Wine for New World Test

Today we had our New World exam. This included a theory test with questions about the wine worlds of USA, Chile, Argentina, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. The theory test was followed, of course by a blind tasting. As always we had to identify and analyze one red wine and one white. Even though our theory exam was New World only, our tasting included wines from anywhere in the New World, France, and even a few from Italy that we tasted in the first two weeks of class. That's a lot to choose from!

I am very happy to report that both parts of the test went very well! I identified the red wine correctly as a Pinot Noir from the USA; I thought the white wine was a Chardonnay from France. After the test, we all convened in the hallway and discussed our guesses. Half of the class thought the white wine was a Chardonnay and half the class thought it was a Riesling. Guess what it was? A Viognier from France. So I got the France piece at least. But it just goes to show, this stuff is freakin' hard.

To celebrate the (mostly) successful completion of the New World module, let's crack open a bottle of Cliff Lede Vineyards "DIVA" Sparkling Wine Napa Valley 2000. Cliff Lede is a very cool winery slightly off the beaten path in St. Helena, and this sparkling wine is a treat: bright and lively with a yummy yeasty aroma combined with apple and pear, it is delicious as an aperatif, or to enjoy at any old time of the day. As it says on the bottle's label, "This lady can Sing!".