One of my favorite ways to learn about wine is to do a “blind” tasting where you sample several different wines (as in a “flight”) without knowing what they are. Whether you sample blind or not, using flights of wine as a way to study a particular theme (grape varietal, region etc.) is a fun way to learn. For example, when you compare three wines from the same grape grown in diverse climates, you will discover similarities in the grape’s flavor profile, but also recognize subtleties due to a particular climate. You may find it helpful to employ study guides that describe grape flavor profiles and wine style profiles (old vs. new world, cool vs. warm climate, etc.), as well as employ the WSET Systematic Approach to tasting that I explained in a previous blog post.
Below are some regional groupings that can be used to create Varietal Flights comprised of affordable (under $60) wine selections (choose one from each region) from Vinfolio’s inventory:
4) Napa Valley, Santa Ynez Valley
Pinot Noir 1) Russian River, Sonoma Coast, Carneros, Santa Barbara, Willamette Valley
a)
2005 Joseph Swan Pinot Noir Cuvee de Trois $27
b)
2005 Lemelson Pinot Noir Stermer Vineyard $42
2) Burgundy
a)
2005 Robert Groffier Pere et Fils Bourgogne Pinot Noir $33
b)
2004 Mongeard-Mugneret Chambolle Musigny $41
3) Australia, New Zealand, South Africa
a)
2005 Amisfield Pinot Noir Central Otago $33
b)
2005 Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir $35
Cabernet Sauvignon 1) Left Bank Bordeaux
a)
2004 Chateau Armailhac $32.95
b)
1990 Chateau Meyney $54
2) California, Washington (Napa, Sonoma, Columbia Valley)
a)
2004 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon $39.95
b)
2005 Ramey Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley $51
3) Australia (Barossa, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra)
a)
1999 Majella Cabernet Sauvignon $25
b)
2004 D'Arenberg Cabernet Sauvignon Coppermine Road $58
Other possible tasting themes include:
- Verticals (several vintages) of the same wine to study vintage and age variation.
- Wines from the same region that reveal a common growing climate through various grape varietals, i.e. Alsace with Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Gewurztraminer.
- Wines from the same region, but representing various levels of quality. In Burgundy, for example, you could choose a Bourgogne, a Premier Cru, and a Grand Cru wine. Quality levels can also be examined in terms of price.
- Winemaking techniques such as the use of fermentation methods (whole berry or carbonic maceration), use of oak vs. stainless steel, and various methods of fining & filtration or lack thereof.
Have fun tasting at home or in a local wine bar! Learning to recognize the differences and similarities between wines will help you to discover your personal preferences. By keeping an open mind you will be exposed to new wine styles that will likely influence your future buying decisions.
