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Musings

Musing: The 6 “S’s” of Wine Tasting

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So You Can Sip Surely

You like wine. You love wine. You have no clue what wine is, but think it sounds cool. You’re an expert. You’re a total novice. You’re branching out from Bud Light or Macallan 12 into the land of the grape. 

 

No matter the wine we’re tasting (red, white, or pink; sparkling or still, dry or dessert; expensive or affordable), we run through these six (6) steps. 

 

We hear ya: “SIX things before I get to take a sip? You crazy, lady!”

 

But trust us, after the first few times, you’ll get the hang of it and be able to run through all the steps in under one (1) minute. And taking that extra hot second will greatly enhance your enjoyment of the vino in your glass. Wine is pleasing to all the senses and can be incredibly cerebral, if you allow it (but that is a topic for another day). 

 

Whatever your knowledge or wine-love-level, this cheat sheet will help you sip surely.

 

Enough chit chat. Grab your glasses and let’s dig in!

 

SEE: Literally, what do you see in the glass?

What color is the wine? Red, white, purple, salmon, green flecks? Be specific. Is it still or sparkling? Is there a rim around the of the wine? If so, what color is it? Is it lighter or darker than that of the wine itself? Is the wine cloudy or fully clear?

 

SWIRL: Go on. Give it a whirl and get it moving.

Why? Well, for one, you look really cool and fancy. Beyond that, getting the air moving in the glass unleashes all the wonderful smells and sends them up to your nose. Circular motion. It’s all in the wrist. Now look at the sides. Those droplets are called legs: long legs = high sugar or alcohol.

 

SMELL: Time to put your sniffer work work.

Stick your nose deep in the glass, breathe in deeply, hold onto it a bit, then try and put into words what you get. Smell and taste are inextricably tied together. So, the more you use your sniffer, the more you’ll pick up in the next step. A few good sniffs should do the trick.

 

SIP: The moment you’ve been waiting for.

We made it! Put the glass to your lips and take a sip. But don’t swallow, not yet. Sorry. First, swish it all over like you do with your mouthwash in the morning. Get it in every crevice and corner of your mouth and taste bud of your tongue. But still don’t swallow. Sorry, again.

 

SHHSHHHSHHH: It’s totally a scientific term.

You know that annoying sound you hear some people making while wine tasting? Do that. With the wine in your mouth, open your lips a bit, and suck in some air in short little bursts. This aerates the wine in your mouth and enhances all those wonderful flavors. Boom!

 

SWALLOW or SPIT: The time has arrived folks!

We made it! You now have the choice to swallow (self-explanatory) or spit. Why spit? You have to drive; you’re tasting too many wines that day; you’re pregnant; you’re at work. Spit or swallow. Either way, enjoy!

 

 

Cheers y’all and don’t forget to #SipAwhile

Musing: January Wine & Music

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Musings:

January is one of *those* months. You know, you’re all excited for it but also, simultaneously, kind of dreading it. You’re ready for the routine and primed to catch up on all the things that fell behind during the blur of the holiday season, then suddenly the month is nearly over and you realize you might not be as prepared for February as you thought you’d be. It’s intense.

 

Here’s our current solution: wine, books, music, and loved ones.

 

There is something incredibly centering and calming about sipping a glass of wine and listening to music, reading a book, or chatting with a friend at the end of a long January day (any day really, but it’s especially comforting as we muddle through this month).

 

Our current favorite wine and music combination:

 

Song: Lady Caliph: Dinner by Yo-Yo Ma and Ennio Morricone. Listen to it here.

 

Wine: Edaphos Steel Plow Vineyard Grenache

 

Keep scrolling for the why…..

Wine: Edaphos Steel Plow Vineyard Grenache

This song had us craving Grenache (we know, surprise, surprise) from the second it came on. But, like music, Grenache can take many forms and this wine paired perfectly with the Edaphos Steel Plow Vineyard Grenache. The dried herbs are calming and the blackberry invites the palate to indulge again. Complex and fun, yet still easy and approachable. It’s that really smart dinner companion who seems to know everything but also puts you at ease and you know is really listening.

 

Why:

There is a certain grace, power and definity (pretty sure we made up that word) about the Edaphos Grenache that lends itself to the calming string instruments and emotion of this wordless song. While we tend to be a chatty bunch, sometimes things are best described through the simple power of instruments. The music invites you to listen and, somehow, this art manages to listen back. As does the wine.

 

Paired together, the meaning in both the song and the wine are amplified. Grace, peace, and power, seemingly mutually exclusive yet endlessly harmonious.

 

Shoe: (bc there’s always a shoe)

A casual but elevated loafer; we’re partial to the smoking loafer This combo of wine and song is something to be enjoyed solo, or mostly so, curled up on that favorite area of the sofa, ear pods filling your ears with the gentle yet powerful grace of the music while simultaneously drowning out the rest of world, providing you with 3 minutes and 50 seconds of peace and harmony, and still managing to be cerebrally compelling.

 

Cheers friends! And don’t forget to #SipAwhile

The Deets (because those are cool too!)

 

Grapes & Vineyards: Mainly Grenache, but also some Syrah, Mouvedre, and Viognier from the Steel Plow Vineyard

 

Region: Sonoma Valley AVA, CA

 

ABV: 14.2%

 

Tasting Notes: black cherries, black plums, black berries, earth, oregano, and peace

 

Winery: Edaphos by Ernest (link)