I offered advice on studying for the CSW exam in this post from 2007: Certified Specialist of Wine Exam - How I Studied for the Society of Wine Educators CSW exam
In this post, I offered the following advice for learning about the different winemaking countries:
Read Wine Spectator and Go on Wine Shop Field Trips – I used the tasting notes in the back of issues of Wine Spectator to quiz and familiarize myself on wine regions, particularly Australian wine regions. I went to my local wine shop and looked at the different wine labels from around the world, particularly for Germany. The wines from those countries were unfamiliar to me, so the hands-on experience with labels and tasting notes helped me to learn geography and wine laws.
I recently received the following email from a prospective CSW:
I'm working toward becoming a CSW... I'm contacting you because I found your advice blog online about the exam and I had a question if you don't mind. The only information that I'm having trouble with are things like the soil, climate, and topography of the many many wine growing regions and wine zones of places like Australia, for example. I can remember places with unique characteristics ... I can't seem to assimilate the places with standard characteristics. Is this something I should be worried about or should I focus more on history, chemistry, major regions, etc?
I do remember very specific questions about wines and wine regions on the test, so this is an essential part of studying for the CSW exam. I learned about Australian wines by visiting wine shops and looking at the wines from Australia. For me, putting a bottle of Coonawarra wine in my hands and reading the back was a powerful way of associating the fact that the famous Cabernet Sauvignon wine grapes from this region on the Limestone Coast of South Australia are grown on "terra rossa" soil. A bottle of Riesling from the Clare Valley will remind me that the altitude of this wine region ensures cool nights even during the heat of summer allowing the fruit to ripen more evenly and slowly - which is why they can sucessfully grow Riesling!
In addition to touring a wine shop, I recommend watching the fun Youtube Wine shows from Wine Week. Danny and Brad talk about Australian wines, giving potential CSW's another chance to connect the wine regions of Australia with the wines they produce.
Do you have any suggestions for how to study for the CSW Exam?
Want to use wine to create delicious meals for friends and loved ones? Click HERE to receive Kathleen Lisson's FREE Wine and Food Pairing Tips by Email.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Is airline wine worth buying on your next flight?
A great video to answer that silly question I've always had in the back of my mind - how does airplane wine taste to a wine expert?
WineLibrary TV's Gary Vaynerchuck puts a Cabernet Sauvignon to the test on a Southwest flight to Vegas.
Hot tip - Vaynerchuk says the saltiness of the peanuts improves the wine!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5iSZgH-szM
Want to use wine to create delicious meals for friends and loved ones? Click HERE to receive Kathleen Lisson's FREE Wine and Food Pairing Tips by Email.
WineLibrary TV's Gary Vaynerchuck puts a Cabernet Sauvignon to the test on a Southwest flight to Vegas.
Hot tip - Vaynerchuk says the saltiness of the peanuts improves the wine!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5iSZgH-szM
Want to use wine to create delicious meals for friends and loved ones? Click HERE to receive Kathleen Lisson's FREE Wine and Food Pairing Tips by Email.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Dr. Frank's Vinifera Wine Cellars is open for business after fire!
A Letter from my friend Fred Frank:
On April, 21 at approximately 8:30 pm Dr. Frank's auxiliary tasting room was destroyed in a fire. Thankfully, no one was harmed; we are very grateful to the local fire department for their quick response. Their reaction kept the fire from spreading to other close buildings on the property.
The night of the fire many reports were made that the entire winery was consumed in the fire, however that is untrue.
The fire was restricted to one independent building. We wanted to let all of our customers know that we are doing fine and that the winery is functioning as it always has. We have two working tasting rooms available for daily tastings and festivals and our bottling line is up and running.
We are very saddened by the loss, especially the loss of irreplaceable trophies, including the Governor's Cup, family photos, and historic wines. We are eager to rebuild and hope to see you this season.
Sincerely,
Frederick Frank
President
Dr. Frank's Vinifera Wine Cellars
9749 Middle Road
Hammondsport, NY 14840
Fred Frank was nice enough to tell me about his Rkatsiteli wine for this Youtube video, which was shot in the recently destroyed building.
Want to use wine to create delicious meals for friends and loved ones? Click HERE to receive Kathleen Lisson's FREE Wine and Food Pairing Tips by Email.
On April, 21 at approximately 8:30 pm Dr. Frank's auxiliary tasting room was destroyed in a fire. Thankfully, no one was harmed; we are very grateful to the local fire department for their quick response. Their reaction kept the fire from spreading to other close buildings on the property.
The night of the fire many reports were made that the entire winery was consumed in the fire, however that is untrue.
The fire was restricted to one independent building. We wanted to let all of our customers know that we are doing fine and that the winery is functioning as it always has. We have two working tasting rooms available for daily tastings and festivals and our bottling line is up and running.
We are very saddened by the loss, especially the loss of irreplaceable trophies, including the Governor's Cup, family photos, and historic wines. We are eager to rebuild and hope to see you this season.
Sincerely,
Frederick Frank
President
Dr. Frank's Vinifera Wine Cellars
9749 Middle Road
Hammondsport, NY 14840
Fred Frank was nice enough to tell me about his Rkatsiteli wine for this Youtube video, which was shot in the recently destroyed building.
Want to use wine to create delicious meals for friends and loved ones? Click HERE to receive Kathleen Lisson's FREE Wine and Food Pairing Tips by Email.
How to Learn about Sherry - Sherry and food pairing tips
Sherry is so much more than the cream sherry that your grandmother used to drink. Learn about this food friendly beverage from Spain in the Sommelier Journal article, "SPECIAL REPORT Sherry."
Tips for pairing include serving Amontillado sherry with smoked salmon, ham and cheese.
Amontillado and Oloroso sherry can be matched with fried eggs and wild game.
Palo Cortado can be enjoyed alone or served with roast almonds and walnuts.
Pedro Ximénez sherry is a good pairing with chocolate desserts and Moscatel can be matched with a custard or bread pudding.
I love smoked salmon, so I look forward to trying Amontillado sherry with a few slices.
Want to use wine to create delicious meals for friends and loved ones? Click HERE to receive Kathleen Lisson's FREE Wine and Food Pairing Tips by Email.
Tips for pairing include serving Amontillado sherry with smoked salmon, ham and cheese.
Amontillado and Oloroso sherry can be matched with fried eggs and wild game.
Palo Cortado can be enjoyed alone or served with roast almonds and walnuts.
Pedro Ximénez sherry is a good pairing with chocolate desserts and Moscatel can be matched with a custard or bread pudding.
I love smoked salmon, so I look forward to trying Amontillado sherry with a few slices.
Want to use wine to create delicious meals for friends and loved ones? Click HERE to receive Kathleen Lisson's FREE Wine and Food Pairing Tips by Email.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Choosing a wine pairing for Kosher meals
In their tastings column for the Wall Street Journal,Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher recall that their overall favorite Kosher wine has been Riesling. In 'A Consistent Kosher Joy: Riesling,' Gaiter and Brecher offer their picks for Passover appropriate kosher Rieslings and offer the advice to wait until Passover is only a few days away to purchase Kosher wine, to increase the odds that the wine is fresh.
Kosher wine is not just for Passover, though!
I was very grateful to finally finish straightening my teeth with Invisalign a few years ago. I wanted to get a great thank you gift for my dentist, who is an Orthodox Jew. Dr. Lieberman seemed especially grateful for my gift when I explained that the bottle of wine I chose was a kosher wine that he could enjoy with his family!
Want to use wine to create delicious meals for friends and loved ones? Click HERE to receive Kathleen Lisson's FREE Wine and Food Pairing Tips by Email.
Kosher wine is not just for Passover, though!
I was very grateful to finally finish straightening my teeth with Invisalign a few years ago. I wanted to get a great thank you gift for my dentist, who is an Orthodox Jew. Dr. Lieberman seemed especially grateful for my gift when I explained that the bottle of wine I chose was a kosher wine that he could enjoy with his family!
Want to use wine to create delicious meals for friends and loved ones? Click HERE to receive Kathleen Lisson's FREE Wine and Food Pairing Tips by Email.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Free wine and food pairing tool for your computer
Sommelier Natalie MacLean has created a new Drinks Matcher widget, a compact, portable version of her NatDecants web site's existing food-and-wine pairing tool.
You can get your own copy of the free Drinks Matcher widget for your computer desktop, web site, blog or social media page like Facebook, MySpace or iGoogle here:
www.nataliemaclean.com/matcher
MacLean says that her food and wine matcher is a handy desktop tool that food and wine lovers can use to plan dinners and parties.
Want to use wine to create delicious meals for friends and loved ones? Click HERE to receive Kathleen Lisson's FREE Wine and Food Pairing Tips by Email.
You can get your own copy of the free Drinks Matcher widget for your computer desktop, web site, blog or social media page like Facebook, MySpace or iGoogle here:
www.nataliemaclean.com/matcher
MacLean says that her food and wine matcher is a handy desktop tool that food and wine lovers can use to plan dinners and parties.
Want to use wine to create delicious meals for friends and loved ones? Click HERE to receive Kathleen Lisson's FREE Wine and Food Pairing Tips by Email.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Brie cheese and beer pairings
I recently had the opportunity to taste a delicious wheel of brie from Ile de France cheese.
Brie is a wonderful cheese for social gatherings because it will please most party guests, including the beer drinkers.
Ile de France recommends pairing their Brie well with lagers, pilsners, pale ales, porters, fruit ale and even a crisp, hard apple or pear cider.
Have you ever paired beer and cheese?
Related articles:
How to serve cheese with sweet and red wines
http://kathleenlisson.blogspot.com/2009/01/how-to-serve-cheese-with-sweet-and-red.html
How to serve Brie cheese
http://kathleenlisson.blogspot.com/2008/01/how-to-serve-brie-and-other-cheese-at.html
Did you like this article? Click HERE to receive Kathleen Lisson's FREE Wine and Food Pairing Tips by Email.
Brie is a wonderful cheese for social gatherings because it will please most party guests, including the beer drinkers.
Ile de France recommends pairing their Brie well with lagers, pilsners, pale ales, porters, fruit ale and even a crisp, hard apple or pear cider.
Have you ever paired beer and cheese?
Related articles:
How to serve cheese with sweet and red wines
http://kathleenlisson.blogspot.com/2009/01/how-to-serve-cheese-with-sweet-and-red.html
How to serve Brie cheese
http://kathleenlisson.blogspot.com/2008/01/how-to-serve-brie-and-other-cheese-at.html
Did you like this article? Click HERE to receive Kathleen Lisson's FREE Wine and Food Pairing Tips by Email.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Food pairings for Joseph Carr wines
I had the chance to sample a few delicious wine and food pairings from dp at the Romancing the Grape wine tasting at Proctors in Schenectady.
Yono Purnomo and son Dominick paired the following:
A dish of Tuna with fruit salsa paired well with the Joseph Carr Chardonnay, a french style white wine that was specifically made to match well with seafood.
A salad with sesame ginger dressing paired well with the Joseph Carr Chardonnay.
Steak with a port wine sauce was paired with Joseph Carr Cabernet Sauvignon, which is a traditional Bordeaux style blend.
Babi Kecap Singa Raja was paired with a delicious Joseph Carr Pinot Noir from the Sonoma coast.
I also had the chance to meet Mr. Carr, who was pouring his wines at the grand tasting. His wonderful wines are available in several wine friendly restaurants, including dp and Vin Santo in Latham. Carr, a former wine director for the Sagamore Hotel in Bolton Landing, is surely on his way to being the Capital Region's favorite California winemaker!
Did you like this article? Click HERE to receive Kathleen Lisson's FREE Wine and Food Pairing Tips by Email.
Yono Purnomo and son Dominick paired the following:
A dish of Tuna with fruit salsa paired well with the Joseph Carr Chardonnay, a french style white wine that was specifically made to match well with seafood.
A salad with sesame ginger dressing paired well with the Joseph Carr Chardonnay.
Steak with a port wine sauce was paired with Joseph Carr Cabernet Sauvignon, which is a traditional Bordeaux style blend.
Babi Kecap Singa Raja was paired with a delicious Joseph Carr Pinot Noir from the Sonoma coast.
I also had the chance to meet Mr. Carr, who was pouring his wines at the grand tasting. His wonderful wines are available in several wine friendly restaurants, including dp and Vin Santo in Latham. Carr, a former wine director for the Sagamore Hotel in Bolton Landing, is surely on his way to being the Capital Region's favorite California winemaker!
Did you like this article? Click HERE to receive Kathleen Lisson's FREE Wine and Food Pairing Tips by Email.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Applewood Winery Rieslings
Applewood Winery located in Warwick, New York is launching the first New York Riesling Experience – A celebration of New York’s finest grape.
The event will take place May 2 & 3, 2009 at the winery located on 82 Four Corners Road in Warwick, New York from 11pm to 5pm each day.
The New York Riesling Experience features Riesling tastings, Riesling food and wine pairings, Chef Demonstrations, Winemaker discussions, free recipes, comparative Riesling tastings and live entertainment.
Admission to the event is $12 if purchased before April 30th or $15 at the door. Admission also includes admission to the Applewood tasting room with over a dozen different Applewood wines to taste.
Did you like this article? Click HERE to receive Kathleen Lisson's FREE Wine and Food Pairing Tips by Email.
The event will take place May 2 & 3, 2009 at the winery located on 82 Four Corners Road in Warwick, New York from 11pm to 5pm each day.
The New York Riesling Experience features Riesling tastings, Riesling food and wine pairings, Chef Demonstrations, Winemaker discussions, free recipes, comparative Riesling tastings and live entertainment.
Admission to the event is $12 if purchased before April 30th or $15 at the door. Admission also includes admission to the Applewood tasting room with over a dozen different Applewood wines to taste.
Did you like this article? Click HERE to receive Kathleen Lisson's FREE Wine and Food Pairing Tips by Email.
May is Riesling Month!
“May is Riesling Month” is coming to the Finger Lakes.
May 15th is the annual Rendezvous with Riesling at the NY Wine and Culinary Center in Canandaigua. There will be an older vintage Riesling tasting as well as a larger walk-around tasting. This event is for the public but there will be media and trade in attendance as well.
Find out more information here: http://www.nywcc.com/
May 30th is The Golden Nose Awards held at The Corning Museum of Glass. The event will have a special focus on Riesling and award a Golden Nose to the best Finger Lakes Riesling.
The entire month of May will feature special Riesling promotions and tastings at wineries available during regular business hours.
What is your favorite Finger Lakes Riesling?
Did you like this article? Click HERE to receive Kathleen Lisson's FREE Wine and Food Pairing Tips by Email.
May 15th is the annual Rendezvous with Riesling at the NY Wine and Culinary Center in Canandaigua. There will be an older vintage Riesling tasting as well as a larger walk-around tasting. This event is for the public but there will be media and trade in attendance as well.
Find out more information here: http://www.nywcc.com/
May 30th is The Golden Nose Awards held at The Corning Museum of Glass. The event will have a special focus on Riesling and award a Golden Nose to the best Finger Lakes Riesling.
The entire month of May will feature special Riesling promotions and tastings at wineries available during regular business hours.
What is your favorite Finger Lakes Riesling?
Did you like this article? Click HERE to receive Kathleen Lisson's FREE Wine and Food Pairing Tips by Email.
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