Master Sommeliere Challenge featuring Laura Depasquale, M.S. Artisanal and Greg Harrington M.S. “These are a few of my favorite things”

The wine-cup is the little silver well, Where truth, if truth there be, doth dwell.

-William Shakespeare

The truth is in the glass and this evening we have not one but two master sommeliers on hand to answer all of your hard questions about wine.  Actually the only questions that you need to ask yourself this evening is which wine you like the best in each flight and we will pick the best master sommelier based on your answers.  This is the MS throw down where our two hosts will each select a wine for each flight and you our “Wine Drinking People” get to vote on which is your favorite.

The MS exam is one of the hardest to pass and fewer people percentage wise pass this than any other professional exams in the world including the bar exam to practice law and the medical exam to practice medicine.   There are 149 professionals who have earned the title of Master Sommelier as part of the Americas chapter since the organization's inception. Of those, 125 are men and 24 are women. There are 236 professionals worldwide who have received the title of Master Sommelier since the first Master Sommelier Diploma Exam.

Join us as we welcome two Master Sommeliers Laura DePascuale and Greg Harrington to the Wine Bar to throw down with some of their favorite wines.  Chef Toni Lampasone has a food pairing for each flight making this a four-course tasting menu with a few of my favorite things.  The fee for this tasting is $95 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com

Master Sommeliere Challenge featuring Laura Depasquale, M.S. Artisanal and Greg Harrington M.S.  “These are a few of my favorite things”
Tuesday February 6th
7:30pm

1st flight - Salmon Carpaccio with pink grapefruit Citrus with pink peppercorn aioli

Greg's Wine

2015 Miani Friulano Colli Orientali del Friuli Filip
Price: $63.00       Sale $55.44

(92 points) The 2015 Friulano Filip is one of the riper, more exotic wines in the range. Sweet apricot, tangerine and lightly tropical notes give the Filip its extroverted personality. I would prefer to drink the 2015 sooner rather than later, before the wine's undeniably flamboyant personality becomes overly dominant. (AG) (3/2017) Vinous

Laura's Wine

Terlano Winkl Sauvignon Blanc 2016
Price: $36.75       Sale $32.34

Light yellow in color, with tints of green, this beautiful Sauvignon has an intense fruity bouquet with nuances of elderblossom. It is gentle on the palate, with well-balanced acidity and a smooth aftertaste.

2nd flight - Seared Foie Gras lavender vanilla brioche Honeydew Melon Salsa

Greg's Wine

EMILIO ROJO RIBEIRO BLANCO 2015 
Price: $79.50       Sale $69.96

Emilio Rojo is an eccentric former engineer who established this estate in 1987, moving back to his native Galicia to restore ancient vineyard sites and winemaking traditions. He owns two hectares of terraced hillside vineyards in Ribeiro in a former Roman village that was known locally as Ibedo. The tiny parcel lies on granite soils and is surrounded by oak and chestnut trees.

Emilio replanted the site with the indigenous varieties that once grew on this same plot. Its north-facing exposure is key in creating structure in the wines since Ribeiro is a very hot denomination. All the wines are organically farmed by Emilio without the use of pesticides or non-organic fertilizer.

Laura's Wine

Passopisciaro Passobianco 2015
Price: $36.00       Sale $31.68

(90 points) “Bright straw-yellow. Rich buttery banana and pineapple but also lemon drop and grapefruit on the refined nose. Then similar flavors to the aromas with a vibrant saline backbone and very good lemony bite. A lovely wine with just a trace of alcoholic heat on the finish.” Vinous Media

3rd Flight - Duck Confit Lasagna

Greg's wine

2013 Philippe Gimel St Jean Du Barroux L'argile
Price: $29.25       Sale $25.74

(92 Points) "A step up over the La Source cuvee, the 2013 L’Argile is 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah and then 5% each of Carignan and Cinsault, all of which was aged two years in concrete tanks. It has a sappy, perfumed bouquet of white pepper, rose petals, kirsch, raspberries and pine that gives way to a medium to full-bodied, elegant, seamless profile on the palate. I love its tannin quality, and it has fabulous length on the finish as well. This beauty will be better in 2-3 years and have 15 years of overall longevity." Robert Parker's Wine Advocate Jeb Dunnuck

Laura's Wine

Domaine de Marcoux Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2014
Price: $62.00       Sale $54.56

(90 Points) The classy, elegant 2014 Châteauneuf du Pape has terrific purity as well as medium-bodied richness, loads of strawberry and framboise fruit, flowers and spice aromas and flavors; it has a ready to go, expansive, pleasure bent style. The blend in 2014 is 80% Grenache and 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, aged in a combination of demi-muids, concrete tanks and tronconique tanks. It should drink nicely through 2024. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

4th Flight - Venison Loin with Red wine Juniper Demi

Greg's wine

ArPePe "Sassella - Stella Retica" Valtellina Superiore Riserva 2010
Price: $53.00       Sale $46.64

(92 points) Crushed rose petals, mint, sweet tobacco, game, red cherry and cranberry lift from the glass in the 2010 Valtellina Superiore Sassella Riserva Stella Retica. Bright and salivating, with lively acidity laced throughout, the 2010 is an absolutely joyous wine to drink now and over the next decade. The 2010 is 100% Chiavennasca (Nebbiolo) that was given a relatively short ten days of maceration in oak vats followed by two years in cask and cement. Translucent and deeply expressive, with a long, sinewy finish, the 2010 is striking from the very first taste. (AG) (4/2016) Vinous

Laura's wine

Gramercy Cellars Columbia Valley Lagniappe Syrah 2013
Price: $63.75       Sale $56.10

(95 Points) Named after a French/Cajun term meaning roughly "a little something extra", the 2013 Syrah Lagniappe is a stunning barrel sample that has classic Syrah notes of sappy herbs, spring flowers, pepper and ample darker fruits. Tight, focused, medium to full-bodied and elegant, it's another 2013 that will benefit from short-term cellaring. I think it's slightly behind the 2012, but still a gorgeous wine. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Menu
Salmon Carpaccio with pink grapefruit Citrus with pink peppercorn aioli
Seared Foie Gras lavender vanilla brioche Honeydew Melon Salsa
Duck Confit Lasagna
Venison Loin with Red wine Juniper Demi

The fee for this tasting is $95 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com

A bit about Laura

Laura DePasquale MS began her hospitality career as a teenager, working for a fast food chain, but quickly moved into fine dining. Her first serious introduction to wine was in New York City, where she worked as a bartender at Arizona 206, followed by a stint as beverage director at the Royalton Hotel.

In the early 1990s, she moved to Miami and worked as an award-winning sommelier at Norman’s restaurant until she was recruited by Palm Bay International in 2001 as Florida state fine wine specialist.  In 2004, DePasquale achieved the Master Sommelier Diploma and has been an active educator, examiner and speaker for CMS-Americas.

After a series of promotions within Palm Bay over the course of 10 years, DePasquale left Palm Bay with the role of vice president of fine wine development under her belt. In 2011, she was recruited by The Country Vintner specifically to lead the turn-around of Stacole, the company’s fine wine distribution division in Florida which she developed into a leading fine wine distributor over 3 years.

Currently she is the Director of Fine Wine Development & Education at Southern Wine & Spirits Florida and is leading the creation of a new Fine Wine Distribution Concept for SWS called Artisanal Fine Wine & Spirits that launched in 2016.  Laura DePasquale MS was first a judge at the DWWA in 2015.

Greg Harrington and Laura DePasquale Assume Chair and Vice Chair Positions on the Board of Directors for the Court of Master Sommelier, Americas (Napa Valley, Calif.) January 9, 2012—The Court of Master Sommeliers today announced Greg Harrington as the new Chair and Laura DePasquale as the new Vice Chair of the Board of Directors. Harrington is the owner and winemaker of Gramercy Cellars in Walla Walla, Wash. and DePasquale is the Vice President/ General Manager for The Stacole Fine Wine Division of The Country Vintner. The Court is honored to have Harrington as the youngest American ever to pass the Master Sommelier exam, and DePasquale as the first woman to hold the Vice Chair position. Greg Harrington—A graduate of the Cornell School of Hotel Administration, in 1996 Harrington became the youngest American ever to pass the Master Sommelier exam at the age of 26. At the time, he was working as wine director for Emeril Lagasse’s restaurants in New Orleans and Las Vegas, where he developed a wine program that earned Wine Spectator’s Grand Award—an honor bestowed on fewer than 100 restaurants in the United States. More recently, he ran the beverage division for B.R. Guest’s 14 restaurants, including Blue Fin and Fiamma in New York, before moving to Walla Walla, Wash. and founding Gramercy Cellars where he is now the winemaker. In 2010, Gramercy Cellars proudly accepted the award for Best New Winery of the year from Food and Wine. “I’m honored to take on the role of Chairman of this prestigious institution. The Court’s legacy of great leadership is both humbling and intimidating. I look forward to representing the 118 Masters with honor and integrity. I suspect 2012 will be a landmark year for the Court as we continue to pursue our mission of being the preeminent wine examination organization in the world.” Laura DePasquale—As Vice President/General Manager for The Stacole Fine Wine Division of The Country Vintner, Laura DePasquale is the first woman in the U.S. to head a major distributor in a major market. The Country Vintner is a fast-growing multi-state importer and distributor dedicated to the niche market and culture of fine wine. Since DePasquale began leading Stacole Fine Wines, she has quickly been adding prestige wineries from around the world but specifically bringing wines in from Italy – her greatest passion and area of expertise. In 2004 DePasquale passed the rigorous series of exams that earned her the right to add the initials MS (Master Sommelier) after her name and joined an elite group of Master Sommeliers worldwide, becoming the 13th woman to achieve the title since the examinations were first set in 1969. “It’s an honor to serve the membership of the Court of Master Sommeliers-Americas as the new Vice Chair and in even greater honor to be the first woman elected to this position. We are poised for extraordinary growth. Together with the leadership of the new Chairman, Executive Director and the Board of Directors, I am confident that we will continue to be the leading organization for Wine and Service Excellence and maintain the rigorous standards of the Master Sommelier Diploma.” ABOUT THE COURT OF MASTER SOMMELIERS The Court of Master Sommeliers was established to encourage improved standards of beverage knowledge and service in hotels and restaurants. Education was then, and remains today, the Court's charter. The first successful Master Sommelier examination was held in the United Kingdom in 1969. By April 1977, the Court of Master Sommeliers was established as the premier international examining body. Over the four decades since the Court's first examination was held, 186 candidates have earned the Master Sommelier Diploma. In the service of wine, spirits and other alcoholic beverages, the Master Sommelier Diploma is the ultimate professional credential anyone can attain worldwide.

A bit about Greg:

Greg Harrington is the founder of and winemaker for Gramercy Cellars in Walla Walla, Washington. His winemaking focuses on great Washington vineyards, minimalist intervention, and balanced, earthy wines. At Gramercy, he focuses primarily on Rhone and Bordeaux varietals.

In 2008, Seattle Magazine named Greg “Best New Winemaker in Washington” and Gramercy “Best New Winery.” Food & Wine Magazine awarded Gramercy the “Best New Winery in America” in 2010. Wine & Spirits Magazine has named Gramercy to its “Top 100 Wineries in the World” list in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

In 1996 at the age of 26, Greg Harrington passed the Master Sommelier Exam, a title held by fewer than 130 people in the U.S. He currently serves as Chairman of the Court of Master Sommeliers Americas.

A 1992 graduate of the Cornell School of Hotel Administration, Greg began his career in wine as a sommelier at Joyce Goldstein’s Square One restaurant in San Francisco. From San Francisco, Greg travelled to New Orleans to serve as wine director for Emeril Lagasse’s restaurants in New Orleans and Las Vegas. While with Emeril, Greg developed a wine program that earned Wine Spectator’s Grand Award, which has been awarded to fewer than 100 restaurants in the U.S. He then moved to Las Vegas to join the Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group, which includes the Spago, Postrio, and Chinois restaurants, as an associate partner and wine director. Greg’s last foray in the restaurant business was in New York City with Steve Hanson and BR Guest Restaurants and James Hotels. There he oversaw the wine and alcohol programs for 15 restaurants and hotels in New York City, Las Vegas, Scottsdale, and Chicago.

Greg is a Christian and attends Mission Church in Walla Walla. He is regularly involved with charitable causes locally in Walla Walla and Seattle, as well as across the United States.

We have everything they make at Gramercy in the store!

2015 Gramercy Cellars Olsen Rose
Price: $30.00    Your Price: $26.40
Quantity in Stock: 4

The 2016 Rosé is groundbreaking for us. First, this is a single vineyard rosé -Olsen Vineyard. We love Olsen Vineyard for Rhone varieties and want to showcase the vineyard with this rosé.  Secondly, for years, we have wanted to co-ferment all the varieties together.  Usually, the Syrah ripens before the Cinsault and Grenache, so we have two different ferments. We would ferment Syrah alone and then co-ferment Cinsault and Grenache. In 2016, in very early September, we realized that all three grapes were on the verge of being ready.  This was mostly the result of farming Syrah a bit differently given the warmer vintages of recent years.  The Cinsault and Grenache were a bit less ripe than we had picked in recent years, but we liked the flavors. We called Leif Olsen to harvest all our blocks.

We macerated the rosé on skins for about 6 hours total.  We gently pressed the wine when it hit a beautiful Pacific Northwest Sockeye Salmon color.  The wine was fermented cold for about 18 days in stainless steel.  We favor stainless steel for this fermentation to preserve freshness and acidity.

The 2016 Rosé is a blend of 52% Cinsault, 24% Grenache and 24% Syrah.  The wine is racier and citrus dominate than years past, but retains intense minerality.  Truly refreshing for the warm summer days ahead.

Tasting Notes: Aromas of fresh strawberry, ruby red grapefruit, cantaloupe, mandarin orange.  Stone, mineral, Parmesan rind. Medium bodied with moderate-plus acid.

2013 Gramercy Cellars Cabernet Columbia Valley
Price: $60.00    Your Price: $52.80
Quantity in Stock: 2

(94 Points) I compared the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon (86% Cabernet, 10% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot) to a top Margaux last year when I tasted if from barrel, and I stand by that comparison today. Sandalwood, kirsch, black currants and floral notes all emerge from this beautiful, silky, impeccably polished and balanced Cabernet that has no hard edges, medium to full-bodied richness and a seamless profile that makes it impossible to resist. It's going to keep for 15+ years.   The Wine Advocate

2014 Gramercy Cellars Cabernet Lower East
Price: $38.25    Your Price: $33.66
Quantity in Stock: 6

(91 Points) Coming from the Columbia Valley, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Lower East from Gramercy is a polished, classy Cabernet Sauvignon that has lots of spice box, black currants and dried herbs in a supple, rounded, delicious and textured style. It's ideal for drinking over the coming 5-7 years. The Wine Advocate

2013 Gramercy Syrah The Deuce Walla Walla
Price: $54.00    Your Price: $47.52
Quantity in Stock: 5

(94 Points)  "Formerly called the Walla Walla Syrah, the 2013 Syrah The Deuce comes mostly from the Les Collines vineyard, yet also incorporates smaller amounts from Forgotten Hills and The Rocks vineyards. Aged 18 months in 10% new Puncheons, this sees slightly more whole clusters than the Columbia Valley Syrah, with almost 60% of the grapes fermented with no destemming. It has a lot of Rocks character in its meaty, pepper, lavender, olive and black and blue fruit-driven bouquet. This is followed by a full-bodied, concentrated and balanced Syrah that has solid tannic grip and good acidity. It will benefit from short-term cellaring and drink well for a decade after that.  The Wine Advocate

2014 Gramercy Grenache The Third Man Columbia Valley
Price: $44.25    Your Price: $38.94
Quantity in Stock: 9

(94 Points) The 2014 The Third Man is a ripe, sexy blend of 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 5% Carignan and 5% Mourvèdre that’s from the Alder Ridge, Olsen and Forgotten Hills vineyards. Herbes des Provence, kirsch liqueur, black cherries, leather and pepper all emerge from this medium to full-bodied, nicely balanced, seamless Grenache that will dish out tons of pleasure right out of the gate. It will have a decade or more of longevity. The Wine Advocate

2013 Gramercy Cellars Syrah Lower East
Price: $33.75    Your Price: $29.70
Quantity in Stock: 9

(93 Points)  The aromas bring immediate appeal, with notes of brown stems, herbs, crushed flowers, smoked meat and black pepper. The flavors don't disappoint, showing purity, focus and generosity with a spot-on sense of balance and a lengthy finish that kicks it up a notch. Give it time to open up.  Wine Enthusiast

2013 Gramercy Cellars Lagniappe Syrah
Price: $63.75    Your Price: $56.10
Quantity in Stock: 7

(95 Points) Named after a French/Cajun term meaning roughly "a little something extra", the 2013 Syrah Lagniappe is a stunning barrel sample that has classic Syrah notes of sappy herbs, spring flowers, pepper and ample darker fruits. Tight, focused, medium to full-bodied and elegant, it's another 2013 that will benefit from short-term cellaring. I think it's slightly behind the 2012, but still a gorgeous wine. The Wine Advocate