Wine Knowledge

Question 1

Cordon Brut - G.H. Mumm $18 - CHAMPAGNE BTG

Answer 1

• Brand: G.H. Mumm
• Appellation: Champagne
• Varietal: Champagne
• BRUT AKA UNSWEETENED/VERY DRY
• Toast and dried fruit notes mix in this very harmonious dry Champagne, which is full of flavor- dried apricot, candied orange peel, nut and smoke- but still elegant and light-weight. The rich, toasty note lingers on the vibrant finish

Question 2

Cordon Rose - G.H. Mumm $22 - CHAMPAGNE BTG

Answer 2

• Brand: G.H. Mumm
• Appellation: Champagne
• Varietal: Champagne
• Pinot Noir balanced with the elegance of Chardonnay and the fruitiness of Meunier. A portion of red wine brings intensity and notes of forest fruits and spice to this elegant blend to create a brut rosé champagne that is at once light, intense, and fresh.
• Fruity character of black berries, typical of the Pinot Noir grape variety cultivated in Maison Mumm’s legendary vineyards in the Champagne region of France.

Question 3

Riesling - Dr. Hermann, Mosel, 2020 $14 - WHITE BTG

Answer 3

• Brand: Dr. Hermann
• Region: Mosel, Germany
• Varietal: Riesling (white grape variety which originated in the Rhine region of Germany)
• Herbs and stone fruits. Sweet, fresh and fruity on the palate with a lively acidity. This wine is ideal for spicy food especially spicy Asian cuisine, although the light and fresh acidity is such that it may be enjoyed on its own.
• Versatile pairings, chicken, salmon and tuna

Question 4

Sauvignon Blanc - Les Creot Sancerre, 2019 $14 - WHITE BTG

Answer 4

• Brand: Famille Thomas
• Appellation: Sancerre (Loire Valley)
• Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
• White flowers and fresh cut grass lead quickly to brighter aromas of gooseberries and grapefruit. The palate is “rich and broad”, meaning it really coats your tongue and the flavors are not shy, loaded with grapefruit, tangerine zest and green apples. Flinty mineral notes are abundant throughout and add balance to the fruit.
• Pairs well with green vegetables and citrus.

Question 5

Pinot Grigio - Bertani ‘Velante’ Frulli Venezia Giulia, Italy, 2020 $12 - WHITE BTG

Answer 5

• Brand: Bertani
• Region: Veneto, Italy
• Varietal: Pinot Grigio
• Golden delicious apples, ripe pear and peach. It is a Pinot Grigio with good density and good balance between acidity and plushness.
• Pairs excellent with shellfish and mushrooms

Question 6

Chardonnay - Louis Michel & Fils, Burgundy, 2018 $18 - WHITE BTG

Answer 6

• Brand: Louis Michel & Fils
• Appellation: Chablis, Burgundy, France
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• This CHABLIS reveals white fruit notes such as peach, and has a persistent mineral structure. In the mouth, a stony sensation which is so typical of Chablis makes this a round and pure wine.
• Pairs well with Pork, Rich fish, Shellfish, Mild and soft cheese

Question 7

Rose Provence - Elie Sumeirie, St. Victoire, Cotes De Provence, 2019 $12 - ROSE BTG

Answer 7

• Brand: Elie Sumeire
• Appellation: Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire, Provence, France
• Varietal: Shiraz/Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault
• Fresh violet and wild strawberries. Gourmet and tangy on the palate, with good length, and a delicate finish with notes of sweet mint.
• Pairs well with shrimp, lamb, shellfish, and poultry

Question 8

Pinot Noir - Nielson, Santa Barbara County, CA, 2018 $15 - RED BTG

Answer 8

• Brand: Neilson
• Region: Santa Barbara, California
• Varietal: Pinot Noir
• Aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, this wine has an elegant bouquet of black cherry, tea leaf, a slight caramel note, and lighter red fruit aromas. On the palate the wine has a delicate touch, with more flavors of red fruit, earth, and a long lasting savory quality.

Question 9

Merlot - Pedroncelli, Dry Creek Valley, CA 2018 $15 - RED BTG

Answer 9

• Brand: Pedroncelli
• Region: Sonoma County -> Dry Creek Valley, California
• Varietal: Merlot
• Ruby black color. Aromas of dried cherry, walnut, fresh bell pepper, marinated grape leaves, and licorice with a slightly chewy, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, compelling, medium-long graphite, coriander and black tea finish with moderate oak flavor. An easy-to-pair, strong-structured Merlot with a palate-awakening greenness.
• Pairs well with steak, rich cheese, fatty foods, and pork

Question 10

Malbec - Bodega Colome by Hess, Salta, Argentina Valle Calchaqui, 2019 $17 - RED BTG

Answer 10

• Brand: Bodega Colomé (Owned by the Swiss Hess Family)
• Region: Calchaqui Valley, Argentina
• Varietal: Malbec
• Bright and intense in color with beautiful aromas of blackberries, red fruits and exotic floral notes, this wine delivers aromatics that entice the senses. A full lush entry of ripe and rich black fruit surrounds spiced oak notes and hints of pepper. Fresh acidity supports big, bold tannins and wonderful complexity.
• Pairs well with steak, pork, and lamb, as well as fattier fish like salmon and poultry with dark meat

Question 11

Cabernet Sauvignon - Sparkman “Holler”, Columbia Valley, WA, 2017 $19 - RED BTG

Answer 11

• Brand: Sparkman
• Region: Columbia Valley, Washington
• Varietal: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot and 3% Merlot
• One of the Columbia Valley’s best Cabernet Sauvignons - 93 points for the 2016 and a Top 100 Selection for the 2013 from Wine Spectator.
• Big, rich, and plush with plenty of Cabernet Sauvignon currant, blackberry, and spice and a nice jolt of chocolate and violets from the Petit Verdot. The firm, fine-grained, finish makes this a terrific steak and baked potato selection, but if you want to drink it all by itself, we won’t judge. An utterly delicious Napa alternative.
• Pairs well with beef, lamb, venison, poultry

Question 12

BOTTLE - Perrier Jouet Grand Brut $130 (MGN $290) - CHAMPAGNE

Answer 12

• Brand: Perrier Jouet
• Appellation: Champagne
• Varietal: Champagne
• BRUT AKA UNSWEETENED/VERY DRY
• Shows finesse, like suede, along with depth to its honey, candied citrus and mineral flavors. Lovely balance.
• Pairs excellent with chicken, grapefruit, and leek

Question 13

BOTTLE - Perrier Jouet Blanc de Blancs $260 - CHAMPAGNE

Answer 13

• Brand: Perrier Jouet
• Appellation: Champagne
• Varietal: Champagne
• Floral aromas of elderberry, acacia and honeysuckle, and citrus. Fresh, tangy and invigorating with a mineral intensity on the finish. This is a vivacious wine of immense energy and vitality.
• Perfect Aperitif

Question 14

BOTTLE - Perrier Jouet “Belle Epoque”, 2013 $390 - CHAMPAGNE

Answer 14

• Brand: Perrier Jouet
• Appellation: Champagne
• Varietal: Champagne
• Meaning “The Beautiful Age” - a period of French history between 1870-1914
• Described as tasting like white orchids. honey, violets, minerals, pear, and grapefruit. Balanced sweetness, not too dry
• Pairs with salmon, tuna, and duck

Question 15

BOTTLE - Dom Perignon, 2010 $590 - CHAMPAGNE

Answer 15

• Brand: Dom Perignon
• Appellation: Champagne
• Varietal: Champagne
• Intense notes of roasted hazelnut, delicate vanilla, and sweet caramel, combined with honey and weighty floral aromas, like lily. Focused by acidic and bitter notes, the finish brings a penetrating tautness marked by ginger, tobacco and toasted accents.