Category Archives: WSET

Ode To Terrior and Tasting Notes

Posted on November 18, 2010 by

  I hate tasting notes. Okay, maybe that’s too harsh. I dislike tasting notes – intensely. Actually, I’ve written hundreds of tasting notes. I’ve written them on restaurant coasters, on the back of business cards, on program guides, and on … Continue reading →

Posted in Emile Peyaud, Tasting Notes, WSET | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

1982 Vignaveja: An Elegant Old Vintage

Posted on November 12, 2010 by

  Old wines are always something of a mystery. Case in point, the bottle of 1982 Vignaveja we’re about to uncork. What is going to happen when I open this vintage? Will it be dead, oxidized, or will it be … Continue reading →

Posted in 1982 Vignaveja, Gaja, Italian Wine, Nebbiolo, Tasting Notes, WSET | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Bordeaux at House Wines

Posted on November 4, 2010 by

  The other night, I attended a tasting hosted by the ladies of House Wines – Michaela Morris and Michelle Bouffard. If you’re a Wine and Spirit Education Trust or an International Sommelier Guild student, this is an inexpensive way … Continue reading →

Posted in Bordeaux, Grenache, House Wines, WSET | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A Litte Bit About Grenache

Posted on November 3, 2010 by

You gave to feel sorry for poor Grenache. It has an identity problem and very rarely gets any billing.This grape is a little wild and some times you don’t even know when you are drinking it. Grenache Noir, as it … Continue reading →

Posted in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Garnacha, Grenache, rhone wines, wine tasting, WSET | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

1982 Vignaveja: An Elegant Old Vintage

Posted on April 15, 2009 by

Old wines are always something of a mystery. Case in point, the bottle of 1982 Vignaveja we’re about to uncork. What is going to happen when I open this vintage? Will it be dead, oxidized, or will it be a … Continue reading →

Posted in 1982 Vignaveja, Gaja, Nebbiolo, WSET | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wine, Romantic Encounters, and WSET

Posted on April 14, 2008 by

I think Frank is having an affair. He mutters her name constantly – sometimes lovingly, sometimes not so much so. Her picture appears in books on the coffee table, on the dashboard in the truck, even pinned on the bathroom … Continue reading →

Posted in Jancis Robinson, Oxford Companion to Wine, WSET | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Crazy for Spanish Wines: Tempranillo Meets Toro

Posted on August 29, 2007 by

We have both been busy lately – a little too busy actually and, regretfully, not much of it to do with wine. The wine shelves are almost bare, dirty laundry piling up, and unanswered emails clogging our inboxes. However, somewhere … Continue reading →

Posted in Society of Wine Educators, Spanish wines, Tempranillo, Wine Academy of Spain, WSET | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Forchini’s 2004 Zinfandel Proprietor’s Reserve: Zin-fully Delicious

Posted on July 13, 2007 by

Frank’s back from his road trip and it was an undisputed success. In fact, he’s still raving about the wineries, the people, and the climate. Now I just need to get him to apply fingers to keyboard… not that I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley, WSET, zinfandel | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ode To Terrior and Tasting Notes

Posted on May 4, 2007 by

I hate tasting notes. Okay, maybe that’s too harsh. I dislike tasting notes – intensely. Actually, I’ve written hundreds of tasting notes. I’ve written them on restaurant coasters, on the back of business cards, on program guides, and on god … Continue reading →

Posted in Emile Peyaud, Tasting Notes, WSET | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Dusty, Earthy, and Delicious: An Evening of South Africa Reds

Posted on April 30, 2007 by

April 25th marked a night of tasting premium South African reds with our local chapter of the South World Wine Society. As usual, it was a gregarious group with a diverse range of opinions and no hesitation sharing them. Here’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Chenin Blanc, pinotage, South African Wines, WSET | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Semillon: Plain Jane or Belle of the Ball

Posted on April 23, 2007 by

Tonight’s wine tasting gives new meaning to the word “contrast.” On the table are two wines from Down Under: a Parri Estate and a Noble One Botrytis Semillon from De Bortoli. Both wines are 2004 vintages, both are 100% Semillon, … Continue reading →

Posted in Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, WSET | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival

Posted on April 2, 2007 by

We’ve done it. We’ve survived the 29th Annual Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival. Three delicious days of swirling, sniffing, sipping, and savouring. We’ve made some new friends, re-connected with several old ones, and, as is the tradition of this annual … Continue reading →

Posted in australian wines, Playhouse Wine Festival, VQA, WSET | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Required Reading

Posted on March 23, 2007 by

My bank account, the wine cellar, and I sat down this afternoon and took a long look at the required and suggested reading lists for my WSET Diploma and CSW from the Society of Wine Educators. I plan to write … Continue reading →

Posted in Society of Wine Educators, sommelier, wine books, WSET | Tagged | Leave a comment

Surviving the WSET Exam

Posted on March 16, 2007 by

The exam is over. Done at last. It’s difficult right now to tell whether I’m experiencing pure relief at the thought I can actually sleep later than 6:00 am this Saturday morning without becoming overwhelmed by stabbing pangs of guilt … Continue reading →

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It’s D Day

Posted on March 13, 2007 by

6:30 am. Today is D Day, the day I sit the final exam for my Advanced WSET. I was wondering if like a hockey player before a big game, I would go unshaven today. This evening will be the end … Continue reading →

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