Wine-Tasting Workout: Train Yourself to be a Better Wine Taster

When wine pros evaluate a bottle, they focus on six key things. Here, F&W’s Megan Krigbaum collects exercises from a trio of experts to help even a wine know-nothing become a smarter, happier, more insightful taster. Wine-Tasting Workout: Train yourself to be a better wine taster. Illustration by Julia Rothman. Illustration by Julia Rothman.

“Body is the sense of weight or richness or heaviness, and even the feeling of viscosity that a wine leaves in your mouth,” says Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson, author of Great Wine Made Simple. Generally, the more alcohol in a wine, the more body it will have, which means that wines from warmer climates (which produce grapes with more sugar to be converted into alcohol) tend to have more heft. Sugar, oak and the overall concentration of flavors in a wine can also add body.

“A key principle for pairing is to match body with body, so that the wine’s not too heavy or light for the dish, and vice versa,” says Robinson.

“Wines have different weights and richnesses, mostly due to alcohol. Milk can vary in the same way, but of course that’s due to fat,” says Robinson.

Equipment
4 glasses
1/4 cup each of skim milk, 2% milk, whole milk and heavy cream

Taste the milk in ascending order of richness, beginning with skim and ending with heavy cream, considering the texture of each and the sensation in your mouth. The skim milk should dissipate very quickly; the cream will coat your tongue.

White
1. Northern Italian Pinot Grigio: 2011 Tiefenbrunner
2. New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc: 2011 Kim Crawford Marlborough
3. White Burgundy: 2010 Domaine Faiveley Bourgogne Blanc
4. Barrel-fermented Chardonnay: 2010 Rodney Strong Sonoma County

Red
1. Valpolicella: 2011 Tedeschi Lucchine
2. California Pinot Noir: 2010 Dutton Goldfield Azaya Ranch Vineyard
3. Chianti Classico: 2009 La Maialina
4. Zinfandel: 2010 Ridge East Bench

Illustration by Julia Rothman.

Tannins are compounds in grape skins, seeds and stems that contribute to wine’s structure, complexity, texture and ageability—especially red wine. Tannins create a drying and slightly bitter sensation in the mouth, usually toward the back of the tongue. Tannic wines pair especially well with rich foods and substantial meat dishes because they cut through fat; fat also softens the perception of tannin, making the wines more approachable.

Equipment
3 mugs
3 black tea bags
Hot water

Pour 8 ounces of hot water into each of the mugs. Place one tea bag in each of the mugs and start a timer. After 2 minutes, remove the bag from the first mug; after 4 minutes, remove the bag from the second mug; and after 8 minutes, remove the final tea bag. Let the tea cool.

Taste the teas in increasing steep-time order, swishing the liquid around in your mouth before swallowing. Notice how the teas are perceptibly more astringent as the steeping time increases.

1. Beaujolais: 2010 Potel Aviron Côte de Brouilly
2. California Merlot: 2009 Simi Sonoma County Merlot
3. Bordeaux: 2010 Château Bellevue Bordeaux Supérieur

Illustration by Julia Rothman.

Acidity in wine comes from the natural acids (tartaric, malic, etc.) in the grapes themselves, or acids that are added during the the winemaking process. The acidity in grapes varies greatly depending on the variety, as well as sun exposure, climate and the soil in the vineyard; grapes grown in cooler areas tend to have higher acidity. When drinking a wine, you’ll feel the effects of acidity mostly on the sides of your tongue. Overly acidic wines will cause almost a stinging sensation or taste sour.

Acidity makes your mouth water, cuts through the fat in rich foods and refreshes the palate.

Equipment
Five 4 ounce glasses of water
1 orange
1 grapefruit
1 lemon
1 lime

Set aside the first glass of water.

Squeeze the juice of 1/4 orange into the second glass; into the third, squeeze the juice of 1/4 grapefruit; into the fourth, squeeze the juice of 1/2 lemon; into the fifth, squeeze the juice of 1/2 lime.

Taste in that order, starting with a sip of plain water, to experience increasing levels of acidity. Experiment by adding more juice to each glass to see how the acidity increases. Notice the point at which the juice becomes too sour.

1. Marsanne: 2011 Qupé
2. Sauvignon Blanc: 2011 Brander Santa Ynez Valley
3. Muscadet: 2011 Michel Delhommeau Cuvée St. Vincent

Illustration by Julia Rothman.

Sweetness in wine is measured by the amount of residual sugar (RS) in the liquid after fermentation. “Sweetness can only come from one thing in wine, and that’s sugar content,” says Master Sommelier Shayn Bjornholm. Acidity can mask some of the sweetness in wines by balancing out the sugar, as in German or Alsatian Riesling. Sugar can also contribute to a wine’s body and texture.

Equipment
16 ounce glass with 8 ounces of water
2 lemons
1 cup of sugar

Squeeze the juice of the lemons into the water and stir.

Taste the mixture; it will be very tart.

Stir in sugar 1 teaspoon at a time, tasting after each addition. You should notice when the juice achieves the right level of sweetness and balances the acidity of the lemon.

1. Dry Riesling: 2010 Robert Weil Kiedrich Turmberg Trocken
2. Off-dry Riesling: 2011 Hexamer Kabinett
3. Sweet Riesling: 2010 Kerpen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese

Illustration by Julia Rothman.

A wine’s flavors come from the grape variety, as well as the climate and the amount of sun exposure and type of soil in the vineyard. Different winemaking techniques will extract various flavors, too.

The truth is, everyone smells and tastes different aromas and flavors in wine. It’s a very subjective judgement. That said, the more tasting experiences you have, the more easily you’ll be able to pick out those flavors. Having your own flavor vocabulary can come in handy when ordering wine from a sommelier or talking with a salesperson at a wine shop—and, most importantly, when pairing wines with food.

Equipment
Blindfold
Lychee
Pencil Shavings
Mushrooms
Bacon
Rock
Sage
Raspberries
Cassis
Lime Zest
Orange Blossom Water

Put on the blindfold and have someone set out the aromatic items in front of you in any order.

Smell each item. “Aroma accounts for the majority of our taste, anyway,” says Bjornholm. Not only will this exercise give you a better idea of what you like, but it will also increase your Rolodex of flavors to have on hand when tasting.

Floral
1. Loire Cabernet Franc: 2011 Chais St. Laurent Chinon (sage)
2. Moscato d’Asti: 2011 Bera (orange-blossom water)
3. Australian Riesling: 2011 Rolf Binder Highness Riesling (lime zest)
4. Gewürztraminer: 2010 Lucien Albrecht Réserve (lychee)

Fruity
5. Zinfandel: 2010 Foxglove (raspberry)
6. California Cabernet blend: 2009 Justin Isosceles (cassis)

Savory
7. Red Burgundy: 2009 Pierre Morey Monthelie (mushroom)
8. Côte Rôtie: 2007 E. Guigal Brune et Blonde de Guigal (bacon)
9. German Riesling: 2011 Christoffel Erdener Treppchen Kabinett (rock)
10. Left Bank Bordeaux: 2008 Château Malartic-Lagravière (pencil shavings)

Illustration by Julia Rothman.

Oak barrels used in winemaking develop their toasty, caramelly, vanilla flavors from being fire-charred. The barrels can be toasted to different levels, depending on the winemaker’s preference; those barrels can hold wine while it ferments or while it ages. Some producers favor old oak over new oak because its effect on a wine’s flavor, tannins and structure is more subtle.

Equipment
Box of Cheerios
Marshmallow
Skewer

Crush up Cheerios and smell them. According to Joshua Wesson, the toasty, wheaty notes of the cereal are very similar to those in oaked white wine.

Skewer a marshmallow and roast it over a flame on a gas stove until it’s charred. “In red wines, oak leaves the impression of campfire smoke or the smell of a burnt marshmallow,” Wesson says.

1. Chablis: 2011 Jean-Marc Brocard Domaine Sainte Claire
2. White Burgundy: 2010 Joseph Drouhin Meursault
3. California Chardonnay: 2010 La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

1. Sicilian Frappato: 2011 Tami
2. Chianti Classico: 2009 Rocca delle Macìe
3. Napa Cabernet Sauvignon: 2009 Groth

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How Unpopped Gourmet Popcorn Makes Your Home Theatre Even Better

The ultimate snack is popcorn. Taking a trip back to history, specifically, popcorn history, did you know that thousands of years ago, the Native Americans discovered that unpopped popcorn could be heated and turned into a satisfying, delicious snack? Some of these tribes believed that the popping noise that went out of the kernel were that of an angry god. This is one food that started in America. Popcorn consumption increased during Great Depression and World War II. It was widely available, inexpensive and tasted good. Soon, locations in the Midwestern United States planted the maize used specifically for popcorn, finding that this crop was more stable than maize planted for fresh corn. Today, popcorn is known as the official state snack of Illinois.

Now we can buy popcorn in all kinds of ways. Pre-popped in bags on the grocers shelf, at state fairs and other outdoor events as kettle corn, flavored popcorn in popcorn gift tins, caramel popcorn with nuts (remember Cracker Jacks?) and, of course, freshly popped in every movie theatre lobby. The smell of popcorn has become synonymous with going to the movies.

With the advent of home theatres, we are staying home to watch our films more often. To make the experience complete, make some fresh popcorn at home, using unpopped gourmet popcorn. These tips will help you select the best unpopped gourmet popcorn for your family.

To find which popcorn pops the most kernels, look for the freshest popcorn you can find. This isn't going to be the stuff that has been sitting on the shelf at the grocers in a plastic bag. Even if the expiration date is still valid, the popcorn is likely to be stale. Stale popcorn will leave behind many unpopped kernels, have hard hulls that can cause dental and digestive problems and simply not taste like fresh popcorn should. The freshest popcorns will come from merchants who specialize in premium gourmet popcorn. You can find many merchants online who often have sample packs to allow you to taste a variety of their popcorns.

Consider whether you want your final product to be big, fluffy pieces or smaller, fluffy pieces. Each has their advantages. The larger kernels are best for flavored popcorn like caramel popcorn or kettle corn. The disadvantage is that the hulls can be tougher, sometimes causing gastric distress or dental problems for certain people. Smaller hulls are bred and harvested at just the right time to shatter when they pop. Essentially, the hull is destroyed which eliminates those annoying intestinal and dental problems. The popped corn is smaller, which is less than ideal for layering caramel or chocolate; however, the smaller size is a perfect size for kids with their little hands and mouths. These baby varieties of popcorn can be exactly the thing you have been looking for when it comes to finding a healthy snack for your young children.

Unpopped gourmet popcorn comes in many varieties and several colors. Look for varieties that are all natural and have not had their hulls dyed with food coloring. Most importantly, look for unpopped popcorn is not genetically altered to produce smaller or larger hulls. This is a snack that is naturally grown and best in its natural state.

Store you unpopped popcorn correctly. When stored in a sealed glass jar in a cool cupboard, unpopped popcorn can maintain its freshness for 6-12 months. Popcorn pops because it has a bit of moisture trapped in each kernel. If the corn dries out, more of the kernels will stay closed. You can try to store the corn in the freezer to extend the freshness a few months, but eventually it will lose most of the moisture and you will end up with unpopped kernels and, potentially, a slightly stale taste.

Order some unpopped gourmet popcorn now so you are ready next time you load a new release into that Blue-Ray player. Savour the fresh aroma as it pops and settle in to enjoy the flick and the taste of fresh popcorn.

For more information on unpopped gourmet popcorn and other gourmet gifts, visit http://www.AnythingGoesGourmet.com.

And don't forget to download your FREE copy of 101 Tips for Cooking Like A Chef!

Does Gourmet Cat Food Really Taste Better?

In recent years, there has been a serious surge in the production of so called "premium" or "gourmet" cat food, and people are beginning to wonder if these more expensive brands on the market are actually worth all the hype, and of course the money. These gourmet brands are meant to taste more lavish than the traditional products found in the average supermarket. Gourmet cat food sales are increasing at a very fast rate in an industry that is consistently evolving to produce higher quality products. The question that pet owners need to ask is whether the additional cost of these luxury products is really worth it?

One of the primary reasons why there is such an increase in demand for these products is because consumers are looking for products that are closer to the quality of home prepared foods. Current research is supporting that inferior ingredients in cat food can be detrimental to the health of the cat more and more people are looking for healthier alternatives. Many gourmet brands are touting the ability to provide high quality, natural cat food products based on ingredients that are more wholesome than traditional commercially prepared foods.

Every year we seem to see an increase in cat disease, obesity and other serious issues which can now be rectified to a degree by the healthfulness of gourmet cat food products. Most so-called gourmet products come in smaller packages which tend to discourage over feeding in order to fight obesity. These small packages are attractive both to consumers who are looking for dietary management, and for those who are looking for convenience when feeding their pets.

Many pet food brands, like Purina for example, offer a variety of different types of gourmet cat food these include "Fancy Feast" and "Gourmet Gold" for example. These brands claim to be restaurant quality, and come in a variety of different types and choices. The obvious benefit to the manufacturer is that they can demand a higher price for these luxury products. This is by putting increased care into the design, presentation and manufacturing of the food the company can fetch increased profits. Because consumers know the products are of a higher quality, they are generally willing to pay more.

There seems to be an implied understanding that the higher price means the higher quality when it comes to food products. This is not completely true, because gourmet cat food is not always offering a healthy balanced diet. The more common, discount brands can still create a balanced and healthy diet when mixed with the right ingredients. Cat owners should not assume that the gourmet brands are necessarily better.

Instead, they should consult their veterinarian to appraise which brand and food is ideal for each individual cat's needs. This is the most ideal way to determine which type will best suit your cat's requirements nutritionally. While improved taste may be the greatest feature of many of these products, gourmet cat food does not necessarily mean it contains improved nutrition.

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For advice on pet food, he recommends Seapets, one of the UK's leading suppliers of cat supplies.

Why Is Gourmet Chocolate Better?

When it comes to picking out a great chocolate why exactly should you consider going with gourmet chocolate? After all, it often costs more and can be harder to find in certain candy store and grocery stores-so why go through the trouble? Luckily you're about to discover why gourmet chocolate is the best kind to buy, eat and give as a gift to a loved one or friend. If you've never quite understood why this kind of confectionary is better than the standard form read on to learn more.

Firstly, what exactly constitutes "gourmet"? Generally speaking this term is used to describe a higher quality premium food that often costs more. Often times something that is gourmet is generally something that's just more rich and natural. One of the biggest benefits of gourmet chocolate is the simple fact that it just tastes better. Sure, a typical Hershey bar tastes great but a gourmet bar is a completely different experience.

What causes this difference in flavor and quality? Obviously it has a lot to do with the ingredients. The more natural and pure the ingredients are the more rich and flavorful the end product will be. This is a major contributing factor in why gourmet chocolates are what they are. This also means that the price you pay is slightly more but many people who learn to appreciate the flavor and art of gourmet foods have little issue paying a bit extra for higher quality.

If you ever want to give chocolates as a gift then going gourmet is a great idea. Since the chocolate costs a bit more it fits in the range of something you can give as a gift that many people will be happy to receive and appreciate. Shopping online is a great way to save a few bucks on your gourmet gifts.

If you want great gourmet chocolate go to Best-Gourmet-Chocolate right now to learn more and see what's available. Going gourmet is a great way to give a thoughtful gift that everyone can enjoy. Visit right now to learn more and see how you can get your hands on high quality chocolates.

Eating Better Than Humans - The Pet Food Trends

If the United States is in a recession, no one has told the pet industry. In fact, while people scrounge for jobs and ways to feed themselves, pets are living the high life more than ever and quite often eating far better than their human counterparts. While old school brands like Purina and Ol' Roy aren't going anywhere, there has certainly been a massive swing towards the organic and holistic side of the pet food market. Not aware that side even existed? You are not the only one but it is hardly new.

The Trend That Wouldn't Die

About a decade ago, roughly in 1999, it became a popular trend in parts of Australia for dog owners to set aside the weekend and prepare a week's worth of gourmet food for their pooches, then portion it into meals and freeze it all, bringing it out to be warmed up as needed. At the time this seemed ridiculous. It still seems ridiculous but quite a few other people and even entire countries have caught the fever. Now, we just have more options for how to get that gourmet food. It hardly has to be cooked by the owner anymore: there are a slew of posh and pretty pet eateries who would be more than happy to do it for you, for what many consider a reasonable price.

In 2011, though, it is not just about convenience but healthiness as well. How many of us have time to not only make gourmet frozen meals for our pets but also to grow it with organic fertilizers and make sure every part of Spike's food is additive and filler free? Our canine companions are enjoying such extravaganzas as blueberry compote, venison, duck, veal in a light sauce, ginger snap cookies and even peanut-carob Isabooscotti. Celebrity cooks like Rachel Ray offer pet-friendly dishes you can share with your dog and in the UK, Butcher's Pet Care now proudly offers a gastropub menu for the pooch who must accompany his human to the local Brakspear chain of pubs. No longer does the family hound have to suffer the humiliation of being left outside with naught but a bowl of water and maybe a nibble while his owner has a laugh in the pub with a pint or two. It is indeed a marvelous and progressive world in which we live despite there being no evidence at all that the human-grade foods are any better for our pets than the old tried-and-true Puppy Chow, even after studying thousands of dog diets and their outcomes. It should be noted that the 'old men' on the pet food block are not exactly shaking in their boots.

With the Strength Of A Bull Market

The trend, though, shows little sign of slowing and a savvy editor named Jessica Taylor asserts that the big push on antioxidants like pomegranate and grape seed in the realm of people will be the next big thing in the pet realm, too. Hard to doubt it. With Americans alone shelling out nearly fifty-five billion on their pets last year and with a seven percent increase in veterinarian services, it does appear that more pet owners are not just providing for their furry friends, they're investing in their longevity and even mental well being. Pet psychologists and therapists are being frequented more often these days and even pet psychics do not seem as far-fetched as they did just five years ago.

Incredible attention to detail and improvements have been made such things as indoor dog litter boxes. In Los Angeles, you can even hire a litter box specialist to come in and take care of all the poop-scooping for you. Real sod or life-like artificial turf, complete with a partial wall and fire hydrant can make your dog, regardless of size, feel just like he's going potty outside. These are indeed the marvel of modern technology.

The point is that pets are not going away; they have been with us since time immemorial and we are willing to spend more on them than we are on ourselves. We desire to bring them closer to us and spend obscene amounts of money to dress them in the cutest new fashions or to make sure they are insured in case they break a leg or get sick. Chemotherapy is absolutely an option if your friend develops cancer and nothing we would do for ourselves would we deny our animals, and then some. From mineral water for dogs to pumpkin puree labeled as dog food but that can easily be used in human-consumed pumpkin pies, to other human-grade goodies, gourmet meals and snacks, the pets are getting pampered more and more with each passing year. How much of it the animal understands is really beside the point; we pay for it and we want it for them. After all, love is priceless.

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Expensive Branded Gourmet Cat Food - Are They Any Better Than Common Cat Food

Recently, there has been a surging increase in the production of premium cat foods that looks and taste much more lavish than the basic cat food brands in the market. Commonly known as gourmet cat food, their sales are ever increasing in the ever demanding pet industry.

One of the main reasons for the increase in demand is the need for cat food that is closer to a home prepared quality. As current research support the fact that inferior cat food ingredients are detrimental to a cat's health and are mainly responsible for many feline illnesses that have become much more common over the last few decades, customers are looking for healthier alternative to the traditional cat food diet with more prominence on wholesome ingredients.

With the increase in cat obesity, the other benefits of gourmet cat food is that they usually come pack in smaller packages and therefore less likely to overfeed your cat and become overweight. Owners looking for dietary management as well as convenience would find these smaller packages attractive in both their design and their suitability in helping to control their cat food intake.

One of the more popular brands of gourmet cat food is Purina, they offer a variety of pet food including brands like Fancy Feast cat food and Gourmet Gold that offers both restaurant quality and a wide variety of choices. Purina dm Cat Food is also manufactured by Purina and is targeted at cats with diabetes.

The obvious benefits to these pet food companies is the higher price tag put onto these luxury cat food. Putting more care in the manufacturing, design and presentation means that each pack of cat food can fetch a higher profit. On the other hand, cat owners are willing to part with more money, knowing that they are getting higher quality cat food.

Currently there seems to be an implied understanding among cat owners that the higher the price of the cat food, the better the quality, and the more you care about your cats health. While this belief is generally not wrong, it is not totally right, as a healthy balance diet need not necessary consist of gourmet cat food. With the correct mix, common brands of cat food with a good mix of home prepared food can still create a healthy and balance cat diet.

It is advisable to seek your veterinary opinion if you have any concerns about your cat diet. Your veterinary knowing the condition of your cat would be able to recommend or even prescribe a suitable diet for your cat, be it commercial, homemade or mixture of both.

Moses Wright is a webmaster and he provides more information on Cat Health, Cat Veterinary Diseases and Cat Illnesses Symptoms on his website. You are welcome to reprint this article if you keep the content and live link intact.