| Wine tasting is the sensory examination and | | | | they are told that it is inexpensive. A simple test |
| evaluation of wine. While the practice of wine | | | | was when a Bordeaux was submitted in two |
| tasting goes back as far as its creation, a more | | | | different bottles, one labeled as a cheap table |
| formalized methodology has slowly become | | | | wine, the other bearing a grand cru etiquette" and |
| established from the 14th century onwards. | | | | obtained predictable results. Tasters described the |
| Today professional wine tasters (such as | | | | supposed grand cru as "woody, complex, and |
| sommeliers or buyers for retailers) use a | | | | round" and the supposed cheap wine as "short, |
| constantly-evolving formal terminology which is | | | | light, and faulty. |
| used to describe the range of perceived flavors, | | | | Similarly, people have expectations about wines |
| aromas and general characteristics of a wine. | | | | because of their geographic origin, producer, |
| More informal, recreational tasting may use similar | | | | vintage, color, and many other factors. For |
| terminology, usually involving a much less analytical | | | | example during the same test white wine was |
| process for a more general, personal appreciation. | | | | served received all the usual descriptions: "fresh, |
| The assessment of a wine's overall quality is | | | | dry, honeyed, and lively." Later the same wine |
| usually based on the description and comparison | | | | was served dyed red and received the usual red |
| with recognized standards, both with respect to | | | | terms: "intense, spicy, supple, deep." |
| other wines in its price range and according to | | | | Tasting Flight is a term used by wine tasters to |
| known factors pertaining to the region or vintage; | | | | describe a selection of wines, usually between |
| if it is typical of the region or diverges in style; if it | | | | three and eight glasses, but sometimes as many |
| uses certain wine-making techniques, such as | | | | as fifty, presented for the purpose of sampling |
| barrel fermentation or malolactic fermentation, or | | | | and comparison. |
| any other remarkable or unusual characteristics. | | | | Vertical and horizontal wine tastings are wine |
| Whereas wines are regularly tasted in isolation, a | | | | tasting events that are arranged to highlight |
| wine's quality assessment is more objective when | | | | differences between similar wines. |
| performed alongside several other wines, in what | | | | • In a vertical tasting, different vintages of the |
| are known as tasting "flights". Wines may be | | | | same wine type from the same winery are |
| deliberately selected for their vintage ("horizontal" | | | | tasted. This emphasizes differences between |
| tasting) or proceed from a single winery ("vertical" | | | | various vintages. |
| tasting), to better compare vineyard and vintages, | | | | • In a horizontal tasting, the wines are all from |
| respectively. Alternatively, in order to promote an | | | | the same vintage but are from different wineries. |
| unbiased analysis, bottles and even glasses may | | | | Keeping wine variety or type and wine region the |
| be disguised in a "blind" tasting, to rule out any | | | | same helps emphasize differences in winery |
| prejudicial awareness of either vintage or winery. | | | | styles. |
| Blind tasting | | | | . |
| Blind testing is a method used where the tasters | | | | Wine and Cheese Tasting |
| cannot see the label or bottle shape, thus ensuring | | | | There are many different palate influences that |
| an impartial judgment of a wine. Blind tasting may | | | | cheese has when you drink a particular wine. |
| also involve serving the wine from a black wine | | | | When you taste specific wine combinations |
| glass to mask the color of the wine. A taster's | | | | properly you will understand how well cheese and |
| judgment can be prejudiced by knowing details of | | | | wine really do go together. The best way to |
| a wine, such as geographic origin, price, reputation, | | | | serve a Cabernet sauvignon is with blue cheese. |
| color, or other considerations. | | | | All you need is just a little. You might serve the |
| Researchers have long demonstrated the power | | | | blue cheese with an unflavored French bread also. |
| of suggestion in perception as well as the strong | | | | The blue cheese acts by coating the mouth and |
| effects of expectancies. For example, people | | | | laying a foundation which will soften the wine and |
| expect more expensive wine to have more | | | | make it taste very good. The best way to test |
| desirable characteristics than less expensive wine. | | | | this is by taking a taste of the wine first. Wait a |
| When given wine that they are falsely told is | | | | minute. Then take a bite of the cheese and take |
| expensive they virtually always report it as | | | | another drink. You will see a big difference. |
| tasting better than the very same wine when | | | | |