The Beauty of Wine

The Beauty of Wine

I am really=y glad that this week has really defined wine making this is something that I have been looking forward to going over for a long time. In my education with Le Cordon Bleu I have switched my major from culinary arts to hotel/restaurant management so some of the classes that I was looking forward to taking were post pone but now I am able to take this one, and I am thankful. I have had the chance to bartend but only in an environment that provides you with wine in a box and I have also worked in a kitchen during the day with no wine service and still the wine that you used to cook still came in a box. I have had the opportunity to enjoy beautiful meals with excellent wine pairings but this is what I have been dying to learn more about how this wine pairing thing and wine process really works. Who knew it was so complicated; I have read and reviewed some information but did not realize that there are different organizations that evaluate the process of wine making. For instance The French initiated the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée system in 1935 as a means of safeguarding the more quality-conscious winemakers, vineyards, and areas from unethical producers who were taking advantage of the better-known names. Although the French AC system can't guarantee the quality of a producer's wine, it can control most of the elements that go into making it (Answer Corporation, 2013). This system has been put into place to assure that a wine maker can be appreciated for their practice and technique of wine making without someone coming along and trying to copy the hard work they have done. I love this idea it really makes it a challenge for other companies to come up with something originally and just as beautiful as their neighbor.

References

1.     Answer Corporation, 2013. Baron’s Wine Lover Companion: Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC or AC). http://www.answers.com/topic/appellation-d-origine-contr-l-e

How to Taste Wine

How to Taste Wine

When tasting wine, in a home or public setting, it is important to realize the many senses you use when you taste it. You not only taste it with your taste buds, you taste it will the sight and smell of the wine. Also, when tasting wine it is important to be free of distractions and other smells, because this can hinder the true aroma and flavor of the wine. For example: a noisy environment with lots of smells like perfume, or food can inhibit the true essence of the wine to come out.

The physiological systems that go on when in a wine tasting are as follows: The sight that is involved with wine tasting is checking the color and clarity of the wine. As wine ages it changes color, white wines darken and reds lose their color. Smelling the wine gives your taste buds the first hint of what you may experience next. Smell triggers taste, and if you smell distinctly you should be able to follow along with the exact tastes. When smelling wine, it is important to swirl the glass; thus aerating the wine. You may smell aromas such as fruit, herbs, oaky or barrel smell, vanilla, or even honey. The last sensation you experience is tasting the wine. You should taste the wine by sipping not gulping, and swish the wine around in your mouth and make sure to savor the flavors; experiencing every aspect of the wine.

            Taste buds can make or break your ability to taste. Taste buds are receptors that go to your brain that allow you to taste the foods or drinks you intake. These receptors on your tongue allow you to taste such flavors as sweet, sour, bitter, umami or savory, and salty. Some people, actually about twenty-five percent of the world are what they call “supertasters”. These supertasters have the amazing ability to pick out different ingredients and flavors that are amongst others. Supertasters have very sensitive tongues and often experience discomfort from foods that are spicy or even carbonated drinks. What makes most people different from supertasters? Well, the simple fact that we don’t have super receptors that allow the flavors to be heightened so much that we taste everything for what it is. For example what I may perceive as sweet, the supertaster might not be able to handle because the sugar level to them would be over the top.

References

Contact Us. (n.d.). Harvard Marketing Site -. Retrieved December 12, 2013, from http://www.harvardhealthcontent.com/QuirkyBody

How to Taste Wine. (n.d.). How To Taste Wine. Retrieved December 12, 2013, from http://www.winemag.com/how-to-taste-wine/

Online Wine Tasting Course - wineloverspage.com. (n.d.). Online Wine Tasting Course - wineloverspage.com. Retrieved December 12, 2013, from http://www.wineloverspage.com/taste

The 1976 Judgment of Paris

TO: Waitstaff
FROM: Joseph Smith, Manager
DATE: October 5, 2015
SUBJECT: Understanding the 1976 Judgment of Paris

    The 1976 Judgment of Paris was a wine tasting event that made a defining statement for the American wine industry (Schmid, 2013). The event was held in Paris where ten French and California Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines were judged. The winners were both from the United States, beating the French components.

The World Atlas of Wine, 7th Edition

     The winning wines were Warren Winiarski's Cabernet Sauvignon from Stag's Leap and Mike Grigich's Chardonnay from Chateau Montelena (Schmid, 2013).     Warren Winiarski's grapes are overseen in Napa Valley. They are grown under their impeccable canopy until perfectly ripened. Stag's Leap Wine Cellars' Cabernet Sauvignon is selling for about $150 a bottle. (Emert, 2004).

    Mike Grigich's Chardonnay from Chateau Montelena was originally crafted in 1973. He owns 366 acres of naturally raised grapes. No artificial fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides. The taste of Mike's Chardonnay displays tastes such as tart apple, honeysuckle and tropical fruits.  According to Grgich Hills offical website2, Mike Grigich's Chardonnay from Chateau Montelena retails for about $91 a bottle. (Wine Business, 2014).

References

Emert, Carol. (2004). SFGate: THE WINIARSKI WAY / In 1976, Warren Winiarski's Cabernet bested Bordeaux, and Stag's Leap Wine Cellars became famous. At age 76, he's still in control. Retrieved from: http://www.sfgate.com/wine/article/THE-WINIARSKI-WAY-In-1976-Warren-Winiarski-s-2800232.php

Schmid, Albert W. A., and Laloganes, John P. (2013). The Beverage Manager's Guide to Wines, Berrs, and Spirits. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.

Wine Business. (2014).  1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay Crafted by Milijenko “Mike” Grgich Named to Smithsonian's “101 Objects That Made America”. Retrieved from: www.winebusiness.com/news/?go=getArticle&dataid=130926