Sniffing Truffles
October 15, 2010
A huge that you to everyone who took part in our ‘learn to taste like a professional’ event last night, especially our very entertaining speaker Mr Steve Day.
Apologies to those of you who were unable to get tickets, this was a very popular event; but fear not, as it was so successful we hope to repeat it in the New Year.
The tasting began with round of ‘sniff and guess’, a series of pots covered with foil and pierced were sent around the room for everyone to guess what Steve had put in them. This was an extremely entertaining and enlightening experience. Once you take the visual aspect away from something with a recognisable smell can you identify it? Even something that would seem obvious like pineapple was identified as a myriad of things from peach, toast and even cheese.
The truffles stumped almost everyone, with most people wincing at the smell, whereas the diesel was almost instantly recognisable. The philosophy behind this exercise was to open your minds to taking notice of smells so that you can recognise them more easily. Try this exercise at home and see how you get on!
We then moved onto tasting the basic components in a wine, sugar, acidity and alcohol, we tasted these separately and then made out own little blend to see how they affect each other.
We then proceeded to taste 4 whites and 4 reds of different styles and varieties to bring all these aspects together. Including the delicious Jordan Barrel fermented Chardonnay (£11.19),
a fantastic example of beautifully balanced oaky Chardonnay and the Vina Perguita ‘Reserva Decanter’, a Tempranillo from 2002. This wine is specifically made to decant and be enjoyed for its tertiary character, prunes and caramel with hint of damp earth. Very good and a bargain at £9.95.
A fantastic evening which we look forward to repeating again in the near future.
In the meantime Steve will be one of the many experts available to talk to you at our Christmas Tasting on Monday 1st November. This is not a formal tutored tasting but an opportunity for you to taste over 80 wines and chat to more than 10 wine trade experts.
Tickets for the Christmas tasting are just £10.00 per person. Spaces are limited and tickets must be booked and paid for in advance.
www.connollyswine.co.uk/events.php
