Vintner Views – August '06

Tasting Protocols

   Wine is a fascinating, complex topic.  There are hundreds of types, and many variables that make each wine a unique expression of all the factors that went into it.  For those who have yet to explore the wine world, there is an excellent opportunity to learn quite a bit just by going to a local wine tasting room.  But how do you go about it?  What can you expect?  How do you make the most of the trip?  The following tips will help you have a thoroughly enjoyable time learning about one of the Grand Valley’s greatest socio-economic trends.

   First, when you go into a winery, understand that they serve alcoholic beverages.  Taste wine responsibly.  If you are tasting lots of wines, consider spitting.  Most all wineries have a dump bucket you can use, and it is standard procedure when you have to drive or be on duty of any sort.  As an alternative, get someone to be the designated driver.

   Generally, there are a number of wines available to taste.  Where should you start?  The tasting room attendant knows the wines and will surely have a suggested sequence.  Tell them what you are looking for and follow their lead.  Usually, the wines are presented in a tasting order, so that you might optimally appreciate each wine.  The rule of thumb is:  light dry wines first, then heavier dry wines, then sweet wines going from least sweet to most sweet.  For reference, dry means no residual sugar, and sweet means there is more than say 0.6% residual sugar.

   Normally, we taste light dry whites first because they have the least overall impact on your palate, and the taste of the other wines is not compromised.  Then we go to the more full-bodied dry whites.  We would then offer the lightest dry reds, moving toward the full-bodied reds, which have a considerably greater impact on your mouth.

   After the heaviest dry reds come the lightest and least sweet of the sweet wines, followed by the medium-sweet wines, finishing with the sweetest dessert wines.  The reason for this progression is that if you taste even a slightly sweet wine before a dry wine, the dry wine will not show very well. If you taste in the order suggested, the wines will taste their best, and you won’t need crackers or water between wines.

   Remember that wineries offer free tasting so that you can decide which ones to buy.  If you don’t like any of the wines, consider buying a little gift or novelty.  Most wineries are small, family run businesses and need your support.  Some wineries do charge for tasting beyond a certain number of tastes, or for particularly expensive wines.  This is normal, and still a good deal since it takes much of the guess work out of selecting a wine you’ll enjoy and be proud to have at your table.

   Access to 18 wineries that serve anywhere from two to twenty two wines each is a privilege.  As a member of the local community, you can go out most any day to a local winery and taste at least a couple of wines. Hopefully you’ll find a bottle you can take home and serve with dinner.  More than likely you’ll also learn a bit about the local wines and the ways of this ancient craft.

This article appeared in the August 1, 2006 edition of the Grand Junction Free Press.

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