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
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
38<br />
Chapter 2 Taste Basics <strong>and</strong> the Basics of Wine Evaluation<br />
associations, such as tree fruits (apples, pears, etc.), or less traditional ones, such as lychee fruits or Jolly Rancher watermelon<br />
c<strong>and</strong>y. After you have determined the impression of the aroma identity, see if you can match it to those on the aroma wheel.<br />
● Sip <strong>and</strong> spit/swallow. What st<strong>and</strong>s out as dominant elements in this <strong>wine</strong>?<br />
● Savor. How intense is the <strong>wine</strong>? How long is its finish? Does it have any spicy characteristics?<br />
Make notes about your observations. Pay particular attention to sweetness level, acidity level, lack of tannins, body, flavor<br />
intensity, finish, <strong>and</strong> dominant flavors.<br />
Riesling is light-bodied <strong>and</strong>, generally, loaded with fruity aromas <strong>and</strong> flavors. Can you identify the fruit aromas <strong>and</strong> flavors?<br />
Riesling is best grown in cooler climates, providing a balance between residual sugar <strong>and</strong> acidity.<br />
Sauvignon Blanc (Number 2)<br />
● Sight. Visually inspect the <strong>wine</strong>. What is the color <strong>and</strong> clarity? The typical color is straw yellow. Does this sample match this<br />
description? Is it lighter or darker in color than the Riesling?<br />
● Swirl <strong>and</strong> smell. Inspect the viscosity <strong>and</strong> smell the aroma. What aromas can you identify? Close your eyes <strong>and</strong> smell the<br />
sample; write down any descriptive associations. This varietal is typically powerful <strong>and</strong> distinctive. Typical associations in<br />
Sauvignon Blanc can be grassy, pungent, <strong>and</strong> herbaceous. More specific descriptions such as canned asparagus, green pepper,<br />
or hay are also common. After you have identified the aroma, see if you can match it to those on the aroma wheel.<br />
● Smell the Riesling again. Is the contrast subtle or unmistakable?<br />
● Sip <strong>and</strong> spit/swallow. What st<strong>and</strong>s out as dominant elements in this <strong>wine</strong>? Is it fuller-bodied than the Riesling? It should feel a<br />
bit heavier <strong>and</strong> richer in your mouth. Record your observations. The distinctive, pungent taste of Sauvignon Blanc should be<br />
easily recorded in your <strong>sensory</strong> memory bank.<br />
● Savor. How intense is the <strong>wine</strong>? How long is its finish? Does it have any spicy characteristics?<br />
Make notes about your observations. Pay particular attention to sweetness, acidity, lack of tannins, body, flavor intensity,<br />
finish, <strong>and</strong> dominant flavors.<br />
Chardonnay (Number 3)<br />
● Sight. Visually inspect the <strong>wine</strong>. What is the color <strong>and</strong> clarity? The color should be more of a yellow-gold <strong>and</strong> darker than the<br />
other two white <strong>wine</strong>s.<br />
● Swirl <strong>and</strong> smell. Inspect the viscosity <strong>and</strong> smell the aroma. The viscosity will be heavier than the previous two <strong>wine</strong>s. What<br />
aromas can you identify? Close your eyes <strong>and</strong> smell the sample; write down any descriptive associations. From the aroma,<br />
you will sense that the Chardonnay is fuller-bodied than the Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling. Do you smell oak, smoke, vanilla, or<br />
butter? What fruit aromas can you identify?<br />
● Sip <strong>and</strong> spit/swallow. What st<strong>and</strong>s out as dominant elements in this <strong>wine</strong>? Taste <strong>and</strong> feel the difference in body. The<br />
Chardonnay is richer <strong>and</strong> heavier than the Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc.<br />
● Savor. How intense is the <strong>wine</strong>? How long is its finish? Does it have any spicy characteristics?<br />
Make notes about your observations. Pay particular attention to sweetness, acidity, lack of tannins, body, flavor intensity,<br />
finish, <strong>and</strong> dominant flavors.<br />
RED WINES<br />
Pinot Noir (Number 4)<br />
● Sight. Visually inspect the <strong>wine</strong>. What is the color <strong>and</strong> clarity? Tilt the glass against the white placemat. The <strong>wine</strong> should be<br />
relatively translucent. It is lighter-colored than the Merlot <strong>and</strong> Cabernet Sauvignon samples. This is a typical characteristic of<br />
Pinot Noir <strong>wine</strong>s.<br />
● Swirl <strong>and</strong> smell. Inspect the viscosity <strong>and</strong> smell the aroma. Is the viscosity heavier or lighter than the previous <strong>wine</strong>s? What<br />
aromas can you identify? Close your eyes <strong>and</strong> smell the sample; write down any descriptive associations.<br />
● Sip <strong>and</strong> spit/swallow. What st<strong>and</strong>s out as dominant elements in this <strong>wine</strong>? Taste <strong>and</strong> feel the difference in body <strong>and</strong> tannin<br />
compared to the white <strong>wine</strong>s.<br />
● Savor. How intense is the <strong>wine</strong>? How long is its finish? Does it have any spicy characteristics?<br />
Make notes about your observations. Pay particular attention to sweetness, acidity, lack of tannins, body, flavor intensity,<br />
finish, <strong>and</strong> dominant flavors. Pinot Noir should have a silky texture; many tasters describe Pinot Noir as having a red <strong>wine</strong> flavor<br />
with a white <strong>wine</strong> texture. Pinot Noir is the lightest-bodied of the red grapes in this grouping.