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| photo by TEP |
I didn't read the syllabus carefully. I walked into class half expecting a lecture on sparkling wines. Instead, the instructor was delivering a fact filled presentation on German wines (Pradikatswein in particular) . I regretted being delayed by traffic, but settled in quickly and started taking notes.
The instructor discussed several grape varietals including:
- Syrah/shiraz
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| photo by TEP |
- Grenache/garnacha
- Reisling
- Pinot gris
- Pinot Grigio
- Chenin blanc
- Viognier
- Albarino
- Gerwurztraminer
- Torrontes
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| photo by TEP |
The highlights of the evening:
- Tasting a 2012 wine from the highly regarded Chateauneuf du Pape area of the Rhone Valley in France.
- Learning that the Trebbiano grape is the base grape used in cognac.
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| photo by TEP |
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| photo by TEP |
Each week we've had a different instructor. I don't think it was done intentionally, but I am glad it turned out this way. Each instructor is knowledgeable in their own right. While each instructor's tasting follows WSET guidelines ( appearance, nose, palate, and conclusion) their life experiences have uniquely developed each instructor's palate. This evening, tanks to the Ms. Hermann's careful guidance, I noted that my ability to detect a wine's acidity would require additional development. At the same time I noted I was beginning to feel more comfortable recognizing tannin levels and alcohol levels.
The participants were also becoming more comfortable in sharing their thoughts about what they experienced as they sniffed and tasted the wines. What each person smelled was a correct. When differing perspectives about a wine's acidity or alcohol level arose the instructor encouraged the class to explore the differing perspectives to understand what may be underlying factors. The instructor also shared her approach- she does two tastes. The first taste is purely objective (she is tasting the wine for acidity, level of tannins (if, applicable)). The second taste is to identify what she tastes. I think I will try this approach to help me better identify acidity levels.
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| photo by TEP |
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| photo by TEP |
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| photo by TEP |
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| photo by TEP |
This class marks the midway point of the class. The exam is in less than a month. I will spend time between classes reading and creating flashcards.
I checked the syllabus, week four really is sparkling wines. Looking forward to it!
Be well,
Technicolor girl
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| image created by Ink+ LLC |
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