2011 December: Wine Tasting Day 5

Day 5

Brut                             Blanc de Blanc                       Albrecht                 Cremant d’Alsace            France                               NV

Brut                             Blanc de Blanc                       1er Cru Paul Georg   Champagne,                  France                             NV

Brut                             1er Cru Aubry                                                        Champagne                   France                                 NV

Muscadet                     Sevre et Maine, Surlie,           Chateau de la Cheshare Loire,                        France                           2010

Sancerre                       Pascal Jolivet                                                    Loire                                France                                 2010

Vouvray                     “Les Giradirer” Domaine des Ausbuisieres,              Loire,                            France                                    2009

Riesling                     “Rosenbourg” Paul Blanck,                                        Alsace                           France                                 2009

Pinot Gris                “Les Princes Abbe’s” Domaine Schlumberger,            Alsace                              France                           2007

Gewürztraminer          Albert Mann, Albert Mann,                                        Alsace                           France                                 2009

Chinon                       “Le Petites Roches” Joquot,                                          Loire                          France                                 2009

Here is day 5 tasting.  French whites from: western Loire, Central Loire, Upper Loire, Champagne, Alsace regions.  The Chinon was the only red.

Exquisite tasting.  Lots of terminology and rankings.

2011 December: Wine Tasting, Day 1-4

Wine Studies class at the CIA is said to be the hardest class to pass.  Now there is definitely a multitude of appellations to memorize and the "Tower of Power" with regards to pairings  but I look at it as the best Christmas present I could get...

Here is a list of the wines I had the pleasure of tasting during this three week class.



These are the wines from the first week.
Day 1 was a tasting of varietal style
Day 2 was all whites
Day 3 was California reds
Day 4 was New World Wines

2011 December: The Long Shot

Fifth term came faster than I imagined.  With an extra block tagged onto my 4th term due to a black sock issue I ended up owing almost $5000 to start my fifth and final semester at school.  I had exhausted all possible avenues for funding.  Bank loans, grants, scholarships were tapped and only the long shot remained. 

I had nothing to lose so I called my mom and told her not to send packages here for the holidays because my bill was way more than I had and I knew she did not have it either.  I had placed an phone call to my externship site to see if they would be willing to help.  I wouldn't hurt to ask right? But fearing for the worst I had filled out my leave of absence form and had obtained all the signatures needed for the temporary withdrawal.  I was in sad spirits that day all though I tried to keep a smile.

I was amazed at the results of those two conversations that day.  A miracle.  A blessing from above.  I was able to pay off the complete and final payment to the school in preparation for graduation.  I was able to get my final schedule and start the dreaded wines class.  Well dreaded my most.  I could not believe the perfect timing.  However intensive the studying and memorization for the class.  I get to taste 8-10 excellent wines daily for the three block leading up to our Christmas break. 

I plan on making sure that those who invested in me get their full return!