The 5 S’s of Wine Tasting:
See- This is what you see in the glass. Look at the color, the opacity, the different hues around the edge and then start to think back to when you started to learn about the rainbow colors. Now try to identify those colors. I know you have all looked at clothing catalogs, so feel free to steal some names from clothing items like cranberry, straw, maybe even a hint of periwinkle etc.
Try to do it with adequate light and hopefully have a whitish surface as a background. Try not to look at the glass with a fuscia shirt in the background for example, it tends to skew the results. Also, you don’t want to look like a blind mouse running about searching for the light, so if you are in a compromised situation, its ok, just move on to the next step.
Swirl- Let’s get some movement going in that glass- I want to see those legs do some dancing! But try and get a gauge of your glass shape and size before you do so, otherwise you may be wearing half of your glass of wine. The best thing to do for beginners is to start slow with your glass of wine on a smooth table-like surface and, keeping the base of the glass on table, start to make small circular gestures. There you go, keep going, until you can take off the training wheels and go stem swirling only!
Sniff- Now this is probably the hardest step to do without looking like a complete idiot or a confirmed wine snob. But yes, you can do it! Once you have the swirling part down just start to lift the glass lightly to your nose and take a delicate whiff. See what you think, what your first takeaway is. Its okay if you don’t smell anything at first, it takes practice and what fun it is to practice with wine! The best thing to get started is to practice your swirl and then periodically sniff. See if you can smell the same essences from the first time to the next. Try to associate the different smells with foods you eat or experiences you have. There are no rules and no right answers, because this is a sensory exercise and everyones senses are different.
Try this out every time you have a glass of wine and you will increase your olfactory vocabulary quite quickly. Take time in the market to smell pinapples, berries, fruits and spices. Not only does it give you a zen-like moment to your day but it makes you start to create the smell memories that will help you with the PART II of the Tasting note course!
Sip- So this is really my favorite part of the exercise. If you are with a group, try to delicately taste the wine and see what your overall experience is. Take time to notice how it hits your tongue, is it spicy, tickly, acidic, soft, chocolatey? How does it slide through your mouth- is it elegant, grippy, tart? If you are alone with your glass of wine, you can go full monty and close your eyes, sigh deeply and truly indulge in the experience.
Savor- So now you have experienced the wine from your sight, smell and taste, now it is time to see what remains. How was the wine structured? Did it have a lot of acid, tannin, etc.? Basically … a lot of the boring things that you hear about but never really take into account. You don’t have to have the vocabulary, you should just know what it tastes like for you. Once you swallow what flavors linger, or does it even linger? What is your overall impression of the wine? Would you buy it again? Would you give it as a gift to a friend?
Patrick James Dunn Wir spucken auf dem Berner Oberland, mit Whistler in unserem Hinterhof!
On 12-01-07 3:34 PM, "Patrick Dunn" wrote:
> Hi Colin and Gail!
>
> Trust all goes well, so far in 2012! Sorry that I've not been in touch a bit
> sooner. Not quite sure where all of the time has gone and the new year has
> only just begun! Wonderful to see you both and glad you enjoyed yourselves. In
> all the bustle, I forgot to mention that Thea is waiting to hear from you:
>
> Hi Patrick,
>
> It's sunny in Santa Monica today. Just beautiful. I haven't heard from Colin
> yet and I was wondering if there is another way to reach Fiona and Sheila?
> Sorry to bother you. I guess I waited 35 years so I could be more patient.
> That should be my New Years resolution! Thea
>
> I gather that renewing contact means much to her.
>
> Started of the New Year regimen with a two mile swim at the Aquatic Center on
> Monday. Shoulder felt pretty good so quite exhilarated to be back, "surging"
> through the water. More like "plowing" than "surging" but still felt
> wonderful. In spite of reasonably inclement weather, over last week, I have
> managed a few wonderful rides. On Tuesday, I decided that I would do an
> up-and-over. If I'm remembering correctly, forecast was for rain but day
> turned out to be dry with not too, too much wind. I went as far as Argyle, in
> West Van, just before steepish hill that leads to Dundarave. Had 22K on my
> odometer by time I turned around. Since I wanted to log 50K by finish, I had
> decided I'd do another loop of park once I was back at the playground near
> Second Beach. Did just that and pulled into the Heartbreak Terrace with 51.33K
> to show for my efforts. Rather pleased as this was the longest ride I'd
> managed since before Christmas!
>
> Wednesday I was on Footman's duty with Her Majesty so only exercise I managed
> was lifting her contraption in and out of car! On Thursday, however, I wanted
> to hit pool again so decided I'd go for a shorter ride beforehand. Turned
> right at Seawall junction to head to downtown and followed bike route all the
> way to Canada Place. One needs to make a slight detour to avoid stairs leading
> to Convention Center, beside Seaplane Terminal, but an easy one as bicycle
> accessible ramps allowed me to keep my feet on the pedals! A major concern, as
> you well know, Dear Reader! Must say that ride along Canada Place deck is
> quite picturesque, providing a simply glorious view of North Shore and the
> mountains, together with terrific panorama of harbour and container cranes,
> etc. About 4K from turnoff, (11K to that point), so I dipsy-doodled a bit
> heading back to Aquatic Centre to have 24K on odometre, in anticipation of
> being able to log final tally, magic number 31.33K, by time I was home. Swim
> went well and I upped distance to 2.5miles, inching my way towards 3 mile goal
> as a benchmark. I broke that barrier before the 31st but want to make it my
> "normal" swim distance. Veddy, veddy slow but sure.
>
> Knew forecast held rain to start around noon, yesterday but sky looked
> promising so I delayed my start until about 10:30am. Discovered that it was
> much, much cooler than I thought when I headed out, fighting a fairly stiff
> wind. Thought that temperature would mean that rain would hold off so didn't
> mind the buffeting. Once I rounded Science World only had the occasional
> strong gust. Have given up trying to figure out wind direction but I think it
> was a southeasterly or an eastsoutherly! At any rate, I returned to Canada
> Place and then over Lions Gate, fighting a reasonably strong cross wind and
> the beginnings of rain. By the time I had circled under bridge it was coming
> down fairly steadily and my riding shorts and designer long underwear were
> soaked. Thighs were not uncomfortable but my feet were blocks of ice, (Where
> are Robo Ray's Cpsyco-Socks when you really need them?), and my hands were
> turning into icicles in spite of my attempts to warm them through repeated
> clenching while grimacing!
>
> Since I was already wet I decided to push on, going all the way to Travers and
> Marine Drive. A few blocks before that another foolhardy rider passed me and
> commented on how wet the day had turned out to be. I agreed, wholeheartedly,
> but didn't realize what was in store until I started the return journey. Now I
> was heading into the wind, (No surprise there, shades of Stink Island
> Revisited!), and the rain was pelting down. At times, I just wanted to curl up
> by the side of the road and expire, cursing myself for not limiting the ride
> to an up-an-over! Nevertheless, I pushed on, dreaming of a steaming latte and
> Robo Ray's cake, and made it to the bridge deck with almost 40K on the trusty
> odometre.
>
> Rain abated, somewhat, on ascent and long haul warmed my frozen extremities,
> somewhat. My core was quite comfortable but my hands and feet felt like they'd
> been injected with Novocaine, ironically, however, maddeningly numb yet
> naggingly painful, at one and the same time!! Finally made it to Prospect
> Point, the coffee shop luring me with its steamed windows and promises of
> piping hot bowls of soup and frothy cappuccinos, but I clenched my frozen lips
> and headed downhill. Back into the wind for the interminable descent, the
> hyper chilled air raking me with absolute zero fingers!
>
> Originally, after the SP/LG/WV circuit, I intended to make for West Broadway
> and Young Brothers to buy some vegetables needed for the weekend meals. I
> planned to clock 61K by the time I stepped onto the sidewalk there but by the
> time I was out of the park and heading for Science World I knew that I would
> be hard pressed to ride to Kitsilano. I had ridden 45K by the time I was 10K
> from Harbour Terrace, (viaduct/playground near Second Beach), so I knew I only
> had 6K worth of dipsy-doodling to reach my target distance. Rain had stopped
> by the time I was at Science World but so had the circulation in my fingers
> and thumbs. Sn even poked its head out although I felt no warmth from its
> anaemic presence. Nevertheless, I battled on, cursing the turtle slowness with
> which the distance display ticked over, babbling to myself, (drawing anxious,
> wary looks from passersby), to keep going before hypothermia finally set in.
>
> Chilled, literally to the bone, I wheeled into our parkade, exulting in the
> hard won 61.33K. My thrilling flush of victory was sort lived, however, as I
> literally could not press the button on the clicker to open the garage door. I
> felt a bit like Jon Krakauer near the top of Everest struggling with his
> oxygen valve. Finally managed, using a finger knuckle, to depress button and I
> was home at last! Nevertheless, I knew I couldn't deal with locking my bike or
> unhitching my panniers so simply left my trusty steed unchained and made for
> the warmth of the hallway. With lobster claws I opened doors and stumbled into
> The Island Inn, walking like a man with no toes. Her Majesty was dozing,
> reclining on the couch so, after taking my sodden sneakers outside, I caressed
> her exposed throat with my antarctic digits and she screamed so loudly that
> Maggie achieved vertical liftoff from where she had been sleeping peacefully
> on the Royal Tummy! Share the pain of your loyal minions 'yer Ladyship!!!
>
> Few minutes after my feet and hands had started to un-thaw, Stefano came by to
> deliver the gloves and toque he had borrowed earlier in their stay. I offered
> him a cup of freshly brewed java and we caught up on their recent junket to
> Edmonton as well as making more plans for our visit with them in March, in
> Mornington, as well as Hunter Valley, in April. He paid final obeisance to
> Cora Lee Regina and I dropped him off the Main Street SkyTrain Station to make
> his own way back to Burnaby, South Slope. Sorry to see them return to Oz, of
> course, but glad that we will see both Kathleen and Mandolin Man in a little
> more than two months.
>
> I proceeded to Costco to pick up list the Royal Cook had prepared and then a
> quick stop at Marquis for two bottles of el Grano, Chile, 13%, 2010 Sauvignon
> Blanc, one of their WOW, (Wines of the Weekend), offerings. Then to Capers on
> 4th to purchase rice crumbs for Her Majesty's gluten free diet. After that,
> popped into Kissilano Wines for a couple of bottles of Aljibes, Spain, 2005
> Red, (35% Cabbage, 35% Merlot, 30% Cab Franc, 13.5%), and then raced home.
> Found The Sutherland Freeloaders already ensconced, pounding a Church & State
> 2009 Pinot Gris, spicy, with hints of lychee and a fresh, crisp finish,
> munching on Cambozola and rice crackers, checking out flights, car rentals and
> accommodation in OZ for coming trip.
>
> Once I unloaded groceries, Her Highness put Sarge to work on dinner, preparing
> Rosita's orange chicken thigh dish while I concocted a green salad. That done
> we readied green beans/cherry tomatoes in frying pan and put water on to boil
> for polenta. Chicken took about 45 minutes to bake and we co-ordinated timing
> of other two dishes so they were both ready when fowl came out of the oven.
> Just before we sat down to eat I opened the Aljibes and everyone applauded the
> choice: deep cherry colour with ripe fruit on the nose, dusty yet spicy,
> lengthy finish. We toasted one another and enjoyed a delicious meal with
> wonderful friends, terrific traveling companions.
>
> Flamin' and Sarge and Molly left shortly after 9:00pm and I cleaned up while
> Cora Lee and Chloë watched an episode of Revenge. Then to bed and but a few
> pages of Turn of Mind, Alice LaPlante's quite remarkable first novel about Dr.
> Jennifer White, suffering from dementia, the prime suspect in the death of her
> best friend, as ride over the frozen tundra finally took its toll. I drifted
> off imagining my hands clasped around a hefty splash of Bruichladdich Port
> Charlotte PC7, 61%. However, rather than sipping the Sin An Doigh Ileach, I
> would dip one finger after another into the warming nectar and lick it,
> slowly, off my fingertips! Sláinte!!! Cheers, Patrizzio!
> Hi Colin and Gail!
>
> Trust all goes well, so far in 2012! Sorry that I've not been in touch a bit
> sooner. Not quite sure where all of the time has gone and the new year has
> only just begun! Wonderful to see you both and glad you enjoyed yourselves. In
> all the bustle, I forgot to mention that Thea is waiting to hear from you:
>
> Hi Patrick,
>
> It's sunny in Santa Monica today. Just beautiful. I haven't heard from Colin
> yet and I was wondering if there is another way to reach Fiona and Sheila?
> Sorry to bother you. I guess I waited 35 years so I could be more patient.
> That should be my New Years resolution! Thea
>
> I gather that renewing contact means much to her.
>
> Started of the New Year regimen with a two mile swim at the Aquatic Center on
> Monday. Shoulder felt pretty good so quite exhilarated to be back, "surging"
> through the water. More like "plowing" than "surging" but still felt
> wonderful. In spite of reasonably inclement weather, over last week, I have
> managed a few wonderful rides. On Tuesday, I decided that I would do an
> up-and-over. If I'm remembering correctly, forecast was for rain but day
> turned out to be dry with not too, too much wind. I went as far as Argyle, in
> West Van, just before steepish hill that leads to Dundarave. Had 22K on my
> odometer by time I turned around. Since I wanted to log 50K by finish, I had
> decided I'd do another loop of park once I was back at the playground near
> Second Beach. Did just that and pulled into the Heartbreak Terrace with 51.33K
> to show for my efforts. Rather pleased as this was the longest ride I'd
> managed since before Christmas!
>
> Wednesday I was on Footman's duty with Her Majesty so only exercise I managed
> was lifting her contraption in and out of car! On Thursday, however, I wanted
> to hit pool again so decided I'd go for a shorter ride beforehand. Turned
> right at Seawall junction to head to downtown and followed bike route all the
> way to Canada Place. One needs to make a slight detour to avoid stairs leading
> to Convention Center, beside Seaplane Terminal, but an easy one as bicycle
> accessible ramps allowed me to keep my feet on the pedals! A major concern, as
> you well know, Dear Reader! Must say that ride along Canada Place deck is
> quite picturesque, providing a simply glorious view of North Shore and the
> mountains, together with terrific panorama of harbour and container cranes,
> etc. About 4K from turnoff, (11K to that point), so I dipsy-doodled a bit
> heading back to Aquatic Centre to have 24K on odometre, in anticipation of
> being able to log final tally, magic number 31.33K, by time I was home. Swim
> went well and I upped distance to 2.5miles, inching my way towards 3 mile goal
> as a benchmark. I broke that barrier before the 31st but want to make it my
> "normal" swim distance. Veddy, veddy slow but sure.
>
> Knew forecast held rain to start around noon, yesterday but sky looked
> promising so I delayed my start until about 10:30am. Discovered that it was
> much, much cooler than I thought when I headed out, fighting a fairly stiff
> wind. Thought that temperature would mean that rain would hold off so didn't
> mind the buffeting. Once I rounded Science World only had the occasional
> strong gust. Have given up trying to figure out wind direction but I think it
> was a southeasterly or an eastsoutherly! At any rate, I returned to Canada
> Place and then over Lions Gate, fighting a reasonably strong cross wind and
> the beginnings of rain. By the time I had circled under bridge it was coming
> down fairly steadily and my riding shorts and designer long underwear were
> soaked. Thighs were not uncomfortable but my feet were blocks of ice, (Where
> are Robo Ray's Cpsyco-Socks when you really need them?), and my hands were
> turning into icicles in spite of my attempts to warm them through repeated
> clenching while grimacing!
>
> Since I was already wet I decided to push on, going all the way to Travers and
> Marine Drive. A few blocks before that another foolhardy rider passed me and
> commented on how wet the day had turned out to be. I agreed, wholeheartedly,
> but didn't realize what was in store until I started the return journey. Now I
> was heading into the wind, (No surprise there, shades of Stink Island
> Revisited!), and the rain was pelting down. At times, I just wanted to curl up
> by the side of the road and expire, cursing myself for not limiting the ride
> to an up-an-over! Nevertheless, I pushed on, dreaming of a steaming latte and
> Robo Ray's cake, and made it to the bridge deck with almost 40K on the trusty
> odometre.
>
> Rain abated, somewhat, on ascent and long haul warmed my frozen extremities,
> somewhat. My core was quite comfortable but my hands and feet felt like they'd
> been injected with Novocaine, ironically, however, maddeningly numb yet
> naggingly painful, at one and the same time!! Finally made it to Prospect
> Point, the coffee shop luring me with its steamed windows and promises of
> piping hot bowls of soup and frothy cappuccinos, but I clenched my frozen lips
> and headed downhill. Back into the wind for the interminable descent, the
> hyper chilled air raking me with absolute zero fingers!
>
> Originally, after the SP/LG/WV circuit, I intended to make for West Broadway
> and Young Brothers to buy some vegetables needed for the weekend meals. I
> planned to clock 61K by the time I stepped onto the sidewalk there but by the
> time I was out of the park and heading for Science World I knew that I would
> be hard pressed to ride to Kitsilano. I had ridden 45K by the time I was 10K
> from Harbour Terrace, (viaduct/playground near Second Beach), so I knew I only
> had 6K worth of dipsy-doodling to reach my target distance. Rain had stopped
> by the time I was at Science World but so had the circulation in my fingers
> and thumbs. Sn even poked its head out although I felt no warmth from its
> anaemic presence. Nevertheless, I battled on, cursing the turtle slowness with
> which the distance display ticked over, babbling to myself, (drawing anxious,
> wary looks from passersby), to keep going before hypothermia finally set in.
>
> Chilled, literally to the bone, I wheeled into our parkade, exulting in the
> hard won 61.33K. My thrilling flush of victory was sort lived, however, as I
> literally could not press the button on the clicker to open the garage door. I
> felt a bit like Jon Krakauer near the top of Everest struggling with his
> oxygen valve. Finally managed, using a finger knuckle, to depress button and I
> was home at last! Nevertheless, I knew I couldn't deal with locking my bike or
> unhitching my panniers so simply left my trusty steed unchained and made for
> the warmth of the hallway. With lobster claws I opened doors and stumbled into
> The Island Inn, walking like a man with no toes. Her Majesty was dozing,
> reclining on the couch so, after taking my sodden sneakers outside, I caressed
> her exposed throat with my antarctic digits and she screamed so loudly that
> Maggie achieved vertical liftoff from where she had been sleeping peacefully
> on the Royal Tummy! Share the pain of your loyal minions 'yer Ladyship!!!
>
> Few minutes after my feet and hands had started to un-thaw, Stefano came by to
> deliver the gloves and toque he had borrowed earlier in their stay. I offered
> him a cup of freshly brewed java and we caught up on their recent junket to
> Edmonton as well as making more plans for our visit with them in March, in
> Mornington, as well as Hunter Valley, in April. He paid final obeisance to
> Cora Lee Regina and I dropped him off the Main Street SkyTrain Station to make
> his own way back to Burnaby, South Slope. Sorry to see them return to Oz, of
> course, but glad that we will see both Kathleen and Mandolin Man in a little
> more than two months.
>
> I proceeded to Costco to pick up list the Royal Cook had prepared and then a
> quick stop at Marquis for two bottles of el Grano, Chile, 13%, 2010 Sauvignon
> Blanc, one of their WOW, (Wines of the Weekend), offerings. Then to Capers on
> 4th to purchase rice crumbs for Her Majesty's gluten free diet. After that,
> popped into Kissilano Wines for a couple of bottles of Aljibes, Spain, 2005
> Red, (35% Cabbage, 35% Merlot, 30% Cab Franc, 13.5%), and then raced home.
> Found The Sutherland Freeloaders already ensconced, pounding a Church & State
> 2009 Pinot Gris, spicy, with hints of lychee and a fresh, crisp finish,
> munching on Cambozola and rice crackers, checking out flights, car rentals and
> accommodation in OZ for coming trip.
>
> Once I unloaded groceries, Her Highness put Sarge to work on dinner, preparing
> Rosita's orange chicken thigh dish while I concocted a green salad. That done
> we readied green beans/cherry tomatoes in frying pan and put water on to boil
> for polenta. Chicken took about 45 minutes to bake and we co-ordinated timing
> of other two dishes so they were both ready when fowl came out of the oven.
> Just before we sat down to eat I opened the Aljibes and everyone applauded the
> choice: deep cherry colour with ripe fruit on the nose, dusty yet spicy,
> lengthy finish. We toasted one another and enjoyed a delicious meal with
> wonderful friends, terrific traveling companions.
>
> Flamin' and Sarge and Molly left shortly after 9:00pm and I cleaned up while
> Cora Lee and Chloë watched an episode of Revenge. Then to bed and but a few
> pages of Turn of Mind, Alice LaPlante's quite remarkable first novel about Dr.
> Jennifer White, suffering from dementia, the prime suspect in the death of her
> best friend, as ride over the frozen tundra finally took its toll. I drifted
> off imagining my hands clasped around a hefty splash of Bruichladdich Port
> Charlotte PC7, 61%. However, rather than sipping the Sin An Doigh Ileach, I
> would dip one finger after another into the warming nectar and lick it,
> slowly, off my fingertips! Sláinte!!! Cheers, Patrizzio!
No comments:
Post a Comment