Author Archives: waywardwine

About waywardwine

Follow Wayward Wine (WSET3) to tour the world's exciting vineyards, breweries, and distilleries, while discovering new drinks.

Ridgeview Merret Bloomsbury, Sussex 2009

Posted on June 11, 2012 by waywardwine

I plunk a bottle on the table. “English Quality Sparkling Wine” the label proclaims. No, that is not a euphemism for beer. It is Ridgeview’s hopeful claim to the crown of Champagne. Odd though it seems, across the Channel, Southern … Continue reading →

Posted in Chardonnay, EMPTIED BOTTLES, Sparkling | Tagged Belemnite, british wine, bubbly, Chalk, Champagne, Dom Pérignon, English Channel, Kenelm Digby, méthod ancestrale, Merrett, methode champenoise, Pinot meunier, pinot noir, Ridgeview, Sparkling wine, travel, White cliffs of Dover | Leave a comment

WSET Advancing

Posted on June 7, 2012 by waywardwine

It is nice to see you all again (all 13 of you). Since January 30th, my life and this wine journal have been frozen. Imagine Han Solo in carbonite for four months. But instead of pining away for Leia, he … Continue reading →

Posted in TOOLS TOYS & TIPS | Tagged Advanced Certificate, aide memoire, Aroma of wine, Carbonite, Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC, France, Han Solo, Intermediate Certificate, New Zealand, Oracle at Delphi, Princess Jellyfish, prometheus, suffering, Tokaji, wine, Wine & Spirit Education Trust, Wine tasting descriptors, WSET | 4 Comments

Solaria, Brunello di Montalcino, Italy 2002

Posted on April 16, 2012 by waywardwine

A decade is passing by. Instead of dredging up bad memories, crushes, exes, bullies, and untold levels of awkwardness, à la Grosse Pointe Blank (with or without some murder), it is time for another kind of ten year reunion. The year … Continue reading →

Posted in EMPTIED BOTTLES, Red, Sangiovese | Tagged Archaeology, Brunello di Montalcino, Etruscans, Grosse Pointe Blank, high school reunion, Indiana Jones, italy, John Cusack, Minnie Driver, Montalcino, Patrizia Cencioni, Poggio Colla, Sangiovese, Sangiovese Grosso, Solaria, Tuscany | 5 Comments

Dry Riesling, Ravines, Finger Lakes, New York 2010

Posted on February 29, 2012 by waywardwine

Every day, customers come to me: “where are your sweet reds? Whites? Pinks?”, or “I’m a sweet person”, or worse, “I’m a dry person.” Really? Well, I have a lotion for that. Asking for only sweet or dry wine shortcuts … Continue reading →

Posted in Riesling, White | Tagged dry riesling, Finger Lakes, Germany, Keuka Lake, Lisa Hallgren, Morten Hallgren, New York, ravines, Ravines Wine Cellars, riesling, Sam Argetsinger, Sweetness of wine, Wine tasting descriptors | 8 Comments

Syrah “Cuvée”, Edward Sellers, Paso Robles, CA USA 2005

Posted on February 6, 2012 by waywardwine

Edward Sellers. Oh, I get it. Sellers. Cellars. Har, har. What clever consultant group cooked that up? Probably the same who thought: well, people like cake and bread. Let’s call it Cakebread Cellars. Brilliant! Wait. What? They’re both real winemakers? … Continue reading →