3 Sauvignon Blanc from Loire and Ventura County, CA
Credit in part goes to a Loire tasting we did a week or so ago Continue reading
Summer in a Glass: Sauv Blanc from Touraine, Sancerre, Santa Paula CA
We Made The US Wine Tasting Team! We’re Going to Loire, France!
that moment when we found out we’d won second place and be going to France to compete in the World Wine Tasting Championships … photo by Heber Pelayo
WE WON!
We can hardly believe it. We beat out three members of last year’s winning team, and we came close to scoring enough points to be in first place.
It wasn’t easy, but we never felt pressured or overwhelmed.
How did we do it? Continue reading
How to Compete in a Blind Tasting Competition: US Open in Ventura TODAY July 14– wish us luck!
This was from a large group tasting of older reds, mostly Pinot Noir and Syrah, from Ojai Vineyards, I think we tasted about 30 wines that night…
“I am writing to you regarding the upcoming Wine Tasting US Open on July 14, 2019 at the historic Pierpont Inn in Ventura, CA. The Wine Tasting US Open is an annual blind wine tasting event, with teams of two each tasting 12 wines (6 white and 6 red) from around the world.”
Very interesting! The Pierpont Inn is only a block away from my house! The US Open Wine Tasting Competition is practically coming to me this Sunday July 14 from 1-4pm!
The pitch explained that for each wine each team works together to figure out in a timed contest
- varietal
- country
- region
- producer
- vintage
Each correct answer earns the team points; points aren’t taken away for incorrect answers, and points are awarded by the following criteria:
- Identification of the predominant grape varietal will be awarded one point for each 10 percent that the main varietal comprises the wine.
> For example, a wine that consists of seventy percent of a grape varietal will receive seven points for a correct identification.
> No points will be awarded for identification of lesser varietals in a wine.
> No points will be awarded if two wine varietals are provided. - Five points will be awarded for identification of the country of origin of the grapes.
- Five points will be awarded for identification of the main wine region where the grapes originated.
> For example, Bourdeaux. In the case where a team enters a specific sub-region, such as Margaux, rather than the main region, full points will be awarded if the sub-region is correct.
> However, no points will be awarded for incorrect sub-region identification, even if the incorrect sub-region is within the correct main region.
> It is safer to identify the main wine region rather than a sub-region. - Correct identification of the vintage, the year that the grapes were harvested, scores 3 points if the country of origin was also correct. Only 1 point will be awarded for a correct year but with a wrong country of origin identified.
- Identification of the wine producer is awarded 2 points.
- In cases where spelling is incorrect or writing is not legible, the judges have sole discretion whether to award or not award points, if the intent of the answer is not clear to them. There will be no attempt to gain clarification from the contestants once the scoring process has begun.
The two top scoring teams then represent the US at the World Wine Tasting Championships (WWTC), held in October in France. Here’s the part that really got my attention:
“Wine Acuity, the organizing body of the US Open, pays for the airfare and accommodations for TEAM USA to go to the event in France” which takes place on October 12, 2019 in Chateau de Chambord in the Loire Valley.
An American Summer BBQ with Spanish Rioja Wine: LAN Crianza and Beronia Rosado #WinePW
With July 4 past, we’re solidly in summer BBQ season.
First off, let’s get something straight: there’s a difference between BBQ and grilling.
5 Wines from Spain Paired With Paella: Red, White, Cava, Rosado?
What pairs with paella?
This seafood saffron infused treat from Valencia Spain is rice that is cooked over an open fire which uses orange and pine branches as well as pine cones; this aromatic smoke infuses the paella. Cooking on the grill outside when it is too hot to be inside makes it excellent summer fare. You can also cut back on dinner dishes if you serve it the traditional way where you eat directly out of the paellera!
But what pairs well with these rich complex flavors? We set out to find out! Continue reading
3 Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG and Calamari with Lemon Caper Sauce #ItalianFWT
When it comes to the sparkling wines of the world, Prosecco from Italy is sure to come to mind. Continue reading
On Predators and Patriots, Ladybugs and BBQ
There are good and bad predators. As the Wine Predator, I’d like to think that I’m one of the “good” ones.
Likewise, ladybugs are a good predator Continue reading
wine predator.............. gwendolyn alley 