boomed throughout the solemn elementary school gym. I was given shifty looks, as if the workers were definitely sure I was going to write “penis” 300 times all over the ballot.… read more

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Château le Puy 2009 “Expression Originale du Terroir”

November 11, 2014November 16, 2015 by Josh

I’ve finally finished doing the Bordeaux portion for the WSET diploma, but that’s just mostly note-taking and reading. I still need time to dedicate the thick pages to memory, but I thought I’d hold a mini-celebration and open a bottle of Bordeaux, anyways. It’s just an excuse to drink, really. Tomorrow I’m sure I’ll find a dirty quarter on the ground, and it’ll be an excuse to open a beer.

I bought this guy months and months ago while needlessly going on a wine shopping spree at some other store. It was the last bottle they had of it (I’m always a sucker for things like that), and it was somehow mentioned in Drops of God, which is a wine-themed manga I have yet to read.… read more

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Caruso & Minini 2013 “Terre di Giumara” Inzolia

November 11, 2014November 16, 2015 by Josh

Gotta be up at 6AM tomorrow for a distillery tour. I’m already tired and exhausted and maybe on the verge of being sick, but it’s hard to tell if it’s the fatigue or if it’s the bugs in my system. Let’s keep our fingers crossed because it’s supposed to be sunny this entire week and I’m excited about that. Brisk air and sunshine! My favourite kind of weather. Now lets try and kill these bugs with alcohol.

You’d think I wouldn’t bother buying any wine because I’m already tired and don’t need more things to put in my system, but I’ve never had the grape Inzolia before, in its commoner Marsala form or otherwise. Plus, a warmer climate implies lower acidity with riper fruit, and that’s exactly want I want right now.… read more

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Back to its sparkling Portuguese glory: Caves São Joao 2013 Bruto Reserva

November 11, 2014November 16, 2015 by Josh

This wine serves as a mini-celebration after a long-ass week and even more Bordeaux studying. My current tasting notes are consistent with those from the big portfolio tasting exactly a week beforehand. I was a big fan of the 2011 vintage, but I didn’t exactly favour the 2012 version of the same wine from what I remember was a bit of disjointed acid. I was pleasantly surprised when the new vintage wriggled its way into my life, swimming past my doubt and into the pleasure portions of my brain, so I definitely had to buy a bottle. But mostly because I had nothing to drink yesterday and I have to make up for that, like now.

The wine returns to its glory this vintage, with soft pear, lime, and white flowers gliding from the glass, providing a little more intensity on the palate.… read more