My guest this week is Master Sommelier Joesph Spellman from Justin vineyards and winery in Paso Robles.
Joesph Spellman MS
You’ve seen the movie Somm, you probably heard of some local folks who have taken the first level of this very challenging 4-level course of study, but you probably never heard what all that entails from one who has completed it. There are 140 professionals who hold the title Master Sommelier in North America and the CMS Americas. Of those 119 are men and 21 are women. There are 219 professionals worldwide who have earned the title Master Sommelier since the first Master Sommelier Diploma Exam.
Joseph Spellman, MS is Winery Sommelier for JUSTIN Vineyards and Winery of Paso Robles, CA. He has been sommelier in several Chicago restaurants, including Tango, Maxim’s, Pump Room, Park Hyatt Hotel, and Charlie Trotter’s. Joseph earned the Master Sommelier Diploma in 1996, held now by 95 Americans, and 160 individuals worldwide. He was elected Chairman of the American Chapter of the Court in 2005. He also won the 1997 title “Best Sommelier in the World in French Wines and Spirits” in Paris.
In the second half we will talk about the upcoming AIWF Midwest Winefest dinner featuring the wines of Justin Winery that takes place on Friday April 24 at the Double Tree by Hilton – Wichita Airport. We’ll discuss the wines, the food pairings and more! Check out the menu here.
Learn more about Justin at www.justinwine.com
Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week: Two fine wines from Paso Robles…
2013 Justin Sauvignon Blanc
100% Sauvignon Blanc fermented in stainless with no malolactic fermentation. Fresh aromas of lemon with a hint of grapefruit, white peach, tropical fruit and blackcurrant blossom. On the palate there is bright lemon with a little lime and passion fruit on entry. Mineral and lemongrass notes on the mid-palates, and a refreshing finish of citrus and tropical fruit with a bit of minerality.
2012 Justin Cabernet Sauvignon
100% Cabernet aged 16 months in American oak, 30% new. An attractive aromatic mix of red and black cherry with blackcurrant, cinnamon, cocoa, cedar and purple flowers. The palate shows medium body, with a complex mix of red and black fruit of cherries and currants, with cinnamon, cocoa, and a hint of violet in the background. The finish is long and crisp, with cherry, mineral and floral components balanced by soft tannins.