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Overcome the Traumas of Tasting
April 12, 2009, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
TASTINGS are the best way to expose yourself to a wide array of wines and to discover the wonderful world of vino beyond your typical weekend bottle. In Shanghai, we are fortunate that distributors and producers are happy for you to sample their wares and the quality of these wines are truly second to none.
If you are inexperienced in the practice, tastings can be a daunting exercise, so here are some tips to make the most of them and not be intimidated.
First, forget the idea that you "don't really get wine." It's not like driving a car or operating heavy machinery where going wrong can be disastrous (apologies if I have put anyone off learning to drive).
If you lack the vocabulary, don't worry - you'll still find pleasures in your glass, and, with a variety of drops on offer at these things, you will be on your way to identifying differences in no time. While I was in Sicily, nobody took me seriously on account of my age, which was good as it leads to my next point.
Do not be afraid to ask questions. Yes, some people are know-it-alls and can write an entire essay just based on one sip alone.
If the bloke standing next to you is going "Yes, there is a certain austerity to this wine not quite unlike the Haut-Brion 83 I had over dinner the other night," then run. Far, far away.
Chances are, if anything like me, you are not one of these guys, so fire away. The sales reps and export managers are obviously well-versed in their product and can tell you all manner of facts; it's even better if the wine maker is present. Want to know why a wine tastes the way it does, and when is the best time to enjoy it? Ask, ask and ask.
Sift through the BS. Wine talk can be strenuous, even to wine geeks such as myself. While I concern myself with details such as for how long the grapes are mascerated or how many passes were made during harvesting, there is no real need to know this stuff to simply enjoy your drop.
Sales reps, however, have this technical data memorized, so are going to use it to draw your attention away while tasting so you will later assume the wine was good because you remember the chap speaking rather than your own tastebuds. Even more deadly are the attractive femmes of which many were encountered during Sicilia en Primeur 2009.
Try as much wine as you can. Yes, you may have a favorite grape or style, but tastings are the best way to explore other labels you may not necessarily buy.
It may not be possible to sample every single wine in the room, but just slap a grin on your face and dive right in. Wine is meant to be enjoyed, after all.
If you are inexperienced in the practice, tastings can be a daunting exercise, so here are some tips to make the most of them and not be intimidated.
First, forget the idea that you "don't really get wine." It's not like driving a car or operating heavy machinery where going wrong can be disastrous (apologies if I have put anyone off learning to drive).
If you lack the vocabulary, don't worry - you'll still find pleasures in your glass, and, with a variety of drops on offer at these things, you will be on your way to identifying differences in no time. While I was in Sicily, nobody took me seriously on account of my age, which was good as it leads to my next point.
Do not be afraid to ask questions. Yes, some people are know-it-alls and can write an entire essay just based on one sip alone.
If the bloke standing next to you is going "Yes, there is a certain austerity to this wine not quite unlike the Haut-Brion 83 I had over dinner the other night," then run. Far, far away.
Chances are, if anything like me, you are not one of these guys, so fire away. The sales reps and export managers are obviously well-versed in their product and can tell you all manner of facts; it's even better if the wine maker is present. Want to know why a wine tastes the way it does, and when is the best time to enjoy it? Ask, ask and ask.
Sift through the BS. Wine talk can be strenuous, even to wine geeks such as myself. While I concern myself with details such as for how long the grapes are mascerated or how many passes were made during harvesting, there is no real need to know this stuff to simply enjoy your drop.
Sales reps, however, have this technical data memorized, so are going to use it to draw your attention away while tasting so you will later assume the wine was good because you remember the chap speaking rather than your own tastebuds. Even more deadly are the attractive femmes of which many were encountered during Sicilia en Primeur 2009.
Try as much wine as you can. Yes, you may have a favorite grape or style, but tastings are the best way to explore other labels you may not necessarily buy.
It may not be possible to sample every single wine in the room, but just slap a grin on your face and dive right in. Wine is meant to be enjoyed, after all.
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