Evaluating the Taste of Wine Flashcards
What are the steps for evaluating wine taste?
- Take a sip, about 1 oz
- Gargle, swish, cover your entire mouth
- Spit into a cup
- Focus on how flavors evolve on the palate, especially in the finish
After sipping, what is the first step in evaluating the taste?
Use the same descriptors from “nose” evaluation to describe the following:
Fruit flavors
Fruit character
Non-fruit flavors
Earth
Mineral
Oak indicators
Any new flavors not seen before
How it changes on the palate over time
What are the components of evaluating the structure and other elements?
Sweetness/dryness
Phenolic Bitterness (white wines)
Tannin (red wines)
Acidity
Alcohol
Body
Texture
Balance
Length/finish
Complexity
What is sweetness/dryness in wine?
The presence or lack of residual sugar in the wine
How is sweetness/dryness described in wine tasting?
Bone dry
Dry
Off dry
Medium-sweet
Sweet
Lusciously Sweet
What is Phenolic bitternness?
Not to be confused with tannin in white wines (where tannin will be accompanied by vanilla and other oak characteristics).
Phenolic bitterness is typically in aromatic white grapes and comes naturally from the grape, usually happens with skin contact
How is Phenolic bitterness described in wine tasting?
Does the wine taste bitter?
Yes or No
What is tannin in wine tasting?
Sensed as astringency or bitterness, tannin comes from grapes skins, seeds, and stems.
Present in all red wines
How is tannin described in wine tasting?
Low
Medium -
Medium
Medium +
High
What is acidity in wine tasting?
Focus on salivary glands and finish
Is the wine refreshing or overly tart?
Does it have enough acidity or is it flabby or unfocused?
How does acidity change with sugar levels in tasting?
Perceived acidity decreases as sugar levels increase
How is acidity described in wine tasting?
Low
Medium -
Medium
Medium +
High
What is alcohol in wine tasting?
Sensed as heat in the nose, throat, and chest
How is alcohol described in wine tasting?
Low
Medium -
Medium
Medium +
High
What is body in wine tasting?
The feeling of weight on the palate.
Often compared to skim milk, 2%, and half and half
How is body described in wine tasting?
Light
Medium
Full
What does body tell us about the wine?
Body is an indication of alcohol level
How is texture described in wine tasting?
Lean
Round
Creamy
Other (?)
What does balance mean in wine tasting?
Do any of the characteristics dominate the others?
If so, the wine may not be balanced
What is evaluated with Length and Finish of wine tasting?
How long do the flavors stay on the palate after spitting/swallowing?
Do the flavors remain constant or evolve?
What is the quality of the finish? Tart, bitter, astringent, smooth, silky
How is Length/finish described in wine tasting?
Short
Medium -
Medium
Medium +
Long
What is complexity in wine tasting?
Refers to the number of aromas and flavors and how they react with each other
How is complexity described in wine tasting?
Low
Medium -
Medium
Medium +
High
What do you actually taste?
Sweet, Sour, bitter, and savory (there is no salt in wine)
