There is this geeky thing on the web called the Geilweilerhof database that has every conceivable synonym for every conceivable grape on the planet that I visited it often when I was studying for the test I took in August in 2007.

I remember one of the questions on the test was “ What is Mataro called in France?”

Whatever! Well if I had not studied this weird quirky subject, I would have gotten that wrong on my test. (Actually I think I guessed at that one.)

In Austria common grapes have all sorts of silly names. Chardonnay is called Morillon and Feinburgunder but in France the aliases include Aubaine, Auvernat, Beaunois, Epinette Blanche, Petite Sainte-Marie and Weisser Clevner!

Also in Austria Pinot Blanc is called Weissburgunder and Klevner, Blaufrankish is known as Lemberger in Washinton State but it is also called Kekfracos in Hungary! And some of the other grape names, although they might not have synonyms in other countries are equally silly, Zierfandler, Rotgipfler and Blauer Wildbacher just to name a few.

Don’t get me started on Switzerland! The most important grape in the country that makes fab watches, (and is a great place to keep your cash if you have lots) is Chasselas. But it has three different names, Fendant in the Valais, Dorin in the Vaud and Perlan in Geneva!

If you travel to Pourtugal some of the grapes of Spain have totally different names. Tempranillo is Aragonez in the south and Tinto Roriz in the area where Port is made. Mencia the grape of Bierzo is called Jaen. Garnacha (called Grenache in France and Cannonau on the Island of Sardinia) is called Alicante, but that’s not to be confused with Alicante Bouschet which is a cross between Grenache and Petite Bouschet.

Malbec is a classic grape of France that has about 34 different names including Pressac, Auxerrois, Cot and Grifforin. But as the black grape, Malbec is called Auxerrois in Cahors in Southern France. But Auxerrois in Alsace and Chablis is a white grape while in other parts of France Malbec is called Cahors!

Nebbiolo is called Spanna in Gattinara and Ghemme, Picutener and Pugnet in the Carema DOC of N.W. Piedmont and Chiavennasca in Lombardy. At least these grape aliases are confined to the same area of Italy!

Welschriesling in Austria is not to be confused with the Riesling of Germany, which is called Riesling Renano in Italy. But there is a Riesling in Austria that should not be confused with the true German Johannisburg Riesling, which is known by the name Rheinriesling, aka Olasz in Hungary.

Ugni Blanc or St. Emilion (not the AOC in Bordeaux) in Cognac and Armagnac is called Trebbiano in Italy with the exception of in Tuscany and Umbria where it can be called Procanico. But don’t call Trebbiano d’Abruzzo Trebbiano because in actuality it is the grape Bombino of the Abruzzo.

Every now and again people comment about how much fun it would be to study the subject of wine implying that studying about wine includes the constant consumption of wine. All I can do is think about explaining what really goes into studying about wine (see above) and then I decide against it and say, “You got that right!” with a conspiratorial wink.

Oh and a quick hint about Greek grape names, if the name of the grape has a lot of X’s or multiple K’s of the word tiko or mavro imbedded somewhere in the name, it is a grape grown in Greece.

OY!

“Oh bliss! Bliss and heaven! Oh, it was gorgeousness and gorgeousity made flesh. It was like a bird of rarest-spun heaven metal or like silvery wine flowing in a spaceship, gravity all nonsense now. As I slooshied, I knew such lovely pictures!”

Alex in A Clockwork Orange (1971)

Santé

I started this journey in 2004. I knew of only one person that had taken the first test here and I was the second.  Since then many of my friends here have taken that test successfully and then moved on to take the certified level. Here in Milwaukee there are a good dozen wine professionals that are certified sommeliers. Although I am the only person here to have passed the advanced sommelier exam, I know there are many to come.

Milwaukee has a very sophisticated wine community but the rest of the country hasn’t connected the dots in their (wine culture) view of us. With my passing the Master Sommelier and with each passing first level, certified sommelier and advanced sommelier, the dots will be connected.

A group of wine professionals, and I am proud to say my friends, get together every Monday to taste. Right now we are tasting by varietal and in the mix there will be blind tasting. There are so many possible combinations in regards to tasting that it is almost hard to fathom.

But we continue to taste and sometimes we study. We are taking a test that is coming up so eventually we will hit the books to get that one checked off.

So this is is the beginning of the last leg of my testing journey. I have three years to pass all three parts.

Blind tasting six difficult wines - the advanced level was easy compared to this. There we had Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and possibly Malbec. Compared to what I will be up against those really are easy.

Theory….you can”t even imagine, right now I am committing to memory all of the sub regions of Greece and the grapes soils and producers of each of those then off to Bulgaria, Romania and Slovenia. Yipee!!!

And then service which is 45 minutes under a microscope being judged by the clique you want to join!

This is the most ambitious challenge I have ever undertaken and I am determined to succeed!

Napa here I come, in February that is!

Well after 2.5 years working as a wine sales person and a food and beverage director for two different companies, I found my self with no time for my family, no time for studying and most importantly no time for my self.

So back to waiting tables I go, back to seeing my boys and husband and back to studying for the most challenging thing I have ever tried to do, pass the Master Sommelier exam.

Milwaukee Wisconsin has a very sophisticated wine community and maybe this will help put us on the map!

Scott\’s family were part owners of the Chalone Winery and currently own and operate Woodward-Graff Wines. Scott is also the proprietor of Appellation Wine Company, a group working exclusively with small production, family-owned wineries. Such wineries include Bailyana, Pariaso, Graff Family Estates, and Tangent. Scott\’s knowledge of Californian wine history enthralls everyone who gets a chance to hear him speak.

Menu to be determined

Date: Thursday, July 15th
Time: 7pm
Cost: $55 including tax & tip

Contact La Merenda at 414-389-0125
Reservations are required
Start Time: 19:00
Date: 2010-07-15

In other news …..

Helloooooo Spring! When I think of spring one of the first things that jump out at me is “Fresh Halibut is now available!”  Immediately after I start my wine shopping list to fill my cellar with the fresh new vintage whites and (Yes!) rosés that I can enjoy.

Think out of the box and look for Albarino from Spain, Viognier from California and the crisp whites from southern Italy. So many amazing whits can be found from all over the world. When you are tempted to

Professional Wine Consultants Toni Johnson will be sitting the Master Sommelier exam in August of 2010. If she passes she will become the first Master Sommelier in Wisconsin and one of only 16 women in the US to hold this prestigious title. I will be blogging on the process of studying for this exam on our website Professional Wine Consultants or follow me on Twitter

Cheers,

Nate Norfolk and Toni Johnson

Dream Dance Sommelier Smackdown Dinner

Monday April 19 and Tuesday April 20th, 2010

Time: Arrival 5:30, seating at 6:00

Location: Dream Dance Steak 1721 West Canal Street • Milwaukee WI 53233

Cost: $50 plus tax and gratuity

Description: Advanced Sommelier Toni Johnson and Certified Sommelier David Harrell will each pair a wine with three courses created by Chef Jason Gorman. Guests will then vote on which wines paired best with the course. Fantastic wines and delicious meal, this is one event not to miss.

THE MENU:

First Course

Fresh bacon and mushroom hand dipped ricotta blintzes with Port Cipollini jam.

Wine pairing ~  Gruet NV Sparkling Rose of Pinot Noir, New Mexico

Second Course

Loup de Mer or Mediterranean Sea Bass with white shrimp golabki and a preserved lemon sauce.

Wine pairing ~ 2008 Four Graces Pinot Gris, Dundee Hills, Oregon

Warm potato lefse with seasonal fruits with a Grand Marnier caramel sauce.
Wine pairing ~  R.L. Buller & Son Premium Fine Muscat, Rutherglen, Victoria

Seating is limited so reservations are recommended.

Please call 414-847-7883

]]> http://www.wineproevents.com/2010/04/06/another-dream-dance-sommelier-smackdown-with-professional-wine-consultants-master-sommelier-candidate-toni-johnson/feed/ http://www.wineproevents.com/2009/12/14/dream-dance-sommelier-showdown-dinner/ http://www.wineproevents.com/2009/12/14/dream-dance-sommelier-showdown-dinner/#comments Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:56:00 +0000 Nate http://www.wineproevents.com/2009/12/14/dream-dance-sommelier-showdown-dinner/ Title: Dream Dance Sommelier Showdown Dinner
Location: Dream Dance Steak 1721 WEST CANAL STREET • MILWAUKEE, WI 53233
Link out: Click here
Description: Certified Sommeliers Nate Norfolk and Kim Fischer will each pair a wine with three courses. Diners vote on what the best pairing is. You get a five course meal and six wines for only $50.

THE MENU:

Amuse

Beef tar tar, truffle aioli

First Course

Sea Scallop, wild mushroom risotto, lemon butter sauce

Second Course

Braised Pork, Root vegetable 2 ways, brussels sprout puree

Third Course

Grass-Fed Beef, herb potato puree, Madeira sauce

Petite Fours

Reservations recommended.
Please call 414-847-7883

Cost: $50 plus gratuity
Start Time: 18:00
Date: 2010-01-25

Yalumba \”The Scribbler\” Cabernet-Shiraz (blend from the Barossa Valley in Australia)

Plungerhead Lodi Zinfandel (despite the ridiculous name this is a great everyday red)

414.332.0880
Start Time: 16:00
Date: 2009-12-19
End Time: 18:00

Contact:
414-277-0777

Email: nate@wineproevents.com
Start Time: 18:00
Date: 2009-12-16
End Time: 20:00

$55 including tax and gratuity.
Start Time: 19:00
Date: 2009-07-15

Cost: $20.00 per person

Call ahead for reservations:
414-390-9463
Start Time: 5:30
Date: December 1st, 2009