Systematic Approach To Tasting Wine

Question 1

Appearance

List the three levels of wine intensity

Answer 1

Pale - Medium - Deep

Question 2

Appearance - Colour

List the 5 levels of colour for White Wine

Answer 2

Lemon-green, Lemon, Gold, Amber, Brown

Note: Lemon is the most common colour for White Wine

Question 3

Appearance - Colour

List the 3 levels of colour for Rosé Wine

Answer 3

Pink - Salmon - Orange

Question 4

Appearance - Colour

List the 5 levels of colour for Red Wine

Answer 4

Purple - Ruby - Garnet - Tawny - Brown

Note: Ruby is the most common colour for Red Wine

Question 5

Appearance - Other

What other possible observations are there for wine?

Answer 5

e.g. Legs/tears, deposit, pétillance, bubbles

Question 6

Nose - Intensity

List 5 levels of wine intensity

Answer 6

Light - Medium(-) - Medium - Medium(+) - Pronounced

Question 7

Nose - Aroma Characteristics

List the (up to) 3 levels of Aroma

Answer 7

e.g. Primary, Secondary, Tertiary

Question 8

Nose - Development

List the 4 levels of wine development

Answer 8

Youthful - Developing - Fully Developed - Tired/past its best

Question 9

Palate - Sweetness

List 6 levels of Sweetness

Answer 9

Dry - Off-Dry - Medium Dry - Medium Sweet - Sweet - Luscious

Question 10

Palate - Acidity

List the 5 levels of acidity

Answer 10

Low - Medium(-) - Medium - Medium(+) - High

Question 11

Palate - Tannin

List the 5 levels of Tannin

Answer 11

Low - Medium(-) - Medium - Medium(+) - High

Question 12

Palate - Alcohol

List the 3 levels of Alcohol

Answer 12

Low - Medium - High

Question 13

Palate - Body

List the 5 levels of wine body

Answer 13

Light - Medium(-) - Medium - Medium(+) - Full

Question 14

Palate - Flavour Intensity

List the 5 levels of Flavour Intensity

Answer 14

Light - Medium(-) - Medium - Medium(+) - Pronounced

Question 15

Palate - Flavour Characteristics

Name the 3 levels of flavour characteristics

Answer 15

e.g. Primary, Secondary, Tertiary

Question 16

Palate - Finish

List the 5 levels of taste finish

Answer 16

Short - Medium(-) - Medium - Medium(+) - Long

Question 17

Conclusions - Assessment of Quality

List the 6 levels of wine quality

Answer 17

Faulty - Poor - Acceptable - Good - Very Good - Outstanding

Question 18

Conclusions - Assessment of Quality

List the 4 levels of Readiness for drinking / Potential for ageing

Answer 18

Too Young
Can drink now but has potential for ageing
Drink now: Not suitable for ageing or further ageing
Too Old

Question 19

What is the acronym for assessing the Quality level of a wine?

Answer 19

Balance
Length
Intensity
Complexity

Question 20

With BLIC what would these score?
1/4
2/4
3/4
4/4

Answer 20

1/4 Acceptable quality
2/4 Good quality
3/4 Very good quality
4/4 Outstanding quality
Always include the word 'quality'

Question 21

If you decide the quality of a wine is just ‘acceptable’ what should you write up in the aroma / tasting notes?

Answer 21

Write ‘simple’

Question 22

If a red wine has tertiary notes what words might you write for both aroma and taste to describe it?

Answer 22

leather, meaty,

Question 23

What colour are ‘most’ dry white wines?

Answer 23

Lemon

Question 24

How many Aroma notes should you try to list?

Answer 24

Aroma 7 at least