November 2004

What's in Your Mouth This Time?

by Martina Priadka

Last issue, you explored the wonders your mouth presents to you when given some time and attention. I am hoping by now that you have tried and learned how to identify pinot noir, merlot and cabernet sauvignon purely on smell and taste. If you have not started the “What’s in your Mouth” exercise then go to Wineline archives and get the background for this from the September/October issue. You can start with whites or reds; it’s your choice. If you have tried the exercise and have not successfully completed it, not to worry. Try again with the whites and go back to reds later. Every time you do this exercise you are training your palate.

Yes, this is another exercise, but remember that this is the most fun you will ever have with homework so relax and enjoy. Get to your local wine shop, Hennepin Lake Liquors is one of my favorites in Minneapolis and Solo Vino is my choice for St. Paul, explain what you are doing and ask them to guide you to a selection in each of the following grape varietals. You will be learning to identify chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and reisling. Make sure you give them the guidelines listed below.

This time you are going to add your eyes to the program. Have your glasses, the ones you chose for last time with the generous but not overly large bowl, all of the same size, lined up in front of you. You should be sitting at a table with a white tablecloth and plenty of light. If you do not have a white tablecloth then use a piece of plain white paper. Hold the glass at an angle over the white background and note the color. Is it clear to barely golden, straw yellow, deep gold? Make note of the color difference in each of the three wines.

Next smell the wine. Remember the “art of three”? Three wines, three smells, three tastes. If not, 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 three minutes. Repeat. Wait. Repeat.
  • Repeat this process with each of the other two wines.

During this exercise with friends, talk about what you are seeing, smelling and tasting. Remember, 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. If you are reminded of mowing the lawn when you try the sauvignon blanc then say that. If you think of your grandma’s gingerbread cookies when you taste the riesling then remember it that way. Once you are finished with all three wines, have a friend pour all three again without telling you which one is in each glass. They should remember this for you. 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 having 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, earthy, flinty?
  • Oak: Does the wine have a strong wood or vanilla taste?
  • Acid: Is the first or last taste sharp or smooth? Is it buttery or tart?
  • Finish: Can you taste the flavors for a long time or does the taste go away almost immediately after you swallow?
  • Balance: Does one of the above things stand out above all the others or do they all have an equal part in your experience?

Now that you are becoming a professional wine taster, try it with as many wines as you like. Compare the same varietals from different countries or pick one country and do three varietals. You could even start a wine tasting group with your friends and learn together.

Required tools:

1. Three wine glasses of the same size and shape for each person, preferably large enough to be able to swirl but not so big that the aromas escape.

2. Three bottles of wine: one chardonnay, one sauvignon blanc and one riesling. Make sure they are from the same country and of the same vintage.

  • A white tablecloth or white piece of paper for each person.
  • A sense of humor

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


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