WSET Level 2 Award for Wines and Spirits Course

2 full days of intense lectures and wine tasting

- Wine Tasting/ Food Pairing
- Storage and Service
- Factors affecting Style, Quality, Price
- Understanding the Label

• 2015 Sant'Elena Pinot Grigio 88 Points

  Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Friuli Isonzo

  (3/14/2017)

  clear, medium gold; clean medium nose of green apples and citrus; dry, medium acid, low tannin, medium body, green apples and citrus, pepper; medium finish

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• 2014 Faustino Rioja Faustino VII Blanco 83 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, Rioja

  (3/14/2017)

  clear, medium lemon; clean, light nose of lemon and cheese; dry, low acid, medium tannins, apricot, herbs, spices; short finish; just acceptable only...

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• 2014 Brigaldara Valpolicella 83 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella

  (3/14/2017)

  clear, pale ruby; light nose of mint and grass; dry, acidic, low tannins, light body, cranberry, sour cherry, mint; short finish; barely...

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• 2010 Bersano Barolo Nirvasco 90 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  (3/14/2017)

  pale tawny; medium nose of nail varnish, tar, leather, mint; dry, acidic, tannic, medium body, earth, cherry, lackberry, limestone; medium finish

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• 2005 Hugel Gewurztraminer "Hugel" 59 Points

  France, Alsace

  (3/14/2017)

  clear, deep lemon; clean, pronounced nose of nectarine, figs, fruit jam, orange marmalade; sweet, in fact so sweet it's cloying, hardly tasted any acid or tannins, can't continue further; a wine totally spoilt by the one-dimensional sweetness... poor...

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• 2012 Carmes de Rieussec 95 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  (3/14/2017)

  clear, deepr lemon; clean, pronounced nose of honey nectar, apricot, mango, pineapples; sweet, acidic, low tannin, full body, tropical fruits, oats, vanilla; long finish; heartwarming sweetness balanced by acids and tropical fruits... really good!

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Chardonnay:
- Style: green, citrus, tropical fruits (depend on climate), some have creamy notes, yeasty notes, oak
- Climate: cool to hot; versatile
- Winemaking effects: Malolactic fermentation, lees, oak ageing
- Major regions: Burgundy, California, Chile (Central, Colchagua), Mendoza, Western Cape (Walker Bay), Australia (Margaret River, Adelaide Hills, Yarra), Marlborough

Pinot Noir
- Style: typically medium bodies, light colour and low tannins (thin skins)
- Climate: cool to moderate, but not too cold; fussy grape
- Winemaking effects: oak ageing
- Major regions: Burgundy, Germany (Pfalz, Baden), California (Sonoma, Los Carnieros, Santa Barbera), Oregon, Casablanca, Walker Bay, Australia (Mornington, Yarra), NZ (Otago, Marlborough)

• 2015 Jip Jip Rocks Chardonnay 85 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast

  (3/14/2017)

  clear, pale lemon; clean, light nose of pear, lime, lemon, honeydew;dry, acidic, low tannins, light body, grass, herbs, lemon zest; short finish

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• 2013 Domaine Bertrand Bachelet Chassagne-Montrachet 94 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet

  (3/14/2017)

  clear, medium lemon; clean, pronounced nose of honey, apricots, banana, vanilla, cinnamon, smoked meats; dry, acidic, low tannins, light body, rose, apples, melon, buttercream, toast, some floral bouquet, long finish; really good!

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• 2014 Domaine Heimbourger Bourgogne 90 Points

  France, Burgundy, Bourgogne

  (3/14/2017)

  clear, pale ruby; clean, light nose of violet, redcurrant, plums, grass and earth; dry, acidic, low tannins, medium body, strawberry, cherry, prunes; medium plus finish; quite enjoyable!

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• 2015 Saint Clair Family Estate Pinot Noir 92 Points

  New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough

  (3/14/2017)

  clear, medium purple; clean, pronounced nose of blackberry, blackcurrant, plums, pepper; dry, acidic, low tannins, blackcurrant, salami, chacuterie, peppers, chilli; medium plus finish; really good

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Cabernet Sauvignon
- Style: heavy body, deep colour, high tannins, intense flavors
- Climate: moderate to hot
- Winemaking effects: oak ageing

Merlot
- Style: heavy body (more body and alcohol than Cab Sauv)
- Climate: moderate to hot
- Winemaking effects: oak ageing

- Often blanded together, with other local grape varieties
- Major regions: Bordeaux, Pays d'Oc, California (Napa, Alexander, Oakville, Rutherford), Chile (Maipo, Central, Colchagua, Cachapoal), Mendoza, Stellenbosch, Coonawarra, Margaret River, Hawke's Bay

• 2014 Casa Silva Merlot Reserva Cuvée Colchagua 95 Points

  Chile, Rapel Valley, Colchagua Valley

  (3/14/2017)

  clear, medium purple; clean, pronounced nose of blackberry, chili peppers, chocolates; off-dry, low acid, medium tannic, full body, plums, cherry, pepper, kirsch, blackforest cake; like the dark punchy goodness :)

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• 2013 Château La Bastienne Montagne-St. Émilion 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Montagne-St. Émilion

  (3/14/2017)

  clear deep ruby; clean medium nose of blackberry, nutmeg, mint, medicinal herbs, mushrooms, charred oak, vanilla, tobacco; off-dry, mediumacid, medium tannins, full body, grass, mushrooms, nutmeg, liquorice, forest floor; interesting

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• 2012 Château La Tour Carnet 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc

  (3/14/2017)

  clear deep ruby; clean, medium nose of strewberries, plums, blackcurrant, cinnamon, cloves; dry, medium acid and tannins, medium body, blackcurrant, cassis, cinnamon, charred oak, vanilla, cigar box; nice!

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• 2012 Morambro Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 94 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Padthaway

  (3/14/2017)

  clear deep ruby; clean, pronounced nose of sweet dried fruits, fruit cake, raisins; medium sweet, very fruity, acidic, tannic, black cherries, raisins, mint, cassis, liquorice, leather; very nice!

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Sauvignon Blanc
- Style: high acid, aromatic, most have no oak
- Climate: cool to moderate
- often blended with Semillon
- Major regions: Loire, Bordeaux, Napa, Marlborough, Western Cape (Elgin, Constantia), Chile (Casablanca, Central)

Syrah (Shiraz)
- Style; deeply coloured, medium acid, medium to hight tannins, spicy
- Climate: moderate to hot
- Major regions: Northern Rhône (Côte Rôtie, Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage), Pays d'Oc (Minervois), Australia (Hunter Valley, McClaren Vale, Barossa)

Grenache (Garnacha)
- Style: full-bodied, high alcohol, low acidity, also used for rosé
- Climate: hot
- Major regions: Southern Rhône (Côte du Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape), Spain (Priorat, Rioja, Navarra)

Riesling
- Style: high acid, acomatic, floral, fruity, petrol notes when aged
- Climate: cool to moderate
- Major regions: Germany (Mosel, Rheingau, Pfalz), Alsace, Austria

• 2015 Saint Clair Family Estate Sauvignon Blanc 95 Points

  New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough

  (3/15/2017)

  clear, medium lemon; clean, pronounced nose of grapefruit, lime, green apples, grass, peas; dry, acidic, low tannins, lime, grapefruit, peach, lemon zest, minerals, floral bouquet; very nice!

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• 2006 Clarendon Hills Grenache Clarendon 98 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, Clarendon

  (3/15/2017)

  clear, deep ruby; clean, pronounced nose, of red berries, baked fruits, cinnamon, caramel, nutmeg; off-dry, low acid, medium tannins, blackcurrant, raising, toasts, smokehouse, chocolate, coffee; long finish of kahlua coffee hints; really velvety, excellent!

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• 2010 Xavier Vignon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Anonyme 92 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  (3/15/2017)

  clear, deep ruby; clean, medium nose of blueberries, cranberries, mint, dill; dry, medium acid and tannins, mushrooms, game, toast, black pepper, black olive, coffee, chocolates; medium finish; pretty nice

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• 2012 Gunderloch Nackenheim Rothenberg Riesling Spätlese 87 Points

  Germany, Rheinhessen

  (3/15/2017)

  clear, deep lemon; clean, pronounced nose of honey, apricots, burnt rubber, petrol; medium sweet, acidic, low tannins, full body, figs, dried prunes, stewed fruits, fruit jam, cheese; medium finish; like liquid fruit tart...

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White
- Pinot Grigio/ Pinot Gris (Italy/ France)
- Verdiccio/ Trebbiano/ Gavi (Italy)
- Garganega (Veneto, Soave/ Piemonte, Gavi)
- Chenin Blanc (Loire, Touraine, Vouvray)
- Melon Blanc (Loire, Muscadet)
- Viognier (various regions)
- Albarino (Rias Baixas)
- Sémillon (Pessac-Leognan/ Sauternes/ Hunter Valley)
- Gewurzstraminer (Alsace, New Zealand)
- Torrentés (Cafayate)

Red
- Gamay (Beaujolais)
- Tempranillo (Rioja/ Ribera del Duero/ Navarra)
- Nebbiolo (Piemonte, Barolo/ Barbaresco)
- Barbera (Piemonte)
- Sangiovese (Chianti/ Brunello di Montalcino)
- Corvina (Veneto, Valpolicella)
- Montepulciano (Abruzzo)
- Touriga Nacional (Duoro)

• 2015 Brigaldara Soave 87 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Soave

  (3/15/2017)

  clear, medium lemon; clean, medium nose of green apple, grapefruit, grass, fennel; dry, acidic, low tannins, medium body, green apple, honeydew, honeycomb, grapefruit; short finish

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• 2013 Podere Poggio Scalette Chianti Classico 86 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  (3/15/2017)

  clear, medium ruby; clean, medium nose of cherry, mint, pine; dry, acidic and tannic, medium body, sour red cherry, pepper, tobacco smoke; short finish

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• 2014 Trivento Amado Sur 86 Points

  Argentina, Mendoza

  (3/15/2017)

  clear, deep purple; clean, pronounced nose of cassis, mint, black currants, medicinal herbs, liquorice, fruit cake; off-dry, medium acid, tannic, full body, blackcurrants, liquorice, cassis; medium finish of minted hints

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• 2010 Faustino Rioja Reserva V 91 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, Rioja

  (3/15/2017)

  clear, medium ruby; clean, pronounced nose of strawberry, mint, pepper, toasty oak, cigar boc; dry, medium acid and tannins, full body, strawberry, mint, tarragon, leather; complex and intriguing

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Sparkling
- Bottle fermentation - Traditional/ Transfer (Champagne, Crémant, Cava)
- Tank-fermentation (Prosecco, Moscato d'Asti, Sekt)

Sweet
- Fortification - interrupt fermentation
- Dried grapes - late harvesting/ drying
- Noble rot - Botrytis cinerea
- Frozen grapes - removal of ice crystals

Sherry
- Varietal: Palomino
- solera system maturation - for consistency
- Fino - flor yeasts
- Amontillado - flor yeast from Fino killed; more oxidation
- Oloroso - no flor yeast
- Pedro Ximénez - intensely sweet

Port
- Ruby - sweet, simple, fruity
- Vintage - long-lived
- Tawny - more oxidative, kernel flavors than fruits

• NV Trivento Brut Nature 91 Points

  Argentina, Mendoza

  (3/15/2017)

  clear, pale salmon, fine beads; clean, medium nose of nectarine, mango, orange, thyme, bread yeasts; dry, medium acid, low tannin, light bodu, nectarine, raspberry, bread yeast, bell pepper, peas; short finish; quite enjoyable

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• NV Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne Brut Réserve 94 Points

  France, Champagne

  (3/15/2017)

  clear, medium lemon; clean, medium nose of lemon and bread yeast; dry, acidic, low tannins, medium body, lemon, bread, cake, honey; short finish; refreshing and enjoyable!

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• 2016 Bersano Moscato d'Asti Monteolivo 90 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Asti, Moscato d'Asti

  (3/15/2017)

  clear, medium lemon; clean, medium nose of peach, apricot, lychee, rose, leaf; medium sweet, low acid and tannins; light body, peach, lychee, rose; short finish; simple good moscato which surely is a hit among the ladies

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• NV Gonzalez-Byass Palomino Fino Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Tío Pepe (Muy Seco-Extra Dry)

  Spain, Andalucía, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry

  (3/15/2017)

  clear, deep lemon; pronounced nose of dark soy sauce and coffee; extremely bitter and sour, which is very distracting from collecting notes; finished long of wet socks; really not something for me... totally hated it...

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• NV Dow Porto Fine Ruby 86 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  (3/15/2017)

  clear, deep ruby; pronounced nose of toffee, coffee, soy, nuts, olives, blackcurrant, liquorice; sweet, low acid and tannins, raisins, star anise, caramel, coffee, chocolates soy; medium finish; pretty nice, but I have had better Port

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Very fulfilling, learnt a lot... but gloomy with an upcoming exam, and revision to do...