38 Chapter 2 Taste Basics and the Basics of Wine Evaluation
associations, such as tree fruits (apples, pears, etc.), or less traditional ones, such as lychee fruits or Jolly Rancher watermelon
candy. After you have determined the impression of the aroma identity, see if you can match it to those on the aroma wheel.●Sip and spit / swallow.What stands out as dominant elements in this wine?
●Savor. How intense is the wine? How long is its finish? Does it have any spicy characteristics?
Make notes about your observations. Pay particular attention to sweetness level, acidity level, lack of tannins, body, flavor
intensity, finish, and dominant flavors.
Riesling is light-bodied and, generally, loaded with fruity aromas and flavors. Can you identify the fruit aromas and flavors?
Riesling is best grown in cooler climates, providing a balance between residual sugar and acidity.
Sauvignon Blanc (Number 2)
●Sight.Visually inspect the wine. What is the color and clarity? The typical color is straw yellow. Does this sample match this
description? Is it lighter or darker in color than the Riesling?
●Swirl and smell. Inspect the viscosity and smell the aroma. What aromas can you identify? Close your eyes and smell the
sample; write down any descriptive associations. This varietal is typically powerful and distinctive. Typical associations in
Sauvignon Blanc can be grassy, pungent, and herbaceous. More specific descriptions such as canned asparagus, green pepper,
or hay are also common. After you have identified the aroma, see if you can match it to those on the aroma wheel.
●Smell the Riesling again. Is the contrast subtle or unmistakable?
●Sip and spit / swallow.What stands out as dominant elements in this wine? Is it fuller-bodied than the Riesling? It should feel a
bit heavier and richer in your mouth. Record your observations. The distinctive, pungent taste of Sauvignon Blanc should be
easily recorded in your sensory memory bank.
●Savor.How intense is the wine? How long is its finish? Does it have any spicy characteristics?
Make notes about your observations. Pay particular attention to sweetness, acidity, lack of tannins, body, flavor intensity,
finish, and dominant flavors.
Chardonnay (Number 3)
●Sight. Visually inspect the wine. What is the color and clarity? The color should be more of a yellow-gold and darker than the
other two white wines.
●Swirl and smell.Inspect the viscosity and smell the aroma. The viscosity will be heavier than the previous two wines. What
aromas can you identify? Close your eyes and smell the sample; write down any descriptive associations. From the aroma,
you will sense that the Chardonnay is fuller-bodied than the Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling. Do you smell oak, smoke, vanilla, or
butter? What fruit aromas can you identify?
●Sip and spit / swallow. What stands out as dominant elements in this wine? Taste and feel the difference in body. The
Chardonnay is richer and heavier than the Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc.
●Savor. How intense is the wine? How long is its finish? Does it have any spicy characteristics?
Make notes about your observations. Pay particular attention to sweetness, acidity, lack of tannins, body, flavor intensity,
finish, and dominant flavors.
REDWINES
Pinot Noir (Number 4)
●Sight.Visually inspect the wine. What is the color and clarity? Tilt the glass against the white placemat. The wine should be
relatively translucent. It is lighter-colored than the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon samples. This is a typical characteristic of
Pinot Noir wines.
●Swirl and smell. Inspect the viscosity and smell the aroma. Is the viscosity heavier or lighter than the previous wines? What
aromas can you identify? Close your eyes and smell the sample; write down any descriptive associations.
●Sip and spit / swallow.What stands out as dominant elements in this wine? Taste and feel the difference in body and tannin
compared to the white wines.
●Savor.How intense is the wine? How long is its finish? Does it have any spicy characteristics?
Make notes about your observations. Pay particular attention to sweetness, acidity, lack of tannins, body, flavor intensity,
finish, and dominant flavors. Pinot Noir should have a silky texture; many tasters describe Pinot Noir as having a red wine flavor
with a white wine texture. Pinot Noir is the lightest-bodied of the red grapes in this grouping.