The ritual of tasting
From Bodegas QuitauelveWe want to teach you some practical tips so that you can enjoy your wines to the fullest. We explain all the details that must be taken into account for a successful tasting.
Sommelier and wine preparation:
The sommelier The wine cellar is a key part of the tasting ritual. He is responsible for the cellar and the care of the wines. His job includes monitoring the humidity, temperature, lighting, ventilation and noise level. Once the wines to be served at the tasting have been chosen, they must be prepared according to their type:
- White or young wines: They only need to be adjusted to the optimum temperature, normally lower than that of the cellar.
- Aged red wines: They may have sediments that do not affect the quality but do affect the appearance. In these cases, it is recommended decant the wine, that is, pouring it slowly into another container without letting the sediment pass through. Although in general, the decantation should be avoided because it can cause the wine to lose some important aromas.
On the other hand, the white and rosé wines They benefit from aeration, so it is advisable to keep them in their bottle.
Wine Duration
We continue with a very important topic: the duration of wine. Wine has a long life, but it is not infinite. whites and pinks They usually develop their best characteristics in the first few years and should be consumed earlier. young wines and fruity, without aging, should be enjoyed between 6 months and 1 year after the harvest.
Some wines, such as those sparkling wines or the sparkling wines, they do not improve with time and lose their qualities if they are stored for a long time.
As a general rule, the higher the alcohol content, acidity and astringency of the wine (due to tannins), the longer it can be kept in optimal conditions. fortified wines and the sweet fortified wines have an especially long life.
Evolution of Wine in Bottles
Red wines develop more slowly in the bottle than in the barrel. Over time, the wine may lose some of its aromas and softness, its color may become duller, and its acidity may decrease. The primary aromas of the grape gradually disappear, giving way to secondary and tertiary aromas, and the wine becomes drier and more alcoholic.
Serving temperature
It is essential to serve wine at the right temperature. If you need to chill it, it is preferable to use a bucket of water and ice, rather than putting it in the freezer. To warm up wine, it is best to place it in the place of consumption beforehand. Here are some temperature guidelines:
- 16-18°C: Aged red wines aged for more than 8-10 years.
- 14-16°C: Young reds or reserves less than 8-10 years old.
- 12-14ºC: Pajarete
- 4-6°C: Dry whites.
- 4-6°C: Sparkling and semi-sparkling wines.
- 4-6°C: Semi-dry whites and aromatic wines.
Uncorking the wine
During the tasting ritual, uncorking should be done carefully. The bottle should not be shaken from the cellar to the table. When opening, cut the cap 2 cm below the top edge, wipe the edge and cork with a clean cloth. Insert the corkscrew centered and gently remove the cork. Avoid piercing the cork completely so that no particles fall into the wine.
The ideal cup
The glass plays an important role in the ritual of tasting. It should be clear, unadorned and have a stem, to prevent the heat of your hand from altering the temperature of the wine. Fill it only halfway, so that the aromas can concentrate inside the glass.
The tasting process
Finally, the tasting process, which consists of three phases:
- Visual: The color, intensity and transparency of the wine are observed, which provides information about its body, age and condition.
- Olfactory: The aromas of the wine are evaluated. First, the glass is sniffed without shaking and then swirled to release more aromas, assessing both intensity and quality.
- Gustatory: Three senses are involved here: taste, with the basic flavours (bitter, acid, sweet, salty); smell, which perceives the aromas through the retronasal route; and touch, which detects the texture, density and astringency of the wine.
We have reached the end of the tasting ritual. With these concepts in mind, a calm atmosphere, and serving the wine with care, you will be able to fully enjoy the pleasure of a good wine. bane. Or, you always have the option to choose one of our options wine tourism and carry out the tasting in our winery in the company of our managers who will accompany you throughout the process. We look forward to seeing you!
