Last Minute Race for Wines… New Zealand and 101 (Introduction to Wine)… and an event.
August at the school is a peculiar time. Most folks are not thinking about wine, and I am spending my days writing & thinking about little else. Actually, I was so lost in thought that I forgot we actually had two classes to teach this week.
So, I had to drive over to the cellar this evening, and sit in the humid chill to pull some special wines.
Brian is teaching the NZ/Aussie Class, and his deadpan style of teaching is a treat. He really digs good Pinot Noir, so I will have to dig up something very special.
New Zealand and Australia
Riesling
Can anyone say “rip the enamel off your teeth acidity?”
1. Spy Valley 2004 Riesling, MarlboroughSauvignon Blanc & Chardonnay
No oak on these, which is perfect for August. Omaka was a chairman selection in PA, which makes me very happy.
1. Omaka Springs 2005 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough2. Brancott 2004 Chardonnay, Gisborne
Pinot Noirs (North & South Islands)
This is a neat comparison of two very different wine regions in this small country, it also highlights the fact that this is a country of two smallish islands.
1. Nobilo 2003 Icon Pinot Noir, Marlborough
2. Amisfield 2004 Pinot Noir, Central OtagoShiraz (South & West Australia)
Another compare & contrast flight. I love highly focused pairings–really highlights the variations of regional styles. This also is a 180 from the previous flight. From high culture to high octane in less than 10 minutes.
1. Vasse Feliz 2003 “Adams Road” Shiraz, Margaret River2. Kilikanoon 2003 “Killerman’s Run” Shiraz, South Australia
Blends & Cabernet
Here we have two wines from neighboring South Australian wine regions, and from two killer producers. The “Wallace” (yeah, yeah, I know) is a Shiraz/Cab/Grenache blend. Not something I tend to go for, but this baby has plenty of black olive and chestnut flavors to offset the ripeness
1. Glaetzer 2002 “Wallace” Barossa Valley2. Kangarilla Road 2003 Cabernet Sauvigon, McLaren Vale
So goes that wine class. The next one I have is…
Wine 101: Intro to Wine
This is Friday’s Class being taught by my top 2006 instuctor, Mike A. Mike just landed a great fulltime job at a big school, so we don’t have him as much as we used to, which is a shame. On this same night, Brian the Overworked will be running a wine event with the same wines , which makes my life just that much easier 
In this class, our goal is to whittle away at many of the major wine myths out there: sulfites, cork, storage, varietals, styles, etc.
First Flight
Leasingham 2004 Riesling, Clare Valley (AU) (For the class only)Second Flight
Coopers Creek 2004 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough (NZ)
Catena 2004 Chardonnay, Mendoza (CH)Third Flight
Di Majo Norante 2004 Sangiovese, Molise (IT)
Benton Lane 2004 Pinot Noir, OregonFourth Flight
Las Rochas 2004 Garnacha, Calatayud (SP)
Kangarilla Road 2004 Shiraz, McLaren Vale (AU) Yeah, I have a big wine crush on this winery right now.Fifth Flight
This flight really is intended to reverse the gender roles of these two wines: a feminine cab and a masculine merlot. Often, when people say they prefer merlot–or cab–they really prefer a popular style rather than the grape itself.
Snoqualmie 2000 “Reserve” Merlot, Columbia Valley (WA)
Alexander Valley Vineyards 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley (CA)
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