Mar 22, 2015 | WINE EXERCISES, WINE TASTING TECHNIQUE |
This video is about how to describe a wine by its physical characteristics while you have it in your mouth. The objective is describing the wine by its body, basic tastes, thermal sensation, balance and evolution. It also contains a fun practice to calibrate your mouth by tasting different shots of sweet, salty, sour and bitter tastes. Try it on your own and let me know if it helps. The wines I chose were 3 red wines: Tiki Estate, Pinot Noir (New Zealand) Santa Digna Reserva, Merlot (Chile) Los Vascos, Cabernet Sauvignon...
Mar 6, 2015 | WINE EXERCISES, WINE TASTING TECHNIQUE |
This is the first exercise in the scary world of aromas. It compliments the video Smelling Violets…Really?. The challenge is that there are up to 200 different aromas that may change during the time that the wine is exposed to the air while in the glass. But don’t allow that intimidate you ….just look for the information you have about the wine you are trying, then smell it, and smell again. Do this when you are a bit hungry so that your senses will be more aware. Try it at different moments of the day…and repeat. I think that is the key. [/one_half_last] The objective of this exercise is to identify the aromas using your nose and mouth, and then to compliment it by stating whether it has characteristics of intensity and complexity. No joke about it, it can be difficult. It takes some concentration! The wines I chose were 3 white wines: Barzen Riesling Trocken (Germany) Les Rochettes. Pouilly-Fumé, Sauvignon Blanc (France) Domaine Matrot Bourgogne, Chardonnay...
Feb 15, 2015 | WINE EXERCISES, WINE TASTING TECHNIQUE |
In this first exercise I will apply the theory about the visual aspect of wine. In this post I describe the wine, paying attention to its color, hue, concentration and tears. An important consideration of this exercise is to use wines from different regions or climates. Although I believed that I had selected wines from different climate regions for this exercise, I realized the next day that I had not actually done so. I came to realize this during a wine tasting with Meritxell Falgueras, (www.winesandthecity.com), in which she said that the wine I selected from the specific Russian River Valley (California) and from Colchagua region (Chile), can not be considered as coming from warm climate areas due to the Pacific stream and Andes mountains climate effects. As I am still learning myself, I will strive to learn from my mistakes (hope). Even given this rookie mistake, the point about the tears, is still valid. The tears are related to the sugar and alcohol content of the wine. I chose these four wines, but you may perform your exercise with any varieties you choose. The point is making your own first description of the wine. I recommend using two wines at the same time, so you can compare them easily. Also perform the exercise with a wine with just one grape variety, avoiding blends during your first exercise, and select your wines from different climate regions. The wines I chose were: WHITE WINES Spanish White Guerrilla, Albariño (Spain) Marimar Estate Acero, Chardonnay (USA) RED WINES Los Vascos, Cabernet Sauvignon (Chile) Cuveé Latour, Pinot Noir (France)...
Jan 22, 2015 | WINE EXERCISES |
This list includes the most representative wines of today by grape variety and region. This means that the wines on this list may change with time and market tendencies. They are just a small sample of the huge wine production in the world, but I am hoping that after completing my studies, I will be able to recognize the characteristics of them. I plan to use this list, as long as my economic situation will allow, as a guide for choosing the wines for the exercises. You can download it here ——————– WHITE WINE Albariño Spain: Rias Baixas (unoaked) Chenin Blanc Loire: Montlouis, Savennières, Vouvray (Sec, Demi-Sec) Chardonnay France: Chablis, Côte d’Or, Mâconnais USA:California (Carneros, Central Coast, Napa Valley, Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast/Valley) Australia: Victoria, Padthaway, Adelaide Hills, Western Australia Gewurztraminer Alsace: VT, Grand Cru, Vin d’Alsace Grüner Veltliner Austria: Kamptal, Kremstal, Wachau (Dry to Medium Dry Styles Only) Pinot Gris Alsace: Alsace (Grand Cru, Vin d’Alsace) Italy: Friuli, Trentino-Alto Adige Oregon: Willamette Valley Riesling Germany: Mosel, Rheingau, Rheinhessen, Pfalz, Nahe (Trocken, 1st Crus, QbA, Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese) France: Alsace (Grand Cru, Vin d’Alsace) Austria: Kamptal, Kremstal, Wachau Australia: Clare Valley, Eden Valley (Dry Styles Only) Sauvignon Blanc France: Loire Valley (Central Vineyards), Bordeaux (Pessac-Léognan, Graves) USA: California (Napa / Sonoma – Oaked Styles Only) New Zealand Torrontés Argentina: Salta / Catamarca Viognier France: Condrieu USA: California (Central Coast – Oaked and Unoaked Styles) ——————– RED WINE Cabernet Sauvignon France-Bordeaux: Graves, Médoc (Margaux, Paulliac, St. Estèphe, St. Julien) (Bordeaux AOC to First Growth) Australia: Barossa Valley, Coonawarra, Margaret River, McLaren Vale Chile-Central Valley: Curicó, Maipo, Maule, Rapel USA: California (All Napa, All Sonoma,...
