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
Tag: Italy
Caruso & Minini 2013 “Terre di Giumara” Inzolia
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
Wine Bloggers Conference 2014 – Blends: 2 + 2 = 5?
Okay! So flashback to Day 2 of the the Wine Bloggers Conference: it’s one of those times where we have to choose between three different seminars. There’s a seminar each on Merlot (hosted by Rutherford Hill and Duckhorn wineries), something on “How Pros Taste” (hosted by Jackson Family Wines), and then one on wine blends (hosted by Winebow), the last seeming like a strangely divergent topic from the former two. And I know – I should probably be basking in the Californian-based seminars (when in Rome etc.), but I couldn’t help but be intrigued by something less specific and more amalgamate in style i.e. the idea, at the time, of trying a row of Napa Merlots in the California heat made me scrunch my face.… read more
Sandor “The Hound” Clegane: 2010 Máté “Mantus” Merlot
Tasting Note:
Eyes: clear, deep purple, legs
Nose: clean, med+ intensity, developing, dried red fruit, dried black fruit, earth, mineral, black cherry, dark chocolate, hint barnyard, spice, cloves, cinnamon, fruitcake, blackberry, plum, white pepper
Mouth: dry, med+ body, med+ acid, high slightly coarse tannin, high alcohol, med length, med flavour intensity, earth, dried red fruit, black cherry, mineral, spice
All in all: Good (to very good) quality: the wine shows promise with a complex nose with concentrated and intense flavours. But the tannins tightly close around some of the flavours. Can drink now, but has potential for ageing.
Holy shit is this potent at 15% ABV. But overall, the aromas are a little less boisterous, and you can imagine the level of spice that emanates from this alcoholic bombshell.… read more
Hipster Champagne: NV Bellavista Franciacorta Cuvée Brut
Tasting Note:
Eyes: clear, med- lemon, bubbles
Nose: clean, med+ intensity, developing, ripe green apple, citrus, lemon, yeast, hint brioche, mineral, caramel, salted nuts, lees
Mouth: dry, creamy mousse, med- body, med+ acid, med alcohol, med+ flavour intensity, mineral, green apple, citrus, yeast, hints of brioche, roasted nuts, nutty and oxidized finish, hint butter, med+ length
All in all: Very good quality: impressive here is the drawn-out nutty length that I more commonly see in aged vintage traditionally-made sparklings. There is balance and a moderate amount of complexity, but there is a hint of bitterness on the finish as well. Drink now, not suitable for ageing.
I feel dumb opening this on a Thursday night. But I convinced myself that I’ve earned it for doing a lot of work today.… read more
“What I Like About You” – The Romantics: NV Adami “Vigneto Giardino” Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Dry
Tasting Note:
Eyes: clear, pale lemon-green, bubbles
Nose: clean, med intensity, youthful, mineral, candied green fruit, green apple, pear, hint citrus, sprite/7-up
Mouth: off-dry, creamy mousse, med acid, med- body, med- alcohol, med+ flavour intensity, med length, mineral, candied green apple, pear
All in all: Good (to very good) quality: this unmistakable Prosecco is intense in its Prosecco-y characteristics, has a creamy mousse, and a balanced mouthfeel. Though wholly fresh, the acid could be a tad higher. Drink now, not suitable for ageing.
Identity Guess: Mid-priced Non-Vintage Prosecco from Italy.
Is really: High-priced Non-Vintage Prosecco from Italy.
[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 2 – Week 5]
Prosecco – Its intrinsic liveliness at its best always reminds me of the music that you find yourself jamming to no matter who you are.… read more
Erin O’Connor: 2007 Bellavista Franciacorta Gran Cuvée
Tasting Note:
Eyes: clear, pale gold, bubbles
Nose: clean, med intensity, youthful, mineral, rubber, apple, smoke, pear, hint of stone fruit, peach pith, lees
Mouth: dry, creamy mousse, med body, med+ acid, med+ flavour intensity, citrus, lemon, green fruit, green apple, med+ length, med alcohol, savoury, lees
All in all: Very good quality: expressive savoury flavours find themselves on the palate, leaving a long length. The nose isn’t as complex, but there are still some earthy components there. Drink now; not suitable for ageing.
Identity Guess: High-priced Non-Vintage Cava from Spain.
Is really: Premium Vintage (2007) Franciacorta from Italy.
[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 2 – Week 5]
Franciacorta! I only remember having one in the past – Ca’ del Bosco (Cuvée Prestige), which is, I believe, the most well-known Franciacorta producer along with Bellavista.… read more
“Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)” – Katy Perry: NV Martini Asti
Tasting Note:
Eyes: clear, pale lemon, bubbles
Nose: clean, pronounced intensity, youthful, floral, grapey, stone fruit, canned peaches, honeydew, melon
Mouth: sweet, med- acid, med body, delicate mousse, med+ flavour intensity, med length, med- alcohol, candied peach, floral, grapey, stone fruit, hint mango
All in all: Acceptable quality: though there is an intense Moscato flavour on both the nose and palate, the wine lacks acidic balance, complexity, and persistence. Drink now; not suitable for ageing.
Identity Guess: Mid-priced Non-Vintage Moscato from Piedmont, Italy.
Is really: Inexpensive Non-Vintage Moscato from Piedmont, Italy.
[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 2 – Week 3]
Moscato absolutely slays me. I know I’m supposed to be a seasoned WSET Diploma student who learns to cringe at its presence and be as critical to its sweetish facades like a disciplinarian parent to a disobedient child, but it’s so hard.… read more
That one song you secretly like but aren’t supposed to: NV Valdo “Marca Oro” Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Extra Dry
Tasting Note:
Eyes: clear, pale lemon-green, bubbles
Nose: clean, med intensity, youthful, mineral, green apple, pear, citrus, hint herbaceous, flint, floral
Mouth: off-dry, aggressive mousse, med acid, med- body, med- alcohol, med flavour intensity, green apple, mineral, citrus, pear, hint herbaceous, med+ finish
All in all: Good quality: the wine has structural balance and a relatively long finish, though the flavours are a bit simple and delicate. Drink now; not suitable for ageing.
Identity Guess: Inexpensive Non-Vintage Sekt from Germany.
Is really: Mid-priced Non-Vintage Prosecco from Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG, Veneto, Italy.
[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 2 – Week 3]
Okay so for some reason I flat out thought this was lower quality than it was. I would like to go ahead and apologize to this wine, who did nothing but try to please me with its bubbly goodness.… read more
Haim – “Falling”: NV Lini 910 “Labrusca” Lambrusco
Tasting Note:
Eyes: clear, deep purple, hint of bubbles
Nose: clean, youthful, pronounced intensity, hint of dark chocolate, dark berry jam, blueberries, blackberries, earth, bramble, cassis, grapey, apple, hint herbal
Mouth: dry, med body, med+ acid, delicate mousse, med alcohol, low soft tannin, med length, med+ flavour intensity, bramble, dark berry jam, apple, blueberries, blackberries, blackcurrant
All in all: Good quality: the brightly acidic wine provides a balance to the intense dark berry flavours which are simple and only have a medium length on the palate. Drink now; not suitable for ageing.
Identity Guess: Mid-priced Non-Vintage Sparkling Shiraz from Australia.
Is really: Mid-priced Non-Vintage Lambrusco from Italy.
[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 2 – Week 2]
I’m not super familiar with the sparkling red that is Lambrusco.… read more