24 Oct 13 . Wine Appreciation Class

Joined an informal, social and fun way of learning the art of appreciating wine, with Liz Low, at The Bee, Publika.

We're the first to be there, so we got the privilege to capture nice photos. lol

Soon after that, people started coming in and gathered at the table.

Time to have our class started!~

So, this is Jeffrey, our teacher today, who is the partner of The Bee and the wine.

We're going to taste 5 different wines tonight.

The first, Prosecco.

Prosecco is an Italian famed sparkling wine, normally made from Glera grapes. Its taste something like Champagne but it's not. Prosecco is made using Charmat method, unlike Champagne, Prosecco does not ferment in the bottle and grows stale with time. In fact, its second fermentation is forced to happen in a large stainless steel tank prior to bottling, making these wines a first rate wine to drink young and fresh. On the palate, Prosecco delivers ripe assorted apple, pear, some citrus and often a dash of nutty almond flavoring.

Food pairing options: 

Creamy pasta, seafood especially oyster, stuffed mushroom, almond or even spicy Asian entrees. 

Prosecco is a food-friendly, guest-friendly, easy-going, value-conscious, festive, sparkling white wine.

The second, H&V Eden Valley Riesling

This H&V Eden Valley Riesling we appreciated is from South Australia, medium-sweetness, but actually Riesling is originated in the Rhine region of Germany. It also known for their balance of acidity and sugar. Riesling is considered one of the grape varieties that best expresses the terroir of the place where it is grown. Early picking has produced a fresh, lively Riesling with a delicate green tinge and hints of limes. It has a pleasant soft smell. The palate shows fruit purity with crisp clean feeling. This Riesling can be drunk now or aged for a few years.

Food pairing options:
White fish or pork, Aglio olio pasta, Middle Eastern to Mexican cuisine, desserts.
Riesling is a versatile wine or pairing of food, because of its balance of acidity and sugar.

The third, Borgo Scopeto Chianti Classico

A Chianti wine is any wine produced in the Chianti region, in the central Tuscany, Italy. It's a wine of great tradition coming from the Fornacino, Misciano, Vittoria and Cagliano vines. This Borgo Scopeto Chianti Classico is a dark ruby red wine, produced form Sangiovese grapes, and ages in oak barrels of various capacities for 12 months. Its smells sweet and fruity, with hints of black soft fruit. It has 13% alcohol in its content and when you sip it under your tongue and enter your throat, you will feel the warmness in the throat and that's alcohol!~

Food pairing options:
Italian food is for sure, beef, chicken, tomato-based sources over noodles, and it's a perfect match with Steak!

The forth, Embers Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon, often refered to the 'King of Red Wine Grapes', originally from Bordeaux, France. And this Embers Cabernet Sauvignon is produced by the grapes mainly from Margaret River, in the western Australia using soft extration techniques and cool fermentation temperatures. This has resulted in a soft fleshy wine, then the wine was transferred to French oak. Maturation for 12 months. Blackberries, plums and dark cherry fruits all combine with vanillin oak flavours to produce this dark red wine. Its alcohol is the highest among the 5 wines we tasted which is 14%.

Food pairing options: 

Red meats, flavourful and heartier (red) pastas, lamb, strong-flavoured cheese, and chocolates (especially dark).

The last, Voga Moscato Sicilia

So come to the last, this Voga Moscato Sicilia is form Italy, 100% fun and fizzy white sparkling wine best for either before, during or after dinner. Its smells full of the sweetness of fruit, and it tastes semi-sweet. It's now popular in market because it's a easy-going wine with the lowest alcohol content among the five which is only 7.5%. This is this one I love the most of its fruit bouquet giving people a refreshing feeling.

Food pairing options:

Desserts~!

Cheers

Let swirl, smell, sip and swig!

The attendant

I've now known the basic of the wine, it's worth my time to attend to this and meet with new peoples. Though there are still many things on the earth I don't know, I will learn.