I am not formally trained in tasting wine properly; I come from the school of hard knocks! I understand that it is an important part of this wine tasting process to build the language of understanding and tasting wine through experience. Which basically means- taste more wine!
For me, I really have to sit in a place that is completely honest. It's funny to talk about, but I really try to mentally clear out a space in my head that can work out the flavors I am tasting. I will literally stand there and take a few deep breaths and clear out any thoughts from the outside world. Honesty is the best policy!
I will say I can sense how easy it is to be influenced by the sales rep. and labels and possibly even my biased opinion of what I think it might be like. For example, I really love good cabernet from California. Probably because thats where i cut my teeth in this wine tasting experience process as a service bartender at Capital Grille. My goodness, Starmont Merryvale Profile and Nickel Nickel Cabs and Merlots from early 2000's?! Cheeses, I'm spoiled. So when I see labels and wines that come from these areas I get all excited. BE CAREFUL, don't force yourself into liking the wine! I constantly remind myself of that: to be completely honest about what I taste and make notes. Then, I really like to listen to what others taste and reflect from the wine.
Through tongue and nostril you will experience notes and tastes that if you listen carefully can connect those to other tastes and experiences that you have had before. I'll go out on a limb and assume a high percentage had eaten a strawberry. The flavors from the berry hits certain parts of your tongue and mouth and your brain translates that for your body as pleasant, or not. and Boom, strawberry was just added to your reservoir of words that you actually taste and can see and know.
The difficult part comes when the tasting notes call for "forest floor" or "cigar box" or "brawny." I have seen it done that one should put dirt IN there mouth and spit it out to understand that soil-y, earth-y flavor some wines have. I'll leave you with this: check Gary Vaynerchuck, an other self-taught- Click Here.
Cheers.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Monday, June 10, 2013
Wine Bros. Tasting
Somebody pinch me.
It's a gloomy Monday; rainy and ... whatever. Today is my second day off in a row, which is interesting because two days off in a row is a new experience. I mean that quite literally. I'm not crying; it's the life I chose. So, after a recent move and finishing the overwhelming task of school (i was never one for school, and that's a whole 'nother story), I have been embracing my open days to reorganize and be selfish.
After having falafel wraps with a friend, my boss texts me a question asking if I was going to the tasting..... I completely forgot, Be right there.
The day that going into work on my day off becomes enjoyable started today.
Being 1 o'clock in the afternoon I tried to spit everything I was tasting, but Steve and Tom made that basically impossible. "You had me at Pinot Noir" was the line said when agreeing to start NOT spitting out the beautifully elegant quaff. It was the Arcadian Sleepy Hollow Pinot Noir- A California Pinot that could truly impress any pinot noir cult narcissist.
Immediately after that I'm tasting 96 point Nebbiolo blends, 94 point Barolo, 95 point Cab and Ovello Barbaresco. IT'S A TOUGH JOB, ... I know. And then it's over. Back to running errands and researching wines and pairings for wine class on Wednesday- Summer Whites for Summer Nights- and everyone is dressing in white!
I write this sitting next to my window open with the rain shushing loudly outside- It is a beautiful, gloomy Monday.
It's a gloomy Monday; rainy and ... whatever. Today is my second day off in a row, which is interesting because two days off in a row is a new experience. I mean that quite literally. I'm not crying; it's the life I chose. So, after a recent move and finishing the overwhelming task of school (i was never one for school, and that's a whole 'nother story), I have been embracing my open days to reorganize and be selfish.
After having falafel wraps with a friend, my boss texts me a question asking if I was going to the tasting..... I completely forgot, Be right there.
The day that going into work on my day off becomes enjoyable started today.
Being 1 o'clock in the afternoon I tried to spit everything I was tasting, but Steve and Tom made that basically impossible. "You had me at Pinot Noir" was the line said when agreeing to start NOT spitting out the beautifully elegant quaff. It was the Arcadian Sleepy Hollow Pinot Noir- A California Pinot that could truly impress any pinot noir cult narcissist.
Immediately after that I'm tasting 96 point Nebbiolo blends, 94 point Barolo, 95 point Cab and Ovello Barbaresco. IT'S A TOUGH JOB, ... I know. And then it's over. Back to running errands and researching wines and pairings for wine class on Wednesday- Summer Whites for Summer Nights- and everyone is dressing in white!
I write this sitting next to my window open with the rain shushing loudly outside- It is a beautiful, gloomy Monday.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
What are we having?
Currently in transition from full-time hospitality into a retail position accepting responsibilities of "buyer" at a local, boutique wine shop. WINE BUYER?! Yes, please. Feel like I should kneel down and be knighted into my position, like Sir Loin of Beef in Bugs Bunny.
I am overly excited to share my integration and envelopment into a business and industry that one could say I have been dancing around for quite some time now. My desire is to share with you this experience of wine tasting and interpretation on all levels.
This is my introduction. I look out the window to sunny sky and cool breeze, drinking sparkling water, surrounded by fermented grape juice bottled by wine makers and families from regions across the whole wide world. What a privilege. I am honored to write and share.
What are we having?
I am overly excited to share my integration and envelopment into a business and industry that one could say I have been dancing around for quite some time now. My desire is to share with you this experience of wine tasting and interpretation on all levels.
This is my introduction. I look out the window to sunny sky and cool breeze, drinking sparkling water, surrounded by fermented grape juice bottled by wine makers and families from regions across the whole wide world. What a privilege. I am honored to write and share.
What are we having?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)