Wine Judging Part II - "A Few Varieties"

W.C. Paetz / HRT333 / Wine Judging / September 16, 2002

New York Muscat:

This wine is a perfect example of a grape variety that retains amazing primary characteristics through out the vinification process. Two years after harvest, the rich flavor of this delicious red grape is so pronounced that an individual consuming table grapes of this variety from a bowl would not only recognize the variety, but would be compelled to comment on how fresh and young the wine must be.

Harvested at Honeyflow Farm in Dryden, Michigan this French Hybrid exemplifies the flavorful quality of wines that can be made from grapes grown in Cold Climates.
The secondary characteristics of this well-balanced wine are reflected in the enhanced fruitiness and residual sugar left in by the wine maker. Fortunately for the consumer of this exceptional nectar, the intense flavor of rich plum and blackberries can be discerned with little effort. It is a wine worth making and a grape that is a must try if you are looking for examples of varieties that are not only hardy but seem to flourish in our cold climate. Other descriptors include the appearance, which is brilliant. The meniscus compared against your white cuff is a beautiful light maroon blue/red color. This cultivar's unique odor and taste can be sampled at any time in the vinification process. The aroma is distinct. The bouquet can be complex. You will never taste a wine made with grapes that better exemplifies the taste and flavor components that you experienced in the vineyard as you made your choice of what to vinify.

Concord:

The word itself means being in agreement with, yet my experience with amateur wine makers sharing their efforts to vinify this challenging variety has emphasized the secondary characteristics of too much sugar being added to cover the foxy flavor and perhaps to balance the acid of this cultivar. The color is always exceptional as the skins of this grape are deep blue and are readily crushed into the must even with very little time spent in primary fermentation. The labrusca flavor is one of the primary characteristics of this variety. I suppose that every flaw and limitation can be compensated for if the savvy wine maker is experienced in minimizing the sour, bitter tannic elements and enhancing the fruity sweet floral elements. Although I have not made a great one, perhaps someday when I have a better understanding of the tertiary actions I will make a wine that surpasses Mogan David. Yeah, I can see you laughing now. Please understand this one of my grape(sic) aspirations.

St. Pepin

This phenomenal French Hybrid Grape can be use to make a great Germanic style wine.
This incredible culinary experience is one available to those in the know in Michigan. St. Pepin is a white grape with a golden color. The wine sparkles and has a slight apple flavor and a subtle floral scent. When first experiencing the attack of this wine. The sweet tantalizing flavor embraces the tip of the tongue. The well-balanced acids give life to this refreshing beverage without being pucker sour. The evolution carries the flavor across the palate and does not unfortunately have a lingering finish. If you are a connoisseur looking for the flavor of a Spatlese German Riesling this wine will satisfy. If you are looking for a.B.A. or a T.B.A. you will have to look else where and spend much more.

Sangiovese:
Selecting a wine that is protected by a fiasco guarantees you an exciting Italian Chianti experience.
It may seem hedonic, very romantic and perfect to go with pizza or pasta. Too many people use vague and ambiguous terms to describe their wine experiences ie. Masculine, austere, coarse, delicate, tired, naïve. As we work to acquire a vocabulary with specific descriptors I will try to focus on the memories of this inexpensive yet satisfying drink to convince you of its charms. The intense color of all Chianti wines are a beautiful deep purple almost black. The nose is at once simple yet can be very complex and sophisticated. Blended with other grapes the Classico style of super Tuscans is as delightful as any wine. It will challenge your olfactory epithelium to reveal all of its' secrets. If ever there were romance in the bottle, this is it!

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