| When you're out wine tasting, the truth is that | | | | * Producer |
| there are many subtleties with what we | | | | * Region/Appellation - don't just put the country, |
| experience. The difference between wines are | | | | but enter the specific region |
| often quite nuanced. Even if you think about a | | | | * The grape variety |
| movie or a book you read - the human brain will | | | | * Vintage - Include the year that the wine was |
| only remember parts of it, and not the whole | | | | produced. Sometimes you will get non-vintage |
| thing. That's just the way we're put together. As | | | | wines (NV) which means that it did not come |
| such, it would be impossible to have a memory | | | | from a single vintage. This is more common with |
| capable of storing every subtle taste and flavour | | | | Ports and Sherries. |
| we experience in a glass of wine. | | | | Color and Appearance - comment on the colour |
| In general people tend to smell the wine, taste | | | | depth, clarity and hue. |
| the wine, and spit or swallow. They then decide | | | | * Nose - describe the bouquet of the wine. Make |
| whether they liked it or not, and pretty much | | | | notes of any specific undertones and subtleties. |
| forget about the rest. This is where taking tasting | | | | * Mouth/Flavors - think about its sweetness, |
| notes comes in handy. For one, it helps you to | | | | body, acidity and tannins. How does the wine feel |
| keep a record of all the wines you have tasted - | | | | in your mouth? Think about the balance and the |
| the variety and vintage, which helps jog your | | | | aftertaste. |
| memory after the tasting. But secondly, by | | | | * General thoughts/Ideas - wrap up your |
| putting into words the tastes and smells you are | | | | thoughts. Did you like it? What type of food does |
| experiencing, it really focuses your mind to the | | | | it go with? Would you buy it? Any general |
| job at hand. You have better tastings. You are | | | | thoughts should be included here. |
| more aware of the tastes and flavours you are | | | | * Score it - give it a mark out of 100. Or use the |
| experiencing. | | | | 5* system. This is up to you how you score it, |
| Here are a few headings which you should include | | | | after all, it's your opinion on a very subjective |
| in your wine tastings: | | | | matter. |
| * Wine Name | | | | |