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 />
SUMMARY<br />
An assessment of flavor type <strong>and</strong> intensity is not as<br />
straightforward as the assessment of taste components or<br />
texture in <strong>wine</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>food</strong>. Flavor analysis <strong>and</strong> research is a<br />
complex endeavor that draws from a variety of disciplines:<br />
psychology, physiology, <strong>sensory</strong> analysis, <strong>and</strong> chemistry.<br />
The nature of flavor compounds, contextual issues, <strong>and</strong><br />
individual differences create challenges for assessment.<br />
Students of <strong>wine</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>food</strong> <strong>pairing</strong> can overcome many of<br />
these challenges by identifying potential obstacles <strong>and</strong> creating<br />
settings that minimize their effects.<br />
Food <strong>and</strong> <strong>wine</strong> are made up of a web of flavor compounds.<br />
As evaluators, our job is to determine <strong>and</strong> quantify<br />
the most prominent ones. These are the ones that will<br />
impact the level of match when <strong>wine</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>food</strong> are consumed<br />
together. To assist in the identity of flavor types<br />
<strong>and</strong> intensity levels in <strong>wine</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>food</strong>, this chapter has presented<br />
suggestions for maximizing in-mouth flavor iden-<br />
to separate component <strong>and</strong> texture elements from the flavor characteristics of the <strong>wine</strong> or<br />
<strong>food</strong>. In <strong>wine</strong>, the persistence of flavor is a primary indicator of quality. In terms of <strong>wine</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>food</strong> <strong>pairing</strong>, the objective is to marry <strong>wine</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>food</strong> flavors that enhance each other<br />
to increase the overall gastronomic <strong>experience</strong>. An appropriate lingering of these flavors will<br />
provide the guest with a longer period of <strong>sensory</strong> stimulation to enjoy the marriage—<strong>and</strong><br />
neither <strong>food</strong> nor <strong>wine</strong> will overpower or underwhelm the other.<br />
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS<br />
1. What are the prominent flavor categories?<br />
2. What contextual issues should you be aware of prior<br />
to <strong>and</strong> during flavor assessment?<br />
3. What is the suggested process for assessing in-mouth<br />
flavors?<br />
4. What impact does flavor type matching have on the<br />
<strong>wine</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>food</strong> <strong>pairing</strong> process?<br />
tification, lists of <strong>wine</strong>s that are likely to have the various<br />
flavor categories, <strong>and</strong> descriptions of flavor intensity at a<br />
range of levels.<br />
The main goal of flavor type identity <strong>and</strong> flavor intensity<br />
assessment is to move the <strong>wine</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>food</strong> match<br />
from a neutral or good match to a synergistic one. Similarity<br />
or contrasting approaches to <strong>food</strong>-<strong>and</strong>-<strong>wine</strong> matches<br />
with respect to flavor type <strong>and</strong> flavor intensity add a sense<br />
of refinement <strong>and</strong> interest to the final gastronomic<br />
product.<br />
Persistency in <strong>food</strong>-<strong>and</strong>-<strong>wine</strong> flavor create an additional<br />
sensation for the match. Persistency in <strong>wine</strong> flavor<br />
is an important indicator of quality <strong>and</strong> provides more<br />
value to the consumer. Food flavor persistency is driven<br />
by the <strong>food</strong> products included in the finished dish <strong>and</strong> its<br />
preparation. Ingredients, cooking method, <strong>and</strong> protein<br />
type have an impact on flavor persistency.<br />
5. What is the relationship between <strong>wine</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>food</strong> flavor<br />
intensity?<br />
6. What does the length of persistency in <strong>wine</strong> flavor<br />
indicate?<br />
7. What is the relationship between <strong>wine</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>food</strong> persistency?