Large old oak barrels used in Alsace have little influence on the wines’ aromas. Explain WHY.
[Answer(s) based on WSET Level 3 material]
Alsatian Wine Pop Quiz
Tag: wine
German Riesling: Location Matters
Here’s a fun exercise to helping to learn the different German regions: think about them in reference to the country’s most popular grape variety—Riesling. Going from North to South, let’s talk about Mosel, Nahe, Rheingau, Rheinhessen, Pfalz, and Baden.
[Information based on WSET Level 3 material]
Mosel and Alsace Wine Regions and Wine Review with Insight from ‘The Simpsons’
I recently took a WSET tutoring session in which I was given quite a few test questions in order to prepare me for the written portion of the exam. Rumor has it, this is where most students have difficulty for a number of reasons, including not using their own deductive reasoning. Just like those nasty word problems you’d get in math class as a kid, sometimes it’s about taking what you do know to help you figure out what you (think) you don’t know.
The above image is from a Simpson’s episode entitled “Visualize the Problem.” I thought this appropriate because I’m about to share a little “proud of me” moment when I did just that. The question was about the Mosel region of Germany:
Due to the challenging climate in the Mosel, all the very best vineyards share similar characteristics. Explain what the climatic challenges in the Mosel are and identify and explain how three of those characteristics help to overcome these challenges.
[Answer(s) based on WSET Level 3 material]
Pop (the Cork) Quiz
A wine is sealed with a natural cork. What storage conditions would you recommend for the long term aging of this wine?
[Answer(s) based on WSET Level 3 material]
Madrigal Family Winery 2018 Sauvignon Blanc
Warning: Personal anecdote ahead. I recently moved from SF to the North Bay. (I will, very shortly be moving again from North Bay to winecountry proper…but that’s a diff story). Walking down the street of downtown Corte Madera, I came across the Madrigal Family Winery tasting room. It was a Sunday morning, the doors closed. My partner in wine crime asked if I knew who they were. Heard of them? Yes. Tasted from them, no. So, here is my first look at and taste of Madrigal Family Winery.
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