@PeterWasserman

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Welcome to #SommChat everyone! Tell your friends to join us to learn about #wine for the next hour from a top wine professional

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): I’d like to introduce every1 to top #wine professional @PeterWasserman of Selection Becky Wasserman, joining us to answer #wine Qs #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): @PeterWasserman will also be a Judge for #food & #wine pairing competition #SommsUF in #ATX on May 1 http://bit.ly/fakeEB #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): If you’re joining us for #SommChat, please give a shout out to @PeterWasserman so he knows you’re here!

@MattReiser (Matt Reiser): @keepercoll we are ready…let’s here from @peterwasserman–insane wine knowledge #sommchat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): @MattReiser too kind Matt #sommchat

@jennaweiberg (Jenna Weiberg): Hi @PeterWasserman! Ready for a great discussion #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): @jennaweiberg Thanks i’m looking forward to it too #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Don’t forget the EVERY tweet during this chat should include the #SommChat hashtag in order for everyone to see it!

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Hi @MattReiser! Welcome back to #SommChat!

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Hi @jennaweiberg! Welcome back to #SommChat!

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): After @PeterWasserman answers each Q, you’re welcome to ask follow up Qs or make comments. Peter’s ready to chat w/ you abt #wine! #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Near the end, we’ll announce random winner for today’s #giveaway from @PeterWasserman! But you gotta tweet using #SommChat 2 win!

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): One #SommChat participant will get dinner for 2 + #wine pairings personally prepared by @peterwasserman! Can be in #NY, #ATX, or #Burgundy!

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q1. @PeterWasserman What are the four main #wine classifications in #France? #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): A1. “Vin de Table” 12% of French wines need producer & country identified. #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): A1. “Vin de Pays” 34% of French wines must be from specific region & there are restrictions for varieties & production methods #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): A1. “VDQS” Vins De Qualité Supérieur 1% of French wines. It’s the “AOC waiting room” #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): Those are the 4 categories #SommChat

@corkhoarder (Bryan Garcia): @peterwasserman What’s the best bottle of red burg you’ve ever had? #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): @corkhoarder The best Bottle was a 1937 Corton Charlemagne from Bouchard Ainé for white #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): @corkhoarder and 1924 Clos de la Pousse d’or for red #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): @PeterWasserman So how does #Burgundy wine get classified – moving either up or down the classification hierarchy? #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): #Burgundy in Côte d’Or has 4 levels of Classification #Sommchat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): “Appelation #Bourgogne Contrôlée” is regional (AKA”Bourgogne #Aligoté #Passtougrains Hautes Côtes”) #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): “Appellation 1er Cru Controlée” (AKA “1er Cru”) must be from vineyards designated 1er Cru or above #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): If you claim a vineyard name, the grapes must come from that vineyard #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): If you blend several 1er Cru vineyards, you’re allowed for ex. “Appellation #VosneRomanée 1er Cru Contrôlée” #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): “Appellation #GrandCru Contrôlée” (AKA Grand Cru) can only come from Grand Cru vineyard – usually from a specific one #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): Some Grand Cru vineyards can be blended & keep GC status as in #Corton – GC Renarde + GC Perrières can be GC Corton #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): And that in a nutshell is the #burgundy classification. #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q2. @PeterWasserman Can American made sparkling wine ever be called #Champagne? #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): A2. #Champagne is a French #AOC it can’t be used for anything else but wines that come from that specific region #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): #Champagne can only be made under that AOC’s rules #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): American #sparkling #wines have their own appellations & classifications #SommChat

@jennaweiberg (Jenna Weiberg): @PeterWasserman Can you tell us some of your favorite “value” #champagne is and why? #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): Favorite value is #GrowerChampagne – it’s the best bang for your $. Look for #Champagne & Village cream color Strip Label – that’s us! #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): Sorry had to do a little plug for our wines ) #SommChat

@MattReiser (Matt Reiser): @peterwasserman I am an official #Champagne & Village evangelist #sommchat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): @MattReiser Thanks Matt!!! #Champagne #sommchat

@jennaweiberg (Jenna Weiberg): @PeterWasserman Thanks! Will keep an eye out for that! #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q3. @PeterWasserman Is rosé #wine made from white or red grapes? #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): A3. Rosé bubbly is made 1 of 2 ways: 1st is soaking red grapes for enough time for the juice to color: called “rosé de saignée” – in this case, it’s red grapes #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): A3. The 2nd way is blending red & white juice called “rosé d’assemblage” and this can be made from red & white grapes. #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): @peterwasserman Interesting! #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q4. @PeterWasserman What is the grape variety in #Chablis? #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): A4. The Variety in #Chablis is #Chardonnay #SommChat

@jennaweiberg (Jenna Weiberg): @PeterWasserman So what makes a #Chablis a Chablis instead of a #Chardonnay? #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): #Chablis is a region & #AOC in France. No other region in the world can be called Chablis #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q5. @PeterWasserman We often see/drink things like Cotes de Nuits, Cotes du Rhone, etc…What does “Cotes” mean? #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): A5. Côtes means hillside or incline. The wines in the mentioned regions are all mainly hillside productions. #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q6. @PeterWasserman If u think you’ve ordered a flawed/corked #wine, what’s the most appropriate way to approach the #sommelier? #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): A6. An appropriate approach to a Somm is to say to her/him “I think this #wine is corked. May I have your opinion please?” #SommChat

@jennaweiberg (Jenna Weiberg): @PeterWasserman What if it’s a REALLY expensive bottle? #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): What do you think @MattReiser? Your the Somm! #wine #sommelier #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): @jennaweiberg The price of #wine has no bearing on corked or not. Proceed exactly in the same way when informing your #Sommelier #SommChat

@jennaweiberg (Jenna Weiberg): @PeterWasserman Good to know…thanks! #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): @PeterWasserman it can be a tough thing to approach a #sommelier with – thanks for the tip #SommChat #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): @keepercoll The somm is there to help you enjoy your experience don’t be afraid of the somm! #sommelier #SommChat #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q7. @PeterWasserman Are #French #wine growers allowed to irrigate their #vineyards? #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): A7. In the #AOC category #vineyards can’t be irrigated #sommchat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): A7. One can water the individual vines until the 3rd or 4th year & then the vines must fend for themselves #SommChat

@corkhoarder (Bryan Garcia): @peterwasserman How does innovation occur in a region as “traditional” as burgundy? #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): @corkhoarder Ever heard of boy like toys? Well our wine makers like them too! Can’t keep them away from new improvements! #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): @corkhoarder Innovation happens the same there as anywhere on earth. When someone finds a “better” way to work #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): @corkhoarder In fact #Burgundy is quite cutting edge. For ex: 3 levels of triage, leaders in organic reconversion #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Remember, you gotta tweet to win today’s #giveaway! #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q8. @PeterWasserman When is it important for a wine to have a wine cork rather than a screw top and why? #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): A8. In my opinion, #cork is still the best for wine that must be aged beyond 5 yrs #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): A8. We haven’t enough time yet, w/ modern closure systems to tell if the engineering permits proper aging. #SommChat

@jennaweiberg (Jenna Weiberg): @PeterWasserman Are you seeing more #burgundy #winemakers use screw tops lately? #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): @jennaweiberg Yes I am. The screw top is becoming popular #burgundy #winemakers #SommChat

@corkhoarder (Bryan Garcia): @peterwasserman @keepercoll how long till all “great” burgundy is too expensive for all “normal” people? #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): @corkhoarder Same as cars: your grandfather bought them for under $3000 #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): @corkhoarder But $ for $, a village level wine is often less expensive than an Oregon #pinot or a Californian. Burgundies are not that expensive #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): @corkhoarder at the top end, the top 2% of #burgundy is very expensive, & that’s what people remember #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): @corkhoarder but 98% of burgundy pricing is neck to neck with international price of pinots #SommChat

@jennaweiberg (Jenna Weiberg): @PeterWasserman What is the greatest number of triages that you have seen in #Burgundy? More than three? #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): @jennaweiberg 3 is what I’m seeing today #Burgundy #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q9. @PeterWasserman Are there any emerging #French #wine regions that aren’t talked as much but you think are worth noting? #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): A9. Yes, several & most important for me is Languedoc Roussillon. Great quality wines at international competitive prices #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q10. @PeterWasserman Do you have any advice for someone just starting out in learning about, drinking, or collecting #wine? #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): A10. YES! Develop a good relationship with a well regarded wine merchant or Retail Shop. Your best step to take ever. #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): A10. A good merchant should have great cellar options, but also $12 & $50 options for you #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): I loved Q10 because that is my personal price category #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): You do not have to spend much to really drink well and for a lifetime!!! #Sommchat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): It’s about the construction of wine, its architecture, and its backbone – not about price #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): That’s all the Q’s WE have for @PeterWasserman – if any1 has any others, ask away! We’ll announce the #giveaway winner momentarily #SommChat

@corkhoarder (Bryan Garcia): @peterwasserman most overrated nuits producer? #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): I can’t answer that online @corkhoarder. I take the 5th! #Sommchat #WW #Wine

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): And the winners of the #SommChat #giveaway from @PeterWasserman for personally prepared & #wine paired dinner for 2 are…

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): @corkhoarder & @1queenofspoons – #winners of @Peterwasserman #SommChat #Giveaway! Congratulations!!

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): SUPER let me know where!!!! #winners #SommChat #Giveaway

@BlindedBite (Blinded By The Bite): Congrats to @corkhoarder @1queenofspoons! Way to start off Wine Wed! cc: @Peterwasserman @keepercoll #SommChat #WW #Wine

@jennaweiberg (Jenna Weiberg): Thanks @PeterWasserman! Learned a lot of new information and good advice today! #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): @jennaweiberg Thank you for being part of it! #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Thanks to everyone for joining us for #SommChat! I hope you learned something about #wine and @PeterWasserman

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): I hope everyone will join me in thanking @PeterWasserman for an awesome job sharing his #wine knowledge! #SommChat

@peterwasserman (Peter Wasserman): Thanks for having me! #SommChat #wine

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): @PeterWasserman youve been an AWESOME #SommChat guest! *round of applause* Thanks for everything!

@1queenofspoons (Susan Gayle): Thanks for great #SommChat @keepercoll & @peterwasserman – I look forward to meeting you!

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Join next Wed 4/13 @ #SommChat w/ #sommelier Chris McFall @PaggiHouse! Submit Qs on our FB wall http://on.fb.me/hjQDBL Happy #WineWednesday!