September 2004

What's in Your Mouth?

by Martina Priadka

In a world where it becomes confusing whether people value what goes in their mouth more than what comes out of it I feel thankful that at least we have wine. How many times have you been in a situation where you wanted to just stop talking and have a drink? Conversely, how many time have wanted someone to just put the drink down and get to the business of talking? When it comes down to it, there is a time and a place for both. Right now it’s time to get a glass and prepare your mouth.

You are about to learn how to identify pinot noir, merlot and cabernet sauvignon purely on smell and taste. Yes, this is an exercise, but before you start complaining about homework let me suggest you fill that mouth of complaints with our first wine. As a matter of fact, I will go as far as suggesting that you scroll to the end of this page, write down or print out the recommended class tools and get yourself to the local wine shop. Hennepin Lake Liquors is one of my favorites in Minneapolis and Solo Vino is my choice for St. Paul. Now, on to the experience.

This is not about your eyes this time, so close them. We will get to looking a little later. Today’s lesson is all about what is happening in your mouth. At this point I assume that you have lined up the wines from left to right. Your eyes are closed but I would never suggest that you leave your nose out of this. Smell is on the top of everyone’s memory stimulator as well as being mandatory for actually tasting something. If you don’t believe me, have someone in a separate room cut a small piece of apple and a small piece of onion in the same size and shape. Then, with a blindfold on and nose plugged, taste them both. You will not be able to tell the difference. Trust me. And if you don’t, we will all wait here while you test it.

Ok, glad you’re back. Now, your eyes are closed, your wines are in front of you and you are about to engage in the art of three. Three wines, three smells, three tastes. Everything you learn here can be applied as a general rule to all future tastings. Here are the rules.

  • Pick up the first glass, put your nose into the generous bowl and take a deep breath. Hold onto that smell and let it bring up thoughts, associations and memories. Wait thirty seconds. Repeat. Wait. Repeat.
  • Take a taste of the wine. Not so small that you don’t have something to play with but not so much that you can’t swallow. Work it around without swallowing and, again, let it bring up thoughts, associations and memories. Swallow. Wait. Repeat. Wait. Repeat.
  • Repeat this process with each of the other two wines.

You may feel a little silly doing this, especially if you are with a group of friends. The final result of the process will be well worth the awkwardness though. Also, don’t feel like you have to think of typical wine words or associations. The ones that come to mind for you will be the most useful in your future wine enjoyment anyway. Once you are finished with all three wines, have a friend pour all three again keeping track of which one is in each glass. Repeat the process and test yourself in identifying each wine correctly. I bet you get all three the first time. If not, never fear. Just go back to step one. You will get it eventually. The worst thing that can happen is that you end up enjoying wine with your friends and have a few laughs.

Here are a few helpful hints to keep in mind about each wine while you are tasting and trying to identify.

  • Tannins: Does your mouth seem to dry out as you taste?
  • Fruit: Does the fruit taste juicy or earthy?
  • Acid: Is the first or last taste sharp or smooth?

Now that you are becoming a professional wine taster, let’s do this again next time with some white wines!

Required tools:

  • 1. Three wine glasses of the same size and shape for each person, preferably large enough to be able to swirl.
  • 2. Three bottles of wine: one pinot noir, one merlot and one cabernet sauvignon. Make sure they are from the same country and of the same vintage.

    • ...Now That's Theskini!::permalink


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