Life · WSET Diploma

WSET Diploma – Section 2 – Week 5

Feb 5-6, 2014

Is it February already?! There’s always that point during the summer where I’m ready for the cold and even await its glacial presence, but the reverse happens so much more faster. So yes, I’m loving how fast time is flying by.

This week’s class was based centrally on terroir, especially for Champagne, where different vineyards command different prices, even though Champagne is one appellation – it’s hardly that this prevalently and lucratively occurs in any other appellation. Since the complexities of top Champagne are mainly based on the winemaking process, we focussed on the importance of terroir and location on grapes. We then explored the five main regions and their individual nuances. And then I realized that three of the northern regions, being the Montagne de Reims, the Vallée de la Marne, and the Côte des Blancs, look rather suggestive in some certain maps.… read more

WSET Diploma

“Flaws (Live Acoustic Version)” – Bastille: NV Domaine Breton “La Dilettante” Vouvray Brut

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, med- lemon, bubbles
Nose: clean, med intensity, developing, mineral, citrus, hint herbaceous, lemon, lime, citrus zest, white bread, slight toast, mushroom, wet wool
Mouth: dry, creamy mousse, med+ acid, med- body, med- alcohol, med+ flavour intensity, mineral, lemon, lime, citrus zest, lees, savoury, mushroom, wet wool
All in all: Good (to very good) quality: the wine is well-balanced and has a relatively long length. Though not being very intense in its fruit, the Chenin Blanc character comes through with lovely earthy mushroom and wet wool aromas and flavours. Drink now, not suitable for ageing.
Identity Guess:
High-priced Vouvray Brut from Loire, France.
Is really:
High-priced Vouvray Brut from Loire, France.

NV Domaine Breton "La Dilettante" Vouvray Brut[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 2 – Week 5]

Last week’s version of this wine was corked so this was secretly slipped into today’s set of wines.… read more

WSET Diploma

“What I Like About You” – The Romantics: NV Adami “Vigneto Giardino” Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Dry

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, pale lemon-green, bubbles
Nose: clean, med intensity, youthful, mineral, candied green fruit, green apple, pear, hint citrus, sprite/7-up
Mouth: off-dry, creamy mousse, med acid, med- body, med- alcohol, med+ flavour intensity, med length, mineral, candied green apple, pear
All in all: Good (to very good) quality: this unmistakable Prosecco is intense in its Prosecco-y characteristics, has a creamy mousse, and a balanced mouthfeel. Though wholly fresh, the acid could be a tad higher. Drink now, not suitable for ageing.
Identity Guess:
Mid-priced Non-Vintage Prosecco from Italy.
Is really: High-priced Non-Vintage Prosecco from Italy.

NV Adami "Vigneto Giardino" Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Dry[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 2 – Week 5]

Prosecco – Its intrinsic liveliness at its best always reminds me of the music that you find yourself jamming to no matter who you are.… read more

WSET Diploma

A pink Rubik’s Cube: NV Louis Bouillot Crémant de Bourgogne “Perle d’Aurore” Rosé

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, pale salmon, bubbles
Nose: clean, med- intensity, youthful, mineral, dried red fruit, hint strawberry, hint raspberry, hint of yeast, hint herbaceous
Mouth: dry, creamy mousse, med+ acid, med- body, med- alcohol, med flavour intensity, mineral, dried red fruit, strawberry, cherry, med length, mineral finish
All in all: Good quality: though the sparkling rosé has elegant balance and finesse, the flavours lack a bit of focus and intensity. Drink now, not suitable for ageing.
Identity Guess:
Mid-priced Non-Vintage Crémant Rosé from Bourgogne, France.
Is really:
Mid-priced Non-Vintage Crémant Rosé from Bourgogne, France.

NV Louis Bouillot Crémant de Bourgogne "Perle d'Aurore" Rosé[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 2 – Week 5]

I am way too harsh with traditional method sparkling rosés. My eyebrows were raised and my lips were pursed as soon as I saw the pale salmon poured from the bottle, and I gave it a sniff with a confirmed nod.… read more

WSET Diploma

“When I Come Around” – Green Day: NV Jansz Premium Cuvée

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, med gold, bubbles
Nose: clean, med intensity, youthful, mineral, citrus, hint herbaceous, stone fruit, peach, mineral, floral, apple, pear, slight toasty and yeastiness, “bread and butter”
Mouth: dry, creamy mousse, med body, med+ acid, med+ flavour intensity, citrus, lemon, green apple, hint of stone fruit, peach, hint herbaceous, med length
All in all: Good quality: though not super complex or persistent, the wine is balance and the mainly fruity (but not jammy or confected) flavours, combined with a bit of yeastiness, are quite expressive. Drink now, not suitable for ageing.
Identity Guess:
Mid-priced Non-Vintage New World Sparkling.
Is really:
High-priced Non-Vintage Transfer Method Sparkling from Tasmania, Australia.

NV Jansz Premium Cuvée[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 2 – Week 5]

This was the fruitiest in our first flight of four wines – and an interesting transition from the vintage Champagne, the non-vintage Champagne, and the vintage Franciacorta.… read more

WSET Diploma

Erin O’Connor: 2007 Bellavista Franciacorta Gran Cuvée

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, pale gold, bubbles
Nose: clean, med intensity, youthful, mineral, rubber, apple, smoke, pear, hint of stone fruit, peach pith, lees
Mouth: dry, creamy mousse, med body, med+ acid, med+ flavour intensity, citrus, lemon, green fruit, green apple, med+ length, med alcohol, savoury, lees
All in all: Very good quality: expressive savoury flavours find themselves on the palate, leaving a long length. The nose isn’t as complex, but there are still some earthy components there. Drink now; not suitable for ageing.
Identity Guess:
High-priced Non-Vintage Cava from Spain.
Is really: 
Premium Vintage (2007) Franciacorta from Italy.

2007 Bellavista Franciacorta Gran Cuvée[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 2 – Week 5]

Franciacorta! I only remember having one in the past – Ca’ del Bosco (Cuvée Prestige), which is, I believe, the most well-known Franciacorta producer along with Bellavista.… read more

WSET Diploma

“Starlight” – Muse (Vitamin String Quartet Cover): NV Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Champagne Grand Cru

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, med gold, bubbles
Nose: clean, med+ intensity, developing, mineral, citrus, lemon, ripe apple, yeast, autolysis, biscuit, brioche
Mouth: dry, creamy mousse, med body, med+ acid, med+ length, med alcohol, med+ flavour intensity, nuts, apple, citrus, lemon, mineral, bread, nuts, autolysis, bread, brioche, not super toasty
All in all: Very good quality: the sparkling wine isn’t super autolytic though the traditional method complexity is there. There is a fair amount of intensity along with a long length. Drink now, not suitable for ageing.
Identity Guess:
High-priced Non-Vintage New World Traditional Method Sparkling.
Is really:
Premium Non-Vintage Champagne.

NV Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Champagne Grand Cru[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 2 – Week 5]

Not fair. If you put this wine right after a toastnutbomb-y vintage Champagne, of course I’d get it wrong. … read more

WSET Diploma

“Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K. 550” – Mozart: 2002 Pierre Paillard Champagne Grand Cru

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, med+ gold, bubbles
Nose: clean, pronounced intensity, developing, ripe red apple, autolysis, citrus, lemon, nuts, butter, hint tropical fruit, bread, caramel, mushroom, honey
Mouth: dry, creamy mousse, med body, med+ acid, long length, med+ flavour intensity, med alcohol, nuts, bread, caramel, ripe red apple, butter, lemon, mineral, oxidized characteristics on finish
All in all: Very good (to outstanding) quality: the wine is complex, with no shortage of expressive aromas on both the nose and palate. The finish persists with hints of tertiary nuttiness and the wine is well-balanced, though the alcohol is slightly imbalanced. Can drink now, but has potential for short-term ageing.
Identity Guess:
Premium Vintage Champagne.
Is really:
Premium Vintage (2002) Champagne.

2002 Pierre Paillard Champagne Grand Cru[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 2 – Week 5]

Boom.… read more