Blind Wine Tasting

As I promised last week, I’m bringing blind tasting back...

Partly because I think it is so fun and partly because I want to reward those who take the time to read my blog.  The first person to post the correct answer will be invited to enjoy a bottle of this wine at any of our restaurants the next time they dine with us.  (We would be happy to also arrange the reservation)

The sight of the wine is a medium intense garnet red with a slightly neon-orange tint at the rim; it is bright and has a small amount of fine sediment.  Its legs are slow to form and fall and the tears are medium.

The smell of the wine is medium-high intensity, tons of aromas such as rose petals, potpourri, tar, charred cherries, orange zest and chocolate, no-it’s actually dustier, more like cocoa. It also smells a little musty with no evidence of vanilla or new oak.

The wine tastes concentrated and has great depth of flavors which are the same as on the nose: under-ripe cherries, orange, rose petals and cocoa.  It is medium bodied with very high tannins and high acidity. It makes your mouth pucker and has a long finish.

If you think you know the answer, get in the game. I am requiring that you guess the grape, the region and the vintage.

I also have another question for those of you that don’t feel competitive and just want to post a comment.

What is the weirdest flavor or aroma you have ever encountered in a wine?  My answer is curry and patchouli oil.  If you want to know which wine I got this from, come back and visit me again next week and I’ll tell you!

Master Sommelier Exam

Hey everyone!  Just got back from London two weeks ago and, after a great extended holiday weekend, I am finally getting settled back in at work.  In a previous a blog entry, I mentioned how I, along with three other sommeliers, received the John Unger Scholarship which enables 4 American candidates the great opportunity to sit for the Master Sommelier Exam in the UK.

The Court of Master Sommeliers is considered to be the leading organization for wine professionals and was created to elevate the standards and service of wine, spirits and other beverages in the restaurant industry. The exam consists of three parts: theory, practical and blind tasting. Candidates have three years to pass all three parts of the exam.

I am excited to share that I successfully passed the blind tasting portion of the exam! In this portion, the candidate has to identify 6 different wines, describing such characteristics as location of origin, the quality level and vintage.  And yes, it's as hard as it sounds!

But the exam was also one of the best experiences of my life. It was inspiring, motivating and empowering. As I continue to ride out my "exam high," I thought it would be fun for you to take a virtual blind tasting!  Below I have described the sight, smell and taste of a particular wine that I am currently sampling as I write this.  Email me at WineBlog@brguestinc.com if you think you know what it is. The first person with the correct guess will receive a complimentary bottle of this wine during their next B.R. Guest visit!*

Sight:
The wine has a low intensity of color. Light pale straw, hints of green around the rim, with light tears (a.k.a. legs or viscosity).

Smell:
The wine has powerful passionfruit and lemon/lime aromas, with a hint of jalapeno pepper spice. The wine doesn't have oak and is fresh and youthful.

Taste:
The wine has a lot of the same flavors in the mouth as on the nose, which now also include ripe grapefruit.  I am still getting that herbal quality that tastes like bell peppers. The wine is medium bodied, has medium alcohol, high acidity and is dry. It is very well balanced and has a long finish.  I could see this wine pairing nicely with sushi, salads or being consumed on its own with brunch or any other light meal.

I look forward to reading everyone's guesses!

*Due to Illinois state laws, we will only be able to offer the wine in New York or Las Vegas.  If the winner is from Chicago, he or she will receive complimentary dessert during their next visit.