With the arrival of summer, comes a surplus of public wine
tasting events throughout the country. Wine tastings are available at wine
festivals, wine shops, grocery stores, even convenience stores, and at wine
classes. All of these venues can
offer an excellent chance for you to try new or different wines, and to explore
wines you are not familiar with.
Wine tasting events are designed to allow the wine
lover a chance to try several types of wines at the same time and compare. They also offer you a chance to discuss
the wines with fellow tasters, garner opinions, and learn as you go. These events are not for the
pretentious. Wine drinkers from beginners, to intermediates, to advanced, enjoy
these gatherings and love to share information.
You might go to a Cabernet tasting at a local wine
shop and get to try four or five excellent Cabs in a seated environment with
other wine lovers. The presenter
should be able to answer your questions and steer you toward something you will
like.
Grocery stores may offer a flight of wines,
ranging from dry to sweet, along with cheeses from their deli that will pair well
with each wine. These are enjoyed at a
tasting table with the products available right there for purchase.
Wine festivals abound! There's Vintage Indiana, the Music and Merlot Festival, the New Orleans French
Quarter Wine Festival... Usually the
name will indicate what types of wine you can expect to find. Before heading out, decide what kind
of information you want to gain from attending the event. Are you looking to
learn more about a certain grape, a type of wine, a wine region, or just
looking forward to an outing with friends? All are great reasons to attend, just clarify to yourself
what you hope to gain and make the most of the event.
But before you go there are a few things to keep in mind when attending an event, based on my experience in front of and behind the tasting counter; we'll call these Joy's Ten Suggestions for Attending a Wine Tasting
Event.
1) Eat
before you go. Yes, there may be food pairings offered, but these are only
samples, and the purpose is not for you to make a meal out of them. These tiny ‘appetizers’ are there to
help you with pairing ideas, and to help your body absorb the alcohol so you
can enjoy the event without getting drunk.
2) No
heavy aromas. In other words, if
you really want to taste the wines – no smoking, no heavy perfumes or
after-shave lotions. Don’t wear,
or do anything that will affect your sense of smell and taste. And yes, this
includes chewing gum, going heavy on the garlic, or chewing tobacco! (And
he wondered why all of the wines tasted like mint….!)
3)
Plan what you’ll wear. If
it’s an outside event, wear something cool and comfortable. No heels - think about it..., No black – too hot. No white – unless you don’t mind
getting wine stains on it. (I know,
you’re very careful, but the guy tasting next to you, ummm…not so much.)
4)
Keep hydrated. Wine shop
tastings will usually have water available. If you’re attending a wine festival, carry your own. Don’t expect the booth to provide it
for you. The water they have on
hand is for rinsing glasses.
Grocery tasting? Grab a
bottle at the register. While you
may not feel that you’re getting dehydrated, play it safe by drinking a glass
of water for every glass of wine consumed.
5)
Move away from the table after you’ve received your pour. There is usually a line of people
waiting behind you. Please be considerate and get out of the line of
action. You can always get back in
line for another sample or to ask a question. Basic guidelines:
Don’t hog the table and don’t cut in line. Wine lovers are affable people – as long as you don’t keep
them from their wine unnecessarily ; )
6)
Don’t be afraid to ask questions, but please make them
relevant to the wine and not just chitchat. This is your opportunity to speak with the wine maker, wine
shop manager, or (hopefully) someone who knows something about the wines they
are pouring. Have a question about
the wine you just tried? Get in
line and ask. The pourer may have
an answer, a suggestion, or an idea that gives you more ways to enjoy the wine.
7)
Take advantage of the tasting notes offered. Read the wine’s description and then taste. Can you find the same flavors
described? Or do you taste
something different? Note on the
sheet or in a designated notebook what you experience. Later, you can discuss your findings
with friends who also tried the wine, or remind yourself why you bought three cases of it.
8) Ask
if any ‘specials’ are being offered at the tasting. Many times wine shops and grocery stores will offer special
prices on the wines you’ve tried.
At wine festivals, 6 bottle and case (12 bottle) discounts may apply,
along with a percentage off of one-bottle purchases. It never hurts to ask and you may find yourself with some
great bargains.
9) Go
prepared to purchase by taking your own wine carrier bags. You may have decided that you would
only buy 6 wines –but once you get there and start tasting, six can change to
12 or 24 very quickly. At a large
event, empty wine boxes can be hard to find because everyone needs one to carry
their purchases. Be prepared
and you won’t have to wait for a carryall.
10) Remember the 3E’s! These are the musts for any wine tasting event – Explore, Experience, and Enjoy!
Even if you don’t live near a large grocery, wine shop,
or wine festival location, you can still enjoy a wine tasting. Attend a Twitter Tasting and take part in the
questions and comments as you sip and savor along with other participants,
worldwide.
The weekend is coming – now get out there and
Enjoy!
~ Joy
I began with the Pinot
Grigio, with grapes grown in northern Italy’s Delle Venezie region, well known
for its volcanic rock and chalky clay soils. The Caposaldo whites go through a cold
fermentation in stainless tanks, in order to bring out the wine’s true flavors.
This Pinot Grig had the essence of peaches and pears with a hint of minerals,
and the aroma of apples enveloped in crisp acidity. Hints of almonds led to a clean
finish. My overall opinion: this is a nice, “classic Italian Pinot Grig” and
should be served with seafood, poultry or pork.
The Chianti is a
blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet, Merlot and Malvasia grapes grown in the Chianti
region of Tuscany. These grapes are also handpicked and undergo traditional
vinification, including being pumped over at least four times a day. One-third
of the wine is then aged in oak before bottling. Nice berry aromas with an
undercurrent of herbs on the nose led to an outstanding cherry flavor; good body. My
overall opinion: Nice berry/cherry flavors but the finish is a bit astringent
and minerally. Pair this wine with grilled or roasted meats,
pizza, or red sauce pasta meals: this wine would go well with any classic Italian meal.
Caposaldo also
offers several other wines including a Prosecco D.O.C from Veneto region of
northern Italy, a Sweet Moscato, Sweet Peach Moscato, Sparkling Sweet Red and
Sweet Pink Merlot Moscato. It's definitely worth trying a few well chilled bottles
during these “dog days of August.”
