old world wine regions - completed

After 16 weeks of classes, I'm finally finished with Old World Wine Regions. It was probably the toughest course in the entire program. It covers so many regions in one semester - it's just not possible to know everything about such an important area in wine.

I was worried that work and the holidays would make it tough for me to study. But I started early and took a day or two off to make sure I had enough time to prepare. It was so worth it because the written test was good. The blind tasting component always makes me nervous because I don't practice enough so I always wonder whether I am going to fail that portion. When I do a blind tasting, I always doubt myself and I change my answer. The original answer is usually right but because I doubt myself, I end up getting it wrong.

For the final exam, I reminded myself that I need to believe in my ability. This time, it worked. I was able to identify all four wines - an Albariño from Vinho Verde, a valpolicella from Veneto, a Nebbiolo from Piemonte, and a Tempranillo from Rioja. I was able to figure it out based on everything I learned about viticulture and vinification.

I'm happy to end the course on a high note. It is the last of the theoretical wine courses. Next up is Food & Wine Pairing and a Beer Course. Once those courses are done, it's Advanced Sommelier.

I'm almost there .. :)

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christmas came a little early for me ..

back in august, i was in BC for a wine trip.  i had written in my blog that i was supposed to meet with the winemaker from Nk'Mip Cellars but it didn't happen due to last minute scheduling issues.  before my trip, i had never even heard of this winery.  it wasn't until a contact at Constellation Brands suggested i go there.  i'm so glad i went because it had the best views in Osoyoos, BC. the wine was also pretty amazing too.  the winery is a joint venture with Constellation Brands and it is one of Canada's first wineries run by native Indians - might even be the only one?  they rank at #2 on Canada's Best Wineries this year and #1 on best winery in BC.  i'm not surprised because it's quite the place compared to other wineries in BC - and i visited a lot of wineries while i was there.

they produce some excellent wine - not cheap either.  the folks at Nk'Mip Cellars sent me a couple of bottles of wine back in September but somehow got lost in the mail.  my luck with this winery is pretty crazy.  but they made up for it recently by re-sending me a few bottles of their wine - this time via FedEx.  i received a bottle of their cabernet sauvignon and a bottle of pinot noir.  the cabernet sauvignon is now available at the LCBO here in Ontario (see Nov 24th catalog).  the pinot noir is still BC-only.  (thanks randy and eugene for the wine).

i highly recommend you try their cabernet sauvignon.  it's quite good and stands up to the big cali cabs on its own.

as a side note, i was never one to push ontario wine because i always felt that they lacked a good finish.  but the 2012 vintage is going to be one you will want to look out for at the LCBO.  the long, dry, and hot summer produced some very tasty fruit.  i was at norm hardie winery and black prince winery this year to help out with their harvest.  while in the vineyard, i was able to taste the fruit off the vine.  the berries were small - which is a good sign.  small berries mean concentrated flavours.  with the long hot summer, the fruit was able to fully ripen and harvest ended up being a week or two earlier than anticipated.  it wasn't just in ontario that this was the case.  while out in BC, the vines were just as bountiful as it was in ontario.  it's unfortunate that not a lot of BC wines make it out to ontario .. we are truly missing out on some spectacular wines. 

cheers,
pudgy

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