Sparkling – Page 6 – @sommeligay

“What I Like About You” – The Romantics: NV Adami “Vigneto Giardino” Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Dry

February 6, 2014November 16, 2015 by Josh

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

WSET Diploma

A pink Rubik’s Cube: NV Louis Bouillot Crémant de Bourgogne “Perle d’Aurore” Rosé

February 6, 2014November 16, 2015 by Josh

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, pale salmon, bubbles
Nose: clean, med- intensity, youthful, mineral, dried red fruit, hint strawberry, hint raspberry, hint of yeast, hint herbaceous
Mouth: dry, creamy mousse, med+ acid, med- body, med- alcohol, med flavour intensity, mineral, dried red fruit, strawberry, cherry, med length, mineral finish
All in all: Good quality: though the sparkling rosé has elegant balance and finesse, the flavours lack a bit of focus and intensity. Drink now, not suitable for ageing.
Identity Guess: Mid-priced Non-Vintage Crémant Rosé from Bourgogne, France.
Is really: Mid-priced Non-Vintage Crémant Rosé from Bourgogne, France.

[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 2 – Week 5]

I am way too harsh with traditional method sparkling rosés. My eyebrows were raised and my lips were pursed as soon as I saw the pale salmon poured from the bottle, and I gave it a sniff with a confirmed nod.… read more

WSET Diploma

“When I Come Around” – Green Day: NV Jansz Premium Cuvée

February 6, 2014November 16, 2015 by Josh

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, med gold, bubbles
Nose: clean, med intensity, youthful, mineral, citrus, hint herbaceous, stone fruit, peach, mineral, floral, apple, pear, slight toasty and yeastiness, “bread and butter”
Mouth: dry, creamy mousse, med body, med+ acid, med+ flavour intensity, citrus, lemon, green apple, hint of stone fruit, peach, hint herbaceous, med length
All in all: Good quality: though not super complex or persistent, the wine is balance and the mainly fruity (but not jammy or confected) flavours, combined with a bit of yeastiness, are quite expressive. Drink now, not suitable for ageing.
Identity Guess: Mid-priced Non-Vintage New World Sparkling.
Is really: High-priced Non-Vintage Transfer Method Sparkling from Tasmania, Australia.

[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 2 – Week 5]

This was the fruitiest in our first flight of four wines – and an interesting transition from the vintage Champagne, the non-vintage Champagne, and the vintage Franciacorta.… read more

WSET Diploma

Erin O’Connor: 2007 Bellavista Franciacorta Gran Cuvée

February 6, 2014November 16, 2015 by Josh

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

WSET Diploma

“Starlight” – Muse (Vitamin String Quartet Cover): NV Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Champagne Grand Cru

February 6, 2014November 16, 2015 by Josh

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, med gold, bubbles
Nose: clean, med+ intensity, developing, mineral, citrus, lemon, ripe apple, yeast, autolysis, biscuit, brioche
Mouth: dry, creamy mousse, med body, med+ acid, med+ length, med alcohol, med+ flavour intensity, nuts, apple, citrus, lemon, mineral, bread, nuts, autolysis, bread, brioche, not super toasty
All in all: Very good quality: the sparkling wine isn’t super autolytic though the traditional method complexity is there. There is a fair amount of intensity along with a long length. Drink now, not suitable for ageing.
Identity Guess: High-priced Non-Vintage New World Traditional Method Sparkling.
Is really: Premium Non-Vintage Champagne.

[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 2 – Week 5]

Not fair. If you put this wine right after a toastnutbomb-y vintage Champagne, of course I’d get it wrong. … read more

WSET Diploma

“Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K. 550” – Mozart: 2002 Pierre Paillard Champagne Grand Cru

February 6, 2014November 16, 2015 by Josh

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, med+ gold, bubbles
Nose: clean, pronounced intensity, developing, ripe red apple, autolysis, citrus, lemon, nuts, butter, hint tropical fruit, bread, caramel, mushroom, honey
Mouth: dry, creamy mousse, med body, med+ acid, long length, med+ flavour intensity, med alcohol, nuts, bread, caramel, ripe red apple, butter, lemon, mineral, oxidized characteristics on finish
All in all: Very good (to outstanding) quality: the wine is complex, with no shortage of expressive aromas on both the nose and palate. The finish persists with hints of tertiary nuttiness and the wine is well-balanced, though the alcohol is slightly imbalanced. Can drink now, but has potential for short-term ageing.
Identity Guess: Premium Vintage Champagne.
Is really: Premium Vintage (2002) Champagne.

[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 2 – Week 5]

Boom.… read more

WSET Diploma

“Thrift Shop” – Macklemore: NV Parés Baltà Cava Brut

January 31, 2014November 16, 2015 by Josh

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, med lemon, bubbles
Nose: clean, med+ intensity, developing, yeastiness, rubber, earth, slight herbaceous, mineral, citrus, green apple, citrus, skunky
Mouth: dry, aggressive bubbles, med body, med+ acid, med intensity, med- alcohol, dry and savoury finish, citrus, earth, apple skin, citrus, green apple, herbs, med+ length
All in all: Good quality: this traditional style of Cava has a long and earthy length framed by structure, though the overall character is relatively uncomplicated. Drink now, not suitable for ageing.
Identity Guess: Mid-priced Non-Vintage Cava from Spain.
Is really: Mid-priced Non-Vintage Cava from Spain.

[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 2 – Week 4]

This was a Cava that I definitely expected to be Cava, in a contrast to the cleaner and more steely style that we tried right before this one.… read more

WSET Diploma

Muscled jerk at the beach: NV Codorniu “Anna de Cordoniu” Cava Brut

January 30, 2014November 16, 2015 by Josh

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clean, med- lemon, bubbles
Nose: clean, med- intensity, youthful, green apple, citrus, mineral, pear, hints of stone fruit, hint yeastiness
Mouth: dry, aggressive mousse, med acid, med- body, med- alcohol, med- intensity, green apple, citrus, hint bitterness, med length, pear, lemon, green apple, melon
All in all: Good quality: though well-balanced and clean, the wine seems a bit simple and short. Drink now, not suitable for ageing.
Identity Guess: Inexpensive Non-Vintage Sekt from Germany.
Is really: Mid-priced Non-Vintage Cava from Spain.

[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 2 – Week 4]

Though I find myself agreeing with most of the write-ups and wine spiels in Tom Stevenson’s sparkling wine bible, this is one of those moments where I straight-up just don’t.… read more

WSET Diploma

“Love Shack” – The B-52s: NV Dr. Loosen Sparkling Riesling

January 30, 2014November 16, 2015 by Josh

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, med lemon-green, bubbles
Nose: clean, med+ intensity, youthful, rubber, petrol, mineral, citrus, stone fruit, peach, apricot, apple, apple skin
Mouth: off-dry, creamy mousse, med+ intensity, med body, med alcohol, med+ acid, citrus, rubber, mineral, apple skin, stone fruit, med length. stony finish
All in all: Good quality: the sweeter and simple ripe stone fruits are balanced well with the bright acid, bubble, and Riesling mineral tones. Average length. Drink now, not suitable for ageing.
Identity Guess: Mid-priced Non-Vintage New World sparkling wine.
Is really: Mid-priced Non-Vintage Deutscher Sekt from Germany.

[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 2 – Week 4]

Disclaimer: I liked this. Bite me.

This was the third wine in our six-wine flight and it was obvious that the first two were a traditionally-made blanc de noirs and a traditionally-made blanc de blancs.… read more

WSET Diploma

“Minuet” – Luigi Boccherini: 2006 Marguet Champagne Grand Cru Brut

January 30, 2014November 16, 2015 by Josh

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, med lemon, bubbles
Nose: clean, pronounced intensity, developing, brioche, hint butter, baked apple, vanilla, citrus, yeast, biscuit
Mouth: dry, creamy mousse, med+ intensity, high acid, med- body, med alcohol, long length, ripe citrus, hint butter, brioche, baked apple, biscuit, slightly oxidized and nutty finish
All in all: Very good quality: high acid frames the surprisingly plusher mid-palate, while a concentrated palate persists on the oxidized finish. Though there is a fair bit of tertiary character, the wine could have a bit more complexity. Can drink now, but has potential for short-term ageing.
Identity Guess: Premium Non-Vintage Blanc de Blancs Champagne.
Is really: Premium Vintage Blanc de Blancs Champagne.

[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 2 – Week 4]

Ahh.… read more