| Wine really does deserve some serious attention | | | | recommend that the beginner use this method, it |
| if you ask me, it's a lot more than just a drink. It | | | | clears the palette and allows the wine taster to |
| is for this reason that I find it very strange that | | | | become more familiar with the basic |
| there is no defined tasting procedure which has a | | | | characteristics of the wine being tasted (if in |
| universal acceptance. It is common that the | | | | doubt, borrow from the experts!). A more |
| majority of wine tasters follow their own set out | | | | experienced taster will more quickly be able to |
| plan when tasting and this will vary from person | | | | get the basic qualities of a wine and will often |
| to person. Most of these steps, whilst having their | | | | omit this step. Many consider that rinsing with |
| place in the vineyards would be frowned upon at | | | | water in this way detracts from the wine and |
| the dining table, they involve a set of steps which | | | | affects palette because the water alters the |
| to the layperson would appear quite ridiculous. The | | | | sensitivity of the tongue and therefore adds a |
| difference can be akin to that of a persons | | | | further complication in the whole process. During a |
| preference to a particular style or genre of music. | | | | long session of tasting it is quite possible that the |
| The world of critical wine tasting is a comparison | | | | mouth can become fatigued and therefore this |
| between a real standard and the wine in question, | | | | instance lends itself to a revitalization with water. |
| drinking wine with a meal is greatly different to | | | | Wines are best tasted in tulip shaped glasses, with |
| this and the wine is undoubtedly intended as an | | | | the exception being sparkling wines which require |
| accompaniment to the meal and as a | | | | a fluted glass (the elongated type you often see |
| "refreshment". Although there is no doubting the | | | | unused in display cabinets!). These style of glasses |
| eccentric activities of a wine taster at a dinner | | | | enhance the sparkling wines natural |
| party are perhaps not required it is worth | | | | effervescence. If you don't have the correct |
| admiring and appreciating the great talent and | | | | glasses (or enough if you're having friends round) |
| concentration that goes into the true appreciation | | | | you can always loan them from a friend. It is |
| of wine. From an outsiders view, these strange | | | | important when comparing wines that each glass |
| and sometimes occult like tastings may seem a | | | | is filled to the same level (about a third full is the |
| little over complicated but with a true desire and | | | | normal) this allows the taster to hold the glass at |
| ability to focus ones attention it is quickly possible | | | | a steep angle to allow for a nice observation of |
| to begin to understand and appreciate wine in a | | | | the colour and clarity but also allows for a nice |
| more full sense. For the basics of wine tasting we | | | | vigorous swirl of the wine which in turn releases |
| are undoubtedly in debt to the likes of Clarke and | | | | the aromatics in the wine. At dinner party's it's |
| Goulden. | | | | also a useful tool when showing off, but beware |
| Where possible it is advised that you should rinse | | | | there is always someone at the party who |
| your mouth clean before tasting a wine, but | | | | knows more about wine than you, so credit your |
| obviously in a dinner party setting this is not | | | | fellow guests with some intelligence! |
| always possible nor desired. I would however, | | | | |