Irene, one of my classmates in Bregenz was taking the
Aufbauseminar and its exam for the second time. She and her
husband, Elmar, visited the Aufbauseminar for the first time
in Krems in Lower Austria. Irene tells me that she and her
husband had been sure that they had passed the exam with
flying colors and were extremely dissappointed when Elmar
just barely passed and Irene didn't. She says, "You'll know
by the size of the envelope: a big one will have your certificate
inside and a small one will have bad news." Irene is as determined
to pass this exam as I am.
All exams are proofed personally by Dr. Josef Schuller MW,
director of the Austrian Wine Academy. We are told that it
will take at least six weeks for us to receive our exam results.
I sure hope Dr. Schuller can read my shakey writing. Will
he notice how it suddenly got better once the wine tasting
started? Will he dock off points for my errous German grammar?
And most importantly....will I pass and receive my certificate?
Five weeks pass before I start meeting our ever-punctual
mailman at the door. I am eager to sign up for the Diploma
Course, the registration date is approaching as is a month's
absence in France. I try to feign leisurely non-chalance
as I daily snatch the post from the mailman's hands. His
suspicions grow and he eventually asks me what the heck I
am waiting for, "The lottery or a letter from a long lost
lover?". Not wanting to raise suspicions in the village (gossip
sure travels fast), I tell him I am waiting for an envelope
from the Austrian Wine Academy.
The eighth week is here and I am busy packing for France.
I've arranged for my nephew to check my post during my absence
and send off my registration if I receive the Academy's Certificate.The
doorbell rings. I've given up on childishly anticipating
my cerficate.
Thomas, our mailman has become so accustomed to my meeting
him at the door, that he's apparantly missing our short little
conversations because there he is standing in the entrance.
With a big grin and a BIG ENVELOPE from the Austrian
Wine Academy!
Tasting notes after reading my exam score:
Bellavista "Sbocaturra" 1999 Franciacorta Brut
Pale straw color with a fine mousse. This smells more like
Champagne than Spumante.... freshly baked white bread and
crunchy sweet apple aroma. Nice and creamy on the palate.
Very well balanced, complex and lots of potential. I wonder
if I can hide a few bottles from myself to age a few years?
Score: 18.8/20
Piper-Heidsiek 1982
Pale golden color. Delicious nose with toasted almonds,
butter, biscuit and still lots of fruit. Fresh pleasing acidity
and complexity on the palate with a long finish. This is
a classic mature Champagne more suited for a special birthday
or anniversary and a bit "over-dressed" for just passing
a silly old test.....but then, Georg and I are leaving for
France with the children in just a few days... Bon Voyage!
Score: 19.8/20
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