Monday, January 15th, 2018 7pm - 9pm
Professional Sommeliers and Wine Professionals came together in a challenge for sharpest palate! When it comes to tasting blind, who would be the best? But that's not all. Not only did we get to watch, learn, and absorb how the Pro's do it--we got to taste the SAME WINES blind right along with them!
Class included:
A series of blind tastings (6 - 8) with commentary from Master Sommelier, Michael McNeill
Top-notch wines
Light nibbles such as cheeses, salumi, olives, nuts, and a selection of crackers and fresh breads (some were Gluten-Free options)
Winners from Previous Years
2011 - The first year's winner was Ryan Mullins of Quality Wine & Spirits
2012 - Year two saw Justin Amick of The Painted Pin claim braggin' rights
2013 - Third year's winner was Ryan Mullins of Quality Wine & Spirits again
2014 - Fourth year's winner was ???
2015 - Caleb Hopkins of The Druid Hills Country Club took top honors
2016 - Juan Cortes was the champ.
2017 - Ryan Mullins of Quality Wine & Spirits won again.
Competitors for 2018:
Jim Cumiskey, Highland Fine Wines
Laura Engle, Empire
Jacob Gragg, Cru Artisan Wines
Joe Herrig, Georgia Crown
Kacey Ivey, Quality Wines
Ahry Ko, pH Wine Merchant
Ryan Mullins, Quality Wine & Spirits
Adam Pucillo, American Cut
Caitlin Taglia, One Midtown Kitchen
Rob Van Leer, Vino Venue
Brian White, Ritz Carlton
2018 winner was Brian White of Ritz Carlton. Congratulations Brian!
Scoring:
Points were awarded for each section - if they guessed correctly.
Old or New World?
Varietal or Blend?
Country?
Region?
Appellation?
Quality Level (if appropriate)
Vintage?
There were 2 wines in each round. After each round, they eliminated the competitors who had 0 points, or the lowest points, and so on. However, the attendees (not competing at the head table) just tried to get the most points.
Tasting Notes:
Round 1
Wine #1 - White Wine
stone fruits, pear, slightly dry finish,
My Guess: Old world, Varietal Sauvignon Blanc, France, Bordeaux, ?, ?, 2013
Actual Wine: New World, Riesling, Australia, Clare Valley, 2016
Wine #2 - White Wine
more oaked, funky, tropical fruits, flimsy finish, so maybe new world
My Guess: Old world, Varietal Muscadet, France, Loire, ?, ?, 2012
Actual Wine: New World, Semillon, South Australia, 2013
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Round 2
Wine #3 - White Wine
green, herbacious, pineapple, viscous,
My Guess: New world, Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand, Hobbitown ?, ?, 2014
Actual Wine: Old World, Chenin Blanc, French, Loire, Anjou 2014
(yay I got 2 pts)
Wine #4 - Red Wine
dry finish, heavy tannins, thick, has grip, flimsy fast finish though
My Guess: Old World, Sangiovese, Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, IGT, 2015
Actual Wine: Old World, Cabernet Franc, Saumer, Champange, 2016
(yay I got 2 more points)
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Round 3
Wine #5 - Red Wine
perfumey, elegant palate, flimsy finish,
My Guess: Old World, Valpolicella, Italy, Verona, Valpolicella, IGT, 2015
Actual Wine: Old World, Syrah, Northern Rhone, Crozes-Hermitage, 2014
(yay I got 2 more points)
Wine #6 - Red Wine
Chocolate, Silk, Higher Alcohol
My Guess: New World, Pinot Noir, USA, California, Russian River Valley, 2012
Actual Wine: New World, GSM, Australia, Barossa Valley, 2013
(yay I got 2 more points)
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Round 4
Wine #7 - Red Wine
high alcohol, inky, pepper, greenness, dry finish, grip, no oak or neutral oak
My Guess: New World, Syrah or Zinfandel, Australia, McClarenvale, 2012
Actual Wine: New World, Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Spring Mountain 2013
(yay I got 2 more points)
Wine #8 - Red Wine
heat, rusty, dried fruits, forest floor
My Guess: Old World, Sangiovese, Italy, Tuscany, Brunello, 2010
Actual Wine: Old World, Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot Blend, France, Bordeaux left bank, Haut-Medoc, they didnt' say the vintage?
(yay I got 2 more points)
Tie Breaker: (Brian had already won at this point.
Dessert Wine: Barollo Chinato, tastes a lot like a Negroni.
My Score:
I got 12 total points for the whole tasting out of a possible 104. Yeah, I have some work to do.
