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In Reply to: How do you taste a [red] wine before its time? posted by NewbieBaby on August 16, 2001 at 19:59:16:
Newbie,
new wine is like a diamond, you are looking for Colour (i.e its intensity - gives a good guide to the tannin levels).
Clarity (is it well made or not?).
Cut - in this case the overall acidity of the wine - without acidity, it will not age well, but if it is acid, and has poor tannins then the acidity will not ever be balanced.
Carat - this is the overall weight of the wine. 'Brand new' wine fresh from the ferment will (should) have strong fruit flavours, with the heft of the tanins will produce wine that is weighty - these will 'close in' over the initial months of ageing, and the material it is aged in then takes precidence (i.e. Oak) leading to a thin woody wine on tasting. However, this period does end (with a good one) and the fruit flavors re-emerge, balanced by additional flavours produced by the ageing process itself - i.e. palate complexity.So, to purchase a reasonable/good new red wine for ageing you are looking for:
1/ It must be clear (no fermentation byproducts present)
2/ It must have a good depth and concentration of colour
3/ it must have a suitable acidity
4/ It must have a good 'strong' fruit flavour frame work.I always taste young wine with a smooth cheese (not strongly flavoured) as the lactates imitate a little of the glycerine that gives the wine body, and neutralises a portion of the acidity - giving a glimpse of how things could turn out.
For whites:-
1/ Again, colour and clarity are important
2/ good body
3/ reasonable acidity
4/ good 'flavour framework'All of this is dependant on the style of wine being made - is it appropriate?, and the overall blend.
The best way to work out how to taste them is to do exactly that - get out there and start slurping. If it tastes great young, and has the 'bones' (i.e tannins and acidity) to carry age - likely as not, it will be very good with some time.
Finally remember that 95% of the worlds wine is drunk far too young.
Spit don't swallow
Owe
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