Message in the Bottle - Book Review, Author Tim Gaiser, MS
Wines: What Tim is Recommending for Spring
Tim Gaiser is a Master Sommelier certified by the Court of Master Sommeliers, one of 273 individuals worldwide to ever attain a Master Sommelier designation. It’s said to be one of the most difficult tests in the world. Tim Gaiser, MS, is internationally renowned as an industry wine expert, educator, and writer. I am pleased and grateful to have Tim with us today. For our Wine Wanderings subscribers, Tim Gaiser, MS, was one of my first professors at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in Napa Valley in 2009, where I started my wine education journey.
Tim has written a new book, Message in the Bottle: A Guide for Tasting Wine. Tim has taught me and thousands of students at every level of wine tasting expertise, from consumers to those studying for Diploma of Wine and Master Sommelier. He is uniquely qualified to write this practical book full of interesting chapters offering how-to instructions. Some of the chapters include: the Evil Dwarves, Installing Olfactory Memories, and Great Wine vs. Great Wine Experiences. Join Tim and I in the following clips as he explains his wine journey, his motivation for writing the book, and the gist of several of his exceptional chapters. He has some terrific wine recommendations below for Spring.
Why Did You Write This Book? About Tim Gaiser, MS
“From a music major (Masters Degree) to a bartender to a wine buyer to a sommelier, until my late 30’s I was in an out of the restaurant and wine business…from 2003-2011 I was the Education Chair for the Court of Master Sommeliers for the US and Canada (173 MSs in Canada and US, 273 around the world.)….I was too busy to do much writing, but I was collecting tasting techniques for my students….following the introduction of my blog, 10 years passed and it took the Pandemic to give me time to publish a tasting book.” – Tim Gaiser, MS
What do you mean by “Evil Dwarves”?
“Confronting the Evil Dwarves…they are a subset of red and white grapes that often confuse students. They might have these characteristics:
· Some examples are semi-aromatic grapes like Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley (France), Pinot Grigio from Alto Adige (Italy), Pinot Gris from Alsace (France), Gruner Veltliner from Austria, Dry Riesling from Alsace and Germany, and Albariño from Spain.
· They can look alike, even have similar fruit character, but they have different impact compounds, or floral qualities, peppers, or winemaking characteristics.
· As professionals, we must ‘own those things’ and understand how to recognize them.”
– Tim Gaiser, MS
Great Wine vs. Great Wine Experiences
“With my wife Carla, we went to Europe, enjoying several experiences:
· The first time being in Florence was magical, especially the Uffizi Gallery, but generally, the art, food, and wine.
· The Europeans are brought up with ‘living to eat vs. eating to live,’ where all life comes to a halt because dinner is a thing.
· How delicious the simple Chianti Classic was--a great wine experience is when you are with the person of your dreams with great food and great wine.
· I should note that in the chapter I have eight essays on great wine experiences.”
– Tim Gaiser, MS
What Wine is Tim Gaiser Recommending for Spring?
Tim Gaiser, MS, has exquisite taste in wine, and seeks out the best great-value wines. I think I will order all of these.
White and pink wines:
2021 Alois Lageder Pinot Bianco, Alto Adige, Italy, $18
James Suckling, 89 Points
2020 Inama Soave Classico, Veneto Italy, $29
James Suckling, 95 Points
2021 Dry Creek Fume Blanc, Sonoma Country, CA., $17
Wine Spectator, 90 Points
2021 Domaine de Fontsainte Gris de Gris Rose, Corbières, France, $20
A crisp rosé of direct-press Grenache Gris.
2021 Château Thivin Beaujolais Villages Rose, $22
Only 2% of Beaujolais production is Rosé. That makes the Thivin Rosé on of the world’s rarest.
Reds:
Juan Gil Monastrell/Mourvèdre, Jumilla, Spain, $15
James Suckling, 90 Points, Vegan wine.
2018 Andre Brunel Cotes du Rhone, France, $15
Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault blend. Try it with lamb.
2020 Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel, Central Coast, CA $19
Wine Enthusiast, 90 Points
2019 Catena Malbec High Mountain Vines, Mendoza, Argentina, $14
This Catena Malbec is sourced and blended from the family´s high-altitude vineyards in Maipú, Lujan de Cuyo, Tupungato, and San Carlos
2020 Yalumba Samuel’s Collection Bush Vine Grenache, South Australia $18
Wine Enthusiast, 92 Points
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