Firestyle Magazine Issue 7 - Spring 2017 | Page 22

GENERAL INTEREST
In a new feature we explore
“How to
like a pro”
Wine without doubt is for pleasure, but concentrating just that little
bit harder on “tasting” can enhance enjoyment hugely.
It matters not whether you are new to wine tasting or a seasoned
professional winemaker, the tool of the trade remain constant.
• A clear, tulip-shaped glass, clear and good lighting, and a
notebook and pen.
• A clear head, if you have a cold or are over-tired, it matters
not how much the wine wants to speak to you, not much will get
through.
T hree Essential S te p s
Look
Observe the colour against a white surface. For reds, a purple rim
shows youth, a tawny-brown rim shows age and full bodied reds
are deeper in colour. Crisp whites will be pale, while older richer or
sweeter whites have more colour but with yellow-green rather than
orange brown hues.
Smell
Swirl the wine in your glass, then sniff. Your first impression will be the
strongest. You may find aromas of particular fruits, or other natural
smells like grass or mushrooms.
Taste
Notice the initial taste, what flavours then develop, and whether
the tastes are sustained. As well as a range of flavours tasting
detects how smooth or dry a re is, the balance of fruit and crispness
in a white, and how ell a wine may age. Above all do not rush to
swallow.
In a restaurant take a good sniff to decide whether a wine under
cork is ok to drink, this is difficult and the senses can play havoc
with you, if the wine smells musty or damp, it’s likely to be faulty,
sometimes it is better to rely on the sense of smell rather than taste
to make a decision.
In our next edition we look at, Corks Versus Screw caps,
which glass to use and examine the top five reds and white
grape variety.
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