lesson 7: spirits

Want to gain a thorough understanding of wine regions, grape varieties, food & wine pairing and how to taste wines? Enroll yourself to the WSET 2 wine course (taught in English). More information, start 31 January 2013 > 

The last lesson before the exam concerned the New World of wines and fortified wines. Fortified wines are wines to which alcohol is added, and commonly known as sherry or port. Well, what I learned is that sherry and port can be ab-so-lu-te-ly heavenly. Particularly with the right kind of cheese, oh.... a beautiful marriage!

The part of making sherry and ports was most interesting. And there seems to be a lot to learn about these types of wines.

Fortified wine, distilled wine, oak-aged grape brandy, bourbon, white rum.... my lord, just when I started to get a mild grip on wine, I was introduced to the second topic of the course: spirits. 

The spirits, such as whiskey, rum, vodka, tequila and liqueurs were left to be studied at home. So I paid a visit to my favourite distillery in town: Wynand Fockink and studied some liqueurs. I also visited L&B whisky bar near Leidseplein, but whatever I learned there I forgot, for obvious reasons...

Impressions of the last class before the WSET 2 exam.

lesson 6: Italian and Spanish wines

In 3.5 hours we drank (& spit) ourselves through Italia and Espana. It was a heavy journey. 

Every Italian region has got its own set of grape varieties.Almost every Italian region has got its own local grape. So if you thought ‘French wines’ were difficult to understand, then don’t even start thinking about understanding the Italians.    

And just when you thought you have learned the major Italian grape varieties then you come to realize that Valpolicella is a blend (Corvina Veronese, Rondinella and Molinara). Another thing: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (made from the grape Montepulciano) is not to be confused with Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (wine coming from the region Montepulciano - about 10 hours driving away from Abruzzo). 

However, let me share some valuable lessons with you: 

Everyone seems to be a Barolo and Amarone fan. However beautiful (and powerful) these wines are, they are also pricy due to high global demand. Plus, you really should wait a 5-10 years before enjoying them. When you cannot afford these wines or are too impatient, then opt for a Nebbiolo wine (for Barolo fans) or the Ripassa (for Amarone fans). You can get great quality Nebbiolo or Ripassa for <E20.

What is your fav Spanish wine region?As for Spanish wines, I have to confess: I cannot tell you much: just attending the lessons is not enough to master the theory. One really has to taste wines outside class. Now I do that insufficiently with Spanish wines, I’m afraid. For some reason I haven’t been bitten by that Spanish bug.

Want to gain a thorough understanding of wine regions, grape varieties, food & wine pairing and how to taste wines?

Enroll yourself to the WSET 2 wine course (taught in English). More information, start 31 January 2013 > 

Lesson 5: France & wines

So you think an 8-week course in wine is sufficient? Well, trust me… one can study French wines only for 8 years and still not know ‘everything’. 

France is the wine country, though Italy produces more wines in volume. France is the home country of the globe’s most celebrated grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah. 

Wine master Lysander is a true France-fanatic; with great compassion he told us about the different French regions, their grapes and the best ‘villages’ to look out for. Of course, the class was closed with a great French cheese celebration, during which the ‘left over’ wine bottles were finished. 

Check when the next WSET 2 wine course is starting (in English).

Impressions from the WSET 2 wine class 'France' by terroirwijncursus.nl

Lesson 4: more grape personalities and blending

Now, if you don’t see yourself as a Chardonnay or Pinot Noir (see previous lesson) grape personality, then pay attention. Lesson 4 concerned the Sauvignon-Blanc, Cabernet-Sauvignon and the Merlot grapes - each has their own distinct character.  

Sauvignon-Blanc is a white grape that is characterized by it’s freshness. As a ‘visually set’ person, I always smell and taste ‘greenness’ in Sauvignon-Blanc; meaning, limes, apples, particularly Granny Smith apples. So if you’re a fresh, energetic and young-spirited person, this is your ‘grape personality’!

Cabernet-Sauvignon people should be dating Merlot people: together they make a beautiful couple. It’s actually the most celebrated marriage in the world; it’s the famous Bordeaux blend. 

Chateau Margaux in one of the world's most celebrated Bordeaux wine estate.In this Bordeaux marriage, the Cabernet-Sauvignon grape/person is the stereotypical male: it has tannins (bitters), thus gives the wine a deep colour and strong aroma’s. The feminine Merlot grape is softer with lighter tannins and acidity, but nevertheless has more body and higher alcohol (power and backbone). The Merlot makes the Cabernet-Sauvignon softer and more drinkable. So in my opinion, it’s the Merlot that makes the marriage work by allowing the Cabernet-Sauvignon shine… quite the same way that behind most successful men stand incredible strong women supporting him with his career ambitions. 

A Bordeaux Blend from the Southafrican wine estate Idiom (E25, click for more info)However, just as traditional roles and marriages are changing, so is the world of wines. Particularly in the new world, wine makers are experimenting with blending different grapes. And in the same breath, please note that not all Cab-Sauvignon and Merlot marriages work.

Want to know more about different grape varieties, wine-making (i.e. blending and ‘terroir’) and wine-tasting?

Then sign up for the WSET 2 wine and spirit course. It’s taught in English and takes place in Amsterdam. Find out more about the official Wine and Spirit Course.

WSET lesson 3: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grape

Lesson 3 of the WSET-wine course taught in English by Terroirwijncursus in Amsterdam. Want to get a thorough understanding of wines too? Sign up for the official WSET course starting 17 January 2013. (Click for more information).

In the same week that wine master Sander tutored me lesson 3, I had the pleasure of meeting a famous Dutch wine connoisseur Mrs. Janna Rijpma. She told me that she people’s personality in terms of a grape. In my case, I was a Pinot Noir. 

So what’s the Pinot Noir grape like? Well, it’s a very fussy grape that can only grow under very particular circumstances. Consequently, wine growers regard it as a difficult grape. At the same time, the public loves Pinot Noir. The wines are soft, light in tannin and it has ‘attractive flavours‘ even at a young age. Some Pinot Noir can age, such as the ones from Burgundy, yet most can be enjoyed young. Well, thank you Janna for the 'compliment' of having a Pinot Noir personality!

The Chardonnay grape is a whole different ball game. Wine master Sander need a full 2.5 hours to teach us about the many different faces of the grape. Of course, he poured bottles from different areas / terroirs to illustrate these differences. If you here someone say ‘I don’t like Chardonnay’ then you know he hasn’t done his homework: just try a Chablis (oyster water) and a wooded American Chardonnay…. hard to believe it comes from the same grape, right?

Impressions of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes and wines.

I love Syrah

Syrah is the main grape of Cotes du Rhone, but also planted in Australia, South Africa, and SpainSyrah, or Syraz is a widely grown grape that gives tannic, purple, peppery wines.

Syrah are deeply colored, with medium, or high levels of tannins, and medium acidity. The wines are generally full bodied, and have black berry, and dark chocolate tones. In moderate climate Syrah may develop spicy and herbal tones. Syrah does not ripen in cool climate.

Oak treatment to Syrah can give toast, smoke, vanilla, and coconut flavor. Try our Syrah from Australia, or a more affordable oaked Syrah from South Africa

A number of communes have their own appellation, of which the most famous are Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Hermitage AC, and Cote-Rotie. Southern Rhone offers better price quality wines. Syrah is very popular for its blends with other varietals.

Rhone Blend (or GSM in Australia)

  The Rhone valley is the traditional home of Syrah. Here the wines are a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, and Cinsault. Grenache grapes give very full bodied wines, with red fruit character, and spicy notes. Adding Syrah to the Grenache boost the levels of tannins, and acidity, and adds a dark fru it character. Varieties like Cinsault and Mourvedre contribute to the character of the wine. 

In Australia this blend is often called GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre).  

In Australia, Syrah is used with cab to give the softness, and richness that merlot supplies in Bordeaux. Cabernet-Syrah

French winemakers don’t like the idea of blending a traditional Bordeaux varietal with a grape variety from the Rhône. But the Australian way of pairing the elegance and complexity of Cabernet Sauvignon, with the richness and ripeness of Shiraz works tremendously well.

Syrah-Grenache

Shiraz and Grenache are natural partners - the Shiraz giving powerful sweet fruits while the Grenache can add a bit of herb and spice. Popular blend in Languedoc.

Syrah-Grenache is also a popular blend for rose wines. 

   Syrah Mourvedre Viognier (SMV)

 This blend follows a Rhone tradition of adding some white grapes to the fermentation of Syrah. Viognier helps give the wine a smooth texture, and add a bit of exotic fruit character. It is now very  popular also in South Africa.

If you want to enjoy Syrah, and explore the different possibilities it can bring, try our box I Love Syrah, with 6 different types of Syrah.

friday 2 november: another autumn wine tasting

The weather is turning... and full-bodied reds are calling. 

Get introduced to our autumn wine selection. In addition, we allow you to taste a newly sourced organic wine from the California and welcome your feedback.

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vineyard harvest & culinary feast: 27 - 28 October

Join me in celebrating the vineyard harvest with a great culinary & wine feast.

 Old world, new world and even Dutch wines will lusciously flow and renowned chefs present their art. What more to expect: live music (from classic to jazz), autumn-decorated basilica, guided expeditions through the vineyards nearby & much more.  

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italian autumn wines

The last part of the Autumn Wine Tasting that took place on Sunday 14 October 2012, was the search for the ultimate Italian wines for autumn.

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pinot noir tasting

At the Autumn Wine Tasting we started of with seeking great white autumn wines. We continued with a Pinot Noir comparison. 4 bottles of Pinot-Noir from different countries: DE / FR/ NZ/ SA.

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white autumn wines

On a rainy Sunday afternoon, a dozen of wine enthusiasts sought shelter in a wine bar. It was the perfect way of escaping the grey, autumn weather.

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wine lesson 2

Completely uprepared yet on time, I attended lesson 2 of the WSET-wine course taught in English by Sander from Terroirwinecursus in Amsterdam. 

The lesson was focused at understanding the word 'terroir' and the influence it has on wines. More importantly, we tasted different about 10-12 wines - I lost count. 

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south east spanish wines

We visited a region in Alicante-Murcia last week and this is what we discovered on the wine side:

> Monastrell grape 

> Jumilla area

> Spanish blends

... and it can rain quite heavily in September!

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wine lesson 1

As the Global Marketing & Sales Director of Wines in Amsterdam (available for all global citizens based in Amsterdam), I thought it'd be wise to get a better understanding of the product and signed up for the WSET 2 wine course tutored by Terroirwijncursus.

Yesterday evening was class number 1. To make a good impression, I immediately broke rule number 1: be on time. Yes, I am terrible at being Dutch.

Other blogworthy rules:

- don't wear perfum and as little deodorant your body 'requires'. 

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friday 21 september: New Zealand - Australia wine tasting

Discover innovative wines from the new world, where they are not tied to traditions and governmental rules of wine making. An informal tasting where different bottles are presented and enjoyed.

when/where: 21 September from 20h-22h / SoVine wine bar, Amstelveensweg 152, Amsterdam. RSVP via Facebook> or via e-mail >

Entrance E7.50pp

***Free for WinesinAmsterdam club members***

become a free member and order 6 bottles of wines of your choice!

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thursday 20 september: start beginner's wine course (english)

A wine course for beginners. No preceding knowledge required. Learn the basics of wine making and wine tasting in 8 Thursday evenings. 

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launch party of wines in amsterdam

For the people who have missed the launch, here’s what you’ve missed!

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Wines in Amsterdam's first public appearance

Last Sunday we went to promote our club at the great AABC bbq. Great food, great activities, and of course, great wines brought by Wines in Amsterdam.

People enjoyed our wines tasting, our red wine (Old harbor from Whalehaven) being appreciated as perfect companion for the BBQ, while other people realized that a glass of our superb rose (Luberon Marrenon) can be a great alternative to a Budweiser!

Wines in Amsterdam made new friends, and were very pleased by the amount of interest people have shown in our concept.

A big thanks to the persons who decided to buy a bottle from us, therefore becoming part of the community.

Photo left: Pierluigi proudly presenting the Old Harbour from Whalehaven: a blend of Pinotage-Merlot. 

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launch wines in amsterdam

Instead of going on an exotic holiday, my boyfriend and I have chosen to work on realizing our dream to create a wine enthusiasts' community in Amsterdam.

why? to share the joy of wine with other Amsterdammers.

here's how... 

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best wine bars in amsterdam

Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance, according to the great Benjamin Franklin. And don't we agree.

The Netherlands is a beer drinking country by nature and few wine bars were to be found a decade ago. Thankfully, slowly but surely Franklin's wisdom is getting a following in Amsterdam, where a new wine bar is welcomed almost annually.

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