#5: Ask More Questions!
I asked a bunch of you who follow me on @TheGoodGrapeCo if you felt comfortable asking questions during your wine tastings. What I found out was that most of you do not feel comfortable asking questions to your Wine Educator during your tasting experience, and this made me sad. Provided you are at a good winery, your Wine Educator wants to give you the best experience possible. But, I know from experience that sometimes you can get lost in the sauce of information thrown at you during a tasting. I hope that this newsletter can help you feel empowered to ask questions and know that your Wine Educators are there to provide answers (not to mention it makes our time more enjoyable when people participate in a conversation).
Let’s get started, shall we?
POV: The Wine Educator said the wine has a beautiful bouquet.
Bouquet is an older term used to describe the wine’s aromas. It’s quite literally what you smell before you taste the wine. Winemakers specifically harvest grapes at certain times and ferment them certain ways so they’ll have notes of citrus fruits, stone fruits nuts, or oak. They do not add any additional fruits to the wine.
Question to ask: Why do some wines have a stronger bouquet/stronger aromas than others?
POV: The Wine Educator starts talking about the vineyard’s terroir.
Terroir is a fancy way of describing the characteristics of the soil in which the grapes grew, the microclimate, the topography, and well, the overall environment. For example, grapes grown in certain terroir will have different acidity levels and it will affect the overall taste of the wine itself.
Question to ask: Why do these grapes thrive in this particular terroir?
POV: The Wine Educator says the wine is from the Old World.
Old World wines are from regions in Europe such as Germany, France, and Italy versus New World wines that are from regions in North America, South America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Question to ask: What is your favourite Old World vs. New World wine and why?
POV: The Wine Educator says you should try a Late Harvest Riesling.
Late Harvest means that the grapes were left on the vines longer than normal. Winemakers do this because longer ripening allows the grape’s sugar content to increase and water in the grapes to evaporate. Overall, it results in a sweeter wine.
Question to ask: What grape varietals thrive with late harvesting?
POV: Your Wine Educator says this red wine has a supple tannin.
Tannins are mostly found in red wine. It’s the sensation you get after you take a sip and feel like all the saliva has been sucked out of your mouth. This is controlled by how long grape skins are left on during fermentation, as well as the type of oak used in the aging process. Tannins are a “learn to love” aspect of wine, in my opinion. I believe they give certain red wines a lot more depth and character.
Question to ask: How long are the grape skins left on the grapes for this particular wine?
POV: Your Wine Educator says the grapes in this rosé were macerated for only a couple of days.
Maceration is how rosés get their colour, as well as flavour profile. Rosé is made from red grapes (not red and white mixed) and the colour depends on how long you leave the skins of the grapes on during fermentation. For a lighter, brighter wine, the winemaker may only leave them on for a couple days. For a darker, fuller-bodied rosé, the winemaker will let the skins stay on for longer before removing them.
Question to ask: How long are these grapes macerated?
POV: Your Wine Educator starts talking about cellaring.
Cellaring is how you store wine in order to preserve its lifespan. You want to store expensive bottles properly so that they age properly. It would be a shame if you bought an expensive bottle and then went to open it and it tasted like vinegar. Personally, I have been told that wine must be stored at 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit at 70 percent humidity. You may have to buy a dehumidifier if your storage room is too damp.
Question to ask: How should I store this bottle in my cellar?
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Other important questions to ask when you’re in a tasting are:
“What is the history of this vineyard?”
“Who is your winemaker?”
“What percentage of alcohol is this wine?”
“How is this wine fermented (stainless steel vs. oak)?”
“Which grapes are grown at this vineyard?”
“What food pairs well with this wine?”
As summer rolls around, hopefully lockdown measures ease up a bit and we can all do a lot of wine tasting. Some of my favourite vineyards in Niagara are: Trius, Rosewood Estates, Frogpond Farms, and Two Sisters Vineyards. Please try your best to support your local wine shops and wineries, if possible.
Most importantly, you should always feel empowered to ask questions. Seriously. Whatever comes to mind! Just know that we, as educators, love answering questions and starting a conversation.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to DM me on Instagram @TheGoodGrapeCo and I will answer as best as I can!
Happy tasting! :)
Cheers,
Jenna