Southern Sommelier

My name is Chris. I'm a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY and I am a Certified Sommelier. I wanted to keep a record of the fantastic (or not so fantastic) wines, beers, and spirits that I have in this adventure.

[southernsommelier]

Back in Cali

[southernsommelier]

NOLA

[southernsommelier]

Alabama and Mississippi

[southernsommelier]

[southernsommelier]

The last few brews and finishing off with a home brew from 2012 - celebrating the pregnancy of my sister in law!

[southernsommelier]

Tapas and Paella in the beautiful California sun

[southernsommelier]

Just some of the beers from the trip

[southernsommelier]

There was some difficulties cleaning glassware, but the wine and food was pretty awesome. Dry Riesling, August Kessler, Pfalz, Germany 2013 Color: Light Straw Nose: Mango, Peach, Green Apple, Yellow Apple, Papaya, Yellow Pear Palate: Peach, Yellow Pear Alcohol: Medium - Acidity: Medium + Body: Medium - Finish: Ever So Off Dry Rating: 8.25 / 10

[southernsommelier]

Ferghettina franciacorta Milledì Brut 2010 Color: Deep Straw Nose: Sweet Cream, Lemon Curd, Biscuit, Biscotti, Almond Palate: Sweet Cream, Lemon Curd, Limoncello Alcohol: Medium Acidity: Medium Body: Medium + Finish: Bone Dry, Lingering, Zesty Rating: 9 / 10 My first Franciacorta. I absolutely loved it. Celebrating getting a job in California! I can't wait to be here and can't wait to see what other fun wines are available here.

[southernsommelier]

New Wines from Laithwaite Wines. Only had two so far but they've been quite nice. Finally found a malbec I enjoy (good thing they sent 3 of them). Barón de Barbón, Vendinia Seleccionada, Rioja, Spain 2013 Color: Clear Brick Red Nose: Red Cherry, Red Currant, Shiitake Mushroom, Vanilla Palate: Red Currant, Shiitake Mushroom Alcohol: Medium Acidity: Medium Body: Medium Finish: Bone Dry, Medium - Tannin: Medium Rating: 7.5 / 10 Malbec Reserve, Andean Vineyards, Alma Andina, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina 2013 Color: Deep Ruby Red Nose: Blackberry, Black Cherry, Leather Palate: Tart Black Cherry Alcohol: Medium + Acidity: Medium + Body: Medium Finish: Dry, medium Tannin: Medium - Rating: 7.5 / 10

[southernsommelier]

Seven Kingdoms Hoppy Wheat Beer, Ommegang Brewery, Cooperstown, NY Color: Cloudy Straw Yellow with White Fluffy Head Nose: Wheat, Lemon Palate: Double Bubble Bubblegum Alcohol: Medium - Body: Medium - Finish: Dry, Hoppy Rating: 8 / 10 The next installment of G.O.T. beers and honestly it probably is my least favorite of them so far. Good news is the wife found shadow brewer and take the black stout so those will be grand once we return home.

[southernsommelier]

Château Élan Rosé Reserve 2015 Color: Bubblegum Pink Nose: Strawberry, Raspberry, Floral Palate: Crisp & Clean with nice balance Alcohol: Medium Acidity: Medium + Body: Medium Finish: Dry Château Élan Belle Reserve 2015 Color: Rich Yellow Nose: Peach, Honeydew Melon, Honeysuckle Palate: Oily, Full, long lasting fruity notes Alcohol: Medium + Acidity: Medium Body: Medium + Finish: Dry, Slight minerality Château Élan Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2015 Color: Light Straw Nose: Peach, apricot, Melon, Lemon, Palate: Bright Acidity followed by zesty citrus Alcohol: Medium Acidity: High Body: Medium - Finish: Bone Dry

[southernsommelier]

Color: Deep Purple Nose: Violets, Fresh Plums, Vanilla, Eggplant Palate: Boisenberry, Plum Alcohol: Medium Acidity: Medium + Body: Medium Finish: Off-Dry Tannin: Low Rating: 7.5 / 10 A Cabernet Sauvignon / Riesling Blend. Definitely a first but not bad.

[southernsommelier]

Syrah, Terra Bella Vineyard, Andrew Murray Vineyards, Paso Robles, CA 2012 Color: Black As Sin Nose: Lavender, Red Plum, Wet Stones, Anise, Fig, Ricotta Palate: Prune, Plum, Sweet Cream, Blackberry, Pomegranate Alcohol: High Acidity: Medium Body: Medium + Finish: Dry, Medium+ Tannin: Medium Rating: 9.75 / 10

[southernsommelier]

Bourbon Barrel Stout, High Gravity Series, New Holland Brewing Color: Black Nose: Dark Caramel, Brioche, Vanilla Palate: Dark Caramel, Toast, Candy Corn, Sweet Attack, Sweetened Condensed Milk Alcohol: High Body: Full Finish: Off Dry, Long Tannin: Medium Rating: 9.5 / 10

[southernsommelier]

Valentine’s Champagne Tasting at Chateau Elan. We had the opportunity to taste some very wonderful champagnes.

Ruinart Champagne, Blanc de Blanc Brut, Champagne, France, NV Color: Clear Nose: Green Apple, Yeast Palate: Light Apple Alcohol: Medium Acidity: High Body: Light Finish: Dry, medium Rating: 8 / 10

Dom Ruinart Champagne Rosé, Brut, Champagne, France 2002 Color: Light Salmon Nose: Bagged Button Mushrooms, Stale Cherry Strawberry Gummy Snack Palate: Nose Alcohol: Medium + Acidity: Medium Body: Medium Finish: Dry, medium + Tannin: Medium - Rating: 8 / 10

Vueve Cliquot, La Grande Dame, Champagne, France 2004 Color: Medium Straw Nose: Baked Yellow Apple, Cinnamon, Biscuit Palate: Fresh Yellow Apple, Biscuit, Grape Jelly Alcohol: Medium Acidity: Medium Body: Medium Finish: Dry, long

Rating: 9.5 / 10

VP, Vadin-Plateau, Champagne, Blanc de Noirs, Champagne France NV Color: Clear Straw Nose: Celery, Parsley, Green Apple Skin, Palate: Yeasty Nose Alcohol: Medium Acidity: Medium + Body: Medium Finish: Dry, long Rating: 9 / 10

Louis Roederer Brut Vintage, Champagne, France 2008

Color: Medium Straw Nose: Butter Cream, Fresh Cream, Red Apple, Raw Dough Palate: Red Apple, Yellow Apple Alcohol: Medium Acidity: Medium + Body: Medium Finish: Bone Dry, medium+ Rating: 9 / 10 

[southernsommelier]

The Walking Dead Blood Orange IPA, Terrapin Brewing Co, Athens, GA

Color: Amber Orange Nose: Orange & Lemon Zest, Pith Palate: Fresh Orange, Slight Bitterness Alcohol: Medium - Body: Medium Finish: Dry, Bitter Tannin: Medium- Rating: 7.5 / 10

Had to drink it with the premiere. With what all happened that episode, It was needed.