Pairings

Pairing Afritada Manok and Wine: on Start-ups, Songs, and Scents

Looking at a timeline of top Billboard hits is such an absolute trip because the journey back to seemingly vapid bops aligns perfectly with particular stages of my life, bringing back such vivid memories. Rihanna’s Only Girl in the World always sends a jolt down my spine as I recall how it woke me up on the radio alarm during my first year of university; the rise of Lady Gaga’s Poker Face brings back that mandatory intro to info tech course we took in high school, where a classmate introduced me to the song as we did our dreadfully easy typing assignments; and Rihanna’s Work immediately became my theme song during that first month in San Francisco when I co-founded a company.… read more

WSET Diploma

2008 Alpha Estate “Turtles Vineyard” Syrah

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, deep purple, legs
Nose: clean, med intensity, youthful, black pepper, cured meat, black cherry, game, sweaty, bitter tea leaf, floral, oak, sweet spice, black fruits, smoke
Mouth: dry, med+ body, med+ acid, med+ fine tannin, black fruits, savoury, med+ flavour intensity, med+ length, sweet spice, gamey, black cherries, tar, dark fruit
All in all: Very good quality: although relatively high, the structural components are well woven into the wine, which shows a complex profile of dark fruit and savoury characteristics. The alcohol is a bit warming, but the wine is persistent. Drink now, but has potential for short-term ageing.

2008 Alpha Estate "Turtles Vineyard" Syrah

[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 1 – Week 9]

First of all: “Turtles Vineyard”.

Turtles Vineyard.read more

WSET Diploma

2008 Alpha Estate “Hedgehog Vineyard” Xinomavro

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, med- ruby, legs
Nose: clean, med intensity, developing, red fruits, raspberry, cherry, earth, spice
Mouth: dry, med+ acid, med tannin, med- body, med alcohol, med- flavour intensity, med finish, savoury, red fruits, earth
All in all: Good quality: this had a decent amount of complexity, with red fruits balanced with earth and spice characteristics. There was also present structure, with med+ acid and med tannin (which was deceiving because of the light colour – Nebbiolo anyone?). However it lacked in a bit on concentration at the alcohol was slightly out of balanced. Drink now: not suitable for ageing.
Identity guess:
Mid-priced Pinot Noir from Chile; 2 years old.
Is really: 
High-priced Xinomavro from Greece; 5 years old.… read more