Imbibing and enjoying: some tips
Shortly after I turned twenty, booze stopped being the nectar I used to get ridiculous. Still happens once in a while, but it's a byproduct rather than a goal. Once in Canada, working in hospitality bussiness and my personal preferences put a lot of information and experience in front of me. And still, I know nothing.
My favourites drinks are Beer, Wine and Whisky. Not necessarily in that order. These are some things I learned over the past time.
1. Drink and taste are two different things. I doesn't mean that both aren't enjoyable, just there's a time a place for each one. Taste involves a sensorial appreciation of what you are imbibing. You are trying to understand something while you enjoy your time, with friends if possible. Finished working on the yard? Get a couple of light refreshing lagers. Having a special dinner? Perhaps is time to try that trappist belgium beer you bought (right picture). For the sake of my notes, I'm talking here mostly about tasting.
2. Find a goal for your tasting. For the beer on the yard could be quite simple. You are hot and thristy. But I like to think that there's always a reason behind pulling out that cork or poping out that cap. On many group tasting I often found people (myself included) trying to find notes, tastes and aromas, analyzing colours and densities. I try to first figure it out if I like it or not, why do I like it, and then go from there onto the next. Knowing is important, but know what makes yo enjoy it. And if you are into tasting and you enjoy it, please...
3. ...Taste anything, from a two dollar bottle of red to a Reserve Bourdeaux. It is not true that some things are worth of your attention and others not. Learn what makes wine a cheap one, so you can appreciate the effort and craftmanship on the Amarone you opened for that special night. And don't limit yourself to beverages. The more things you taste, the wider your spectrum. You can't possibly find notes of heather pollen in your scotch if you never tasted the actual heather pollen. Taste, chew and smell anything that comes on your way. Train your senses!
4. Learn about what you are tasting. Don't just drink it, google it! You can find tons of information on the web, or library for the old fashioned ones. I commit myself to do some little reserch of any bottle before opening or buying it, specially when it comes to pricey spirits. Rather than reading what others have to say, look to answer quiestion such as where was it produced, how, why they did that and what were they trying to achieve. If you are a real geek, keep a log book.
5. Taste back to back. It's a great way to discover subtle changes and find subtleties. A frame of reference is fundamental when tasting. If you came from work and you just want to enjoy a glass of malbec with your better half, just go for it. This is life, not a lab! But if you are going for a tasting trip, is always a good idea to do a sort of potluck. You get friends and variety. Everyone brings something different, everyone tastes differnt things and you share your thoughts. But please...
6. Don't be a pretencious snob. That's a very common way to make this an intimidating social moment. It happened to me many times with literature. "Oh, I'm sorry, I'm reading Paulo Coelho, so? This has nothing to do with you." And the truth is, you can't say you don't like something unless you've tried it (or read it). Get a relax approach to it. Don't judge, nor feel judged. Say whatever you need to say, laugh, be humble, don't miss that the point of it is having a good. time.
7. Be openminded. Try different things. This it goes on on the same direction, but regarding the drink in front of you.The Pinot Noir you dont like know, you may like it in the future. There's a cycle for tastes. Islay scotch smells like campfire, tires, seaweed, etc. I don't know if it's very approachable on the first sip. Give some time to it. Don't fall into that common place saying that blended scotch is inferior perse, that's not a rule of thumb. And once in a while go back to taste the same thing you didn't like in first place. We seek different things at different times of our day/life. But don't worry if you don't like something. You are not suposed to like or dislike anything a priori. A palates matures along with us. Just stay openminded.
8. The best way to taste is the way you like it. I remember once my cousin told about the time he was in France on an cocktail party. Someone tried to impress him talking about this Reserve Cru, and when he got served a glass, he innocently poured himself some soda on the wine since he doesn´t like red wine at all. If you want to make a Whiskcola with a Balvenie 21 Years or a Sangria with your Napa Valley Cab, that's allright! If you want to taste it, my only advice is to perhaps try it by itself, neat. There was a lot of effort on getting that final product, just give it a chance first!
9. Talk to bartenders, they are full of wisdom. Maybe not the nightclub guy behind the bar rushing to serve a crowd of overstimulated teens. But these passionate guys that serve as their career of choice can guide you through this wide world full of variety. If ain't busy, they would love to share they passion with you. And their mixed creations are a product of a very delicate craft. It's good to have a bartender as a friend. Remember to pass that hospitality onto others. Friends and people are important. And remember, tip well your bartender.
10. Don't miss the point of it. don't become alcoholic! This is about enjoying.
Cheers!
Salud!
My favourites drinks are Beer, Wine and Whisky. Not necessarily in that order. These are some things I learned over the past time.
1. Drink and taste are two different things. I doesn't mean that both aren't enjoyable, just there's a time a place for each one. Taste involves a sensorial appreciation of what you are imbibing. You are trying to understand something while you enjoy your time, with friends if possible. Finished working on the yard? Get a couple of light refreshing lagers. Having a special dinner? Perhaps is time to try that trappist belgium beer you bought (right picture). For the sake of my notes, I'm talking here mostly about tasting.
2. Find a goal for your tasting. For the beer on the yard could be quite simple. You are hot and thristy. But I like to think that there's always a reason behind pulling out that cork or poping out that cap. On many group tasting I often found people (myself included) trying to find notes, tastes and aromas, analyzing colours and densities. I try to first figure it out if I like it or not, why do I like it, and then go from there onto the next. Knowing is important, but know what makes yo enjoy it. And if you are into tasting and you enjoy it, please...
 |
| A Glenfiddich tasting at Praire 360's Whisky Lounge. (Winnipeg) |
5. Taste back to back. It's a great way to discover subtle changes and find subtleties. A frame of reference is fundamental when tasting. If you came from work and you just want to enjoy a glass of malbec with your better half, just go for it. This is life, not a lab! But if you are going for a tasting trip, is always a good idea to do a sort of potluck. You get friends and variety. Everyone brings something different, everyone tastes differnt things and you share your thoughts. But please...
6. Don't be a pretencious snob. That's a very common way to make this an intimidating social moment. It happened to me many times with literature. "Oh, I'm sorry, I'm reading Paulo Coelho, so? This has nothing to do with you." And the truth is, you can't say you don't like something unless you've tried it (or read it). Get a relax approach to it. Don't judge, nor feel judged. Say whatever you need to say, laugh, be humble, don't miss that the point of it is having a good. time.
7. Be openminded. Try different things. This it goes on on the same direction, but regarding the drink in front of you.The Pinot Noir you dont like know, you may like it in the future. There's a cycle for tastes. Islay scotch smells like campfire, tires, seaweed, etc. I don't know if it's very approachable on the first sip. Give some time to it. Don't fall into that common place saying that blended scotch is inferior perse, that's not a rule of thumb. And once in a while go back to taste the same thing you didn't like in first place. We seek different things at different times of our day/life. But don't worry if you don't like something. You are not suposed to like or dislike anything a priori. A palates matures along with us. Just stay openminded.
 |
| Glendronach 12 is a good partner for my reading time. |
8. The best way to taste is the way you like it. I remember once my cousin told about the time he was in France on an cocktail party. Someone tried to impress him talking about this Reserve Cru, and when he got served a glass, he innocently poured himself some soda on the wine since he doesn´t like red wine at all. If you want to make a Whiskcola with a Balvenie 21 Years or a Sangria with your Napa Valley Cab, that's allright! If you want to taste it, my only advice is to perhaps try it by itself, neat. There was a lot of effort on getting that final product, just give it a chance first!
9. Talk to bartenders, they are full of wisdom. Maybe not the nightclub guy behind the bar rushing to serve a crowd of overstimulated teens. But these passionate guys that serve as their career of choice can guide you through this wide world full of variety. If ain't busy, they would love to share they passion with you. And their mixed creations are a product of a very delicate craft. It's good to have a bartender as a friend. Remember to pass that hospitality onto others. Friends and people are important. And remember, tip well your bartender.
10. Don't miss the point of it. don't become alcoholic! This is about enjoying.
Salud!
Comentarios
Publicar un comentario