Our wine class continued our world travels on December 20 skipping back and forth between the Old World (i.e. Europe) and the New World (in this case, Washington and California). We expected to find subtlety in the Old World wines compared to boldness in the New World styles. And, boy did we! We started out comparing a 2005 Trimbach Alsace Riesling (12.5% alcohol) with a 2005 Indian Wells Riesling from Columbia Valley (Washington) (13% alcohol). We found the Trimbach to be more balanced and earthy, as an Old World wine should be, with definite aromas of WD-40! The Indian Wells, on the other hand, was all fruity and lush, with tones of apricot and honey. All preferred the Indian Wells needless to say.
Our “red” trip took us to Burgundy with a 2004 Faively Bourgogne (pinot noir, 12.5% alcohol) and then back to California with a 2005 Ramsay North Coast Pinot Noir (13% alcohol). (Note that the New World wines both had slightly higher alcohol content.) As expected, we found the burgundy to strike a better balance among fruit, body and texture, with even more pronounced WD-40 aromas, while the California pinot noir was more astringent with riper fruit aromas and flavors. This time, though, we preferred the burgundy.
Our next trip will continue exploring the Old World and the New World, but this time, we’ll stick with all whites to give us more practice at judging body, color and texture. We’ll compare sauvignon blancs from the Loire Valley with some from California, Chile or New Zealand, and then we’ll dive into some chardonnays from France and from California or Australia. Don’t worry red lovers, you’ll get your revenge in February when we’ll concentrate on Old World and New World merlots and cabernet sauvignons!
To prepare for the class, please review pages 117 through 128 of Andrea Immer Robinson’s book. Then focus on the tasting notes for the sauvignon blancs and chardonnays on pages 129 and 130.
Our January class will take place on the 17th. Please join us then at around 7:00 for another whirlwind tour of the world of wine. And please, if you can, let me know if you’ll try to attend so that I can be sure we have enough.
See you on January 17!
Suzy Marquard