One of the most popular events at the Boathouse is the monthly Wine Wednesday Wine Sampling. On the first Wed of the month at the Sunday Park location, and the second Wednesday of the month at Rocketts Landing, our Director of Wine, Michael Avery, hosts a wine sampling. Each month Mike features different wines from our Wine Spectator Award Winning wine list. A great learning experience for me has been the weekly wine class Mike holds for the Boathouse staff. I have learned about different varietals; discovered why I like the wines that I like; and most importantly, been taught how to taste a wine.
The first thing a person normally does when tasting wine is to look at it. Why look at the wine? To experienced wine connoisseurs the color, clarity and opacity can indicate the age of the wine. Since I am not serious a student of wine, I look at the wine to see if it is clear or hazy, and if there is any sediment.
After looking at the appearance, swirl the wine in the glass to release more aroma. Mike has taught us to sniff by getting the nose close to the wine and inhaling deeply. Then stop and think about what you can smell before tasting the wine. Often the wine smells like very unexpected and unusual things. Since there is no right or wrong answer, you might smell plums and cherries while your tasting buddy smells tobacco and oak.
Enjoy wine with a great city view at the Boathouse at Rocketts Landing
Then it is time to taste. Take a small sip and let it roll around your tongue before swallowing. Take a minute to identify what you are tasting. You may be surprised that what you have smelled is not always what you taste. Before moving on to the next wine that is being tasted, consider cleansing your palate with some water, especially if the wine you just tried is very full-bodied and distinctive.
The goal of wine sampling is to find wines that you enjoy drinking while trying something new. Visit Mike at the Boathouse at Rocketts Landing tonight and expand your wine horizons. Have a great Wine Wednesday!
- by Anne Roy, Director of Sales for the Boathouse