Systematic Approach To Tasting Wine

Question 1

Appearance

List the three levels of wine intensity

Answer 1

Pale - Medium - Deep

Question 2

Appearance - Colour
List the 5 levels of colour intensity of
White Wine

Answer 2

Lemon-green, Lemon, Gold, Amber, Brown

Note: Lemon is the most common colour for White Wine

Question 3

Appearance - Colour
List the 3 levels of colour intensity of
Rosé Wine

Answer 3

Pink - Salmon - Orange

Question 4

Appearance - Colour
List the 5 levels of colour intensity of
Red Wine

Answer 4

Purple - Ruby - Garnet - Tawny - Brown

Note: Ruby is the most common colour for Red Wine

Question 5

Appearance - Other

What other possible observations are there for wine?

Answer 5

e.g. Legs/tears, deposit, pétillance, bubbles

Question 6

Nose - Intensity

List 5 levels of wine intensity

Answer 6

Light - Medium(-) - Medium - Medium(+) - Pronounced

Question 7

Nose - Aroma Characteristics

List the (up to) 3 levels of Aroma

Answer 7

e.g. Primary, Secondary, Tertiary

Question 8

Nose - Development

List the 4 levels of wine development

Answer 8

Youthful - Developing - Fully Developed - Tired/past its best

Question 9

Palate - Sweetness

List 6 levels of Sweetness

Answer 9

Dry - Off-Dry - Medium Dry - Medium Sweet - Sweet - Luscious

Question 10

Palate - Acidity

List the 5 levels of acidity

Answer 10

Low - Medium(-) - Medium - Medium(+) - High

Question 11

Palate - Tannin

List the 5 levels of Tannin

Answer 11

Low - Medium(-) - Medium - Medium(+) - High

Question 12

Palate - Alcohol

List the 3 levels of Alcohol

Answer 12

Low - Medium - High

Question 13

Palate - Body

List the 5 levels of wine body

Answer 13

Light - Medium(-) - Medium - Medium(+) - Full

Question 14

Palate - Mousse

List the 3 types of Mousse

Answer 14

Delicate - Creamy - Aggressive

Question 15

Palate - Flavour Intensity

List the 5 levels of Flavour Intensity

Answer 15

Light - Medium(-) - Medium - Medium(+) - Pronounced

Question 16

Palate - Flavour Characteristics

Name the 3 levels of flavour characteristics

Answer 16

e.g. Primary, Secondary, Tertiary

Question 17

Palate - Finish

List the 5 levels of taste finish

Answer 17

Short - Medium(-) - Medium - Medium(+) - Long

Question 18

Conclusions - Assessment of Quality

List the 6 levels of wine quality

Answer 18

Faulty - Poor - Acceptable - Good - Very Good - Outstanding

Question 19

Conclusions - Assessment of Quality

List the 4 levels of Readiness for drinking / Potential for ageing

Answer 19

Too Young
Can drink now but has potential for ageing
Drink now: Not suitable for ageing or further ageing
Too Old

Question 20

Where in your mouth do you taste Sweetness?

Answer 20

The tip of the tongue

Question 21

Where in your mouth do you taste Acidity?

Answer 21

One the sides of the tongue

Question 22

Where in your mouth do you taste Bitterness?

Answer 22

At the back of the tongue

Question 23

Where in your mouth do you taste Tannin?

Answer 23

In your cheeks and gums

Question 24

Where are the 5 places on your body to hold your wine glass to check for aroma intensity and what do they mean?

Answer 24

Chest - Pronounced
Neck -  Medium +
Chin   - Medium
Lips   -  Medium -
Nose  - Light

Question 25

What is the acronym for assessing the Quality level of a wine?

Answer 25

Balance
Length
Intensity
Complexity

Question 26

With BLIC what would these score?
1/4
2/4
3/4
4/4

Answer 26

1/4 Acceptable quality
2/4 Good quality
3/4 Very good quality
4/4 Outstanding quality
Always include the word 'quality'

Question 27

If you decide the quality of a wine is just ‘acceptable’ what should you write up in the aroma / tasting notes?

Answer 27

Write ‘simple’

Question 28

If a red wine has tertiary notes what word should you write for both aroma and taste to describe it?

Answer 28

Prune

Question 29

Roughly what are the price breaks for wines that are
Acceptable quality
Good quality
Very good quality
Outstanding quality

Answer 29

Acceptable quality

Question 30

What colour are ‘most’ red wines

Answer 30

Ruby

Question 31

What colour are ‘most’ dry white wines?

Answer 31

Lemon

Question 32

How many
Aroma notes
Tasting notes
Should you try to write?

Answer 32

Aroma 7

Taste 5