Wine

Spin the Bottle

Guess What’s Behind the Blindfold?

Kent Rosenblum

How about an updated version of the TV show Name That Tune that has big stars trying to guess which wine is in the glass? I’m not sure it would be a huge hit, as there are definitely more music lovers than wine consumers in our country; however, the stars would likely have more fun.
    Kathy and I recently enjoyed the Kapalua Wine and Food Festival in Maui, where we attended a seminar put on by four master sommeliers on how to identify wines from around the world by vintage, region and vineyard. Our 2002 Rosenblum Cellars Annette’s Reserve Zinfandel was one of the six wines featured in the seminar. All of the wines were presented blind—so nobody knew which one was which.
    A master sommelier, by the way, is an accomplished wine person who takes a series of advanced classes on wines from around the world. The final exam is held in London, where the candidates need to correctly identify six of 10 wines blind to pass the test. Unsuccessful candidates definitely outnumber the successful ones.
    A master sommelier’s regular daily duties include working with major restaurants building great wine lists, recommending wines to customers and doing educational training and seminars. That sounds like serious business, but most of them realize that wine is fun, should be fun and is here to enjoy, not put on a pedestal.
    I think that sentiment is reflected in many of the new labels showing up in the marketplace, some of which are incorporating animal themes (of which I know a bit). How about “Goats du Roam,” a South African take-off on the French Côtes du Rhône? Goats du Roam is put out by a winery called Fairview that actually has a goat farm and specializes in chèvre (goat cheese) production. The originator of this idea is a fellow named Jeremy Borg, who is an accomplished chef and happened to train for his wine career at Rosenblum Cellars.
    Then we have the Australian brand Yellow Tail with a wallaby on the label and The Little Penguin with a small penguin portrait. You can even find a giant rooster on Rex Goliath bottles.
    On another tack, there are some more irreverent names showing up like “Big Ass Cab” or “Screw Kappa Napa,” and then there is the transportation theme with things like “Red Truck” and “Red Bicyclette.”
    Are these wines any good? Well, that’s in the eye, or mouth, of the beholder, but they are certainly starting to break tradition and make wine-consuming less stuffy and more a part of the everyday meal.
    By the way, just for fun, try a blind sampling with your spouse or friends and see if they can name that wine.