Article 2 Burgundy-Grape or Region?

When it comes to wine, there is never a dumb question.   When you are learning about wine, it is best to ask as many questions as possible. Recently, while on a wine tour I overheard the woman next to me ask if Burgundy was a grape or a region.   Her wine tasting companion chimed in ‘well of course it is a grape’ just as the vintner was answering her question ‘it is a region-and all great Burgundian reds are pinot noir-all whites are chardonnay.’   Needless to say, the wine tasting ‘companion’ turned a true shade of red!

I have been on many a wine tour, and each time I venture into wine tasting, I learn something new. I make it a point to write questions in advance, which in turn prepares me for the wine tour.

My original image of the wine connoisseur is of the person having their nose buried in a glass, inhaling deeply.   Part of the essence of wine tasting, is indeed ‘sniffing’ the wine you are tasting, to appreciate the full effect. The human tongue can only detect the five basic tastes. The human nose can pick up on over a million scents. By smelling, you can determine if the wine is ‘corked’, meaning it has a fault. There are numerous common faults in wine. Ask your vintner what would be a common fault. There are many, and he will make suggestions on what to look for.

Swirling is good and perhaps you have seen many servers swirling wine in a glass, round and round. By swirling wine, you release the fragrance in the wine. A good way to start, is by practicing with water in your glass. This will avoid any mishaps with red wine splashing over. While swirling your wine, this is a good time to take notice of the color and clarity.

Take a small sip; swish it around the mouth and focus on the flavor or combination of flavors. Are there any familiar tastes-such as vanilla, raspberry or blackberry?

Have you ever wondered what the purpose of decanted wine was? When I was a child, I always thought that my mother was serving wine in a decanter to be fancy. I did not realize that decanting wine does help improve the wine. You can serve the identical wine, side by side and have the outcome be noticeably different. Decanted wine helps, especially with the less expensive bottles of wine. It will make the wine smoother, better balanced and appear ‘older’.

Wine Tasting is one of the best ways to learn all about wine.   By visiting the many wineries, especially those in Temecula Valley, you will meet the vintners firsthand, and learn all about their particular wines. There are so many wineries that are knowledgeable. It is the best way to talk about wine with those who really love the subject.   They will discuss how their wine is made, what types of grapes are used to produce their particular wine and the history of the grape.   Finally, part of the fun of wine tasting is to share it with friends and family. Sharing wine is the most sociable thing. Whether you have an enjoyable time going on a wine tour together, or enjoy a bottle at dinner-a good wine is a great thing to share!