Wine School Newsletter for March 2018

MARCH NEWSLETTER

ANNOUNCING OUR NEW SOMMELIER CERTIFICATIONS

You can now earn a specialized sommelier certification in a single month.

This Spring, the National Wine School is unveiling a bold new qualification for the wine trade: the Single Semester Sommelier Program (SSSP).

The program offers a versatile curriculum tailored to the professional needs of each student. New qualifications include Certified Winemaker, Spanish Wine Specialist™, International Wine Scholar™, Certified Sommelier-Instructor, Wine Law Specialist™, and many more.

 

Spanish Wine Specialist Program

In April, we are offering the Spanish Wine Specialist™.  The program is open to everyone, even if you haven’t taken the Core Sommelier Program yet.  It also can be applied towards your Advanced Sommelier Certificate or even your Master-Level Sommelier certification.

If the idea of  being immersed in Spanish wine sounds like an excellent way to spend your Monday evenings, check out the program here: https://www.vinology.com/class/spanish-wine-specialist/2018-04-16/

PHILLY WINE WEEK

Our classes for Philly Wine Week sold out a few months ago. However, there are a few other cool events happening.

Royal Boucherie is hosting a Jura Wine Dinner,  Kensington Quarters is running a “New York Dolls” class, and there is even a DIY Vermouth class. We have the short list right here: https://www.vinology.com/philly-wine-week/

WINE REVIEWS

For more reviews and expanded wine notes, check out the Wine Report.  To locate wines, head over to the Wine Finder app.

Reserve Mont Redon 2016 Cotes du Rhone Rosé

This wine rolls in the glass with a shocking pink-panther hue. The nose is fresh sage and wild strawberry (sauvage fraise for all you Francophiles out there). On the palate, it goes towards the one type of orange my wife hates (blood orange, how was I to know?) and a finish of crushed violets. As the bottle warms up, quince and fresh pear contribute to the delight.

I suggest serving with grilled vegetable tossed with olive oil, basil, and some sliced almonds.

Bottom line: 91 Points and $8.99 in Pennsylvania Wine and Spirits Stores

 

 

Bodegas Montecillo 2009 Rioja Gran Reserva

Montecillo is a standard in the world of Rioja, and I’ve reviewed their wines on many occasions in the past decade. Here in PA, the Gran Reserva’s often come into the market sub $20, which is a crazy price for such wines.

This bottle offers up scents and flavors of an old farmhouse: firewood, saddle, and dried flowers. The palate is soft and rich, with notes of dark fruit and earth. The finish turns towards espresso and allspice.

Bottom line: 90 Points and $19.99 in Pennsylvania Wine and Spirits Stores

 

 

Concha y Toro 2015 “Marques de Casa Concha” Carmenere

Marques de Casa Concha is one of the only brands I trust to work with Carmenere. That is largely due to the varietal fingerprint of this grape. Those notes of tobacco are extreme. They can easily push towards dirty-old-ashtray or wet-cigarette flavors which are a real turn off. Cooler high-altitude regions like Peumo –where this Carmenere is sourced from– can push that leafy note towards something closer to mint.

On the nose, a big whomp of dark fruit and smokey eucalyptus. The palate is elegant and muscular, with soft notes of chocolate pushing against velvet tannins and supple cassis. A savage and earthy finish adds some intrigue.

Bottom line: 90 Points and $14.99 in Pennsylvania Wine and Spirits Stores

 

Vine Cliff Winery 2014 Chardonnay Los Carneros

Vine Cliff has a beautiful 20-acre vineyard on the Napa side of Carneros, and it’s a Chardonnay Shangri La. The vines are 20 years old and a healthy array of modern and old-school clones.

Honeysuckle and cream on the nose with a deep ripe pear note. Medium to full-bodied, the butterfat richness is balanced with an undercurrent of fresh acidity that rises to the surface like a caramel apple. The finish moves towards vanilla and cinnamon.

Bottom Line: 91 Points and $19.99 in Pennsylvania Wine and Spirits Stores

 

Villa Cafaggio 2013 Chianti Classico

When writing the review of this exceptional wine, I realized every word I used started with a “C”, so here you go:

Cafaggio Chianti Classico has aromas of cherry and cinnamon, with a chewy palate of cardamon and cassis. The finish offers up classic varietal fingerprints and a note of Chamomile. Cheerio!

Bottom line: 90 Points and $14.99 in Pennsylvania Wine and Spirits Stores

Poggio Stella 2011 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva

In the glass, this shows up ruby-red with aromas of wildflowers and quince. A note of burnt leather is layered into a spicey attack that ends with fennel and cherry. The texture is lush despite the delicate freshness and medium-bodied frame. There is a touch of age on this wine, coming out as orange marmalade and toasted almond on the finish. An outstanding Sangiovese.

Bottom line: 90 Points and $19.99 in Pennsylvania Wine and Spirits Stores

Chateau Los Boldos 2015 Grande Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Aromas of fig and cigar box are followed by a nice whiff of tobacco. A medium weight wine with plenty of grip and extraction, notes of green olive and graphite show this to be a pitch-perfect Cabernet Sauvignon. Decadent flavors of cherry coulis, bitter chocolate, and eucalyptus put this beauty into the “must drink” category.

Bottom line: 92 Points and $9.99 in Pennsylvania Wine and Spirits Stores

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The Wine School of Philadelphia
109 S. 22nd Street
Philadelphia, PA

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source https://www.vinology.com/wine-school-newsletter-for-march-2018/