Wine Gifts $25 or less

I was reading the Wine Spectator's 2008 Top 100 list and was surprised to find so many bottles of wine for $25 or less and that EVEN includes one in the top 10. Nice!

Here's a list of the wines from the list that are $25 or less. You can get that someone special a quality bottle of wine and NOT brake the bank. Score!

The first number represents the wine ranking within the top 100 list and the second score is the Wine Spectator score using the 100 point scale.

• #10, 93 - Seghesio Zindandel 2007 Sonoma County, $24
• #30, 93 - Byron Chardonnay 2005 Santa Maria Valley, $25
• #38, 92 - Bodega Colome Malbec 2004 Toro San Roman, $25
• #40, 91 - Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Marlborough, $19
• #42, 92 - Amavi Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Walla Walla, $25
• #44, 92 - Leasingham Riesling 2007 Clare Valley Magnus, $12
• #51, 90 - Fattoria di Felsina Chianti Classico 2006 Berardenga, $17
• #52, 90 - Bodegas LAN Rioja Reserva 2004, $17
• #55, 91 - Yalumba Viognier 2007 Edna Valley, $19
• #58, 90 - Louis Latour Marsannay 2005, $20

This is a great list. Everything is $25 or less, 90 points or higher, and there is a wonderful selection of wines to choose from, both reds and whites.

Directions for use: print this out, go to nearest favorite wine retailer, find wines on list and buy =) Don't be afraid to pick up a bottle or two for yourself!

-H

CSW Exam - Certified Specialist of Wine

I am continually studying for the Certified Specialist of Wine certification. The Tasting Room has set up access to Gallo's Wine Academy for for everyone that works for them. The first person to complete the Academy gets to take their CSW exam on TTR's dime.

I finished first, but have yet to take the test. I really should have taken the test right after completing the Academy. I will need to go through the whole Academy again as a refresher and I hope to have my CSW by the end of November.

In the mean time, here's some questions you might find on an CSW exam - answers below:

• Where is the wine region of Mendoza located?
• Who is the man responsible for the "Balanced Vine" theory?
• What is a synonym for Chenin Blanc in South Africa?
• Wine is mostly comprised of what?
• The Los Carneros AVA is best known for which varietal of wine?
• When did prohibition end in the USA?
• Catarratto, Grillo and Inzolia are used to produce what fortified wine?
• What are the two primary white grapes in Bordeaux?
• How many aromas can humans be trained to identify?
• Humans are most sensitive to which taste?

So these are only 10 questions of about a 1000 they can give. The actual exam is 100 questions. The questions range from viticulture to viniculture to every continent that grows wine and all the major wine growing areas within those regions. This is definitely A LOT to learn, but for me well worth it.

• Argentina
• Richard Smart
• Steen
• Water
• Pinot Noir
• 1933
• Marsala
• Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon
• ~1000
• bitter

-H