BTG

Question 1

Lamberti Prosecco, Italy Sparkling

Answer 1

The fruit is sourced from the best hillside vineyards across Treviso in the Veneto. Grapes are harvested slightly before full maturation to preserve acidity. The base wine is re-fermented in enclosed pressure tanks for the “prise de mousse,” utilizing the Charmat method for secondary fermentation, a method best suited to enhance the Prosecco grape’s aromatic qualities. With a straw color, the wine has a clean flavor with natural residual sugar and an aromatic aftertaste.

Question 2

Chateau Beaulieu Rose – Provence - France

Answer 2

Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault. A traditional dry Provencal Rose. Pomegranate and grapefruit aromas and flavors. Crisp and fresh with excellent minerality.

Question 3

Laurent Gruet Brut Rosé – New Mexico sparkling

Answer 3

100% Pinot Noir - A delicate mousse with aromas of cherry and wild strawberry and clean bright fruit flavors.

Question 4

Domaine Houchart - Provence – France

Answer 4

Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon - Very pretty elegant dry rose. Floral, fresh strawberry, and some slight hints of spicy wild herbs

Question 5

Man Vintners Chardonnay – South Africa W

Answer 5

This Chardonnay has aromas and flavors of green apple, pear, melon, and butterscotch leading to a refreshing finish

Question 6

Zenato Pinot Grigio – Italy W

Answer 6

This Pinot Grigio is the perfect introduction to the variety. Delicately scented and soft on the palate, this wine offers classic citrus and floral notes all in an elegant, refined style. Lemon-green in color with lovely aromas of citrus, white peach and green apples. This versatile Pinot Grigio is refreshing and soft with a smooth, dry finish.

Question 7

Jean Francois Merieau Tourraine Sauvignon Blanc - Loire - France W

Answer 7

This wine is 100% Sauvignon Blanc from a single parcel in Touraine, an AOC in the Loire Valley. Lovely citrus and stone fruit flavors with a delicate minerality in the finish.

Question 8

Kesseler Kabinett Riesling – Germany W

Answer 8

At 10.5% alcohol and with balanced though obvious sweetness, it offers tart-edged, high energy refreshment and squeaky-clean expression of pineapple and fresh lime with pungent accents of ginger and candied lime peel. A juicy style, offering straightaway flavors of ripe peach and apple, with notes of lemon cream and spice. Rich herbal notes mark the broad finish.

Question 9

Montinore Borealis – Oregon W

Answer 9

This bright and fresh white is a blend of Muller-Thurgau, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris. It is organically grown and certified organic, from the Montinore estate vineyard. The aroma practically covers the full fruit spectrum with notes of peach, yellow apple, pineapple and with bright citrus popping out, accented with whiffs of cut hay and fresh flowers. On the palate it starts with a soft, slightly sweet expression of ripe fruit of peach and pear with a crisp acid balance and citrus zing, which evolves to a delicious long, crisp finish of grapefruit and lime.

Question 10

Höpler Gruner Veltliner – Austria W

Answer 10

Grüner Veltliner is a variety of white wine grape grown primarily in Austria, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. Crisp and full flavored with flavors of peach, citrus, blood orange and spice.

Question 11

Mercedes Eguren Cabernet Sauvignon – Spain

Answer 11

Grapes for this great 100% Cabernet Sauvignon come from a single fifty-acre vineyard planted over 137 years ago. Deep ruby. Smoky cherry, tobacco, licorice and minerals on the vibrant nose. Juicy, bright and firm, with good freshness and thrust to the dark berry and bitter cherry flavors. Gentle tannins give grip and a slightly hard edge to the refreshingly bitter finish.

Question 12

Paul D Zweigelt – Austria

Answer 12

Austria’s Zweigelt grape varietal is something like a zin/pinot noir/ montepulciano. Spicy, medium to full-bodied, balanced raspberry fruit but not a drop of oak to be found here. Pure drinkability! It’s also 1 liter (33% more than a regular bottle). You are tasting a rising star in Austrian winemaking.

Question 13

Liberty School Cuvee – Oregon

Answer 13

85% Syrah, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petite Sirah, 3% Grenache, 2% Viognier. Aromas of blueberries and cherries along with hints of eucalyptus. Zesty acidity gives way to a round mouthfeel of cranberries and plum on the mid-palate along with hints of pepper and herbs. Elements of minerality and velvety smooth tannins lead to a long, satisfying finish.

Question 14

Laurent Saint Pourcain Pinot Noir/Gamay - Loire – France

Answer 14

Intense and vibrant ripe dark cherry and raspberry fruit from this Pinot Gamay blend. The St Pourcain is very smooth, refreshing, and pure tasting.

Question 15

Ghost Pines Zinfandel - Napa - California

Answer 15

The grapes for the 2009 Ghost Pines Zinfandel were destemmed, but not crushed, allowing mainly whole berries in the fermentor, which helps to eliminate bitterness while maximizing fresh fruit character. Sourcing from both the Sonoma and San Joaquin appellations allowing it accentuates the best of what each region has to offer. Sonoma County Zinfandel offers lush fruit, with flavors of savory dark spices and concentrated intensity. The San Joaquin County Zinfandel adds jammy red raspberry and strawberry flavors along with a strong, rich structure. The result is flavors of dark blackberries, raspberry and strawberry jam with a subtle nutty aromas of dried oat and sweet toast. Full and balanced, the Zinfandel boasts rich, chewy tannins that lead to a long and supple finish.

Question 16

Lafleur Renaissance Sauternes - France 375 ml

Answer 16

70% Sémillon, 30% Sauvignon Blanc - Yellow gold in color. A soft start, with light floral notes that extend Fine dry notes of apricot and honey. Traditional vinification in stainless steel tanks and partial aging in French oak barrels.

Question 17

Romieu - Lacoste Sauternes - France 375 ml

Answer 17

Quite ripe and showy, but with a juicy date and green tea frame that enlivens the heather honey, lemon cream, ginger and cream-coated brioche flavors. The finish is long and enticing and graceful, gorgeous minerality with plenty of ravishing botrytis, it is unusual to see a wine with this pedigree available at reasonable price

Question 18

Rare Historic Series Charleston Sercial Madeira

Answer 18

Like a salted caramel without its sugar. The dominant character here is a subdued toasted nuttiness, not specifically almond or walnut, with undercurrents of dried fruit. The palate is another thing altogether. This is one a wine that succeeds more on texture than nuance of flavor. While it is a sweet wine, it doesn’t put itself across the way a sauterne or even a sweet sherry would.

Question 19

Niepoort Ruby Port

Answer 19

Fresh, young and fruity. An expressive port with great character. Opaque ruby. The nose here is loaded with muscular fruit and spice, blackberry, dried cranberries, mincemeat and chocolate. The palate is sweet with a juicy wallop of fruit flavours. Full bodied with great texture, balance and structure leading to a sweet, fruity, spice-edged medium-long finish.

Question 20

Niepoort 10 yr Tawny Port

Answer 20

Amazing aromas of orange and lemon peel, with hints of toffee, caramel and honey. Full-bodied and luscious, with lots of sweet fruit and a long, subtle finish that goes on and on.