We've completed about 6 hours of lesson in wine, led by our instructor and sommelier Giancarlo Lercara.
Our method of analysis was created by the Italian Association of Sommeliers, and breaks down along the 3 general lines of visual, smell and taste. Each category is subdivided into several subsections, with multiple variations with each subsections. For example, the visual analysis considers 4 factors, including limpidity, which is judged on a 5-part scale, ranging from veiled to brilliant.
It's all very scientific, with the eyes, nose and mouth collecting data that is analyzed according to a detailed methodology. My palate is not so refined, so I look forward to learning this process (and tasting many, many wines).
Here is a video of Giancarlo explaining the olifactory aspect.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFVKVgO-Xkg
That truly sounds like my kind of education! Good luck on developing the palate. And remember, the key to learning anything is practice, practice, practice!
ReplyDeletePam, you would love it and we've got another 50 hours of Instruction over the next several weeks.
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