HOLIDAYS
HOLIDAYS
Our four basic tastes, (sweet, sour, bitter, and salty) don't really tell us about the nuances of wine. It's our sense of smell that identifies most flavor characteristics. Wine is consumed through our mouth, therefore we use the term "taste." But, it is the marriage of our nose and tongue which sends a signal to the brain that says, "Oh yeah, vanilla is what I'm enjoying in this glass of Chardonnay."
Encourage guests to smell a primer ingredient, and then sniff the wine's bouquet.
They should immediately be able to detect if the ingredient's scent is present in the wine's aroma.
They may move on to another ingredient or take a sip, after which they'll read the tasting notes and discuss their findings.
Oenophiles will want to delve into the complexity of the wine's color and texture. Such discourse is educational and entertaining, but the main idea is to experience the wine through one's senses no matter how much they know about tasting, with little attention paid to its technicalities.
On with the tasting!
- Pour a little wine in the glass.
- Smell a primer ingredient for that wine.
- Swirl the wine in the glass.
- Inhale the aroma of the wine.
- Sip the wine.
- Read the tasting notes on the card and discuss.
8 Great Holiday
Wines
Wines
Noshes, Nibbles &
Palate Cleansers
Palate Cleansers
Wine Storage Tips
