Here we are well into the pandemic that has caused upheaval for many, and we are longing for activities that bring us back to some type of normal state.
Larger social events and gatherings have halted, including those in the beverage industry. Samplings and tastings at retail stores, vineyards and distilleries are either nonexistent or have been reduced drastically. Yet the desire to stay connected and experience enjoyment has not ceased, and the connection is even more important now. Luckily, we still can do that from home.
In-home tastings of wine, craft beer and spirits have taken off, and they provide a fun way to gather in a small group with friends and family. You can even enjoy them virtually. This is the beauty of platforms such as Zoom. Whatever your chosen beverage, here are some thoughtful tips and ways to approach an in-home tasting that will make you look like you just took a mastery class.
Taste in order of body style – lighter to heavier. I like to make an analogy to milk regarding body style. Skim and 1% milk are lighter in body. Then you move toward 2% milk for a more medium body, and then there are whole milk and cream, which are heavier styles. So, think about structuring your tasting along this continuum.
For wine, start with lighter, unoaked whites (vernaccia, sauvignon blanc, vermentino) and rosés and then move toward medium and heavier selections (pinot noir, grenache, syrah, cabernet, zinfandel). Feel free to taste from one country or region, or do an around-the-world tasting.
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CREATIVE TOUCH: A home version of a tasting can include tasting cards for the guest to take notes. / COURTESY JESSICA NORRIS GRANATIERO[/caption]
For spirits, use the continuum within the category you are tasting. If you are enjoying a tequila tasting, start at the lightest end, from blanco to reposado to anejo. Often, not always, the alcohol content is related to the body of the selection. For instance, when sampling bourbons and whiskies, look at the alcohol content. Those with higher proofs often display more body and power. You want to end with those. Same goes for beer. If you start with the heaviest style, then it will overpower the others after it. You might want to enjoy this beer flight – seasonal lighter lager, dry hopped pilsner, double IPA and stout.
Taste from drier to sweeter. If you start with the sweetest selection, then the resulting selections after often will taste astringent. It’s akin to having chocolate cake and then eating pizza.
Limit guests to 10. One 750 milliliter bottle of wine or spirits (and some bomber-sized craft beers) equate to roughly 25 ounces. If each person has a 2-ounce tasting pour, then one bottle is enough for 10 people. For smaller-sized craft beers, you likely will need two bottles.
Choose four to six selections. Tasting more than this amount can create palate fatigue, where at the end, you can’t really taste anything. In addition, you don’t want to consume too much. Moderation is key.
Choose glassware you have. While you may want to have the most stylish, fancy glassware in which to have the tasting, you don’t have to. Simple glasses are fine. Many people don’t have specific glasses for beer or spirits. The key is to just have a glass big enough so you can hold the opening to your nose to smell each aroma.
Create Tasting Cards. Once you pick the selections, create a document that lists in order of tasting the name of the selection and from where it originates. Then allow some room to take notes. It doesn’t need to be fancy. Again, you can develop this at home. If you have a creative spirit, then add the label of the selection or take a fun photo to insert in to show off your design prowess.
Have plenty of water. It’s good to hydrate between tastings. You want to enjoy the tasting fully, and until the end. Water allows you to do this.
Remember, it’s about experimentation and having fun – enjoy!
Jessica Norris Granatiero is the founder of The Savory Grape, a wine, beer and spirits shop in East Greenwich.
