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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<strong>and</strong> distinguish the key elements of the product, these elements or sensations form a whole<br />
that impact our sense of pleasure <strong>and</strong> quality. This whole can be described as a bundling of<br />
unique attributes to form what is, ideally, a balanced <strong>and</strong> cohesive final product. As with any<br />
product, the attributes of <strong>wine</strong> are based not only on taste but also on sight, smell, sound,<br />
<strong>and</strong> touch.<br />
While the emphasis in this text is primarily on taste, the visual <strong>and</strong> aromatic characteristics<br />
of <strong>wine</strong> provide us with clues about the potential match of the <strong>wine</strong> with particular<br />
<strong>food</strong> dishes as well as the quality of the <strong>wine</strong> itself. The next step is to briefly go over the<br />
basics of <strong>wine</strong> evaluation: a visual examination, an olfactory examination <strong>and</strong>, finally, an<br />
examination of the taste. This basic process has been described as the six S’s of <strong>wine</strong> tasting:<br />
seeing, swirling, smelling, sipping, spitting (or swallowing), <strong>and</strong> savoring. 2<br />
The Look of Wine: Visual Examination The first step in assessing <strong>wine</strong><br />
is to take a look at it. Visual inspection of the bottle <strong>and</strong> of an individual glass of <strong>wine</strong><br />
provides us with a substantial amount of information about the style of the <strong>wine</strong>, aging or<br />
fermentation method, level of alcohol, <strong>and</strong> other clues.<br />
To begin the task of the visual examination, you need to create an environment that<br />
allows an inspection of its color <strong>and</strong> clarity. Most restaurant dining rooms are much too<br />
dark to evaluate the color of <strong>wine</strong>. To effectively assess <strong>wine</strong> color, you must have sufficient<br />
inc<strong>and</strong>escent or natural light (not fluorescent, which can create a false <strong>and</strong> unpleasant color<br />
impression). Next, hold the glass against a white background such as a tablecloth or white<br />
paper. Tilt the glass away from you at a 45 degree angle, then look at the color <strong>and</strong> clarity<br />
of the <strong>wine</strong> from the rim inward.<br />
✦ Color. The color of <strong>wine</strong> can vary substantially <strong>and</strong> provides us with clues on varietals,<br />
growing region <strong>and</strong> climate, all of which can help us make educated guesses about the<br />
ultimate taste of the <strong>wine</strong>. The depth of color is not necessarily an indicator of <strong>wine</strong> quality<br />
but provides clues to the <strong>wine</strong>’s structure, weight, <strong>and</strong> length of finish. 3<br />
While color varies by the varietal of the grape used, reds can vary from opaque to<br />
almost black. Light-colored reds may be a sign of cool climate, <strong>and</strong> darker colors in reds (as<br />
in whites) tend to indicate warmer regions. Unlike in whites, richness of color can be evidence<br />
of youth in a red <strong>wine</strong>.<br />
White <strong>wine</strong>s can be as clear as water or a deep yellow. A pale color indicates a young<br />
white that was bottled early without any aging in wood; the <strong>wine</strong> should taste fresh, young,<br />
<strong>and</strong> well-balanced. Aged whites or those left in oak will tend to be darker in color. Rosé can<br />
range from a pale salmon pink to a dark pink.<br />
When the objective is to compare the color across two or more <strong>wine</strong>s, it is recommended<br />
that you use identical glasses, fill the glasses to the same level (one-third full), <strong>and</strong><br />
have a white background, preferably with direct light.<br />
✦ Clarity. After inspecting the color of <strong>wine</strong>, the next step in the visual examination is<br />
to assess the clarity or transparency. The clarity provides an indication of the quality of<br />
<strong>wine</strong>making technique <strong>and</strong> whether or not the bottle has been properly h<strong>and</strong>led. Level of<br />
clarity can be judged as cloudy, about clear, clear, crystal clear, or brilliant.<br />
✦ Swirling. The process of swirling <strong>wine</strong> provides a look at the consistency in <strong>wine</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
opens up its aromas. The need to swirl without spilling is one reason not to overfill <strong>wine</strong>glasses.<br />
With the glass sitting on the table, grip the bottom of the stem, lift the glass slightly,<br />
<strong>and</strong> swirl in a counterclockwise motion (if you are right-h<strong>and</strong>ed). An easier method for those<br />
who are less <strong>experience</strong>d is to swirl the glass by the stem but keep it on the table rather<br />
than above it.<br />
An <strong>experience</strong>d <strong>wine</strong> taster never grips a <strong>wine</strong>glass by its bowl unless the <strong>wine</strong> is served<br />
too cool; then, cupping the bowl with your h<strong>and</strong>s can be used to warm the <strong>wine</strong>. This<br />
warming effect assists in releasing tastes <strong>and</strong> flavors.<br />
Basics of Wine Evaluation 23