INDEX OF STORIES

» Welcome to Lodi
» City offers a world of charms, attractions
» When you think Lodi, think of wine
» For wine lovers, Lodi’s charms are many
» Wine tasting: Basic rules every beginner must know
» Lodi-area wineries
» Lodi’s gateways to adventure await
» Love to tour and eat? In Lodi, you can do both
» What to see, fly, do
» Lodi — a nice, clean place to stay
» A tourist’s eye view of Lodi
» Festivals, music events fill Lodi’s calendar
» Local museums offer something for everyone
» For the Lodi-bound tourist, there are some must-sees
» Lodi can satisfy everyone’s appetite
» Lodi: The place to breakout — outdoors that is
» Grab your clubs and come out swinging
» Looking high, low for that something very old

By Brian Ross
News-Sentinel staff writer

Far too many people, it seems, get turned off to wine tasting without ever really giving it a chance — simply because to the novice, at least, it looks like a complicated and intimidating art.

But the truth is far different — wine tasting is pleasurable — and is, in fact, meant to be so.

The following is a set of frequently asked questions from people just becoming familiar with wine. Use it as a guideline — not a manual — for exploring and enjoying fine wines.

Q. What exactly is wine tasting?

A. “Wine tasting” is actually a catchall phrase used to describe the process by which all the senses come into play to determine how inspiring an individual wine may be to a particular taster.

Q. What is the purpose of wine tasting?

A. The real purpose of wine tasting is actually quite simple: To see if the taster likes a wine; and to determine the reasons why or why not. Obviously, the type of grape from which the wine was made, where and how the grapes were raised an the commitment of the grower and wine maker are all major factors in forming a wine’s ultimate character.

Q. What skills are required to become a good wine taster?

A. According to many experts, as many as 75 percent of people have the potential to become what would be considered a “good” wine taster.

Although few people may have what it takes to reach the top, almost anyone can make their life richer through the civilized pleasures wine has to offer.

Q. What kind of glass should I use?

A. Choose a glass appropriate for the type of wine you will be sampling. If in doubt, don’t be shy about asking the (presumably knowledgeable) clerk where you bought the wine which glass is best. Generally a standard “taster” with a tapered brim and wide bowl is sufficient for most varieties. Make sure the glassware you use is free of any soapy residue and polished with a lint-free cloth. A white table cloth offers a neutral background for judging wine’s true color.

Q. What type of physical environment is best for tasting wine?

A. Avoid rooms with odd smells; also avoid wearing perfume, cologne or any other strong-smelling substance; avoid rooms which have cigarette, cigar or pipe smoke in them — and make sure the room is well-lighted (natural light is best) and not too hot or cold. The tasting rooms at wineries are inevitably excellent for all types of tastings and tasters.

Q. I’ve heard there are three basic steps for tasting wine. What are they?

A. Much can be determined about a wine’s nature simply from its color. For example, the darkness of a red wine gives us hints about its character.

1.) Hold the tasting glass by its stem and tilt it to a 45 degree angle using the white table cloth as a background. Color gives us hints about how and where the wine was grown, harvested and made.

2.) Gripping the glass gently between the thumb and the forefinger, swirl the wine gently in small circles. This aerates the wine, bringing out its volatile elements, or “nose.” Place your nose above the brim of the glass and gently smell the wine’s emerging aroma.

3.) Take a small sip. Move the wine around in the whole mouth, to warm it slightly. Spitting the wine into a small waxed-paper bucket is the final step. This step is not necessarily required at an informal tasting, however, and you can make that decision depending on whether you have any driving to do, how many wines you plan to taste during the session and, just as importantly, how much you actually like the wine in question.

The “finish,” or aftertaste lingers after swallowing (or spitting out) the wine — and whether those lingering flavors are pleasant or not.

Q. Does the label furnish information to help me pick out a good wine?

A. Wine labels are regulated by the Department of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, which stipulates all information be furnished in a straightforward way. While different wineries may furnish the information in different orders, labels include such information as:

• A brand name.

• Any special designation such as “reserve” or “late harvest.”

• A designated vineyard known for the special characteristics of its grapes.

• The location where the grapes used to make the wine were grown.

• A varietal name such as “zinfandel.”

• Vintage year in which the grapes were harvested.

• The location where the wine was actually made and bottled.

• Alcohol content may be listed, or the label may simply say “table wine.”

Although labels can provide many helpful hints as to which wines may tend to be of higher quality, it is incorrect that a “Napa” wine will necessarily be superior to a “Lodi” wine — especially in the case of zinfandel. An educated palate is, after all, the final arbiter of quality.