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I’ve been seriously studying wine for a couple of years now,
and have committed to at least two more years of study for the WSET Diploma
course. I’m really excited about delving further into the wonderful world of
wine.
and have committed to at least two more years of study for the WSET Diploma
course. I’m really excited about delving further into the wonderful world of
wine.
During my past studies – WSET Intermediate and Advanced
programs – I tasted a couple hundred different wines, and learned how to do
tasting notes and, hopefully, discern a faulty wine from an acceptable wine
from an outstanding wine – whether or not I actually like the wine
programs – I tasted a couple hundred different wines, and learned how to do
tasting notes and, hopefully, discern a faulty wine from an acceptable wine
from an outstanding wine – whether or not I actually like the wine
During my studies, the one thing that surprised me most was my
affinity for sweet white wines. “Sweet” wine has a new meaning for me since the
beginning of my studies. It’s not the cloying, overly sugared and fruity stuff
that I drank at the university pub back in my college days. That “wine” was
sufficient then, as my only goal was to reach an altered state, not to actually
taste and appreciate what I was drinking.
Sweet now can best be described by words like honey, liquid gold,
elegant, and sexy.
affinity for sweet white wines. “Sweet” wine has a new meaning for me since the
beginning of my studies. It’s not the cloying, overly sugared and fruity stuff
that I drank at the university pub back in my college days. That “wine” was
sufficient then, as my only goal was to reach an altered state, not to actually
taste and appreciate what I was drinking.
Sweet now can best be described by words like honey, liquid gold,
elegant, and sexy.
The term “late harvest” is key to the sweetness in the wines
I love. The longer the grapes hang on the vine, into the cooler/colder months,
the more they shrivel up, hence concentrating the natural sugar in the grapes,
and producing that luscious, velvety smooth, honey-like sweetness
I love. The longer the grapes hang on the vine, into the cooler/colder months,
the more they shrivel up, hence concentrating the natural sugar in the grapes,
and producing that luscious, velvety smooth, honey-like sweetness
Over the last year or so, there have been three outstanding
sweet wines that are now on my list of must-haves in my wine fridge – when I
can find them. One is an Austrian Beerenauslese made from Welchsriesling and
Chardonnay grapes, one is a late-harvest Viognier from the Central Coast of
California, and one is a Petit Manseng (that’s a grape varietal) from the Jurançon region of southwestern France.
sweet wines that are now on my list of must-haves in my wine fridge – when I
can find them. One is an Austrian Beerenauslese made from Welchsriesling and
Chardonnay grapes, one is a late-harvest Viognier from the Central Coast of
California, and one is a Petit Manseng (that’s a grape varietal) from the Jurançon region of southwestern France.
The 2009 Kracher
Beerenauslese Cuvée (average $28, half
bottle) has a pronounced honey taste and ripe stone fruit aromas, as well as
subtle mineral characteristics. The wine has just enough acidity to balance out
the sweetness, making it a clean, refreshing dessert wine. Beerenauslese, or
BA, is a German classification that indicates a rare, expensive sweet wine, and
“noble rot” often enhances its flavors. This Austrian wine is made from
Welschriesling white grape varietal, which is unrelated to the German Riesling
grape, but like the latter is a late-ripening vine whose grapes retain their
acidity to balance out the sweetness. I enjoyed a bottle after a back yard
barbecue last summer, and it was the perfect accompaniment to good food, good friends,
and a beautiful West Los Angeles sunset.
Beerenauslese Cuvée (average $28, half
bottle) has a pronounced honey taste and ripe stone fruit aromas, as well as
subtle mineral characteristics. The wine has just enough acidity to balance out
the sweetness, making it a clean, refreshing dessert wine. Beerenauslese, or
BA, is a German classification that indicates a rare, expensive sweet wine, and
“noble rot” often enhances its flavors. This Austrian wine is made from
Welschriesling white grape varietal, which is unrelated to the German Riesling
grape, but like the latter is a late-ripening vine whose grapes retain their
acidity to balance out the sweetness. I enjoyed a bottle after a back yard
barbecue last summer, and it was the perfect accompaniment to good food, good friends,
and a beautiful West Los Angeles sunset.
The 2012 Starr Ranch Sweet
Chariot ($22 for half bottle) is a late-harvest Viognier that I drank on Valentine’s
Day, after a lovely meal, and while knocking back luscious See’s dark chocolates.
I adore Starr Ranch wines, and think that Judy Starr and her winemaking team
can do no wrong. Located on one of the most gorgeous hillsides in Paso Robles, California,
her ranch is a magical place, producing grapes, walnuts, and persimmons. The Sweet
Chariot late-harvest Viognier tastes of stone fruit – apricots and peaches –
and also has a nice minerality. As the winery’s notes say, “Let it waft over
you, feet up, content, on your patio.” Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait till a
new vintage is produced, as the 2012 is sold out. I have my fingers crossed
that I will score some more of the Sweet Chariot soon.
Chariot ($22 for half bottle) is a late-harvest Viognier that I drank on Valentine’s
Day, after a lovely meal, and while knocking back luscious See’s dark chocolates.
I adore Starr Ranch wines, and think that Judy Starr and her winemaking team
can do no wrong. Located on one of the most gorgeous hillsides in Paso Robles, California,
her ranch is a magical place, producing grapes, walnuts, and persimmons. The Sweet
Chariot late-harvest Viognier tastes of stone fruit – apricots and peaches –
and also has a nice minerality. As the winery’s notes say, “Let it waft over
you, feet up, content, on your patio.” Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait till a
new vintage is produced, as the 2012 is sold out. I have my fingers crossed
that I will score some more of the Sweet Chariot soon.
And I’ve saved my favorite for last. It’s my favorite
because it was the game changer for me. I tasted this wine while in one of my
WSET classes, and after class ran to The Wine House and bought as many bottles
as I could find. The 2009 Chateau Jolys
Cuvée
Jean (average $22, full bottle) is a late-harvest Petite Manseng grown in
the Jurançon region
of southwestern France. Petit Manseng grapes are small and thick skinned, and
are partially dried on the vine (known as “passerillage”). They are often not
harvested until December, which causes a high amount of residual sugar to
accumulate in the grape, creating a luscious, golden, elegant wine with notes
of tropical fruit and a nice acidity to balance out the sweetness. I just love
this wine, and have shared it with many friends, but it’s now hard to find. Try
http://www.pywine.com/where-to-buy/
.
because it was the game changer for me. I tasted this wine while in one of my
WSET classes, and after class ran to The Wine House and bought as many bottles
as I could find. The 2009 Chateau Jolys
Cuvée
Jean (average $22, full bottle) is a late-harvest Petite Manseng grown in
the Jurançon region
of southwestern France. Petit Manseng grapes are small and thick skinned, and
are partially dried on the vine (known as “passerillage”). They are often not
harvested until December, which causes a high amount of residual sugar to
accumulate in the grape, creating a luscious, golden, elegant wine with notes
of tropical fruit and a nice acidity to balance out the sweetness. I just love
this wine, and have shared it with many friends, but it’s now hard to find. Try
http://www.pywine.com/where-to-buy/
.
I hope to experience all of the above sweet wines again in
2014, and will make an effort to continue my studies of all wines, especially
the late-harvest gems.
2014, and will make an effort to continue my studies of all wines, especially
the late-harvest gems.
Until next time, Cheers!