If these weekly columns have inspired you to organise your own wine tasting at home, then you’ll need to get some kit together. Buy yourself some large wine glasses (cheap supermarket ones will do) for capturing any wine aromas released when the wine is swirled prior to sniffing and tasting. And to help you keep track of all the wines you taste why not use my free wine tasting sheet available from http://paulagoddard.com/images/stories/wines/paula goddard wine tasting sheet.pdf
There’s space to record the wine colour (red, white or rosé) as well as where you bought it and for how much. It’s also useful to keep a note of what the bottle label says so that if you like the wine you’ll have a good chance of finding exactly the same, or a similar type, again.
The tasting sheet also has space to record the grape varieties used in the wine – these will be displayed on the label, unless it’s French, when these will be hidden from you, because you shouldn’t need to ask should you? A white Burgundy will be made from Chardonnay grapes, a red Burgundy from Pinot Noir, and Bordeaux reds (or as we English like to call them, Clarets), will be a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.
Once you’ve written all that down you’ll finally pour the wine. Give it a sniff so you can make a note of its aroma and then sip and taste. There are no right or wrong words for the aroma and taste – write down whatever you think the wine smells and tastes of even if that’s home-made custard or Persil washing up liquid.
Not sure what wines to get for the tasting? Then try these aroma-friendly and slurpable bargains.
PG Wine Reviews
Aldi Andarra Chilean Sauvignon Blanc 2013
£3.99 Aldi
Great value fruity white that tastes of creamy grapefruit and pineapple.
Aldi Domain Roussellet French Malbec
£4.39 Aldi
Damson and cream flavours.
Tesco French Corbières
£4.69 Tesco
Juicy flavours of blackberry, cherry and damson.
Co-op Fairtrade Argentinean Bonarda Shiraz 2013
£4.99 Co-op
Lighter flavours than the slightly meaty aroma leads you to expect – so get down those creamy cherry flavours.
Co-op Fairtrade Argentinean Torrontés Chardonnay 2014
£4.99 Co-op
Fruity and refreshing flavours of orange, lemon and apple.
McGuigan The Shortlist Australian Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
£13. 97 Asda, £14.99 Majestic
Rich and chewy red with flavours of blackcurrant, liquorice and plum.
Tweet me a wine question @huxelrebe
© Paula Goddard 2015
