Tasting Videos Flashcards
Chardonnay - Chablis
Sight: clear, bright, concentration pale, color straw, secondary green, minimal rim variation, tear medium-minus
Nose: clean, delicate intensity, youthful, green apple, lime, lemon zest, yellow nectarine, fresh and tart, delicate white flowers, babies breath, lily, acacia, minimal herbal notes, lees content due to biscuit, sourdough, soft yogurt, no earth, mineral notes of limestone, wet stone, crushed seashell
Palate: dry, green apple, green pear, lime, underripe peach, fresh and tart, delicate white flower, biscuity and yogurty lees characteristics and texture, crushed seashell, limestone, chalkey notes, no wood, no phenolic bitterness, high acidity, moderate alcohol, moderate minus body, lean texture with hint of leesy custard, well balanced, moderate length, moderate complexity
Pairing: freshly shucked oyster, sashimi, ceviche, light fruit or savory green salad
Pinot Noir - Burgundy
Sight: clear, moderate minus ruby core, lighter ruby red slight rim variation, no tear staining, medium tear
Nose: clean, moderate intensity, red fruit, strawberry, raspberry, pomegranate, red plum, fresh and ripe, rose petal, lilac, minimal vegetal, some savory herb, thyme, oregano, some cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, dried black tea, leather characteristic, little gamey notes, mushroom, forest floor, potting soil, mineral limestone, wet stone, subtle spice indicates wood aging, mostly old wood, small barriques
Palate: dry, strawberry, raspberry, red cherry, pomegranate, tarter on the palate due to acidity, confirming lilac, oregano, thyme, leather, nutmeg, clove allspice, wild mushroom, potting soil, limestone, wet stone, some wood due to softened texture but minimal spice, acid driven wine, low tannin, acidity moderate plus, alcohol moderate, body moderate to moderate minus, overall lean texture, very well balanced, moderate plus length, moderate plus complexity
Pairing: incredibly versatile due to moderate tannin and crisp bright qualities, roasted lobster, poached chicken
Gamay - Beaujolais
Sight: clear, moderate minus concentration, slightly darker than pinot noir, purple color, leading out to ruby rim, no tear staining, tearing is medium
Nose: moderate intensity, youthful wine, black and red fruits, pomegranate, cherry, black plum, black cherry, fresh and ripe, purple flowers, violet, potpourri, savory herbal notes, thyme, basil, hint of bubblegum, juicier sweet confected aromatics, fallen leaves, dried leaves, compost notes, crushed rock and granite, minimal wood, maybe larger older barrel
Palate: dry, riper sweet expression of black cherries, black plum, raspberry, pomegranate, ripe but very fresh, potpourri, violet, very floral, juicy, savory herbs, leather, mushroom, compost, crushed granite, older wood, large scale, imparts minimal flavor, moderate minus tannin, acidity moderate plus, moderate alcohol, moderate body, round creamy textured wine, nicely balanced, length moderate, complexity moderate plus
Pairing: can be very creative, fruit contrasts well with spicy foods, salty foods, pepperoni pizza, salumi or charcuterie, perfect pig wine
Merlot - Right Bank Bordeaux
Sight: deep ruby, opaque center, fading to slightly paler ruby, medium staining of tears, indicates concentration, maybe warm vintage, tears medium plus
Nose: clean, correct, no faults, hint of barnyard that could indicate slight brettanomyces as feature not flaw, moderate intensity, juicy, still very regal, developing nose, some dried fruit elements, plenty of primary plummy fruit flavor, mix of black and red fruit, both plum (major driving force of merlot), fresh, juicy, hint of dried fruit, black cherry, red cherry, mostly fresh, hint of dried, herbal undertones of tarragon, mint, florality, violets, little bit of barnyard or leather, fruit is fresh, earth driven wine, forest floor, mushrooms, stoney earthy component, wet stone, both inorganic and organic earth, hint of clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking spices, vanilla and chocolate, large proportion of new oak
Palate: dry, plum, mostly black plum, some red plum, red and black cherry, more tart on the palate, violets, pencil shavings, cedar, tarragon, mint, dark chocolate, very interesting, a lot of flavors, still earth driven, mushroomy finish, stone, forest floor, vanilla, chocolate, clove apparent in finish, new french oak, medium plus acidity, medium tannin, maybe medium plus, alcohol medium plus, round wine, some tartness, freshness, still round and plush, oak perfectly integrated, long finish, high complexity
Pairing: roast lamb chop with rosemary or tarragon, juicy burger
Chenin Blanc - Vouvray
Sight: clear, pale, water white, reflections of silver and green, youthful, no rim variation, gets lighter in color but does not change color, medium tearing, no evidence of gas
Nose: clean, moderate intensity, youthful, exuberant with fruit and floral notes, riper citrus fruit, tangerine, mandarin orange, sweeter ruby red grapefruit, yellow apple and pear, creamy, ripe, juicy, stone fruit nectarine and peach, no tropical/melon notes, white flowers and yellow flowers, honeysuckle and acacia, rose, fresh opulent floral notes, fresh fruit, not under ripe or tart, juicy freshness, vegetal and herbal notes, chervil, tarragon, hint of anise, wasabi, radish, something slightly bitter, no animal, no petrol, no spice, earthiness includes clean white button mushroom, mineral dusty white chalk, wet gravel, clean fresh, no oxidation or vanilla or smoke that would indicate oak
Palate: between dry and off-dry, sec-tendre, still legally dry but includes a touch of rs, white fruit, peach, apricot, nectarine, yellow apple, yellow pear, mandarin orange, tangerine, pink grapefruit, white honeysuckle, white and yellow roses, possibly bitter arugula or watercress, slightly honeyed possibly indicating a tiny hint of botrytis (also mushroom), no oak, slightest amount of phenolic bitterness but so little that the answer is still no, acidity medium plus, alcohol moderate, body medium, lean character, beautifully balanced, medium plus length, medium plus complexity
Pairing: charcuterie, bbq anything pork, blue cheese, oysters and foie due to combination of minerality and richness
Sauvignon Blanc - Sancerre
Sight: clear, water white, silver reflections, youthful, no rim variation, medium plus tearing, no gas
Nose: clean, powerful, youthful fruit and flowers, citrus white grapefruit, green apple, green pear, lime, kiwi, no stone fruit, minimal tropical fruit just kiwi, crisp and fresh, not overripe, cooler climate, somewhat floral, very vegetal, grassy, herbal, green bell pepper, jalapeno, savory in general, lemongrass, cut grass, nothing animal, nothing fermented or petrol, minerality includes crushed rock, dusty fresh rock, wet rock, no organic earth, no oxidation, no wood
Palate: bone dry, slightly under ripe peach and apple, green apple, lime, white grapefruit, kiwi, slightly under ripe in general on palate, white flowers, anise, fennel, prominent bell pepper, note of gooseberry, fresh cut grass, citronella, no animal, no fermentation, no lees, no wood, minerality dominates earthiness, gravel, wet rock, no phenolic bitterness, medium plus acidity, medium plus alcohol, medium bodied wine, lean texture, well balanced, medium plus length, medium plus complexity
Pairing: goat cheese
Syrah - Northern Rhone
Sight: slightly hazy, possibly unfiltered, moderate plus concentration, deep ruby fading out to lighter ruby rim, evidence of carbon dioxide
Nose: clean, moderate concentration, primarily black and blue fruit, just ripe blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, fresh violets, no vegetal notes, hard resinous herbs like rosemary, meaty cured prosciutto, black pepper, briny salty olive tapenade, damp forest floor, wet leaf, black stone minerality, no sweet spices, no new oak
Palate: dry, fresh just ripe fruit, blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, minor violet note, primarily meaty, cured meats, black pepper, olive tamponade, more black stone, cleaner palate, no new oak, tannins moderate plus, relative rough textured tannins, moderate plus acidity, body, and alcohol, round texture, moderate plus length, finish, and complexity
Pairing: sausage and red meat
Grenache - Southern Rhone
Nose: moderate plus concentration, slightly hazy, showing some CO2 at bottling, moderate plus tearing, deep ruby fades to lighter pink rim, moderate plus tearing
Nose: clean, moderate intensity, youthful, dried character to some of fruits and spices, sun baked feel, sweeter raspberry ganache, strawberry jam, dried black cherries, fresh lavender, sweet sage or thyme, slightly barnyard, dried porcini mushroom, wet leaves, no minerality, no sweet spices or coffee, no new oak
Palate: dry, lush strawberry jam, dried cherry, fresher on palate than nose, lavender, candied sage, wet stone, less mushroom, still no new oak, moderate plus tannin, moderate texture, moderate acidity (tell for grenache), soft and juicy, full body, high alcohol, soft pillowy plush texture, well balanced, moderate plus length and complexity
Pairing: pork roast, cassoulet
Pinot Grigio - Northern Italy
Sight: very light in color, clear, medium concentration, slight gray/copper tinge, straw primarily, hint of green or lime, no staining, medium tearing, no gas
Nose: clean, moderate intensity, fresh young fruit, citrus and orchard, maybe stone, lemon pith, golden apple, peach skin, apricot, just ripe, somewhat tart, fresh cut hay, muted macadamia nuts, peanut shell, no herbal note, slight lees characteristics, fresh baked bread but no vanilla or cinnamon, wet stone, no oak
Palate: dry, lemon pith, lemon, golden apple, riper stone fruit, young fresh character, peanut, hay, no vanilla, no wood, roundness indicates lees, phenolic bitterness at back of palate, medium to medium plus acid, medium alcohol, light to medium texture, well balanced, straightforward, medium complexity
Pairing:
Nebbiolo - Langhe
Sight: thin skinned grape, very light concentration, light ruby red, moves towards garnet towards rim, slight browning, very little extraction, no staining, medium plus tearing, no gas
Nose: no faults, piercing bright balsamic note, high intensity, developing red fruits, tart and dried, strawberry, cherry, sour cherry, dried plums, red flowers, dried red roses, potpourri, sandalwood, earthiness, forest floor, faint sense of larger barrel oak, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, cedar box
Palate: bone dry, tart fruit, sour, raspberries, strawberries, cherries, roses, cedar, oregano, thyme, slight bitterness in all Italian wines, high tannins, high acidity, medium plus alcohol, lean texture, balanced, medium plus finish, medium plus complexity
Pairing: wide variety
Riesling - Germany
Sight: clear, pale concentration, straw, green note at rim, no extract, staining, or rim variation, medium minus tearing, no gas beyond possible slight prickle of CO2
Nose: clean, medium plus intensity, borderline powerful, youthful, stone fruit, apple, white peach, green apple, yellow apple, lime zest, ripe and tart, slightly floral, white and yellow, green herbal notes, mint, crushed leaves, no pyrazine notes, some notes of petrol (classic Riesling), slight spice, not oak, strong crushed rock and slate, no organic earth
Palate: off-dry, ripe and tart fruit, green apple, white peach, lime juice, floral is mild (present but not dominant indicates Riesling), white and yellow, citrus blossoms, apple blossoms, strong core of crushed rock, crushed slate, no oak, no phenolic bitterness, persistent strong high acidity, rs balances, low alcohol, light body, crisp texture, slight roundness from rs, medium plus finish and complexity
Pairing: slow pork roast, pork chop
Albarino - Spain
Sight: clear, medium strong concentration, green and silver secondary colors, youthful, no rim variation, medium viscosity, no gas
Nose: powerful, clean, youthful, fruity floral note, peaches, tangerine, riper citrus, apple, tropical lychee, papaya, gardenia, jasmine, vegetal notes of licorice, fennel or tarragon, chervil, lees character, no animal, no petrol, fresh cream, freshly churned butter, savory whey, fresh curds, all juicy ripe fruits, not earthy, inorganic minerality includes dusty gravel, wet stone, no wood
Palate: dry, slightly less juicy than on nose, crisp tart fruit, yellow peach, green apple, lemon, cream and fresh cheese curds indicate malo and lees, fennel, chervil, tarragon, simple mild white flower, strong minerality, saline, no organic earth, no oak, some phenolic bitterness (back of upper palate tickle), medium plus acidity and alcohol, medium full body, lean texture, balanced, long finish, high complexity
Pairing: thai curries, oysters, fish and chips, anything outdoors in the sun
Tempranillo -
Spain
Sight: thinner skin grape (can read through it), medium ruby core, small rim variation, orange at the edge indicates slight age, some barrel use, light extraction, medium tears, no gas
Nose: clean, powerful, developing wine (not youthful), red and black fruit, red plum, raspberry, cherry, juicy blackberry, juicy plum, red flowers, roses, potpourri, dried savory flowers, stewed cooked vegetables, olives, sun dried tomatoes, celery, fenugreek/maple syrup, curry, cured ham, freshly dried blood, baked clay, mushroom broth, savory leaves, oaked in combination of French and American, spice vanilla and coconut dill tones, significant time in oak
Palate: dry, both fresh and dried fruit, cherries and plums, prunes, cranberries, also sweeter fresher notes, black fruit, black plum, raspberry, dried red flowers, dried herbs, rosemary, thyme, resinous herbs, stewed olives, dried tomatoes, tomato leaf, prosciutto, serrano ham, no petrol, savory earth, fresh clean compost, forest floor, baked terracotta clay, vanilla, dill, coconut, spice and smoke, not phenolically bitter, medium plus in acid, alcohol, body, tannin (built for age), lean texture, balanced, long finish, high complexity
Pairing: paellas, Indian food
Chardonnay - California
Sight: clear, medium plus concentration, some straw, mostly yellow, tinge of gold, no rim variation, medium plus tearing, no gas
Nose: clean, moderate plus intensity, youthful, ripe citrus, lemon, apple, pear, some tropical fruit, pineapple, ripe fruit, white flower, jasmine, lemon blossom, no earth or minerality, baking spice, clove, vanilla, buttery aroma, indicates lees, malo, and oak
Palate: sound and dry, ripe lemon, pear, slightly muted pineapple, hint of mango, all ripe, some white flower, creamy cheesy lactic component dominates, baking spice, clove, vanilla, no earth, no mineral, no phenolic bitterness, acid medium plus, alcohol medium plus, full bodied, creamy and round texture, well balanced, long finish, moderate plus complexity
Pairing: halibut with hollandaise, scallops with cream sauce, cream and citrus
Cabernet Sauvignon - California
Sight: clean and clear, slight haze, medium plus concentration, ruby with some purple notes, some red, thicker skin variety, no rim variation, moderate plus degree of staining, heavy tearing, no gas
Nose: sound, youthful, high intensity, powerful, black and blue fruits, blackberry, black cherry, hint of blueberry, ripe character, cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, red flowers, violets, dusty earth, oak for sure, baking spice, clove, vanilla, cinnamon
Palate: dry, black fruits, black cherry, blackberry, some red fruit maybe, all ripe, slight hint of tartness, red flower, cinnamon, exotic spice, dusty minerality, dusty earth, oak, expensive new French oak very present, moderate plus tannins, acid, alcohol, full body, round texture, terrific balance, long finish, very complex
Pairing: great intro wine for non wine drinker, steak, lamb, bold sauces
