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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Wine <strong>and</strong> Food Pairing Instrument 249<br />
WINE AND FOOD PAIRING INSTRUMENT<br />
Figures 11.2a–11.2c constitute a three-page instrument that is useful in profiling <strong>wine</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>food</strong> items <strong>and</strong> determining whether or not these items are a match. It incorporates<br />
sequential tastings of the <strong>wine</strong> <strong>and</strong> the <strong>food</strong> <strong>and</strong> then a mixed tasting. As in the earlier<br />
discussion of the hierarchy of taste <strong>and</strong> the <strong>wine</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>food</strong> <strong>sensory</strong> pyramid, the <strong>wine</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>food</strong> elements are separated into three main categories: components, texture, <strong>and</strong> flavor<br />
elements.<br />
As in earlier exercises, the <strong>sensory</strong> reference anchors will be useful to more consistently<br />
analyze <strong>wine</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>food</strong> elements using a 0-to-10-point scale (see Figure B.1, Food Sensory<br />
Anchor Scales, <strong>and</strong> Figure B.2, Wine Sensory Anchor Scales).<br />
Step 1: Wine Evaluation<br />
1. Fill in the descriptive information at the top of the Key Wine Pairing Elements<br />
sheet (Figure 11.2a).<br />
2. Note the visual characteristics: color, clarity, consistency, <strong>and</strong> other observations.<br />
3. Evaluate the <strong>wine</strong> components: sweetness level, acidity level, <strong>and</strong> amount of effervescence<br />
present, if any.<br />
4. Evaluate the level of tannins present, alcohol level, <strong>and</strong> overall body.<br />
5. Assess the level of spiciness, flavor intensity, <strong>and</strong> flavor persistence in the flavor<br />
section. Identify the dominant flavor(s) <strong>and</strong> put checks in the flavor check boxes<br />
where appropriate. If any spiciness is present, indicate if it is primarily hot spice,<br />
savory spice, or sweet spice.<br />
Finally, write down any additional thoughts or observations based on your evaluation of<br />
the <strong>wine</strong> (general impressions, maturity, balance, <strong>food</strong> friendliness, quality, etc.).<br />
Step 2: Food Evaluation<br />
1. Fill in the descriptive information at the top of the Key Food Pairing Elements<br />
sheet (Figure 11.2b). Check the box indicating whether it is served hot or cold.<br />
2. Just as you did with the <strong>wine</strong>, evaluate the <strong>food</strong> based on visual characteristics:<br />
color, shape, visual textures, height, portion size, <strong>and</strong> so on.<br />
3. Evaluate the <strong>food</strong> components: sweetness, acidity, saltiness, <strong>and</strong> bitterness.<br />
4. For texture, evaluate the fattiness level <strong>and</strong> overall body. Overall body is the<br />
power in the mouthfeel for the entire dish <strong>and</strong> will be impacted by protein type,<br />
cooking method, <strong>and</strong> the ingredients used.<br />
5. Assess the level of spiciness, flavor intensity, <strong>and</strong> flavor persistence. Also, identify<br />
the dominant flavor(s) <strong>and</strong> put checks in the flavor check boxes where appropriate.<br />
If any spiciness is present, indicate if it is primarily hot spice, savory spice,<br />
or sweet spice.<br />
6. Finally, write down any additional thoughts or observations based on your evaluation<br />
of the <strong>food</strong> (general impressions, balance, <strong>wine</strong> friendliness, quality, etc.).<br />
Step 3: Food <strong>and</strong> Wine Final Evaluation<br />
1. Transfer the descriptions <strong>and</strong> ratings from Figures 11.2a <strong>and</strong> 11.2b to the Food<strong>and</strong>-Wine<br />
Pairing Evaluation sheet (Figure 11.2c).