Showing posts with label tasting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tasting. Show all posts

Friday, September 23, 2016

Like. . .

. . . the vineyard tasting room quickly abandoned by the large group of young,  professional-types and their limo driver (our 'tour guide', if you will). . .

. . . who predominantly occupies the lion's share of the tasting bar  geography while inundating the atmosphere with boisterous, jocular, superficial chatter during our intended, peaceful, rejuvenating lunch break, the musician readily and sincerely empathizes.  This for both the obliviousness and the indifference demonstrated by the general public in response to the honest, sincere, creative efforts put forth by individuals such as creators of fine, fermented beverages as well as the authors of those creative, original, eclectic musical endeavors with which they are confronted on a regular basis. . .


(Note:  OHO was much appreciated by the audience at Elk Run Vineyard on this particular warm August night.)


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Monday, December 10, 2012

Who. . .


. . . is the asshole????

Visiting a local vineyard/winery this weekend which presented a show by a local Shakespeare repertory company (The Shakespeare Factory-  a professional non-union ensemble company who employ the staging conditions of Shakespeare’s time as closely as possible for each production- see http://theshakespearefactory.com/).  Wine tastings were offered as well as stews and artisan bread to enhance the 'period' atmosphere.  I was 'tasting' the wines with the three, lovely ladies accompanying me for the production at one of the two, heavily attended tasting stations and attempting to allow the limited staff to attend to the willing tasters by grouping ourselves at the corner of the bar, myself at the bar and the others branching outward away from me and the bar and passing four glasses back and forth in attempt to allow the four of us to taste all six wines offered while leaving the remainder of the tasting station free for other tasters. 

In the midst of an extremely enjoyable wine tasting experience (and the wines were quite good too) I noticed a rather sour looking gentleman at the far end of the crowd, the number of which I am not quite certain, who appeared to grow more perturbed as time passed.   

Finally he stepped forward and said to ME, not to the person operating the tasting station,  that 'you have monopolized this tasting' and not allowed others to partake and . . . (not really sure exactly what else he said) but he was clearly unhappy that he had not gotten HIS WINE!  Guess you could say he was whining about his lack of wine.  I responded only by stating the obvious fact that this was a 'wine tasting' and that I and three others were together tasting our allotted six samples of wine.

The obviously conscientious caretaker of the tasting station quickly spoke up and asked the gentleman what he would like and assured him that it would be served forthwith.  The man, still clearly unhappy, took a glass (maybe two, I didn't really pay much attention to the details) and began to depart the station but in his befuddlement about the process of wine tasting and a possible desire to maintain his imaginary upper  hand, he made it a point to mumble unmistakably in my direction. . . "ASSHOLE."

Who do you think was the asshole????. . . . (and do you think this tragic situation left him 'heartbroken'?)




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Wednesday, October 5, 2011

If you're not careful. . .

. . . Who knows what can happen???

Wine Tasting. (from http://wine.about.com/od/winebasic1/ht/winetasting.htm)
Here's How:

1. Look: Check out the Color and Clarity.

Pour a glass of wine into a suitable wine glass. Then take a good look at the wine. Tilt the glass away from you and check out the color of the wine from the rim edges to the middle of the glass (it's helpful to have a white background - either paper, napkin or a white tablecloth).

What color is it? Look beyond red, white or blush. If it's a red wine is the color maroon, purple, ruby, garnet, red, brick or even brownish? If it's a white wine is it clear, pale yellow, straw-like, light green, golden, amber or brown in appearance?

2. Still Looking. Move on to the wine's opacity. Is the wine watery or dark, translucent or opaque, dull or brilliant, cloudy or clear? Can you see sediment? Tilt your glass a bit, give it a little swirl - look again, is there sediment, bits of cork or any other floaters? An older red wine will often have more orange tinges on the edges of color than younger red wines. Older white wines are darker, than younger white wines when comparing the same varietal at different ages.

3. Smell:

Our sense of smell is critical in properly analyzing a glass of wine. To get a good impression of your wine's aroma, swirl your glass for a solid 10-12 seconds (this helps vaporize some of the wine's alcohol and release more of its natural aromas) and then take a quick whiff to gain a first impression.

4. Still Smelling. Now stick your nose down into the glass and take a deep inhale through your nose. What are your second impressions? Do you smell oak, berry, flowers, vanilla or citrus? A wine's aroma is an excellent indicator of its quality and unique characteristics. Swirl the wine and let the aromas mix and mingle, and sniff again.

5. Taste:

Finally, take a taste. Start with a small sip and let it roll around your mouth. There are three stages of taste: the Attack phase, the Evolution phase and the Finish.

6. The Attack Phase, is the initial impression that the wine makes on your palate. The Attack is comprised of four pieces of the wine puzzle: alcohol content, tannin levels, acidity and residual sugar. These four puzzle pieces display initial sensations on the palate. Ideally these components will be well-balanced one piece will not be more prominent than the others. These four pieces do not display a specific flavor per se, they meld together to offer impressions in intensity and complexity, soft or firm, light or heavy, crisp or creamy, sweet or dry, but not necessarily true flavors like fruit or spice.

7. The Evolution Phase is next, also called the mid-palate or middle range phase, this is the wine’s actual taste on the palate. In this phase you are looking to discern the flavor profile of the wine. If it’s a red wine you may start noting fruit – berry, plum, prune or fig; perhaps some spice – pepper, clove, cinnamon, or maybe a woody flavor like oak, cedar, or a detectable smokiness. If you are in the Evolution Phase of a white wine you may taste apple, pear, tropical or citrus fruits, or the taste may be more floral in nature or consist of honey, butter, herbs or a bit of earthiness.

8. The Finish is appropriately labeled as the final phase. The wine's finish is how long the flavor impression lasts after it is swallowed. This is where the wine culminates, where the aftertaste comes into play. Did it last several seconds? Was it light-bodied (like the weight of water), medium-bodied (similar in weight to milk) or full-bodied (like the consistency of cream)? Can you taste the remnant of the wine on the back of your mouth and throat? Do you want another sip or was the wine too bitter at the end? What was your last flavor impression – fruit, butter, oak? Does the taste persist or is it short-lived?

9. After you have taken the time to taste your wine, you might record some of your impressions. Did you like the wine overall? Was it sweet, sour or bitter? How was the wine's acidity? Was it well balanced? Does it taste better with cheese, bread or a heavy meal? Will you buy it again? If so, jot the wine's name, producer and vintage year down for future reference.
http://www.videodetective.com/movies/trailers/sideways-scene-are-you-chewing-gum-trailer/882957





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