Those of us who enjoy all that wine can and will give us to enhance our lives, at one point in our journey will want to take the next step forward and broaden our horizon. Not only to learn about as many wine styles as we can fit into our day, but to understand and test those styles into stimulating rituals and contests that determine our skill as wine connoisseurs.
One of the most exciting and challenging tests of wine tasting skill is that of “Blind Tasting,” a simple question that asks “if I cover the label of your favorite wine and add a number of other wines in to the mix of tastes, would you be able to identify yours?” Easy you say? In a recent internationally certified test of professional wine skills called the Court of Master Sommelier Diploma Examination, the most recent held in Colorado , four San Diego Advanced Sommeliers tried and failed to win the Master Sommelier distinction. One passed the “service” part of the tests, but failed, as the others did, the Blind Tasting portion.
Advance Sommelier Josh Orr of Marina Kitchen orchestrates
a Blind Tasting class using non-labeled wine decanters to pour the wines,
then asks questions about what was tasted, before revealing the wines.
then asks questions about what was tasted, before revealing the wines.
I happen to have the guidelines for the Court of Master Sommeliers Blind Tasting. So here is what you need to know when going through this requirement, Comment on Visual: is the wine bright, dull, transparent. Is it clear, hazy, cloudy. Describe the color of the wine you’re tasting. With its Nose: alcoholic power, fruit, earth, wood, flowers. What do you taste on the Palate? Dry, sweet, body, fruit, earth, wood, flowered, spices, herbs, acidity, tannins, complexity. Conclusions: new or old world, cool or warm climate, grape variety or blend, level of quality, age. What country region, vintage?
So give it a try with others. Discuss what you are tasting and trust your palate. I will wager you will get some questions correct and more as you go forward. You may get all and identify your favorite wine from the group, but in 2014 only 6 candidates out of 165 made it to Master Sommelier. You would be in the top 4% of blind tasters. Cheers! And good fortune.
The Oldfangled Unaffected Wines of Bonny Doon
Vittorio’s Restaurant, in the Carmel Valley district of San Diego, seems to have the edge in bringing in small, quirky wines, brilliantly made by eccentric small production masters. Such was the case again when Bonny Doon from Santa Cruz opened up their best, including my pick of the evening, a Clos de Gilroy Grenache 2013 ($20.). It was served with a grilled Swordfish over Crab Cake, Tomato and Onion Relish. Learn more at bonnydoonvineyards.com.
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