The second class of the WSET Intermediate Level course focused mainly on the winemaking process and the factors that effect the style, quality and price of the finished wine. We also delved into the topic of organic wines and processes used to create them.  Finally, we began looking at all of the information that can be gleaned from the labels on a bottle of wine.  This session was intended more as an overview of the concepts and conventions, with more detailed information to follow during the remaining classes.

For myself, I found the first portion of the class to be a good refresher on the basics of how red, white, and rosé wines are made.  Jessica Bell covered many topics illustrating how factors such as the grape variety and environment can effect the raw materials of wine.  She also discussed how the role of the winemaker can effect the overall style, quality and price of the end product.  The topic on organic wines was also very informative.  Organic farming and winemaking has continued to grow in popularity as consumers have become more educated about what they eat and drink.

The part I found most interesting was the section on understanding wine labels.  This is always a confusing topic, especially when you are trying to understand European wine labels.  There are so many different regulations governing what can and cannot be displayed on a label. Combine that with the language barrier and you can have a daunting task when trying to select a wine.  With just a little bit of education and research you can quickly discover useful information to help guide you to the quality wines you want.   Jessica and WSET have done a great job of organizing this information helping make this easier to understand.

The wines that Jessica had selected for this week’s session were made from a wide array of grape varieties and came exclusively from France and the United States.  Jessica had made a point of selecting wines at different price points to help illustrate the differences in style and quality among the producers.  The wines, especially the French ones, gave as a good primer on decoding the French AOC labeling laws.

Next week Rendell Thomas will help us explore pinot noir and chardonnay.

Wines Tasted (Class 2):

1. La Divette – Muscadet Sur Lie 2007 (Muscadet Sevre et Main, France)
2. Charles Smith – Charles & Charles Rosé 2008 (Columbia Valley, Washington State)
3. A to Z – Pinot Noir 2007 (Oregon)
4. Hurrah Surrah – Syrah 2005 (Paso Robles, CA)
5. Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (Calistoga, California)
6. Chateau Moncontour – Vouvray Demi-Sec 2006 (Loire Valley, France)