Sensory Evaluation and Service Flashcards
What does “organoleptic” mean?
The chemical and physical properties of a substance that affect the senses
What is the difference between sensation and perception?
a) sensation is the neurological response to a stimulus
b) perception is the brain’s interpretation of the information gathered by the senses
What is detection threshold verses recognition threshold?
a) the smallest amount of stimulus necessary to trigger an unidentifiable sensation
b) the smallest amount of stimulus necessary to trigger an identifiable sensation
Sight receptors are located in the _____________.
Retina
How many types of color receptor cells are there in the retina?
3
According to SWE, what are the basic colors of white wine?
1) Pale yellow-green (young)
2) Yellow (straw to lemon, most common)
3) Deep golden yellow (barrel, age)
4) Amber Gold (maderized or oxidized)
According to SWE, what are the basic colors of red wine?
1) Inky purple (young)
2) Brick red (age)
3) Ruby orange (high acid)
4) Black blue (low acid)
5) Rust (oxidized)
Besides the base color, what other visual indicators should a taster look for?
a) depth/intensity
b) clarity
c) rim variation
d) legs or tears
e) sediment
f) bubbles
Bubbles in sparkling wine is sometimes referred to as ______________.
the bead
Our appreciation of wine is due mainly to _______________.
Scent
At what level can most people detect hydrogen sulfide?
3 ppb
At what concentration can most people detect pyrazines?
1-5 ppt
Wines are believed to contain at least ____________ odorous compounds.
200
What is the sensory organ for smell?
Olfactory epithelium
Why is it important to breathe deeply while tasting wine?
In normal breathing, only 5-10% of the air reaches the olfactory epithelium.
What are to ways air reaches the olfactory epithelium?
1) directly through the nostrils
b) indirectly through the mouth and rear nasal passages as the wine is held in the mouth and after the wine has been swallowed.
Odorous molecules can only be delivered to the olfactory epithelium by ______________.
Air
Molecules that are able to become airborne are called _________________.
Volatile
What is the difference among primary, secondary and tertiary aromas?
a) aromas derived from grapes, as influenced by the terroir
b) aromas derived from post-fermentation winemaking
c) aromas from age
Tertiary aromas are sometimes referred to as a wine’s ______________.
Bouquet
What are four ways for a wine taster to enhance the aroma of the wine?
1) warm the wine with the hands
2) swirl to increase surface area in contact with air
3) hold the wine in the mouth to warm it to 98 degrees.
4) Draw air threw the wine as it’s held in the mouth to enable more air to reach the olfactory epithelium through the back of the throat and the nasal cavaties.
Strictly speaking, the “taste” of a wine is what?
A combination of aromas actually perceived through smell, and physical/tactile sensations.
What actual taste components may be present in wine?
Sweet, sour, bitter, and occasionally salty and umami
Of the major taste components in wine, which are the easiest and most difficult to detect?
a) bitterness is easiest
b) sweetness is most difficult
c) sour and salty are in the middle
What balances acidity?
Sugar
What is the average recognition threshold for sugar?
1%
What can mask sugar in wine?
Acidity or tannin
What two things can cause umami in wine?
Extended aging or sur lie aging.
What wine is said to have a salty taste?
Manzanilla sherry
What two factors might contribute to the body of a wine?
1) Alcohol
2) Residual Sugar
Name several examples of tactile stimuli in wine?
Viscosity, texture, dissolved gas, serving temperature, astringency, heat from alcohol, SO2 content
Describe the tactile sensation caused by dissolved CO2?
Prickly
Describe the tactile sensation of alcohol?
Hot
Describe the tactile sensation of tannins?
Dry
What fault in wine might trigger a sneeze?
Too much SO2
What glass is considered optimal for tasting and how many ounces is it?
a) International Standards Organization (ISO)
b) 6.5