Wine Bible - Tasting and components Flashcards
Distinct varietal character
When a young wine thas been made from a single variety of grape presents its inherent grape aromas and flavors in a straightforward, clear, and focused way, it is said to have varietal character.
Example
Not all varietal characteristics have mass appeal. some wine drinkiers think the assertive, tangy green herb, olive, and straw character of some sauvs is quite nasty, especially is the aromas go one step further and take on what is oftern described as a cat piss smell.
Cat Piss Analogy
Some people cannot bear smelly cheese, is blue cheese awful? Should every cheese be remade in the image of kraft singles, just because these have widespread appeal? THE IDEA IS ABSURD!
Components of a wine
Where the components of a wine:
- acid
- tannins
- alcohol
- and so forth
Integration
Integration of a wine is a state where the components are perfectly interwoven that no one characteristic stands out.
More then just balance…
A good tension of opposites
(components have come together in a harmonious fusion)
What we are specifcally after in wine
Expressiveness
Is the quality of a wine that possesses when its aromas and flavors are well defined and clearly projected.
Really nice clarity and focus.
- Contrast*
- some wines seem muddled and diffused…*
Others seem to beam out their charavter with unreal clarity and focus.
Complexity
straight from book…
you cannot go looking for it. It’s a force that pulls you into a wine and impels you to repeatedly return for another smell and sip because each time you do, you fine something new.
Like an integrated wine, a complex wine defies you to describe it. Yet just like a sore msuchle feels good after excercise, the undefined nature of a complex wine heightens its gratification.
Connectedness
Connectedness is the bond between a wine in the plot of land it was born on.
Connectedness, like cultural identity, makes a thing different from other things and therefore worthy of appreciation.
