Great Sommelier Challenge



 

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This challenge has ended! Watch for the results, and a new challenge featuring another fine restaurant, around the middle of September.

Charlie Trotter's The Great Sommelier Challenge
By Hoke Harden for Wine Lovers' Page
What wine lover wouldn't jump at the chance to perform as a sommelier in a world-class restaurant? After all, you know about wine, you know about food, and heck, why couldn't you do as good a job as the lucky stiff in the tuxedo?

Well, here's your chance, wine lover. Take The Great Sommelier Challenge. In this, the first of what we hope will become a regular feature, we offer you a Grand Menu of the day at the noteworthy Charlie Trotter's restaurant in Chicago, which we are delighted to welcome as a content partner with Wine Lovers' Page for this first challenge. Then, we'll present you Charlie Trotter's list of wines under $75 (this will spare you from salivating over all those wonderful old vintages and cult wines that you'd love to sample from Trotter's "master list," and keeps the wine selection reasonable).

For purposes of the challenge, assume that your dinner party will need just one bottle of each wine. You must select at least three different wines to go with the meal, and may select up to five wines if you wish. You may bridge two selections with one wine if you wish, or serve two wines with one course. It's up to you. The only rule is all wines should be selected to maximize the enjoyment of the meal and make it a sublime experience.

And of course, as a good sommelier should, you must tell us why you selected the specific wines.

To enter the challenge, send your selections and the reasons you chose them by E-mail to wine@wineloverspage.com. Please include your name and E-mail address and tell us if you are a wine-business professional, as we plan to judge trade entries separately. A panel of Wine Lovers' Page experts will select the finalists, from which Charlie Trotter's wine steward has agreed to choose the winning entries. We'll award small prizes, and a larger amount of recognition and accolades, to the winners, and we will publish a selection of the most interesting entries on Wine Lovers' Page.

Entries must be received by Sept. 1. By entering, you grant us permission to publish your name and excerpts from your list. E-mails will be kept strictly confidential under our published Privacy Policy. Employees and contractors of Wine Lovers' Page and their immediate families are ineligible for prizes.

Choosing a few wines shouldn't be that difficult, should it? Thought not. We're looking forward to hearing what you've selected for us.

Now, here's the menu, and the wine list:

The Grand Menu

Charlie Trotter's

Charlie Trotter's Grand Menu $115

Amuse Gueule

Chilled Cucumber "Soup" with Pave of Smoked Salmon,
Napa Cabbage & Roasted Shallots with Horseradish

Steamed Casco Bay Cod with Braised Fennel,
Crispy Granny Smith Apple & Grainy Mustard Vinaigrette

Bob White Quail with Saffron Infused Cannelli Bean Puree
Roasted Turnip, Capers & Duck Confit

Niman Ranch Organic Veal Strip Loin with Collard Greens,
Braised Veal Tongue-Porcini Mushroom Tortellini & Red Wine-Boudin Sauce

Orange Watermelon Sorbet with Red Watermelon Soup,
Apricot-Yuzu Gelee & Candied Watermelon Rind

Lucini Olive Oil Financier Cake with Red Haven Peaches, Raspberries,
Thyme Infused Mascarpone & Blackberry Sauce

Mignardises

© Copyright 2001 Charlie Trotter's.

The Wine List

CHAMPAGNE & SPARKLING WINE
 
Champagne
Gaston Chiquet Tradition Brut NV$69
 
Methode Champenoise
Gruet Blanc de Noirs New Mexico NV$35
Iron Horse Russian Cuvee Sonoma 1995$58
Iron Horse Wedding Cuvee Sonoma 1997$60
Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco NV$30
Nyetimber Premiere Cuvee West Sussex 1992$55
Pojer e Sandri Cuvee 93-94 Spumante Extra Brut, Faedo$50
 
DOMESTIC WHITE WINE
 
California Chardonnay
Au Bon Climat Bouge D'a Cote Santa Maria 1998$54
Dehlinger, Russian River 1999$47
Dutton-Goldfield Dutton Ranch Russian River 1999$68
Hartford, Sonoma 1998$39
Ici/La-Bas Phillipine Mendocino 1998$73
Laetitia Estate Arroyo Grande 1998$30
Mayo Family Winery Estate Sonoma 1998$40
Mer Soleil, Central Coast 1999$69
Oakville Ranch, Napa 1999$57
Regusci Stag's Leap Napa 1999$59
Robert Craig, Napa-Carneros 1998$49
Rudd, Carneros 1998$73
Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch Napa 1999$69
Steele Lolonis Vineyard Mendocino 1998$57
Steele San Giacomo Vineyard Carneros 1999$57
Stony Hill, Napa 1997$65
Testarossa Chalone Vineyard Chalone 1997$56
Testarossa Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands 1999$62
 
California Sauvignon Blanc
Cain Musque Ventana Vineyard Monterey 1999$35
Chateau Potelle, Napa 1999$29
Chateau St. Jean Petite Etoile Vineyard Sonoma 1999$42
Groth, Napa 2000$32
Kelham and MacLean, Napa 1999$41
Martinelli Martinelli Vineyard Sonoma 1999$45
Mason, Napa 2000$35
Spring Mountain, Napa 1998$48
 
California White Wine
Andrew Murray Estate Viognier, Santa Ynez 2000$48
Au Bon Climat Hildegard Santa Maria 1998$73
Chalone Pinot Blanc, Monterey 1999$46
Daniel Gehrs Chenin Blanc, Monterey 2000$35
Darioush Viognier, Napa 2000$60
Etude Pinot Gris, Carneros 2000$38
Il Podere Dell Olivos Arneis, Central Coast 1997$33
Iron Horse T Bar T Viognier, Sonoma 1999$51
Miner Simpson Vineyard Viognier, California 2000$40
Phillips Vineyards Highway 12 Vineyard Symphony, Lodi 1998$25
Steele Pinot Blanc, Santa Barbara 1999$32
 
EUROPEAN WHITE WINE
 
White Cotes du Rhone
Bandol Blanc Domaine Tempier 1999$45
Coudoulet de Beaucastel Pierre Perrin 1999$40
Domaine de Trevallon 1998$50
Saint Peray Les Bialeres Les Vins de Vienne 1999$45
St. Joseph Domaine Courbis 1998$40
 
White Burgundy
Bourgogne Clos St. Philibert Meo-Camuzet 1997$56
Bourgogne Clos St. Philibert Meo-Camuzet 1998$67
Bourgogne Kimmeridgien Brocard 1998$30
Bourgogne Blanc Francois Jobard 1997$50
Bourgogne Blanc Francois Jobard 1998$50
Bourgogne Blanc Guy Amiot 1995$42
Bourgogne Blanc Guy Amiot 1996$42
Bourgogne Blanc Michelot 1996$35
Bourgogne Grand Ordinaire Chardonnay Guy Amiot 1998$35
Chablis Domaine St. Claire Brocard 1999$30
Chablis La Foret Dauvissat 1999$55
Chablis Vieilles Vignes Thierry Hamelin 1999$45
Chassagne-Montrachet Girardin 1999$60
Macon Heritiers du Comte Lafon 1998$25
Macon-Fuisse Domaine Dalicieux 1997$30
Macon-Montbellet Domaine de Roally 1997$35
Puligny-Montrachet Carillon 1999$62
St. Aubin En Remilly Guy Amiot 1994$66
St. Aubin Les Charmois B. Morey 1999$57
St. Aubin Les Combes Colin-Deleger 1999$70
 
White Loire
Anjou Moulin Touchais 1975$70
Pouilly-Fume La Demoiselle Henri Bourgeois 1999$40
Sancerre Jadis Henri Bourgeois 1998$53
Sancerre Jadis Henri Bourgeois 1999$55
 
Alsace Wine
Muscat Reserve Trimbach 1996$35
Muscat Reserve Weinbach 1998$65
Riesling Clos Hauserer Zind Humbrecht 1998$66
Riesling Cuvee St. Catherine Weinbach 1999$52
Riesling Kastelberg Klipfel 1998$35
Riesling Le Kottabe Josmeyer 1997$50
Riesling Schlossberg Cuvee Ste. Catherine Weinbach 1999$71
Tokay-Pinot Gris Cuvee Ste. Catherine Weinbach 1998$71
 
Austrian Wine
Feinburgunder Smaragd Prager, Wachau 1995$58
Kammerner Heiligenstein Alte Reben Gruner Veltliner Hirsch Kamptal 1999$35
Kammerner Heiligenstein Gruner Veltliner Hirsch, Kamptal 1999$30
Kammerner Lamm Gruner Veltliner Hirsch, Kamptal 1999$35
Langenloiser Steinhaus Gruner Veltliner Jurtschitch Sonnhof, Kamptal 1999$40
Ruster Grauburgunder Heidi Schrock, Neusiedlessee 1998$32
Ruster Muscat Heidi Schrock, Neusiedlersee 1999$35
Ruster Weissburgunder Heidi Schrock, Neusiedlersee 1998$30
Senftenberger Piri Privat Gruner Veltiner Nigl, Kremstal 1999$50
Steiner Pfaffenberg Riesling Spatlese Erich Salomon, Kremstal 1990$70
Zobinger Riesling Hirsch, Kamptal 1999$32
 
German Wine
Deidesheimer Maushohle Riesling Spatlese Halbtrocken Von Buhl, Pfalz 1999$43
Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spatlese Monchhof, Mosel 1990$41
Graacher Himmelrich Riesling Spatlese Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler, Mosel 1999$30
Graacher Himmelrich Riesling Spatlese J.J. Prum, Mosel 1999$38
Grosskarlbacher Osterberg Riesling Spatlese Lingenfelder, Pfalz 1999$28
Haardter Herrenletten Grauburgunder Auslese Muller-Catoir, Pfalz 1992 (500 ml)$45
Haardter Mandelring Scheurebe Spatlese Muller-Catoir, Pfalz 1999$60
Hochheimer Reichestal Riesling Kabinett Franz Kunstler, Rheingau 1999$36
Kaseler Nieschen Riesling Spatlese Karlsmuhle, Mosel 1999$40
Nackenheimer Rothenberg Riesling Spatlese Gunderloch, Rheinhessen 1999$53
Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Spatlese Donnhoff, Nabe 1999$56
Niersteiner Hipping Riesling Spatlese J. Strub, Rheinhessen 1999$26
Piesporter Goldtropfchen Riesling Kabinett Reinhold Haart, Mosel 1997$39
Robert Weil Estate Riesling Kabinett Halbtrocken, Rheingau 1999$47
Rudesheimer Berg Schlossberg Riesling Auslese Leitz, Rheingau 1998$58
Rudesheimer Bischofsberg Riesling Kabinett Leitz, Rheingau 1999$22
Rudeshiemer Berg Rottland Riesling Spatlese Balthasar Ress, Rheingau 1997$50
Ungsteiner Herrenberg Scheurebe Spatlese Pfeffingen, Pfalz 1997$36
Wachenheimer Goldbachel Riesling Auslese Biffar, Pfalz 1998$58
Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese S. Prum. Mosel 1999$35
Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Studert Prum, Mosel 1998$29
Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese S. Prum, Mosel 1999$25
Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Selbach-Oster, Mosel 1998$53
 
DOMESTIC RED WINE
 
American Proprietary & Meridional
Andrew Murray Les Coteaux Syrah, Santa Ynez 1999$50
Andrew Murray Roasted Slope Syrah, Santa Ynez 1999$56
Duxoup Charbono, Napa 1998$35
Gundlach Bundschu Cabernet Franc, Sonoma 1998$35
Havens Bourriquot Napa 1998$70
Lang & Reed Cabernet Franc, Napa 1999$40
Livingston-Moffett Mitchell Vineyard Syrah, Napa 1998$60
Pacific Star Reserve Petite Sirah, Mendocino 1997$45
Tablas Creek Tablas Rose Paso Robles 1999$55
 
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Flora Springs, Napa 1997$55
Kelham and MacLean Oakville Napa 1998$72
La Jota Howell Mou>$68
Livingston-Moffett Moffett Vineyard Napa 1995$70
 
California Pinot Noir
Au Bon Climat La Bouge Au-dessus Santa Maria 1998$55
Navarro, Anderson Valley 1997$55
W.H. Smith Hellenthal Vineyard Sonoma 1999$65
 
Oregon Pinot Noir
Bethel Heights Lewman Vineyard Willamette 1999$60
Bethel Heights NYSA Vineyard Willamette 1999$60
Hamacher, Willamette Valley 1998$68
Rex Hill, Willamette Valley 1998$45
 
California Zinfandel
Rabbit Ridge Hedin Vineyard Sonoma 1998$50
Rabbit Ridge Winemaker's Grand Reserve Sonoma 1998$58
Simi Dry Creek Sonoma 1998$55
Steele Dupratt Vineyard Mendocino 1997$49
 
California Merlot
Harrison, Napa 1998$65
Havens Reserve Napa 1997$65
 
EUROPEAN RED WINE
 
Italian Red
Chianti Classico Isole e Olena 1998$50
Tuscany Promis Gaja 1999$65
 
Red Cotes du Rhone
Bandol Domaine Tempier 1998$60
Bandol Rose Domaine Tempier 1999$42
Bandol Rose Domaine Tempier 2000$42
Cornas Cuvee Vieilles Vignes Voge 1997$68
Cotes de Provence Cuvee Special Domaine de Grand Pre 1996$22
 
Red Burgundy
Beaune Clos des Ursules Jadot 1998$70
Chambolle-Musigny G. Barthod 1997$60
Chassagne-Montrachet Morgeot Girardin 1999$48
Marenges Clos des Loyeres Girardin 1999$33
Marsannay Domaine Fougeray de Beauclair 1996$59
Marsannay Rose Bruno Clair 1998$28
Mercurey Clos La Marche Louis Max 1996$45
Nuits-St.-Georges Les Chaignots Chevillon 1998$73
Pommard Clos de la Platiere Prince de Merode 1998$50
Savigny-les-Beaune Les Fournaux Simon Bize 1998$65
Vosne-Romanee Forey 1997$72
Vosne-Romanee Mongeard-Mugneret 1998$55
 
OTHER RED WINE
 
Australian Red Wine
Penfold's Bin 389 Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz, South Australia 1998$55
 
Spanish Red Wine
Priorat Embruix Vall Llach 1998$35
Priorat San Roman Toro 1998$50
Rioja Coleccion Privada Sierra Cantabria 1998$55
Rioja Reserva Remirez de Ganuza 1996$68
Rioja Remelluri 1997$45
Rioja San Vicente 1997$50
Sardon de Duero El Campanario Abadia Retuerta 1997$68
 
Other Red Wine
Grgic Plavac Mali, Croatia 1996$55
Morgon Chateau Bellevue Jadot 1999$32
 
© Copyright 2001 Charlie Trotter's.