Wine Club Newsletter - September 2018
Congratulations to Local Wine Expert, Lindsay Pomeroy
One of the most challenging achievements in the wine industry is to become a Master of Wine. Globally, there are 380 people who have endured the grueling tests. Out of the 80-100 people who apply to take the test each year, about 10% of them will pass the exam.
According to the website, the MW exam is "the hardest test of knowledge and ability in the world of wine." Merely getting the chance to take it requires clearing a few hurdles. Candidates must first apply for admission to the MW program; if accepted, they spend two years doing preparatory coursework.
An exam given at the end of the first year is used to trim the candidate pool, and only after completing the second year are students eligible to take the big test, which consists of multiple blind tastings and essay questions concerning viticulture, winemaking, and the business and culture of wine. Some typical questions: “How might the most common wine faults in finished wine be avoided and detected? Examine the role of currency exchange rates in shaping global wine markets, focusing particularly on the period 2006-09.”
The essays and blind tastings are graded separately, and it is rare to ace both on the first try. Candidates are given three chances to pass at least one part of the exam, which is graded by current MWs and people with expertise in particular areas, such as viticulture; if they manage that, they are given two additional opportunities to conquer the other part.
Once they pass both, they are required to write a 10,000-word dissertation on a wine-related subject. There are no limits to how many attempts can be made with the dissertation, but candidates who fail twice with one topic are advised to switch to another. The MW title is conferred only after the dissertation is approved. From start to finish, it takes a minimum of three years to obtain it.
Lindsay has been teaching her classes here at The WineSellar & Brasserie for a couple years now, and has become good friends with our staff, as well as many alumni of our business. We know how hard this was, and at times she was challenged to continue with the program, and who wouldn’t be after five years of stress?
More About Lindsay:
Lindsay Pomeroy grew up in an idyllic place in New Hampshire has an identical twin, an adorable niece and a very lively family. She began her career trek towards wine when she lived in Italy and attempted to teach English to Italians. She made lasting friends with Italians who taught her the art of espresso-drinking and chocolate-tasting (her other loves), and helped her develop an addiction to salami, which she has reluctantly given up as a newly minted vegetarian.
She loved Italy, but her passion for wine started in San Diego, California where she currently still resides. Historically more of a beach-and-beer town than a wine-drinker’s mecca, Lindsay has helped foster a community of knowledge-thirsty wine drinkers in San Diego throughout her 12-year tenure as the Chief Wine Educator and founder of Wine Smarties, a wine education school that provides WSET and French Wine Scholar (FWS) courses, several of which are currently housed in our own WineSellar Tasting room!
Leading up to the MW study program, Lindsay successfully earned her WSET Diploma, FWS certificate and Certified Wine Educator (CWE). Outside of wine, Lindsay loves to spend time with her colorful family and friends, go rollerblading, meditate, and sport a fanny pack, which she claims is fashionable again.
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Book Your Holiday Party with Us and Receive Wine Tastings!
The holidays are almost upon us and we would love for you to consider us as your party headquarters for the season!
As always, we do not charge room rentals for any of our five party spaces!
We also offer the ease of complimentary parking.
For a limited time we are offering an early bird booking special!
If you secure a booking with a credit card by October 1 2018, we will reward you with 1 Free Walk-Around Tasting* (valued at $35 apiece, valid for a full year) for every $500 spent on your Holiday Event.
Holidays can be stressful and we are happy to help!
Dates are filling up fast, call to inquire for your party today!
We have multiple venues from which to choose, depending on the size and theme of your event, accommodating 4-100 people.
Many dates sell out quickly, and we already have over a dozen holiday bookings at this point. For more information, go to this link here
*Does not include Le Grande Champagne Tasting, or any premium wine flight additions during Walk-Around Tastings
WARNING: Drinking distilled spirits, beer, coolers, wine and other alcoholic beverages may increase cancer risk, and, during pregnancy, can cause birth defects. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/alcohol.
2017 Sauvignon Blanc, Comartin Cellars, Zabala Vineyard
Growing Region: Arroyo Seco, Monterey, California
Varietal Composition: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Fermentation: 8 Months Stainless Steel
Alcohol Content: 13.6%
Suggested Retail: $26.00
WineSellar Club Price: $21.59
Broad Strokes:
From the Winery:
Comartin Cellars' vision is to create distinctive wines of uncommon quality and character. We specialize in handcrafting small lots of Grenache and other unique wines. We invite you to hear our story, enjoy our wine, and ultimately share our enthusiasm. Wine is ultimately a representation of a time and place, which we craft imparting style, whether from culture, tradition, or innovation. Comartin Cellars wines are a reflection of the vineyard or region from which they came. Arroyo Seco translates to “dry riverbed”, and in the heart of this appellation lies Zabala Vineyard. Here, the rows of vines stand in endless ancient river stones with very little soil, offering the wine a unique mineral quality.
Only 120 cases produced!!!
Appearance:
I like the clear bottle, as you may know, and appreciate the pretty metallic capsule and cork finish. The label is clear and concise, although it is hard to read the vineyard designate “Zabala”. The wine is clear, brilliant, with a white corn hue.
Nose:
Rises above the glass a few inches, which is startling for a Sauvignon Blanc. Notes of melon, fig and passion fruit, tropical essence, especially mango, with mineral and hot stones.
Texture:
This medium bodied wine has a full, smooth, well-rounded entry, edged with a nice line of acid to hold it together well. The viscous liquid feels lovely in the mouth, and the long finish is resolved perfectly with the fruit to acid balance. Hear Hear!
Flavors:
Aside from the tropical fruit and other flavors from the nose, look for Mandarin orange, orange zest, roasted Brazil nuts, cinnamon, spices, and baked apple. It’s delicious, it’s delightful, it’s D-Zabala!
Serving Suggestions:
Comartin recommends drinking this wine over the next year or two, and I agree. It is so harmonious, and such a joy to have with or without foods.
2016 Mas Collet Selecció, Celler de Capcanes
Growing Region: Capcanes, Montsant, Spain
Varietal Composition: 40% Garnacha, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Samsó
Fermentation: 9 Months New Oak, Up to 5 Years in Barrel
Alcohol Content: 14.5%
Suggested Retail: $24.00
WineSellar Club Price: $20.69
Broad Strokes: Multiple Gold Medal Winner
CAPÇANES, 100 miles southwest of Barcelona, 20 miles inland from the Mediterranean Sea, is the heart of a long wine growing history dating back to the middle ages. The viticulture roots date back to the 13th century. Only about 1/5th of the original vineyards were replanted, predominantly with Garnacha. Some of those vineyards, approaching 100 years in age, still exist although yields are low. Capçanes became the pioneer and first known “ambassador” of the DO Montsant. Since then it is considered to be one of the leading Quality producers and references of Montsant.
Appearance:
Easily distinguishable as Old-World Euro, the label is busy with words, which I find charming and authentic. I especially like the sketching of the grape pickers. The wine is a softer brick red color, pretty much even throughout the glass.
Nose:
You immediately get the wood notes when freshly opened, followed by cherry fruit, perhaps even blueberry, with toasted nuts as well. Noted a hint of coffee and caramel with the toasty aromatics.
Texture:
Medium body in weight, it is smooth on the palate, yet it has a firm grip to rein in the sweet, ripe fruit. Feels kind of dusty, if you know what I mean, older, even in relative youth. The tannins are ripe ones, and the mouth-feel is quite pleasant.
Flavors:
Plum, cassis, and pomegranate notes are certain crowd-pleasers. I like how this wine is so well-integrated, giving you ripe, youthful fruit with ripe tannins, yet feeling the sophistication of a wine aged for a number of years.
Serving Suggestions:
This wine tastes a lot more expensive than $20. The winery suggests lamb, steak, quail, rabbit, pizza, pasta, stews, casseroles and cheese when serving.
2014 GSM Cuvee Cassidy, Comartin
Growing Region: Santa Ynez Valley, California
Varietal Composition: 45% Grenache, 50% Syrah, 5% Mourvédre
Fermentation: 17 Months French Oak, 10% New
Alcohol Content: 14.4%
Suggested Retail: $39.00
WineSellar Club Price: $33.29
Broad Strokes:
From the Winery:
Cuvee’ Cassidy is a special barrel selection of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvédre dedicated to our youngest daughter, Cassidy. The wine was crafted from acclaimed vineyards in Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara, including Tierra Alta vineyard in Ballard Canyon and Camp Four vineyard in the East part of the valley.
GSM is an acronym for a wine consisting of the 3 grape varieties: Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvédre, which are common varieties historically linked to the Rhone area in southern France. Thus, it is commonly referred to as a “Rhone Style” blend.
Only 350 cases produced!!!
Appearance:
Nice looking, heavy bottle that has very good packaging appeal. It is hard to read the name “Cuvee Cassidy”, which I think should stand out. The wine is deep red in the center, and fades out evenly to the edge of the bowl.
Nose:
Syrah is typically associated with smoke aromas, and smoke is profoundly present on the nose, happily so. The fragrance keeps getting more interesting as the other varietals kick in their attributes. Basil, grains, herbs, almonds, cherry.
Texture:
I love the texture here. Medium-full in body, with generous doses of fruit, alcohol, and acid. Lush and solid, chirped up by tart red fruit acid and a bit of heat. Long in the palate.
Flavors:
Excellent flavor profile, to include perfectly ripe and deep red fruits, laced with smoke and vanilla oak. Smoke and oak rhyme, and the wine is equally versed. Almonds and cherries with a bit of custard, black pepper. NICE!!!
Serving Suggestions:
The wine had a 5-10 years of aging potential, and I would recommend holding a few back for that period. In the meantime, duck confit, BBQ chicken, even a good grilled steak would be delightful!
2013 Tannat, “The Musketeer”. Y. Rosseau (Reserve)
Growing Region: Alder Springs Vineyard, Mendocino, Ca.
Varietal Composition: 100% Tannat
Fermentation: 24 Months French Oak, 85% New Barrels
Alcohol Content: 14.5%
Suggested Retail: $65.00
WineSellar Club Price: $58.49
Broad Strokes:
This is our third Y. Rosseau offering in The WineSellar Club over the last 3 years, all wines garnering 90-93 point ratings. I think you will find this wine quite special.
Tannat is a red-wine grape whose origins lie in the Basque country, on the border between France and Spain. Here, in the shadow of the Pyrenees Mountains, the terrain is rough and rugged, so it is only fitting that Tannat should create wines that are equally deep, dark, dry and rustic.
Tannat will most likely be adopted as the national grape of Uruguay, and its links with France will gradually fade. In this way it will be following in the footsteps of former Bordeaux greats Malbec and Carmenere, which have been adopted by Argentina and Chile respectively.
Appearance:
Great looking bottle and label, again. Easy to read label with good visual impact. The wine is nearly black all the way through, and leaves serious tears of dark fluid melting slowly down the bowl.
Nose:
Very dark black fruits, more in the tone of balsamic versus fresh fruits. Very dense, formidable and solid, smoke, mulberry, heavenly wood aromatics, with focused fresh herbs, especially rosemary.
Texture:
Though large in structure, the finish is not a heavy burden. It is super-well-balanced, you may call it masculine, no loose ends, framed well by the tight finish. Bold and fresh, still very intense, killer.
Flavors:
You may find this: small, dark berry intensity, dark chocolate, coffee, licorice, roasted chestnuts, smoke, skin of cherry, spices, tree leaf, mahogany, stones . . .it just keeps going and going, it’s a fabulous adult beverage.
Serving Suggestions:
The wine has 15-25 years of aging potential. This REALLY belongs in your cellar. Commit to 3-6 bottles to put away, and I guarantee satisfaction.
Red Potato Salad
This is a simple to make recipe, which I find so convenient and easy to prepare, I don’t know why I don’t make it more. As we are nearing the end of summer, local San Diegans know we have many more days of picnic and sunshine and other opportunities to enjoy this delightful side dish.
It goes great with Rose’ wine, as well as the 2017 Comartin Sauvignon Blanc
Ingredients for the Dressing:
- 1 cup champagne vinegar
- 2 cups olive oil
- 3 tbsp. whole grain mustard
- 1 tbsp. dijon mustard
- salt and ground pepper
Method:
- Whisk together all above and season to taste.
Ingredients for the Salad:
- boiled red new potatoes, quartered
- minced Spanish onion
- minced sun dried tomatoes
- minced garlic
- chopped Italian parsley
- drained capers
Method:
- Combine the above and moisten with the dressing.
- Adjust seasonings to taste.