I recently read an interesting article in the UK’s Guardian stating that wine tasting is junk science.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2013/jun/23/wine-tasting-junk-science-analysis

This got me thinking… do we really know how to taste wine or is that just a whole bunch of codswallop???  One of my theory about the variation is that wine is ever evolving.  Think about it, how many times have you had wine that tasted so tight upon opening but after a nice dinner, it opens up and you regret you drank most of the bottle too soon?  Or a wine smelled so fruity and floral upon popping the cork but faded within 20 mins (that is how I got my negative Rioja experience- now thankfully cured).

But I think all the above is just trimmings at the edges.  I think there is a quick sure fire way to add flavour to any wine and make it taste better.  And the secret is… drumroll… drink it with REALLY GOOD COMPANY!!!

Yes some of you might be disappointed that I wasn’t suggesting adding black pepper to a glass of Syrah to enhance the peppery taste etc.  But I do believe that who you drink wine with does make a huge difference and the impression on the wine.  Remember Einstein’s quote of relativity: “When a man sits with a pretty girl for an hour, it seems like a minute. But let him sit on a hot stove for a minute and it’s longer than any hour. That’s relativity.”

So make sure you drink your wines with good company, the wines would definitely taste better!!!

Anyway, here’s some of the wines which I have been drinking in May 2013…

Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer 2009

Colour: pale Orange

Nose: lychee, peachy, sweet

Taste: hint of dryness, semi sweet, good velvety texture like 50% of a dessert wine

Finish: short finish of 10 second

Overall a nice aperitif but a bit too sweet if drunk as a main meal, although next time I want to try this wine with some Thai spicy and sour dishes.

Chocolate Block, South Africa Pinotage 2011

Colour: deep red

Nose: merlot nose, red fruits, slight reduction, hint of mocha

Taste: slight acidity, creme de cassis, goos chewy texture, fruity, medium bodied

Finish: short finish of 15 second.

A good simple n fruity wine.  Very easy to drink.

Louis Jadot, NSG, Les Cras 1999

Colour:  pale ruby red

Nose: red fruits, raspberries, hint of strawberries, slight vegetal and hint of minerality,

Taste: Medium bodied, slight acidity, good weight n balance.  The fruits have taken a back seat for the wines but are there.  A hint of cherry @ finish

Finish: 15 second finish.

A nice wine which is showing well given almost 14 yrs of age.