Professional sommeliers not only rely on profound professional knowledge when tasting wine, but also master a series of sophisticated and unique skills and experiences. The following are some unknown wine tasting skills and experiences of professional sommeliers:
Detailed sensory observation
Appearance observation: First, the taster will carefully observe the color and transparency of the wine. For white wine, they will pay attention to the clarity of the wine and whether it is slightly yellow; for red wine, they will pay attention to the depth of color and the color gradation at the edge. By tilting the glass and gently rotating it, observe the liquid hanging on the glass to determine the viscosity and richness of the wine.
Aroma identification: smelling aroma is a crucial step in the wine tasting process. The sommelier will place the wine glass about 5 cm below the nose, inhale gently, and feel the clarity and complexity of the wine aroma. For Maotai-flavor white wine, they will pay special attention to the aroma of lees and aged wine; while red wine may contain various aromas such as fruit, spices, and cork.
Professional tasting process
Decanting: For some types of wine, especially Maotai-flavor liquor, decanting is an essential step. By opening the bottle cap, gently shaking the wine body, and letting it sit for a few minutes, the wine will be fully in contact with the air, reducing the bitterness and improving the tasting experience.
Tasting: Slowly enter the wine, let the wine fully spread in your mouth, and feel its texture, taste and aftertaste. For Maotai-flavor liquor, tasters will pay attention to the softness of the entrance, the elegant and delicate feeling, and the long aftertaste.
Aroma retention in an empty glass: After tasting a glass of wine, the sommelier will also observe the aroma retention in the empty glass. The aroma of good Maotai-flavor liquor can remain for a long time even after the cup is empty.
Unique tasting experience
Remain objective and independent: Sommeliers need to remain objective during the tasting process, free from external influences, and evaluate the quality of the wine based on their own sensory experience. At the same time, they must also have the ability to think independently and not be easily swayed by the evaluations of others.
Pay attention to culture and pairing: Understanding the history, culture and regional characteristics of wine will help you appreciate its charm more deeply. In addition, different flavors of wine are suitable for different dishes, and sommeliers also need to master this knowledge to better promote and enjoy fine wines.
Continuous learning and improvement: Wine tasting is a skill that requires continuous learning and practice. Sommeliers need to constantly learn new tasting techniques and understand new wine styles and brewing processes to maintain their professionalism and tasting standards.
Elegant tasting gesture
Wine tasting is not only a skill, but also an art. Sommeliers need to maintain an elegant posture and a calm attitude during the tasting process. They displayed a professional demeanor and a confident demeanor by arranging their posture and conducting tastings in an orderly manner.
To sum up, the wine tasting skills and experiences of professional sommeliers cover many aspects such as meticulous sensory observation, professional tasting process, unique tasting experience and elegant tasting posture. These skills and experiences not only help them better taste and evaluate the quality of wine, but also provide us with more opportunities to understand and appreciate fine wine.
