food-and-wine-pairing-a-sensory-experience-robert-harrington
food-and-wine-pairing-a-sensory-experience-robert-harrington
food-and-wine-pairing-a-sensory-experience-robert-harrington
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Chapter 10 Flavor Intensity <strong>and</strong> Flavor Persistency<br />
Fruity <strong>wine</strong>s paired with smoky <strong>food</strong>s can create the same type of pleasant flavor contrast.<br />
Of course, the key to a successful flavor contrast match is to also ensure the components,<br />
texture, <strong>and</strong> spice characteristics are a match.<br />
Finally, achieving a flavor intensity match plays an important role in the quest for a<br />
synergistic relationship between <strong>wine</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>food</strong>. Research indicates that tasting <strong>food</strong>s with a<br />
high level of flavor intensity prior to drinking <strong>wine</strong>s of lower flavor intensity lowers the<br />
perceived flavor characteristics of the <strong>wine</strong>. For example, the flavors in blue cheese substantially<br />
decrease perception of flavors in white <strong>wine</strong> such as apple, citrus, oak, <strong>and</strong> herbal. 12<br />
Without a flavor intensity match, the relationship at best will be one in which either the<br />
<strong>food</strong> or the <strong>wine</strong> is only a supporting actor; at worst, it can be a total mismatch.<br />
ASSESSING FLAVOR PERSISTENCY<br />
Flavor persistency is the final criterion used in the <strong>pairing</strong> decision process. Defined as<br />
‘‘continuance of an effect after the cause is removed,’’ 13 persistence can be a pleasant <strong>and</strong><br />
important indicator of <strong>wine</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>food</strong> quality, or it can create a negative aftertaste. Aftertaste<br />
is defined as ‘‘a taste that remains in the mouth after a <strong>food</strong> has been swallowed.’’ 14 In <strong>wine</strong><br />
terminology, persistency is described as length (longueur in French <strong>and</strong> longitude in Spanish)<br />
or finish (fin de bouche in French <strong>and</strong> final de boca in Spanish). 15<br />
Wine Flavor Persistency Several terms have been used synonymously for persistency<br />
in <strong>wine</strong> tasting. Finish is defined as the final sensations of <strong>wine</strong> on the palate, length<br />
is defined as persistency in flavor, 16 <strong>and</strong> aftertaste as the impressions that linger after the <strong>wine</strong><br />
is swallowed or spit out.<br />
Flavor persistency is an indicator of the quality of <strong>wine</strong> <strong>and</strong> may also reveal flaws that<br />
might not have been apparent in the initial stages of tasting. For instance, a bitter aftertaste<br />
may be initially perceived as astringency. Improper storage or h<strong>and</strong>ling of <strong>wine</strong> can create<br />
unpleasant aftertastes, or they may occur due to the presence of spent yeasts or lactic acid<br />
left in a <strong>wine</strong> that has not been properly fermented or stabilized. 17 By contrast, one indicator<br />
of a good <strong>wine</strong> is when the length has a clean, balanced, <strong>and</strong> complete structure <strong>and</strong> the<br />
complete flavors linger in a long finish. A <strong>wine</strong> with good flavor persistency provides more<br />
bang for your buck—you get more flavor out of each sip.<br />
Flavor persistency is an evolutionary process that occurs during the final phases of the<br />
tasting process. A common method of assessing flavor persistency is to time how long the<br />
flavor lingers <strong>and</strong> how long the aromatic sensations are apparent after swallowing or spitting.<br />
The measurement of flavor persistency begins with the concept of finish <strong>and</strong> moves on to<br />
the persistence of flavor, which generally lasts for approximately 3 to 15 seconds. Finally,<br />
there is potential for an unpleasant taste or aftertaste, which may indicate a faulty <strong>wine</strong>. 18 In<br />
terms of the aftertaste of <strong>wine</strong>, a good white <strong>wine</strong> leaves the mouth scented <strong>and</strong> gently<br />
motivated by fresh acidity; a good red <strong>wine</strong> fills the mouth with its retronasal smells <strong>and</strong><br />
the rich character of its tannin. 19<br />
An important consideration of <strong>wine</strong> quality is the aromatic element in a <strong>wine</strong>’s finish.<br />
Aromatic persistence is likely created by the least volatile <strong>and</strong> most durable flavor compounds<br />
inherent in a <strong>wine</strong>. It can be difficult to isolate this aspect from the other sensations. 20 In<br />
my study, flavor intensity <strong>and</strong> flavor persistence were shown to be closely <strong>and</strong> strongly<br />
connected by the majority of the tasting panel. 21 While the flavor intensity <strong>and</strong> flavor persistence<br />
of <strong>wine</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>food</strong> can be closely connected, they are separate issues. Intensity relates<br />
to initial power or force, while persistence relates to the length <strong>and</strong> aftertaste of the sensation.<br />
Other issues related to flavor quality are the refinement of flavor <strong>and</strong> aromas <strong>and</strong> their<br />
appeal. 22