Grand Tasting - 101
(Midwest Winefest 2000, April 19, 2000, The Wichita Eagle special
section)
So many wines so little time...
Whether this is your first wine tasting or your 101st, there are a few
tactics and techniques that will make this grand event even more memorable.
If you have looked through this informative publication, you have seen
that this Midwest Winefest 2000 provides an action-packed afternoon for the
food & wine lover in all of us. There's both Silent and Live auctions, gourmet food booths, cooking demonstrations, wine seminars, live jazz, a
cigar veranda and a Napa Valley cookbook author signing her books. All that, and more than 330 wines poured by winemakers, proprietors, and
knowledgeable winery representatives! With all this going on, you have to have a plan when the doors open.
First, purchase your tickets ahead of time, and fill out the back; it will save you money and time in line. On the day of the event, be there
when the doors open. (See first sentence above!) Before you walk in the door and are overwhelmed, sit down
with this guide and make a plan. You will also be receiving an auction book
that has the wineries listed in order and a place by each for wine tasting notes. Bring a pen and take notes, you will want to remember which
Chardonnay tickled your fancy. Some things to consider - peruse the wine list and decide which wines
you want to taste. You can't taste everything and you want to tailor your plan to your tastes. Speaking of a plan, check out the floor plan to
ergonomically cruise the aisles, the wineries are generally in alphabetical order. This saves time and footsteps.
As a general rule, taste white wines first. Then prioritize the reds you
want to try. Experiment, try wines you haven't had before. Save the sweet
wines for last. Don't feel rushed, take your sample and move away from the table. Check
out the clarity, color and viscosity or "legs’" (how the wine adheres to the side
of the glass) while you swirl the wine. Swirling really isn't something wine snobs do to look cool between sips, it helps to release the aromas.
Now my favorite part, sniffing. Smell is everything. If you don't believe me, hold your nose and take a sip. Not much to taste is there? When
you sip again, don't be in a rush to swallow. Let the wine reach all corners of your mouth, allowing the aromas to enter through the back door
of your olfactory system. After swallowing, savor the lingering aftertaste. It's all right to dump
after a sip, that's what the bucket is for on each table.
If spirits are your thing, visit that section after you've sampled your
wine choices. There is a great selection of premium vodkas, single barrel
bourbons, and single malt scotch to try. Sampling spirits requires two
tasking tickets. Be smart though, bring a designated driver. Then, take a break. Check out the silent auction items, make a few bids,
keeping track of items you've already bid on. It's really important to skim the live auction guide so you are prepared when
the gavel strikes. Eat, savor some of the gourmet foods available, and chat with the chefs. Then don't forget to head to the balcony for one of the
cooking demonstrations or catch one of the wine seminars. Keep track of time, and listen to the announcements so you don't miss
anything. The last half hour of the silent auction is hectic, the last five minutes is a frenzy of people trying to get the last bid in.
Getting a seat at the live auction isn't so important, being there when
it starts is! Auction tactics require an entire article, not to worry, do as I do - let your emotions run wild. Bid with reckless
abandon (avoid raising your last bid) and never be outbid for the package you want, the satisfaction
of winning is superb. Especially when you know that every penny goes to the Guadalupe Clinic.
What a fun day... see first sentence above!
By Guy Bower, The Good Life Radio Show