Wine Tasting Presentation Notes

Overview of the Dining Room

• Location: Boarding house dining room
• Atmosphere: Full-story restaurant with bar on first floor
• Cuisine: Mediterranean-based food
• Wine Selection: Approximately 500 wines from around the world

Wine Tasting Process

Starting with White Wine

1. Observing Color

   • Tilt glass to view wine color.
   • Lighter color = cooler climate or specific grape.
   • Darker color = older wine or warmer climate.

2. Legs of the Wine

   • Legs indicate viscosity and alcohol content.
   • More legs = higher alcohol content (e.g., 15-16% alcohol has more legs than 13.5%).
   • Example: Observe legs in cognac for higher alcohol content.

3. Smelling the Wine

   • Swirl wine to release aromatics.
   • Identify three components:
     • Fruit: Smells like produce (e.g., green apple, under ripe peaches).
     • Earth: Organic/inorganic smells (e.g., fresh soil, mushrooms, damp basement).
     • Wood: Smells from baking (e.g., caramel, cloves, vanilla, coconut).

4. Tasting the Wine

   • Take a small sip (1-2 ounces) and move it around in the mouth.
   • Aspirate by drawing air over it to increase aromatic perception.
   • Note the weight/body of the wine (e.g., fresh, vibrant, crisp).

Transitioning to Red Wine

1. Observing Color

   • Tilt glass against a white background.
   • Red wines gain color as they age; older wines appear more orange or brick-like.
   • Thickness of grape skin indicated by clarity (thicker skins = less clarity).

2. Smelling Red Wine

   • Identify fruit notes (e.g., black cherries, black plums).
   • Note spice and floral notes (e.g., cinnamon, violets).

Characteristics of Bad Wine

• Winemaking Flaws:
  • Spritziness when it shouldn't be present.
  • Barnyard or foul smells (e.g., skunk, saddle).
  • Numbing sensation on the tongue.

Subjectivity of Wine Taste

• Taste is subjective; ratings don't always reflect quality.
• Importance of trusting personal palate.
• Different styles appeal to different people; not every wine needs to be mind-blowing.
• Encourage exploration and openness to different wines.