Trust your Palate
When ordering a bottle of wine in a restaurant, your server will often present the cork while they pour the first taste. Unless there is something obviously wrong with the cork, you can generally ignore it. If you feel you must do something, give it a little squeeze to ensure it has not dried out. The real test of the wine comes once you have a small taste poured into a glass.
Those new to wine often ask why it is swirled in a glass. They often think it is done simply as a tradition, or to show off. It is in fact done for a very important reason.
The swirling motion leaves a very thin layer on a large surface, which evaporates quickly. As it evaporates, it releases many of the aromas of the wine. This process allows the olfactory senses of your nose to more easily capture the subtle smells, or bouquet, of the wine.
Experienced wine drinkers can often pick up several different smells, depending on the wine. Most, however, simply note that they either enjoy the smell or they don’t. It is as simple as that.
If you are just beginning your wine journey, don’t get hung up on the fact that you can’t ‘smell‘ hints of chocolate and black cherry in the Cabernet you just opened. If the label of your Sauvignon Blanc indicates lemon grass and tropical fruit, don’t fret if all you smell is wine. As you try more wines you will start to notice differences.
A good wine retailer will tell you the smells and tastes you can expect in any given wine. For example, many Australian white wines have a distinct citrus taste and smell. Often very similar to grapefruit, in fact. Write this information down, and when you are home, have a piece of grapefruit or grapefruit juice next to your wine. Compare the smells of both the fruit and the wine and see if you detect any similarities. This is one of the unique features of wine – the many different smells and tastes that come from a single grape.
All wines, regardless of price, have a certain uniqueness to them. Generally speaking bulk wines, sometimes called jug wines, will have a bland, non discernible aroma. These wines are often created in very large vats with blends of several grapes. The goal of these wines is to create a simple, consistent taste that is easily accessible. There is nothing wrong with these wines. Often, they are usually the ones people enjoy at the beginning of their wine journey.
Those with more knowledge of wine should not denigrate those who drink bulk wines, but encourage them to try others. Help them understand the differences with those created by a winemaker with a passion for the grape.
You have opened the wine, checked the cork, poured a small amount into a glass, swirled and smelled. Remember to stick your nose right inside the glass and breath in slowly, allowing the smells to linger over all the sensory glands. This is no time to rush.
Recalling science class in elementary school, you of course remember the five different taste sensations. You can’t? Neither could I, so looked it up. They are salty, sour, bitter, sweet and the really tough one – savory.
With wine, there are many factors to consider along with the actual taste on the tongue. How does the wine “feel” in your mouth? There can be a certain texture and weight combined with the flavor. Some wines feel very smooth, some heavy; others very light and fresh. All of these sensations, taken together, help define what is often referred to as the structure of a wine.
When you are enjoying wine with friends and family, which is what most of us are doing, remember that you are not in a wine competition. You are hoping to simply enjoy the glass in front of you. Later, if you decide to become a Master Sommelier, then you can get really serious.
Now it is time for a taste. Experienced wine drinkers will take a moment to look at its color. Beginners will look and see a glass of red or white, maybe pink. However, there are often subtle differences in the color based upon type of grape, age, region, and whether it is a blend or a varietal. For now, let’s jump to the actual tasting.
Glass is in hand, you have swirled, smelled the bouquet and are ready to enjoy that first taste. Take enough wine that it will cover the whole inside of your mouth, but remember, this is not a Big Gulp. Let it linger there for a moment, slowly swirling it around so that a portion of the wine touches all the nether-regions of your mouth. Then slowly swallow and feel the texture as it passes over the back of your tongue and down your throat.
If it is a young wine, maybe a white or a light red, it will simply slide down and disappear. A 10-year-old wine, perhaps a Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, the sensation will linger longer down the throat and in the mouth. This is referred to as the finish.
It can be soft and supple, like a fine Italian Barolo. It could be harsh, with a slight burning sensation. Newer reds and wines with high alcohol content have that sensation. Over time, as the wine ages, this should soften. But remember, most wines made today are meant to be enjoyed within a few years, at most.
There is much more than can be discussed about the taste and bouquet of wine. I have not even touched on tannins or decanting. Or all the reasons one grape will taste completely different from different regions; the soil, the climate, all the things that make the “terroir” of wine, the style of winemaking – and the list goes on.
For this reason, I highly recommend finding a knowledgeable wine merchant. They will help you on your journey, making it a more enjoyable experience. There are thousands of wines to choose from and not all of them worth your time and money. With their help and your palate, you will learn to enjoy wine even more. And remember, price is not always the difference between a wine beverage and a wine experience.
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