The hidden secrets of wine tasting

Everybody, or almost everybody, likes a glass of wine in a selected company. It is not compulsory, that everybody becomes a professional wine taster or a somelier.

The main difference between a somelier and a normal trained wine taster, is the simple fact that the somelier needs to speak loud about his experience, and is able to do that, mastering the right vocabulary. Remember, every science is first of all a matter of vocabulary, as a craft is first of all a matter of skill!

But, let's go back to our glass of (Romanian) wine! If the wine comes in a glass, you might want to use a clarifying glass. Putting the wine in the clarifying glass is a spectacular part of the tasting, and many people don't understand the major importance of it. Thus the wine clarifies and simultaneously is airing, emphasizing its natural qualities. As nowadays most producers filter their marketed wines thoroughly, in many situations the clarifying stage is not necessary anymore, with only some exceptions, e.g. if you observe some sediments, or you taste a strong red old wine, which requires for sure clarifying.

Judging the color of a wine is the first step while wine tasting

Next time when you are going to taste a glass of light white wine, e.g Ottonel, Chianti or whatsoever, and the waiter intends to use the clarifying glass, tell him please to spare the effort, that wine simply doesn't require that method, and even doesn't support it.

So, one thing is clear, go to the next step: pour in the tasting wine, and please don't be impacient. Watch carefully the wine first, from longer or shorter distance. Observe the color, the tone, the shade and compare with other similar wines you tested before. Maybe this wine is particular, due to soil, climate, harvesting etc (terroir use to say the French). Incline the glass and observe how the wine humidifies the glass, and if it lets any traces. Observe continuosly the aspect and continuity of the forming pelicula. Smell the wine near the glass and by bringing the smell to you from the distance, with your hand.

On wine tasting always use a spittoon, no matter how difficult is it ot you.  Not using  means getting drunk very quickly

Lat, but not least, taste the wine. But never taste and swallow, experience it! Feel the liquid with all your tongue, and bear in mind that the tastes are only sour, sweet,salt with their tones. Anything else you might feel is again flavor/smell, coming from the nose which communicates with your mouth.

By the end, spit the wine, no matter how difficult is it to you.
.