Wine Tasting Techniques

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To identify the characteristics of wine, you’ll need to learn what the grape varietal should taste like. Tasting wine in a blind tasting format (wine is concealed) is the best way to learn about the characteristics of wine. Why this format? Tasting blind forces the taster to accept what is in the glass without any predetermined notions. To get started :

Find 9 other people who want to learn about wine

Schedule 10 tasting events

Identify one person as the lead for each tasting event.

Identify location of each event

Create themes for each tasting event (see list below)

Determine if you will use your own vocabulary or use aids such as the wine aroma wheel

You will need the following items for the tasting event:

The event should be held in an area with bright lighting

A white tablecloth

Appropriate wine glasses for each taster (Riedel is preferred)

Dump buckets

Water glasses

Bread and possibly cheese

9 bottles of wine selected for the specific theme

Print out wine technical data, tasting notes etc. for each wine you are providing

Provide paper and pen for each taster (contact us for a sample tasting form)

Open the wines about an hour before the event

Place each wine in a paper bag and number it – store whites in ice

Set-up the table w/tablecloth, wine glasses, bread & cheese, paper and pen, spit buckets and water

Review the event theme before tasting, being careful not to disclose anything about the specific wines

Pour about 2 ounces of wine #1 for each taster

Have people view, smell and taste a small amount of the wine (tips for tasting white and red wine below)

Write down your notes on the sight, smell and taste characteristics of the wine and draw conclusions

Have some bread and cheese and open discussions on the wine just tasted

Reveal wine after discussions or at end of event

Repeat for each wine

Bordeaux vs. Meritage Chardonnay vs. Chabli and white burgundy Northern Rhone varieties vs. Central Coast wines Misunderstood European bubbly (Crémant and Prosecco) Champagne vs. California Sparking Wine Grenache Anderson Valley North of 90 points for south of $20 Sémillon Syrah vs. Cabernet White Rhone blends Bottles with animals on the label White Burgundy Spain and Portugal tasting Old World red varietals in the New World Old World white varietals in the New World Petite Sirah (and Syrah too!) Gruner Veltliner Malbec from Argentina White blends of three or more varietals Holiday Zinfandels http://www.indiewinema kers.com / & http://www.hotcosts.com

Various Italian reds Central California wines Carneros whites Australian whites Inexpensive Cabernet Sauvignon Marlborough, New Zealand Australian reds Wines that start with “v” Northern Sonoma 2 Italian giants (Barolo vs. Chianti) Obscure whites Well-aged Merlot German whites Proprietary blends French bargain whites Italian varietals grown in the USA Many more – Have fun! http://www.indiewinema kers.com / & http://www.hotcosts.com