The 2019 World Wine Tasting Challenge at Chateau Chambord, France with the South African team on the right and the US team on the left; that’s me in the ball cap! Yes, the event was held IN part of the castle! photo courtesy of organizer La Revue du Vin de France.
It seems crazy now, but this time last year, I had almost no experience tasting wine blind, no plans to compete to be on the US Wine Tasting team organized by Wine Acuity and no intention to go to France for the World Tasting Championship, a blind wine tasting challenge sponsored by the French magazine La Revue du Vin de France..
But two weeks later, on Sunday July 14, 2019, Sue and I blind tasted our way through six whites and six reds, identifying varietal, country and region of origin, the year and the producer to earn 92 points which put us in second place in the US Wine Tasting Open.
This put us on the US Wine Tasting Team (more about that here)– which would pay for travel, food and accommodations to compete in the World Tasting Championships held at the beautiful Chateau Chambord, one of the most impressive castles in France (more about how that went here).
Read about how the competition works with blind wine tasting tips here.
And the good news is that– even in the time of COVID with so many cancellations– Continue reading →
Sangiovese lovingSue shows off her purple teeth: we asked these three after a practice for the US Wine Tasting Team!
“Sassicaia, Sassicaia, all they want is Sassicaia!” wailed the young sommelier from China during a tasting lab of Sangiovese and other Italian indigenous grapes during the VinItaly Wine Ambassador Course in Los Angeles in February 2019.
“How can I get them to try something else?” she asked plaintively. The group of wine professionals gathered weighed in, but none of the suggestions seemed to click. Continue reading →
YES! Especially when it is summer time and grill time!
Here’s six — from bubbles to sweet from six countries around the world– for you to consider today or for International Rosé Day, celebrated on the fourth Friday each June. Also, of the six, two are kosher and two are organic, and the grapes range from pinot noir to tempranillo to grenache to Zweigelt and more! Continue reading →
Eleven years ago, the state of Idaho declared June as Idaho Wine and Cider Month to commemorate its growing wine industry and to encourage support of local grape growers and winemakers. Of course events this year are a little different considering COVID-19! However, June is still the perfect opportunity to call attention to this up-coming region– one where wine has been grown for longer than you might think– people just don’t know that where you can grow potatoes, the temperatures are great for growing wine grapes!
One of the fastest-growing wine regions in the country, Idaho is home to more than 60 wineries and vineyards with 1,300 acres of wine grapes.
Sue and I on the TGV, a bullet train that zips from Charles de Gaulle airport to Reims in no time! Order your ticket in advance for best prices!
Taking the bullet train from the airport to Reims at sunset after taking a red-eye from LAX.
Sue waits at the brand new train station just outside of Reims You’ll need a ride or to take a local train to get into town.
Having an appointment at biodynamic winery with Cyril Collard first thing in the morning where you get to meet the son and the father, visit the cellar, taste your first red wine made in Bouzy, Champagne, and learn how they moved from selling commercially made grapes to making their own biodynamic wines.
Former sommelier Cyril Collard with his dad in their tasting room in Bouzy. You should call in advance to make an appointment!
Enjoying a leisurely lunch on the mainly pedestrian Place de Erlon in downtown Reims with a view of a famous fountain and sculpture.
The Place de Erlon features this fountain, Sube, that depicts the four rivers of the region with a sculpture on top La Glorie. The streets in this part of town are largely pedestrian. You should definitely plan some down time relaxing and listening to the water!
Using a tablet to take a tour of Reim’s Notre Dame Cathedral and downtown.
You can spend a few minutes or a few hours; plan to join a tour to climb the towers!
Understanding because of the world wars why there’s so much art deco architecture and seeing vibrant color and art everywhere.
You can take the walking tour with the tablet or just wander around on your own!
Gazing on the Mars Arch from when Romans ruled the western world including this part of France.
You will feel dwarfed by the size and the age of this Roman Empire Arch from the 3c that’s at one end of a park at the edge of downtown near the new metro center.
Resting in a hammock in the park near the Mars Arch.
Got jet lag? Reims has hammocks! You could spend all day in this park near the Mars arch! A grocery store nearby could provide all you need for your picnic!
Meeting a friend at the L’Epicerie Au Bon Manger, a small epicurean market with exquisite humanely raised charcuterie and natural wines (and then learning you can support them during COVID-19 and order from them online!).
You will have a difficult time choosing cheeses and charcuterie from the wide selection!
Checking out the nightlife and wine bars after dark including the Glue Pot.
You can find the Glue Pot and many other resources on Facebook!
A late night stop to check out — and participate in– the pressing of biodynamic grapes gravity fed into barrel.
Celebrating 75 years of winemaking, Cariñena’s Cooperativa Vinícola San Valero, formerly known as Grupo Bodegas San Valero, recently launched of a new corporate structure with new proprietary brands that maintain the passion and spirit of the founding winemakers of 1944. Continue reading →
wine predator.............. gwendolyn alley 