Blind tasting is the best way to find out what you like (and don’t like)
“Wine is a little like love. When the right one comes along you’ll know it!” –Anonymous
Keep in mind that the wines you prefer may not technically be the best wines, especially early on in your wine journey. And that’s fine. However, as you hone your tasting skills, hopefully you will be able to distinguish between pleasant but simple wines and truly outstanding wines.
A blind tasting means that the bottles are covered by sacks or wine bags so that the labels cannot be seen. Typically, a number of wines of a single type (ex. California Cabs) are tasted and compared, and then their identities are revealed. In a single-blind tasting, the varietal is known but not the individual wines. In a double-blind tasting, neither the varietal nor the individual wines is known.
By tasting wines blind, you are not influenced by the label, the reputation of the winemaker, or the price. You are focused totally on the quality of the wine and are completely unbiased in your evaluation.
After you have evaluated the wines, the real fun begins, which is removing the bags or sacks that have covered the bottles and discovering the identities and prices of wines that you really like (or don’t like).
Have you ever participated in a blind tasting? If so, did you find it to be a positive experience?
Come back on Monday for my Tasting Methodology post for tips on evaluating wines during a tasting (blind or not).
Filed under General Wine Information
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