The Chardonnay Blind Mock Mini Exam
One of the classic questions on the MW tasting exam focuses on identifying chardonnay from numerous regions. As chardonnay is a grape which lends itself to manipulation (or "flexibility to technique" if the word "manipulation" makes you uneasy), this provides a particular challenge as you need to quickly weed out if the character you are tasting comes from what the winemaker did to it as opposed to where it came from. Is that little bitter note on the finish lack of ripeness, oak, or maybe lees? This is hard enough if you have some time to spend on each wine, but under the shadow of a ticking clock it gets even more difficult. I can't tell you how many times I have been in mocks where I am thinking to myself "God damn is this chardonnay expressive and tasty! This must be a super premium $100 bottle from Australia. Wait... It sort of tastes like butterscotch and candy... This might be fucking Yellow Tail..." Next thing you know you are pan...
